New standard in drilling

Mapal says it has set a new standard in drilling with its Tritan-Drill range (featuring three cutting edges) which is being gradually expanded. For instance, a new universal version, made from HSS, has been specifically developed to maximise cost effectiveness in small-series production.

Thanks to the shape of its main cutting edge, the Tritan-Drill-HSS is robust, even in difficult drilling situations, says the company. Stable cutting edge corners mean that damage to the edge geometry is reduced, which allows for both greatly improved results and smooth machining. The coating of the Tritan-Drill-HSS is optimised for universal machining. As a result, the drill can be used for different materials while maintaining a long tool life, reports Mapal.
According to the company, the Tritan-Drill-HSS can achieve feeds up to 50% higher than twin-edged HSS drills, while at the same time has a tool life that is up to four times longer. Due to the special point geometry of the Tritan-Drill-HSS, piloting and centre-punching are not necessary. The tool can also be used on hand drills, with the pronounced drill tip preventing it from slipping over the chisel edge (in contrast to drills with two cutting edges).
Mapal’s Tritan Drill-HSS is available in a diameter range from 8 to 40 mm.
For further information www.mapal.com

Alitech races to success with ITC

As a subcontract machine shop, Alitech Precision is a company that is rapidly evolving, a fact credit to its aggressive investment programme, enthusiasm and love for all things motorsport. Since its inception little over three years ago, the Silverstone-based company has purchased three Haas machining centres, Open Mind CAM software, a Spinner five-axis machining centre and cutting tools from Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC).

A recent example of the partnership between Alitech and ITC could be seen when it came to the profile machining of deep port pockets. Here, it was ITC that stepped up to the challenge with its lollipop cutters. The majority of projects undertaken by Alitech involve the complex, simultaneous five-axis machining of parts such as billet inlet manifolds, valve seats, inlet port heads, billet turbo manifolds and much more. Reaching deep into ports is a complex challenge for the machine tool kinematics, the CAM software, the cutting tools and tool holding. At the sharp edge are ITC 4101 lollipop end mills that permit Alitech to reach surfaces around corners and deep inside manifold ports.
Commenting upon the daily challenges at Alitech, managing director Darren Cudd says: “We recently machined a billet turbo manifold for a motorsport customer that required two 40 mm diameter oval shaped port holes with a curved machining depth beyond 200 mm. We used an 8 mm diameter ITC lollipop cutter necked to 5 mm that was protruding 70 mm from a slim 80 mm heat-shrink tool holder extension with a 75 mm long back-end configuration. The rigidity and geometry of the ITC lollipop tools ensure we attain an exceptional surface finish while machining at extremely productive speed and feed parameters.”
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Powertrain merger

The Gehring Group and CopperING Group have united their global product portfolio and established themselves as a supplier for production systems in both the conventional and electrified powertrain segments.

Gehring, as a global automotive supplier with more than 90 years of experience, is said to be the technology leader for honing cylinders in combustion engines. CopperING, with locations in Wernigerode (Germany) and Nuvolera (Italy), has extensive experience as a manufacturer of production technology in the field of electrical powertrains.
For further information www.gehring.de

MBO deal

Mid-market private equity investor LDC has backed the £22.5m MBO of Precision Micro Ltd, a photo-chemical etching company, from global aerospace, defence and energy group Meggitt PLC.

As part of the deal, LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, has invested £13m of equity for a significant stake in the company, supporting a management team led by current managing director Ian McMurray. Operating from its plant in Erdington, Birmingham, Precision Micro manufactures more than 50 million precision metal components each year for global customers across multiple markets.
For further information www.precisionmicro.com

DMG Mori announces record figures

DMG Mori has released record Q1 figures in order intake, sales revenues, earnings and free cash flow.

Order intake rose in the first quarter by 18% to €821.8m (previous year: €693.9m). Thus, for the first time, orders in a quarter were more than €800m. Sales revenues of €581.8m were 9% above the previous year (€533.9m), while EBIT rose by 20% to €41m (previous year: €34.3m). In addition to the good results of operations, the financial position also developed positively: free cash flow improved by €130.6m to €13m (+111%; previous year: €-117.6m). For the first time in the company’s 148-year history, free cash flow is already positive in the first quarter.
For further information www.dmgmori.com