TaeguTec raises the bar in high-feed milling cutters

High-feed milling places enormous demands on cutting tools. Feed rates, chip evacuation, surface finish and tool life all directly influence machining productivity, making insert design critical to overall performance. With the launch of its new CHASEFEED SRMT insert line, TaeguTec has introduced a solution engineered to overcome the common limitations associated with conventional high-feed milling inserts.

A key advantage of the new SRMT design is its ability to utilise all four cutting edges fully and equally. In many competing insert designs, adjacent cutting edges become exposed to the cutting zone during machining, leading to premature wear and inconsistent performance. TaeguTec’s optimised insert geometry eliminates this issue by keeping neighbouring edges clear of the cut, allowing each corner to deliver reliable tool life and stable machining performance in succession.

Chip control is another major challenge in high-feed milling operations. Poor chip evacuation can result in chips re-entering the cutting zone, damaging workpiece surfaces, causing insert chipping and even jamming the cutter. The SRMT insert addresses this issue with a geometry designed to direct chips efficiently into the gullet and away from the workpiece. This capability improves surface finish and enables the insert to perform effectively across roughing, semi-finishing and finishing applications.

Sharp cutting edges further enhance performance by reducing cutting forces and improving machining efficiency in difficult materials. Higher feed rates can therefore be maintained without compromising tool life or component quality, reports TaeguTec.

The SRMT range is available in 07, 10 and 14 insert sizes, supported by four dedicated chip former geometries covering steel, stainless steel, cast iron, titanium, superalloys and hard materials.

More information www.taegutec.com

Gurhing reports its busiest ever MACH exhibition

Surrounded by competitors at the recent MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham, it was clear that new product innovations, along with diligent, customer-oriented sales and engineering staff, were the key to Guhring’s success. With a stand witnessing a record number of leads, the company says the technology on show is underpinned by the UK’s leading cutting tool manufacturing facility.

Guhring showcased a wide selection of new and established cutting tool solutions, with a clear focus on practical improvements in CNC productivity, reliability and day-to-day machining efficiency. Amid continually rising carbide costs, Guhring presented technology designed to help CNC users machine faster, reduce downtime and achieve more consistent results, shift after shift.

From a product perspective, Guhring launched its new RF 100 AL solid-carbide end mills. The RF 100 AL shortens cycle times and provides material removal rates up to 76% higher than conventional end mills, reports the company.

Guhring also introduced the GHM high-feed milling system. Available in diameters ranging from 16 to 80 mm, the GHM range is designed to remove metal quickly while keeping cutting forces low.

Commenting on the show, Guhring UK sales manager Chris Bush said: “MACH has once again delivered a fantastic pipeline of enquiries for Guhring. Our leads have exceeded all previous shows. We had more visitors with genuine buying intentions.”

He continued: “Many conversations revolved around carbide prices, which no manufacturer can avoid. However, with a UK manufacturing facility that incorporates a phenomenal R&D team, a tool regrinding service and supply chain continuity with over £5m of stock availability, our service is a key differentiator.”

More information www.guhring.co.uk

Think small, win big with cutting tools from Walter

A single cardiac pacemaker contains up to 40 miniature components, while a modern passenger aircraft uses millions of fastening elements. Across sectors ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical technology and electronics, demand for smaller, more precise components continues to grow rapidly. For manufacturers, this trend is driving new levels of complexity in machining and placing greater emphasis on cutting-tool performance.

Cutting tool specialist Walter has invested heavily in tooling solutions specifically developed for small-part machining applications. The company’s portfolio addresses the demanding requirements of Swiss-type sliding-headstock lathes and micro-machining centres, where tolerances are measured in microns and process reliability is critical.

Small-part machining presents challenges that differ significantly from conventional machining. High spindle speeds, thermal instability, vibration and chip evacuation all have a disproportionate effect on component quality when diameters fall below 40 mm. Applications in sectors such as medical technology and aerospace are particularly demanding, often involving titanium alloys, stainless steels and other difficult-to-machine materials.

Walter’s tooling range has been developed to address these challenges across turning, milling, drilling and threading operations. In turning applications, the Tiger tec Gold WPP20G grade delivers the wear resistance and edge stability required for high-speed Swiss-type machining. For milling, Walter’s Xill tec cutters and MD266 Supreme support the production of intricate geometries while maintaining dimensional consistency and reducing cycle times.

The company’s DB133 Supreme micro drill is designed to maximise concentricity and process reliability in small-diameter holemaking, while the TC620 Supreme thread milling cutter helps minimise the risk of tool failure in miniature threading operations.

As small-part production continues to expand, Walter’s combination of precision tooling, application expertise and process support positions the company strongly in one of manufacturing’s fastest-growing sectors.

More information www.walter-tools.com

MTA supporting Manufacturing Solutions Ireland

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), organiser of the UK’s national event for
engineering and manufacturing MACH, has confirmed its support for Manufacturing
Solutions Ireland 2027 in Limerick on 16-17 June, strengthening collaboration across the
British and Irish manufacturing sectors. Increased interest in the event will be driven by
growing emphasis on factors that include supply chain resilience and reshoring.
Manufacturing Solutions Ireland is organised by the GTMA in partnership with Technological
University of the Shannon and supported by leading industry bodies. The event focuses on
creating real business opportunities, fostering collaboration and showcasing the capabilities
of the manufacturing sector.
More information https://manufacturingsolutions.ie/

Enztec reduces CNC cycle times 16% with Vericut Force

New Zealand-based orthopaedic surgical instrument manufacturer Enztec has achieved a 16% average reduction in CNC cycle times after implementing Vericut Force, unlocking more than 1800 hours of additional annual machining capacity without investing in additional machines or labour.

Producing high-precision reusable and single-use orthopaedic instruments for global medical-device companies, Enztec operates in a tightly regulated sector where machining accuracy, surface finish and dimensional repeatability directly influence product performance and patient safety. As the company expanded its use of advanced CNC machining, automation and unattended operation, it identified a growing need for greater predictability in machining performance and tool behaviour.

To address this challenge, Enztec integrated Vericut Force into its programming and verification workflow. Unlike traditional CAM systems that rely largely on assumed cutting conditions, the software simulates the real physics of the machining process using actual tool geometry, material properties and machining parameters. It dynamically adjusts feed rates to maintain consistent cutting forces and chip thickness, increasing feed rates where engagement is low and reducing them where loads rise.

The result has been faster, more stable and significantly more predictable machining performance, particularly during lights-out operation.

Jack Greaves, process improvement engineer at Enztec, says support from local reseller AxsysCNC Ltd helped accelerate implementation and optimise machine models for real production conditions.

Over a 12-month period, the improvements translated into more than 1800 hours of additional machining capacity, while also delivering more consistent tool wear and reducing the risk of unexpected failures during unattended machining. Enztec has now established force-based optimisation as a core part of its CNC programming strategy.

More information www.vericut.com