With the Drivox·tec solid-carbide drill DD170 Supreme, Walter says it has launched a new ‘hole-making icon’ to the market. Like its predecessor, the DC170 Supreme, the new DD170 Supreme has also been designed as a problem solver.

Suitable for hole-making in steel and cast iron workpieces, the Drivox·tec solid-carbide drill DD170 introduces technical improvements that Walter reports are currently unique. The primary improvement is the new Krato·tec multi-layer coating. Walter has already introduced this in other drill families to deliver tool life improvements in the region of 50% or more, depending upon the specific application.

The revised point geometry of the solid-carbide Drivox·tec DD170 Supreme hole-making series has an equally positive effect. Incorporating a larger clearance angle on the internal side than on the external side with a raised drill point, the DD170 Supreme improves positioning accuracy. Furthermore, these geometry advances reduce axial forces and increase hole quality, precision and machining performance, says Walter. 

The patented groove design has also seen optimisation. With a flatter entry point, the drill improves process stability, especially when machining soft materials like mild steel, as it minimises material sticking and improves swarf evacuation. In addition to optimising the cutting profile, Walter has also increased the number of flutes. With 12 grooves instead of eight, the DD170 Supreme can now be reground more frequently. This increases both the service life and sustainability of the solid-carbide drill bit.

According to Walter, the new range demonstrates high process reliability in demanding applications such as cross holes and inclined exits. This is credit to the high wear protection of the Krato·tec coating, which makes the DD170 Supreme the new benchmark for high-performance solid-carbide drilling.

More information www.walter-tools.com

TaeguTec is launching its latest milling breakthrough: the Fine-Barrel series. Designed for high performance and versatility, TaeguTec says the new NFLB lens-type and NFCB chamfer-type barrel inserts are redefining standards in profile milling by delivering a more than 40% increase in productivity compared with traditional ball-type milling.

The Fine-Barrel product family introduces an advanced barrel geometry, integrating larger radius cutting edges capable of wide-pitch machining. This innovative design improves productivity and ensures excellent surface finishes in high-precision applications, making the tools suitable for industries demanding top-tier performance.

The NFLB lens-type insert features a dual-function bottom and side cutting edge, enabling various profile machining options within a single tool. Users can independently program each cutting edge through CAM software, offering flexibility for complex shapes and surfaces.

Meanwhile, the NFCB chamfer-type insert includes an inclined cutting edge that enhances machining efficiency on inclined profiles and reduces overhang, contributing to higher stability and accuracy. In addition, its bottom radius cutting edge can replicate the capabilities of a ball end mill, offering even broader application potential. Both the NFLB lens and NFCB chamfer-type inserts are available in various dimensions, grades and coatings to meet the user’s specific requirements.

Fine-Barrel inserts are fully compatible with TaeguTec’s existing Fine-Ball TNF holders, allowing manufacturers to upgrade their tooling systems without additional tool-holder investment. This compatibility ensures a stable clamping system with excellent run-out and repeatability, says TaeguTec, which are critical factors in achieving precision and consistency across production runs.

According to the company, the inserts offer increased efficiency, superior surface quality and versatility, setting a new benchmark in the industry with significantly increased step-over rates that reduce cycle times to levels beyond those of conventional tools.

More information www.taegutec.com

On its 580 m² stand at last month’s EMO exhibition in Hanover, cutting tool manufacturer Horn showed live machining on four different machine tools. There were a pair of lathes, an Index G220 fixed-head model and a Citizen L12 sliding-head turning centre, while DMG Mori and Grob five-axis machining centres put Horn’s prismatic machining tools through their paces. 

Markus Horn, managing director, said: “We presented machining at the highest level. Demonstrations included high surface finish machining, machining of lead-free materials, aluminium machining with rotating PCD tools, and high technology component production requiring numerous sequential turning operations. In my opinion, the best results are achieved through dialogue and EMO offered the ideal platform for this.”

In addition to live machining, Horn presented numerous tooling innovations. Among them was the Mini system with sintered chip-breaker geometry, which was unveiled for the first time at the Horn Technology Days in May 2025. The sintered I-geometry is aimed at machining materials with poor chip-formation properties. It is suitable for copy turning, longitudinal turning, back turning and facing. 

Especially when taking a shallow depth of during the machining of steels and stainless steels, Horn says the tool system with this geometry demonstrates superior chip control, leading to high process reliability and long tool life. When developing the I-geometry, the company also took into account the machining of lead-free materials, which are being phased out owing to their toxicity. As their replacements pose a challenge due to their inferior chip formation properties, the tool manufacturer offers inserts with small corner radii starting from 0.05 mm for small lateral in-feeds. Corner radii from 0.05 to 0.2 mm are available from stock.More information www.horn-group.com

At commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus’s Nuremberg plant, production of an ultra-efficient new 13-litre diesel engine has begun. As a joint engine platform, it is intended for use across the group. Fine boring tools from MAPAL are used for the cylinder heads, machining valve guide and valve seat blind bores.

As a process planner, Marco Singer is responsible for producing the cylinder heads for the D30 engine, the production of which represents an investment by MAN of €220m. The company has been working with MAPAL for decades. When tendering for the D30 project took place in 2019, the Aalen-based tool manufacturer was again awarded the contract for the fine machining of the valve guide and valve seat bore. This was down to the years of shared experience and a recommendation from the machinery manufacturer Grob, which is responsible for the complete process and tool design. Machining takes place on a double-spindle machine. It is embedded in a linked system with individual Grob machines that are loaded using linear gantries.

A further tool manufacturer was entrusted with fine machining in the project’s initial phase. As a stable and cost-efficient process was not possible with its tools, however, MAN ultimately shifted its full focus to the collaboration with MAPAL.

Singer hails the achievements: “The machining changed fundamentally. For instance, we saved a semi-cut and were able to do without pilot friction.”

A series of joint workshops then set further improvements in Singer’s sights, particularly with regard to unit costs. In fact, compared with the original machining concept, valve seat and valve guide machining costs were reduced by around 40%.

More information www.mapal.com