Feature on Grinding and Surface Finishing

TDM Becomes Rising Star in Special Tool Manufacturing

When Volkan Güller founded TDM Kesici Takım in 2016, he entered the Turkish cutting tool market with expertise in special tooling and a commitment to supporting manufacturers with both products and process know-how. What began as a specialised tooling consultancy has evolved into a competitive tool manufacturer, celebrating its 10th anniversary with a growing reputation for producing high-performance special tools and drills.

As TDM’s expertise expanded, Güller saw an opportunity to move beyond advising customers and begin producing tools in-house: “We understood our customers’ challenges intimately. The logical next step was to develop and produce our own tools – giving us the ability to respond faster, customise more deeply and deliver exactly what each customer needs.”

Turning that vision into reality required the right manufacturing technology partner. TDM chose ANCA, whose Turkish and global teams developed a turnkey solution comprising ToolRoom design software, CIM3D simulation, an FX5 tool and cutter grinder and comprehensive installation and technology support.

Demand grew rapidly, with Güller ordering a second ANCA machine before the first was installed. Today, TDM operates four ANCA grinding machines, including the advanced FX7 Ultra platform.

Around 90% of TDM’s production comprises special tools, with particular expertise in drills and high-performance endmills. ANCA’s software ecosystem supports a structured development process from customer CAD data through tool design, simulation and cutting verification.

The FX7 Ultra has enabled TDM to produce highly demanding 0.1 mm cutting tools for automotive applications. Nanometre-resolution control, advanced servo technology and LaserUltra measurement help deliver the dimensional accuracy, surface finish and stability required for such miniature tools.

Serving automotive, aerospace, defence and die and mould manufacturers, TDM can typically deliver specialised tools within one to two weeks.

More information www.anca.com

Delta Launches High-Capacity Mini 20 Surface Grinder

Delta Srl, a specialist in surface grinding machines, has introduced its new Mini 20, extending the capacity of its Mini travelling-column range. Available in the UK through agent RK International Machine Tools, the fully automatic Mini 20 is designed for high-precision applications, offering a maximum grinding length of 2100 mm and width of 600 mm, or 650 mm with the 100 mm wheel option.

Established in 1955, Delta has specialised in surface grinding for more than 70 years. The company pioneered the travelling-column design for large surface grinders in the early 1980s before adapting the technology for smaller machines with the Mini family in 2005. Today, DELTA manufactures its machines at its modern headquarters near Pavia, Italy.

The Mini 20 combines a rigid Meehanite cast-iron structure with hydrostatic ways on all three axes. The closed-loop pressurised oil system eliminates sliding friction and stick-slip, delivering smooth, accurate movement while maintaining geometric accuracy throughout the machine’s service life. Its 2000 x 500 mm table remains fully supported during longitudinal travel.

A Mackensen hydrodynamic spindle bearing provides zero metal-to-metal contact, contributing to long service life, quiet operation and high-quality surface finishes. The Mini 20 is available with three levels of automation, including Delta’s proprietary Diastep control, which enables operators to manage grinding cycles, rough and finish passes and automatic wheel dressing.

The machine supports workpieces weighing up to 1500 kg and has an approximate net weight of 7000 kg.

“After 15 years of working with DELTA, we’re seeing growing awareness of its build quality and attention to detail,” says Simon Rood, director at RK International Machine Tools. “As customers demand ever greater accuracy, the DELTA range continues to perform at the highest levels.”

More information www.rk-int.com

Atomit Durawid Expands Production with Vollmer

Atomit Durawid GmbH, based in Plettenberg, Germany, specialises in special tools for a wide range of sectors. To help provide customers with a complete service, from development to production, the company has invested in its first Vollmer grinding machine, a VGrind Infinity Linear.

Founded in 1987 and acquired in 2024 by managing directors Sergej Odenbach and Dietrich Strekert, Atomit Durawid employs around 20 people. Its product portfolio includes finishing heads, profile tools, turning inserts and rotary tools, serving more than 200 active customers across industries including valve production, sheet metal processing and toolmaking.

“Our customers expect flexible, individual solutions – this is exactly where we see our strength as a specialist in special tools,” explains Odenbach. “In some areas, we wanted to take the next technological step. That’s why we made a conscious decision in favour of Vollmer.”

Atomit Durawid has been using the VGrind Infinity Linear since December 2025, opening new possibilities for the production of rotating tools while laying the foundations for further automation and greater manufacturing independence.

The company says Vollmer’s application expertise and close support were key factors in the investment decision. The new technology has also been well received by employees, who particularly value its ease of use and potential for future development.

For Atomit Durawid, the partnership also supports its commitment to regional sourcing and high-quality German manufacturing technology.

“What we have particularly appreciated so far is the helpfulness and closeness of the cooperation,” states Strekert.

Andreas Nitka, area sales manager at the Vollmer Group, adds: “Entering the market with a VGrind infinity linear is a logical step for Atomit Durawid and provides a strong basis for further expanding its special tool production.”

More information www.vollmer-group.com

Steel Uncertainty Puts Greater Focus on Finishing Efficiency

As Britain’s manufacturers grapple with an uncertain steel market, attention is increasingly turning to how every tonne of material can be used more effectively. With import restrictions, fluctuating prices and supply chain pressures affecting procurement strategies, reducing waste is becoming as important as securing supply.

For many engineering businesses, this means examining every stage of production to prevent valuable materials being lost through scrap, rework or rejected components. Lye-based surface finishing specialist Midland Deburr & Finish believes finishing processes have an increasingly important role to play in protecting margins.

Chris Arrowsmith, managing director of Midland Deburr & Finish, says manufacturers are becoming more focused on the lifetime value of every component entering production: “Material costs have become a much bigger conversation over the past few years. When manufacturers are paying more for steel, aluminium and other specialist materials, they naturally expect to recover as many finished components as possible from every production run.”

Arrowsmith believes deburring and cleaning should be viewed as critical quality processes rather than secondary operations. Burrs, sharp edges or surface contamination can affect assembly, coating performance or inspection, potentially resulting in expensive rework after significant manufacturing value has already been added.

Midland Deburr & Finish provides vibratory deburring, vapour and solvent degreasing, ultrasonic cleaning and component impregnation for customers across aerospace, automotive, defence, electronics and general engineering.

According to Arrowsmith, controlled finishing processes can improve batch-to-batch consistency while reducing the variability associated with manual processing.

“Finishing may be one of the final stages of production, but it has a significant influence on product quality, manufacturing efficiency and ultimately the value manufacturers achieve from every component they produce,” he concludes.

More information www.midlanddeburrandfinish.co.uk

Fives Unveils Landis TTG 3000 for High-Precision Grinding

Fives has introduced the Landis TTG 3000 twin-turret grinder, a new technology platform engineered to meet the growing challenge of achieving uncompromising precision while maintaining flexibility in modern manufacturing.

Developed by combining Fives’ global expertise from the UK and USA, the Landis TTG 3000 brings multiple grinding processes into a single machine, delivering the stability, control and adaptability required in today’s production environments.

As production demands continue to evolve across industries such as bearings, aerospace, medical, optics, and energy, components are more complex, tolerances are tighter, and batch sizes are increasingly variable. Traditional grinding methods, reliant on multiple machines and repeated re-clamping, introduce variability and inefficiency. The Landis TTG 3000 addresses these challenges by reducing process steps while maintaining consistent, micron-level accuracy.

At the core of the TTG 3000 is its patented twin-turret architecture, enabling true multi-surface machining within a single set up. One turret carries the grinding wheel, while the opposing turret supports the workpiece, providing access to complex geometries without repositioning. This configuration reduces cumulative error, improves process control, and enables efficient transitions between components, materials, and batch sizes.

Equipped with advanced control and digital capabilities, the TTG 3000 supports multi-axis co-ordination, process simulation, and integration into automated and Industry 4.0 environments. By simplifying production and improving process reliability, it enables manufacturers to increase productivity while maintaining full control over quality and performance.

Ultimately, users can accelerate their manufacturing process and cut operating expenses with the Landis TTG 3000. This twin-turret, multi-spindle solution consolidates multiple operations within a small space, allowing customers to achieve the precision grinding of ODs, IDs, faces, tapers, raceways, concentric, and eccentric diameters to sub-micron tolerances – all in a single clamping.More information www.fivesgroup.com