Cutting Tools

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

Helix Tools makes debut appearance at MACH exhibition

Helix Tool is making its debut at MACH 2026 (NEC Birmingham, 20-24 April), the UK’s premier manufacturing event. The company is sharing stand 20-440 with Floyd Automatic Tooling.

For Helix, the move represents a significant step in bringing the company’s product lines, vending solutions and technical application expertise to a wider audience. Helix says it is regarded as an expert in problem-solving and delivering measurable results for manufacturers across all industry sectors and applications.

Paul Lynch, managing director of both Floyd Automatic and Helix Tools, says: “MACH has always been an important event for Floyd, and it’s fantastic to bring the two businesses together on a joint stand this year. For me, it’s an opportunity to meet customers from both companies, share our combined expertise and offer practical advice that helps manufacturers get the most out of their operations. Sharing a stand with Floyd allows us to bring genuinely complementary strengths together.”

Visitors can explore the full breadth of what Helix has to offer. Central to this is the company’s expanding tool management and vending solutions, which provide manufacturers with secure access, real-time usage tracking and automated stock control. Designed to turn tooling into a managed, measurable asset, these systems help manufacturers to gain greater visibility over consumption, reduce waste, costs and improve accountability across the shop floor.

At MACH, Helix Tools has experts on hand to guide manufacturers to the optimal solution for their processes. Regardless of whether exhibitors are machining steel, stainless, aluminium or aerospace-grade materials like titanium and high-performance super alloys, such as Inconel, Helix says it has solutions on its stand.

More information www.helixtools.co.uk

MACH 2026: Rainford showcases micro-tooling portfolio

Rainford Precision is showcasing an extensive portfolio of cutting tool solutions at MACH 2026, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 20-24 April. Visitors to stand 6-112 can explore advanced tooling from brands including Union Tool, Louis Bélet, IWATA, Hufschmied and others at the forefront of micro-machining technology.

Highlights from Union Tool include the new HGLB, HWLB, HWLB-S and CWLB two-flute ball-nose end mills. Designed for hard material machining above 60 HRc, the HGLB range features optimised geometry and HMGCOAT technology for extended tool life, alongside tight tolerances and high radius accuracy. The versatile HWLB and HWLB-S series target materials from 40-70 HRc, while the CWLB variant is optimised for softer materials, delivering smooth surface finishes across a range of alloys.

Also featured is the CLRS long-radius end mill series for extended-reach machining, enabling deep-cavity work with reduced deflection and vibration. For aluminium applications, the DLC-ALES three-flute end mills provide efficient chip evacuation and high material removal rates, while the DLCES 2000/4000 series offers sharp-edge performance for the burr-free machining of copper electrodes.

From Louis Bélet, the new Excalibur PCD range will make its MACH debut. Designed for non-ferrous materials, these tools combine laser-machined helical geometries with brazed PCD cutting edges to deliver extended tool life compared with carbide, reports Rainford. The Cyclon X micro-tool range will also be on show, offering high performance across stainless steel and other demanding materials.

Additional highlights include IWATA’s Toglon deep-hole drills for precision holes in hard materials, and Hufschmied’s Graftor tools for graphite machining. Rainford will also present its tool analysis and consultancy services, supported by advanced digital microscopy, alongside a range of high-precision machine tool technologies.

More information www.rainfordprecision.com