Cutting Tools

MACH 2026: Mapal presents latest tooling solutions

Tooling specialist Mapal is attending MACH 2026 (NEC Birmingham, 20-24 April), highlighting its latest and most innovative solutions. Among many highlights is the OptiMill-Uni-HPC, the third generation of the Mapal solid-carbide milling cutter. Optimised for automated manufacturing environments, the company says this high-performance tool delivers high cutting efficiency, making it suitable for demanding machining operations.

Also on stand 20-340 is the new NeoMill-16-Finish milling cutter, developed to meet tough requirements for surface finish and dimensional accuracy in the series production of steel and cast materials. The NeoMill-16-Face proves an economical tool for pre-machining milling applications, suited to machining cast and steel parts. Equipped with 16 cutting edges on the indexable insert, it enables low cost per part while maintaining stable and reliable machining processes, reports Mapal.


Elsewhere on the stand is the NeoMill-Alu-Rough, a milling solution developed specifically for roughing aluminium components. Tailored to the requirements of the automotive and aerospace industries, this tool is both effective and productive, even at very high chip volumes.


A focus within fluid power and hydraulic manufacturing sectors are two new spool bore solutions. A pilot drill with three or five cutting edges for different casting properties, enables efficient and economical component piloting, reducing machining steps and saving tool changes. While the three-lipped core drill is used for stable raw parts, the option with five cutting edges offers precise results at high feeds in unstable casting conditions.

Like the pilot drill with three cutting edges, the solid-carbide boring tool with three cutting edges is based on Mapal’s patented multi-chamfer technology. This design ensures clean chip removal and no ring formation in the cavities due to special bore geometry, including at drilling depths up to 10xD.

More information www.mapal.com

Harvey Performance introduces Helical Solutions at MACH

Harvey Performance Co, a provider of specialised cutting tools for precision machining applications, has announced that Helical Solutions, its leading North American end mill brand, is exhibiting at MACH 2026. The move follows the launch of its European operations and a European-inspired product range in January. The brand can be found on stand 20-448.

Helical has earned a reputation in North America for advanced machining, delivering material-specific, high-performance end mills trusted by manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, medical and other production-driven industries. This portfolio of products is making its MACH exhibition premiere at the NEC in Birmingham on 20-24 April.

With its European exhibition debut, Helical is presenting proven innovations from across the Atlantic with a product line up fully re-engineered for European applications. Produced locally in the Netherlands and supported by rapid regional fulfilment, this next generation of Helical tooling ensures machinists gain category-defining performance while strengthening the competitiveness of European manufacturing.

“Helical has proven its performance across North America, and this launch will ensure machinists in Europe experience the same advantages,” says Jerry Gleisner, senior vice president of sales at Harvey Performance Co.

John Gibbons, president of Harvey Performance Co Europe, adds. “By producing locally and partnering closely with distributors, we’re not just bringing Helical to Europe, we’re giving European manufacturers the same competitive edge trusted by the world’s most advanced industries, with the speed and support that only local presence can provide.”

The European launch has already commenced with a curated portfolio of Helical Solutions’ most in-demand high-performance end mills, specifically engineered in metric dimensions. These are being presented for the first time at MACH.

More information www.helicaltool.com/find-a-distributor

Launching CoroMill MR20 for controlled, stable profile milling

Cutting tool specialist Sandvik Coromant has launched its CoroMill MR20, an indexable milling concept engineered to deliver stability, predictable performance and high metal removal rates across demanding materials and applications. Designed for manufacturers that require process security, the new indexable-insert cutter brings both confidence and productivity to profiling and face milling operations, reports the company.

CoroMill MR20 is a single-sided round-insert concept for ISO M, ISO S and ISO P materials. Its combination of security and versatility makes it suitable for pocketing and complex profiling in titanium and other HRSA materials used for aerospace and oil and gas components. The tool also excels in ISO P mould and die applications, delivering reliable roughing and semi-finishing performance. In ISO M materials, it handles heavy metal removal for pump and valve components with the high predictability and productivity these industries demand. CoroMill MR20 is now Sandvik Coromant’s first-choice solution for these applications.

“Our goal while developing CoroMill MR20 was to create a polyvalent cutter that offers the highest level of process security,” says Alvaro Ruiz, global product application specialist. “Customers machining high-value components need predictable, repeatable performance, which CoroMill MR20 delivers.”

CoroMill MR20 is engineered not only for performance but also for more sustainable machining. By enabling higher feed per tooth, the tool reduces the energy required during machining. Its long tool life means fewer inserts are consumed, lowering the overall carbon footprint associated with production.

“Increasing feed capability while extending tool life means fewer resources used and less waste generated,” confirms Ruiz. “It’s a win for productivity and for sustainability.”More information www.sandvik.coromant.com

Advanced inventory management on show at Southern

Inventory management specialist Tooling Intelligence demonstrated four control solutions at the Southern Manufacturing 2026 exhibition last week. The company’s stand featured live demonstrations of technologies designed to eliminate inventory waste, reduce downtime and deliver measurable cost savings for manufacturers.

With manufacturers facing mounting pressure to improve operational efficiency while controlling costs, Tooling Intelligence’s offering addresses the growing challenge of inventory control. The company’s comprehensive range of solutions – from weight-based vending to electronic access control – provides manufacturers with real-time visibility, automated replenishment and detailed usage tracking that transforms inventory from a cost centre into a competitive advantage.

Visitors to the stand could see the SmartBin weight-based inventory management solution in action. The system delivers absolute control over fasteners, cutting tools, spare parts and critical components through precision weight-sensing technology. Available in four fixed configurations accommodating between 30 and 64 distinct SKUs, SmartBin eliminates manual counting while providing real-time visibility of stock levels.

The system’s rapid transaction speeds and secure RFID badge access ensure authorised users can quickly access what they need, while automated order generation prevents stock-outs and reduces emergency purchasing. For manufacturers struggling with inventory shrinkage or inaccurate stock records, SmartBin’s continuous monitoring delivers immediate accountability and cost reductions.

Alongside the SmartBin was the SmartDrawer vending solution, which offers high-capacity storage from a compact footprint. SmartDrawer provides an entirely custom configuration of drawers and several locations to meet exact requirements. It dispenses everything from cutting tools and abrasives to calibrated instruments and PPE with individual item control. LED-guided product location and touchscreen operation deliver rapid transactions, while the system’s modular design allows manufacturers to scale capacity as requirements grow. The rapid refill feature enables fast restocking without repackaging, reducing administrative burden and maximising machine uptime.

More information www.toolingintelligence.co.uk

Drion·tec D-Spade D5142 exchangeable-tip drill unveiled

With the new Drion·tec D-Spade D5142 exchangeable-tip drill, Walter is launching the world’s first drill of its kind with a double-sided indexable insert. The special feature is the flank face of the first cutting edge. This serves as a support surface for the second cutting edge that doubles the service life of the exchangeable tip and reduces the costs per metre of drilling.

Designed for cost efficiency, the drill comes in diameters from 12 to 32 mm and cutting lengths from 3xD to 8xD. Four lands and the self-centring point geometry ensure high precision and smooth surface quality of the hole. Furthermore, exact centring, straightness and diameter tolerance are guaranteed.

Ground and polished chip clearance spaces optimise chip evacuation and increase process reliability. Six coolant outlets ensure precision cooling on the cross-cutting edge, main cutting edge and circumference on both teeth. The combination of fine-grain substrate and the gold-coloured HiPIMS coating of the DS42 indexable insert enables high levels of wear resistance and easy wear detection.

The symmetrical design of the double-use exchangeable tips not only doubles tool life but also reduces the amount of carbide used per cutting edge by 45% compared with conventional drills on the market, reports Walter. The company is therefore positioning the Drion·tec D-Spade D5142 as the new standard for both cost-conscious and sustainable hole-making. The drill is particularly suitable for mass manufacturers machining steel and cast-iron materials, such as in the automotive, energy or rail industries.

More information www.walter-tools.com