At the recent AMB 2026 exhibition in Stuttgart, Kyocera Unimerco presented tooling solutions designed to help manufacturers address production challenges including increasing productivity demands, rising costs and the need for greater process transparency. Its presence focused on applications for the automotive, fluid technology and general engineering sectors, combining machining expertise with intelligent tool management and advanced coating technologies. 

A key focus was the transformation of automotive production. As OEMs increasingly adopted large structural castings and expanded high-volume manufacturing, requirements for productivity, precision and cost control continued to grow. Kyocera Unimerco demonstrated tooling concepts developed to support these evolving requirements and improve machining performance in demanding production environments. 

For the fluid industry, Kyocera presented its drill reamer, a combination tool that performs drilling and reaming in a single operation. The solution is designed to produce H7 tolerance holes in selected steel and cast iron grades under defined machining conditions. By replacing dedicated drilling and reaming tools, it can reduce tooling complexity, shorten cycle times and improve process security. 

Other tooling on display included the KGX grooving and cut-off tool, featuring an advanced clamping design and common insert platform for external, internal and face grooving; the ME90 helical end mill for titanium and other difficult-to-machine materials, using double-sided eight-edge inserts and the PM335S grade; and the MG90B slot milling cutter (pictured), which combines rigid insert clamping, reduced cutting forces and six-edge inserts for efficient material removal. 

Kyocera Unimerco also showcased high-performance cermet inserts, the MFH Micro high-feed milling cutter and DRA MagicDrill indexable drills as alternatives to dedicated solid-carbide solutions. 

Alongside cutting tools, the company demonstrated its CC945 intelligent tool management solution, providing greater visibility of tooling operations, inventory and availability. 

More information www.kyocera-unimerco.com 

The Seco® X Tip Drill simplifies hole-making with one modular drill body and multiple, exchangeable carbide tips that perform across steel, stainless steel, cast iron and more. The result? Reduced tool inventory, higher productivity and consistent, high-quality results. 
  

Designed for mixed production environments, the Seco X Tip Drill adapts easily to changing materials and drilling depths. With one drill body covering 3xD, 5xD and 8xD applications, manufacturers can streamline workflows, lower the risk of errors and reduce set-up time without compromising performance, reports Seco. 
 
A patented pre-tensioned interface enables fast tip changes. A double-sided key supplied with each drill body allows quick, secure tip replacement, while the axial lock ensures accuracy and repeatability even after multiple changes. 
 
Application-specific geometries facilitate predictable performance across demanding materials. ISO P and M tips provide reliable drilling in steels and stainless steels; ISO K geometry delivers stable cutting in abrasive cast iron; and the Flat-Bottom geometry produces flat-bottom holes in a single operation, eliminating secondary machining steps. All geometries are compatible with the same X Tip drill body. 
 
“The Seco X Tip Drill gives manufacturers a smarter way to manage complexity,” says Ricky Payling, global product manager for solid round tools (drilling) at Seco. “One drill body, multiple applications, less waste and consistent performance. It’s designed for flexibility on today’s shop floor.” 
 
High-feed capability, optimised chip evacuation and self-centring geometry deliver fast cycle times, excellent hole quality and low cost per hole. The reusable drill body and replaceable, recyclable carbide tips also support more sustainable manufacturing. 

More information www.secotools.com 

TaeguTec has expanded its TS-Thread solid-carbide thread milling range with four new tools: MTECBF, MTECH, MTECM and MTECK. Each addresses specific requirements in everyday and specialist threading applications. 

The TS-Thread series uses circular interpolation to produce threads in a single helical pass. A single tool can produce multiple thread sizes, while controlled entry conditions reduce radial cutting forces and the risk of tool breakage in difficult materials. 

The MTECBF features seven or eight flutes, depending on diameter, and is available from 12 to 24 TPI. Its geometry is optimised for blind-hole threading, while the high flute count enables higher feed rates. Combined with through-tool coolant, this capability supports efficient chip evacuation and reduced cycle times in high-volume production. 

For hardened steels and other difficult-to-cut materials, the MTECH combines threading and 45° chamfering in a single operation. Manufactured from solid carbide in TT5515 grade, it eliminates a separate chamfering process while maintaining accuracy and repeatability. It is available in ISO and UN standards, including M5, M6, M8 and M12, and UNC #6 to ½ inch. 

The MTECM and MTECK use multi-lead geometries for deep-hole threading. Notably, the MTECM has a triple-lead design, providing three times the thread pitch per revolution, while the MTECK uses a double-lead design. Both reduce cutting load per tooth and incorporate central coolant for chip evacuation and high-feed cutting. Both are available in ISO and UN standards. 

All four tools are available from stock, priced within the GAL system and manufactured to TaeguTec’s TS-Thread quality standards. Cutting data covers ISO material groups including steels, stainless steels, high-temperature alloys and non-ferrous materials. 

More information www.taegutec.com

Cutting tool manufacturer Horn has introduced a modular range of PCD (polycrystalline diamond) end mills for machining aluminium, plastics and other materials in groups N (non-ferrous) and O (non-metallic). The system combines a reusable, solid-carbide shank and a PCD-tipped, interchangeable steel head. Availability in the UK and Ireland is through Horn Cutting Tools. 
 
Horn has designed the DM40 system to conserve resources and ensure cost-effective machining. The end cutting edges of the mill are among the main wear zones, while peripheral cutting edges longer than twice the tool diameter are susceptible to high lateral cutting forces, vibration and chipping. Notably, the ability to change just the head reduces follow-on costs compared with conventional monobloc tools, especially as the worn, brazed-on, PCD tips can be resharpened up to twice. 
 
By designing the cutter with a separate shank and head, Horn has ensured that the consumable cost is not only lower but also more predictable, making the tool system suitable for series production runs and automated lines. Users can quickly replace the head module on-site, so the tool is rapidly back into service, maximising spindle uptime. 
 
The head is attached to the shank via a central clamping screw that provides both a force-fit and a form-fit connection. Colour coding facilitates the identification of components, while a poka-yoke principle prevents assembly errors. The rigidity of the interface ensures precise machining, whether using a new or a resharpened tool, and the large axial rake angle enables smooth cutting and produces a smooth surface finish. 

More information www.horn-group.com 

Whether for offshore applications, oil and gas production, food manufacturing or the defence, chemical or energy sectors, the new Tiger·tec Gold MT-TiCN-CVD turning grades WMP20G and WMP30G can make a difference. With this product line, Walter is responding to growing global demand for stainless steel components. 

The WMP20G universal grade is now Walter’s first choice for traditional applications involving ISO M materials. Thanks to its hardness, it is suited to high cutting speeds and mass production. The grade is designed to deliver maximum productivity and long tool life when machining austenitic, ferritic, martensitic and duplex materials up to ISO P.  

Walter’s tougher WMP30G grade is a problem-solver, particularly for large and expensive components and in single-part manufacture, where maximum reliability is paramount. The company cites turning weld seams in armour plating as a typical example that demonstrates its durability. 

The most significant special feature is the new gradient substrate. Thanks to localised cobalt insertions, it is particularly tough at the cutting edge yet hard at the core. Such a design protects the cutting edge from chip impact and helps minimise fractures. A double post-treatment of the cutting edge further reduces friction.  

This completely new type of indexable insert design is rounded off by a Tiger·tec Gold coating specially adapted for ISO M machining, as well as the stable RM7 roughing geometry.  

The coating is particularly suitable for machining forged parts or for standard geometries that are prone to fracture when turning against a shoulder. Together, they form a solution package that Walter says is unique on the market to date, offering high levels of reliability and wear resistance, and suitability for the entire range of stainless steels. 

More information www.walter-tools.com