MACH 2016By complementing a range of traditional tool-manufacturing and regrinding machines with its first CNC tool grinder — a Walter Helitronic Basic from Warwick-based Walter Ewag UK Ltd (
www.walter-machines.com) — AA Tools has made a significant step towards winning business from new markets, including aerospace and medical.
Chris Birt, business development director at the Sheffield-based company, also received another fillip by exhibiting at the recent
MACH exhibition.
“The show proved the ideal venue to showcase our new tool-manufacturing and regrinding capabilities to not only a wide range of visitors but also fellow exhibitors interested in using our CNC tool-grinding capacity. Indeed, if only 10% of the enquiries we received convert into new business, we will be able to look back on a very good show.”
The Walter Helitronic Basic multi-axis tool grinder is a compact machine for processing tools up to 320mm in
diameter X 350mm long. To simplify and speed up programming, the machine is supplied as standard with the Helitronic Tool Studio programming software.
AA Tools also specified the optional Eco tool-loading system, to allow large batches of tools to be processed automatically.
Although the machine is described as the “ideal” entry-level tool grinder, AA Tools has wasted no time in making full use of its five-axis capabilities to provide quick turn-rounds in the manufacture of special-purpose tools, as well as the batch regrinding of tools.
Mr Birt says: “AA Tools is a long-established supplier of solid-carbide, brazed-carbide and HSS tools — as
well as own-brand routers and our high-performance Maxicut HPM and Alucut cutters. The company has consistently offered a successful regrinding service for a whole raft of tooling, including end mills, drills, ball-nose cutters, taps and router bits.
“However, the installation of CNC tool grinding now offers a massive springboard into new areas, thanks to the more efficient and effective production regimes available. This CNC machining capacity is proving to be the ideal complement to our existing services, which also includes CAD-based tool design and our Maxicoat tool re-coating.”