ANCA to help customers seize new opportunities at EMO

ANCA is set to showcase a range of new products and services at EMO Hannover 2025 (Stand F34, Hall 11) designed to help cutting tool manufacturers overcome key challenges, such as labour shortages, shifting market dynamics, and the need for greater resource efficiency.

Drawing on the Group’s technological expertise and leveraging the latest advances in digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), ANCA’s engineers and product experts have developed innovative solutions across its entire portfolio of machines, software, automation, and services. These offerings are tailored to support customers not only in navigating difficult times, but also in seizing new opportunities in a fast-evolving market.

Edmund Boland, ANCA CNC Machines’ general manager, said: “Profitability comes from two key pillars — manufacturing the highest quality tools and optimising production costs. At ANCA, we have built our reputation on delivering both — with precision solutions backed by over 50 years of innovation. To celebrate EMO’s 50th anniversary, we will showcase a range of new developments designed to help our customers boost efficiency, meet higher specifications, and expand their product range.”

Latest advancements
At EMO, ANCA will showcase its latest advancements built on ULTRA Technology — a breakthrough integration of nanometre-level axis control, intelligent servo algorithms, and a precision package combining mechanical design, advanced software, and AI enhancements. Developed through ANCA’s unique vertical integration, ULTRA Technology forms the foundation for unmatched grinding accuracy, repeatability, and production efficiency.

As part of this platform, ANCA will unveil two market-leading innovations: the MicroX ULTRA and the MX7 ULTRA. The MicroX Ultra is the industry’s most precise micro tool grinder, purpose-built for high-volume production of tools as small as Ø0.03mm. It features nanometre control, in-process laser measurement, and proprietary Motor Temperature Control (MTC) to ensure thermal stability. Live demonstrations will include the grinding of a 0.3mm diameter ballnose end mill with fast wheel changes.

Meanwhile, the MX7 ULTRA combines five-axis profile grinding with ANCA’s patented MTC, and offers one-clamp solutions with automatic profile and rake face compensation, enabling fast changeovers without compromising precision. To demonstrate the wider potential of insert grinding, co-exhibitor Mitsubishi will display complementary EDM dress technology on the ANCA stand. This collaboration showcases the advantages of refined process integration, seamless data exchange, and end-to-end digitalisation along the production chain — improving results and efficiency in insert manufacturing.

ANCA’s EPX-SF advanced stream finishing machine which optimises tool performance and improves tool-edge IP will also be launched at EMO. New features include a multi-diameter tool gripper, simplified drum swapping mechanism, enhanced coating performance, faster 45% loading/unloading cycle time that has been reduced to 25sec and smart recipe fine-tuning using output feedback. Live demonstrations at the exhibition will showcase closed-loop 6mm tool cycles with full comparative reports, and displays of EPX-SF ULTRA performance tools and polished medical implants.

Completing the line-up of machines will be the CPX Linear, designed for high-volume blank grinding, it delivers high-material removal rates, enhancing productivity, precision, and process stability. Achieving surface finishes of <0.2Ra, the machine features automated in-process OD measurement and auto-loading capabilities for diameters ranging from 3-20mm — all within a large working envelope supported by a powerful roughing spindle.

Now equipped with flat grinding capability, the high-performance blank preparation grinder offers even greater versatility, enabling manufacturers to process both cylindrical and flat features in a single setup. Together with GDS clamping technology, who are also co-exhibiting at the stand, the CPX goes as far as grinding 32mm blanks and even processing sintered blanks.

Software solutions for a competitive edge
Also highlighted at the show will be ANCA’s industry-specific software solutions enable productivity gains, performance improvements, faster cycle time and better user experience – maximising efficiencies and maintaining quality while lowering the cost per tool.

Making its debut at EMO is ANCA’s new software package for special inserts — InsertsPRO. This dedicated software addresses user-friendliness, and introduces new technology features like finished part simulation, rake face compensation, chip breaker calculation and automatic clamping orientation to produce superior inserts fast and flexibly. With advanced simulation for ‘right first-time’ production and optimised grinding strategies to improve cost-effectiveness, It is designed to meet current and future insert production requirements.

ToolRoom RN35, ANCA’s latest grinding software release, features feedrate optimisation and airtime reduction, delivering up to 20% shorter cycle times. Along with profile fluting enhancements and VRML import into iGrind, the RN35 release is packed with powerful features to boost productivity, enhance tool quality, and deliver exceptional surface finishes.

ANCA’s simulation software CIM3D comes with advanced tool comparison features to accelerate design validation. ToolDraft is the software module that creates perfect tool drawings based on blanks specifications, using grinding wheel packages and much more directly from the simulation without CAD knowledge. Visitors in Hannover will be the first to see updated features for quicker and easier creations of tool and wheel drawings.

On the automation front, ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System (AIMS) enables customers to maximise high-quality tool production while minimising cost per tool, scrap rate, and drastically reducing labour requirements. Intelligent automation boosts productivity, scalability, and repeatability, increasing machine utilisation by 15-20% and doubling the operator-to-machine ratio. AIMS Automate enables autonomous production, streamlining control and logistics for optimal output and freeing skilled workers for higher-value tasks.

AIMS Connect is ANCA’s job management, digital work instruction, and operator guidance solution that provides digital production control and simple integration of existing machines. AIMS Connect achieves productive manufacturing by removing chances for operator error, introducing asset tracking and traceability which allows easy and tracked tool production workflows, independent of batch sizes.

Live demonstrations at EMO will showcase job management and operator guidance features at the AIMS station. In advance, visitors can calculate their individual return on investment (ROI) for AIMS Connect: here.