“Every MACH exhibition keeps improving on its predecessor,” according to
Rainford Precision Managing Director, Miles Evans. As the industry experts in micro machining, Rainford Precision has always had a niche market position representing unique machine tool brands, Kern, Finepart, PemTEC, Benzinger, Innolite and Alzmetall and also renowned cutting tool manufacturers such as Union Tool, Louis Bélet, IWATA, Hufschmied, Delmeco, HOBE, Osawa and more. This niche has once again reaped rewards for the small part machining experts at MACH 2026.
With record-high enquiry levels from manufacturers across sectors ranging from medical and electronics to aerospace, pneumatics and motorsport, the diversity and volume of enquiries reflect strategic additions to the Rainford Precision portfolio. In the run-up to MACH, the Cheshire company added the renowned Alzmetall brand of drilling and machining centres to its portfolio. Complementing the Benzinger range of multi-axis turn/mill centres, the Kern micron-precision machining centres, the PEMTec series of PECM (Precision Electro Chemical Etching) machines, the Finepart micro-precise abrasive waterjet technology and the Innolite range of ultra-precision diamond turning systems, the Alzmetall brand drew MACH attendees' attention for its robust build quality, performance and flexibility.
It was the complexity, innovation, mirror surface finishes and high precision levels of the demonstration parts on the stand that also captured the imagination of MACH visitors. This repertoire of parts machined with the machine tools and unique cutting tool solutions from Rainford proved the talking point that drove such significant enquiry levels.
Advanced tooling technology from Union Tool, Louis Bélet, IWATA, Delmeco, Gloor, HOBE, Osawa, DTS, 6C Tools, Swissceramill, ATOM and Hufschmied; all brands at the very cutting edge of micro, hard metal, and composite machining technology certainly attracted manufacturers with a specific set of challenges.
For manufacturers that couldn’t find a solution to their unique applications whilst wandering the halls, Rainford’s tooling portfolio has a propensity to deliver. The breadth of solutions which can machine and drill the hardest and most challenging of materials.
Particular interest was shown in the Union Tool micro-diameter hard material machining HGLB, HWLB, HWLB-S and CWLB series of two-flute ball nose end mills that are now presented in a new brochure. Perfect for cutting hard materials up to and over 60HRc with radii ranging from 0.05 to 3mm and diameter tolerances of 0/-0.006mm and ball radius accuracy of ±0.002mm, this epitomises the solutions on show from Rainford. Another crowd pleaser at the event was the Union Tool DLC-ALES series of three-flute square end mills in diameters from 1 to 12mm.
Rainford also announced a MACH premiere for Louis Bélet's Excalibur series, featuring inserts brazed onto carbide bodies with laser-machined helical geometries, offering tool life 50-100X longer than solid carbide and diameters as small as 0.1mm. It also showcased the Cyclon X micro-series drills.
For show attendees in motorsport, aerospace, mould and die, and defence, Rainford presented IWATA Tool Co.'s deep hole drilling tech, including the ALT-coated three-flute drills (0.5-12mm) that meet H7 tolerances, addressing challenges in tough materials up to 72HRc.
Commenting on MACH 2026, Miles Evans added: “MACH is a must-attend event for our industry, and every exhibition brings new business opportunities from both new and existing customers. More importantly, it consistently generates a high volume of high-quality leads from manufacturers new to the Rainford Precision brand. In the immediate aftermath of the show, our team are already turning these enquiries into customers – and that is what MACH is all about.”