Japan/ South Korea - Over the course of 2016, WBA Aachener Werkzeugbau Akademie is presenting spotlights on the most important international tooling markets. This edition focuses on Japan and South Korea.

Thread forming as an alternative method to thread cutting, although not new, remains a relatively unexploited resource that can offer significant benefits over traditional methods.

Numerous highlights that will be presented at the Moulding Expo Trade Fair and the latest innovations in die, tool and mould making.

An extended flute tool is said to work both with high depth of cut and considerable overhang.

The remarkable strength-to-weight ratio and highly corrosion-resistant properties of titanium have resulted in the ever-growing use of this important engineering material in many demanding sectors. Current developments make the cutting of the material more effective.

Lightweight construction is often difficult. When even researcher teams have problems to predict the behaviour of a certain material, it is even harder for manufacturers. MAP Werkzeugmaschinen has now teamed up with Fraunhofer IPT for examining how a component made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic behaves during machining.

Walther Wolf is one of those mould makers that is constantly optimising manufacturing processes. When they wanted to further perfect their automation in machining electrodes, they turned to Zimmer & Kreim to build an automated 23-metre-long machining centre: A Chameleon.

Cooling lubricants are often used to prevent stubborn graphite dust when milling electrodes. This means that it is not necessary to acquire an additional milling machine for graphite machining. Cooling lubricants help to extend tool life and to improve dimensional accuracy.

Horn has developed the DA62, a new milling system for corner, face and plunge milling. This system uses a six-edged indexable insert. Both sides of the insert can be used and it has three axial and radial cutting edges on each side.

As a precision manufacturer at the high end of its sector, Eropräzisa makes no compromises with its milling tools. This is why, for the last few years, it has decided to commit to using the MMC Hitachi Tool range of tools for 'hard milling' operations, i.e., machining after the heat treatment process.