Cutting tools Simtek Group addresses rising material costs with new tooling solutions

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Lasered chip-forming geometries, modular milling technology and real-world application examples will take centre stage as the Simtek Group exhibits at AMB 2026.

From September 15 to 19, the Simtek Group, represented by the two manufacturers Simtek Präzisionswerkzeuge and Kaestner-Tools, will be exhibiting at AMB 2026 in Stuttgart. At Booth C36 in Hall 3, the two tooling specialists will showcase not only their comprehensive tooling ranges and specific application possibilities but also how they have addressed two key industry challenges: the rise in raw material prices — particularly for tungsten — and the growing need for process reliability in automated manufacturing processes. The focus will be on real-life applications, 3D-lasered chip-forming geometries, and the Simmill 9W modular milling tool system. The Simtek Group will also highlight its processes and services at its booth.

“We’ll be demonstrating practical solutions to current challenges in metalworking: from reliable chip control to specific machining concepts for real components, all the way to strategies for more efficient use of carbide,” says Jeremia Geiger, CEO at Simtek responsible for Sales and Marketing, adding: “As the industry’s leading exhibition, the AMB provides us with the ideal setting for this, and we are once again very much looking forward to many interesting discussions with customers, partners, and other interested parties.”

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Lasered chip-forming geometries

One of Simtek’s key topics at the exhibition are tools with 3D-lasered chip-forming geometries, which Simtek first presented to a broad audience at the AMB 2024. To achieve this, high-precision circumferential cutting edge geometries are applied to ground carbide cutting tools using a laser. This results in hybrid tool solutions that specifically combine the strengths of both processes, offering users a wide range of benefits. A key advantage lies in the increased process reliability achieved through optimized chip control. “The increase in process reliability achieved with our lasered tools can be a decisive factor, especially for automated machining processes,” explains Geiger. “In addition, lasered tools often offer an expanded range of functions, which can reduce process times or even eliminate the need for additional tools.”

According to the CEO, close communication with customers is a crucial basis for the efficient design of 3D-lasered geometries. “To ensure an optimal design of a lasered geometry, close collaboration with the customer regarding material and cutting parameter settings, as well as other factors that influence the process, is essential. We therefore intend to make targeted use of our face-to-face discussions with our customers and partners at the AMB to further intensify this close communication by highlighting the resulting benefits for our customers.”

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High-performance modular tooling system

The current cost situation in the raw materials sector continues to be a challenge for the industry. This makes it even more encouraging for Geiger that Simtek can offer a solution in the form of a modular milling tooling system that can come close to matching the performance of material-intensive monoblock tools. “With Simmill 9W, we offer a system that, thanks to its modular design, requires significantly less raw material, yet comes very close to the performance of monoblock tools.” The basis for this high-performance capability is a highly advanced toothing technology developed by the sister company Kaestner-Tools. The ground toothing offers very high stability in high-speed applications, along with very high precision in radial and axial runout, and minimal wear at the toolhoder/insert interface.

Since the introduction of the system featuring the 12-edged Simmill 9W4 variant with a cutting diameter of 50.0 mm and milling depths of up to 16.5 mm, new sizes have since been developed. “We now offer additional variants of this high-performance system as standard, including the Simmill 9W1 with a cutting circle diameter of 28.0 mm and a maximum milling depth of 9.3 mm, as well as the Simmill 9W5 with a cutting circle diameter of 63.0 mm and milling depths of up to 21.0 mm,” reports Geiger. “At the AMB, we’ll be showcasing all currently available sizes and demonstrating how they can be used efficiently in production using specific components.” According to Simtek, additional sizes are expected to follow in the future.

Real components and a VR experience

The Simtek Group’s tools offer a wide range of possibilities across a variety of industrial sectors. “To give visitors a realistic impression of the tooling solutions from both Simtek and Kaestner, we’re using real components to demonstrate various example applications,” Geiger adds. In addition, visitors can interactively experience a tool in action through a virtual reality experience.

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