HORN: Efficient Processing of Modern Materials

The alloying of lead in metallic materials has a positive effect on the machining process. Due to the EU’s REACH and ROHS regulations, the time of these easy-to-machine materials is coming to an end in many applications. However, reliable machining must still be possible in the future. With its broad tool portfolio, Paul Horn GmbH has a suitable solution for almost every application.

The main problem when machining lead-free alloys, be it brass or free-cutting steel, is the lack of reliable chip breaking. But what exactly is the effect of the alloy component lead, which is toxic to humans? During machining, the soft metal creates predetermined breaking points in the alloy, as lead forms small nests or inclusions in the alloy structure. These ensure good chip breaking and low cutting forces during machining. Furthermore, the heavy metal acts like a lubricating film, which has a positive effect on tool wear.

The changeover was initially a challenge. The good cutting properties of the lead-alloyed materials were lost. In addition, the wear on the cutting edge increased significantly. This was remedied by grooving and longitudinal turning with chip-breaking geometries from the steel sector and special laser-cut geometries. Extensive investigations show that chip-breaking geometries for steels with medium strength in particular work very well with lead-free materials.

During internal boring, adapted geometries also ensure reliable chip breaking. One of the biggest challenges in internal machining is long chips. These often occur during bore machining. They wrap around the tool, clog bores or, in the worst case, lead to tool breakage. Previously, specially lasered or ground chip form geometries were used for this purpose. However, this was associated with a corresponding cost factor for the cutting insert. With the new Type 105 Supermini and the Type Mini with I geometry, Horn has succeeded in developing universal boring tools with sintered chip form geometry. The tools offer high process reliability in use thanks to good chip control. The cutting edge geometry extends far into the corner radius of the insert. This ensures chip control even with small infeeds. The geometry can be used universally for different material groups and is suitable for internal, face, copy and reverse turning.

Please contact us for more information on the efficient machining of modern materials.

 

Hommel+Keller: Roller Burnishing Tools

High Process Reliability with Short Turnaround Time

Roller Burnishing Tools from Hommel+Keller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH, Germany are the ideal solution for users who require a very smooth and simultaneously hardened surface – in the shortest possible machining time. With roughness depths below Rz < 2.0 μm, roller burnishing tools offer an economical alternative to conventional fine machining methods. Thanks to their compact design, the roller burnishing tools can be used directly in the existing machining center – without special machines and without additional clamping.

 

Features & Benefits :

  • Spring force up to 450 N, spring travel 2 mm
  • Three roller types: R0.4 | R0.6 | R1.0 mm
  • Strengthening of the surface layer -> higher fatigue strength
  • Very low investment, fast amortization

Please contact us for more information on Roller Burning Tools, Knurling Tools and Marking Tools from Hommel+Keller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH, Germany.

 

KNOLL: Scraper Belt Conveyor K

KNOLL K Type Scraper Belt Conveyors are used for transporting metal chips and small parts.  Widely used in many machine tool systems all over the world offering benefits that serve shopfloors day in and day out with trouble free operation.  Some of the common uses and benefits of KNOLL K Type conveyors are:

  • Use on individual and interlinked machine tools
  • Central use for waste disposal from machine groups and entire production areas
  • Suitable for short chips (e.g. steel, brass, aluminum, copper, cast)
  • Suitable for wet and dry processing

Properties

 Benefits
Safety slide coupling Effective overload protection
Extraction of the cooling lubricant from the trough High delivery rate possible
Edge filter in the trough in front of the suction line Good chip pre-separation
Simple layout Easy to service
Customer-specific design Best-possible addressing of requirements

 

Main Function

  • Collection of the chips/parts
  • Transporting of the chips/parts to the discharge point on the container bottom

Additionally for wet processing

  • Collecting of the cooling lubricant
  • Separating of chips and cooling lubricant
  • Buffering of cooling lubricant
  • Transporting of the cooling lubricant for processing, return pumping station or machine

Continuous Scraper Belt

  • 2 roller chain strands that are connected to scraper bars
  • Positively-driven chain circulation
  • Tensioning through easy adjustment of the bearing retainers

Combination Possibilities
For other requirements, on request we can combine the conveyor with

  • Filter systems for cleaning the cooling lubricant and supplying the machine tool
  • Chip reducers for generating pumpable or absorbent chips
  • Return pumping stations for transporting chips and cooling lubricant to the central plant
  • Extraction stations for transport of chips to the central plant

Please contact us for more information on KNOLL K Type Conveyors for your chip handling requirements.

 

HORN: Supermini System with HSK Interface

Horn is expanding the Supermini tool system with new holder variants. The holder range is specifically aimed at use in modern mill-turn centers. The tool manufacturer is thus reducing the number of interfaces between the insert and spindle compared to conventional chucks. This enables greater precision and higher process reliability. Horn offers the holder system with various machine interfaces, including: HSK-T63, HSK-E40 for Willemin-Macodel, HSK-A40 for Bumotec and HSK-T40 for all other multitasking machines. In all versions, the Supermini insert is located and removed using a face clamping and lifting system. Clamping is achieved not via the lateral surface of the tool, but via a wedge on the end face. This raises the force with which the insert is held, resulting in high rigidity of the overall system.

Boring, profile turning, internal grooving, threading, chamfering, axial grooving, drilling and slotting. The Supermini tool system can be adapted and used for numerous machining operations. The solid carbide insert is for machining bores from 0.2 mm to approximately 10 mm in diameter. Horn developed the tool blank as a teardrop shape, enabling precise contact surfaces in the tool holder. Furthermore, the shape prevents the insert from twisting, leading to a consistently precise tool center height. With long tool overhangs, it reduces deflection and minimizes vibration during the turning process. Depending on the application and the diameter to be machined, Horn offers the insert in three different sizes (types 105, 109 and 110). All variants allow for internal coolant supply directly to the cutting zone. The Horn tool portfolio contains approximately 2,500 different standard variants of the Supermini. In addition, Horn has solved users’ problems with countless customized solutions.

Hommel+Keller: Precise Marking on Any Workpiece Geometry

zeus Marking Tools in Action

Starting November 2025, we are pleased to offer solutions from a global leader for Marking Tools from Hommel+Keller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH, Germany.  Discover the versatile applications of zeus Marking Tools from Hommel+Keller!  In this video, we demonstrate how to achieve precise marking even on complex geometries:

  • Conical surfaces
  • Convex surfaces
  • Flat surfaces
  • Grooves
  • Cylindrical surfaces – axial & radial

Thanks to the robust and flexible zeus technology, workpieces can be marked efficiently, permanently, and with high precision – even under demanding machining conditions.

Please contact for more information on Marking Solutions from Hommel+Keller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH.