HORN: New Grade IG96 for Steel Machining

With the IG96 carbide grade, Horn is expanding the range of applications for the S224 and S229 grooving systems for machining general and stainless steels. The carbide grade features a coating approximately 9 µm (0.0004″) thick and is available for the L, KF, HR and KR geometries. The internally applied coating increases the grade’s high-temperature strength and ensures a stable machining process even under demanding conditions. Users benefit from cost-effective machining of a wide variety of steel materials, as well as short lead times made possible by the in-house HiPIMS coating technology.

Field tests demonstrate the potential of the new carbide grade. When machining C55 steel, an S229.0600.L4 insert in IG96 achieved a tool life of 500 components. The version previously used achieved a service life of between 250 and 280 components under identical cutting conditions. Service life was also significantly increased when machining 42CrMo steel. A custom insert in IG96 achieved 534 components, whereas comparable tools only reached 300 components. The carbide grade’s higher wear resistance enables longer tool life and reduces the frequency of tool changes. IG96 thus supports productive and reliable machining in numerous groove turning applications.

Hommel+Keller: Knurling & Marking in One Step

Discover the possibility of Knurling and Marking of all types of Connectors in One Step!

  • Optimize your Production
    Our tools increase the efficiency and quality of your production process through continuous development and innovative solutions that are perfectly customized for your requirements.
  • Precision and Quality
    Highest precision and quality are our basic requirements. With our wide range of products, suitable for different types of machines, we can process your components in just one step.
  • Durability and Cost Efficiency
    Reduce your tool costs and ensure trouble free operations with our wear resistant and pressure resistant knurling wheels.

 

HORN: AMB 2026

 

HORN AMB 2026

Horn brings the Shop Floor to AMB 2026

When AMB 2026 opens its doors in Stuttgart, the international metalworking industry will once again take centre stage. In even-numbered years, the exhibition ranks among the industry’s most important meeting places. It brings together products, technologies, services, training and personal exchange. For users, manufacturers and decision-makers, it offers a concise overview of the latest developments in machining and manufacturing technology.

Paul Horn GmbH is using the AMB not only to showcase precision tools, but also to demonstrate them in real-world machining scenarios. The company is exhibiting in Hall 1, Stand J10, across an area of around 500 square metres. Three machines in operation demonstrate HORN’s expertise. Standard products, bespoke solutions and innovations are all featured. HORN brings the shop floor to the exhibition – visible, tangible and practical.

S274 tool system

A new product at the stand is the expansion of the S274 tool system . Horn is further expanding the system with new sintered chip-forming geometries for parting-off and turning. The new types improve chip control, increase process reliability and support cost-effective machining on Swiss-type lathes. For grooving and parting off, Horn is supplementing the precision-sintered chip-forming geometry .1A with narrow grooving widths of 0.8 mm and 0.6 mm. This enables users to reduce material loss whilst ensuring reliable chip formation.

The inserts are available as type RS274 and as the RE274 type with a pressed-in threaded insert for RH274 clamping holders. Horn offers them in the carbide grades TH35 and IG35. In addition, the new chip-forming geometries .NF and .PR have been introduced. The .NF geometry is designed for grooving and sliding-head turning, whilst the .PR geometry is designed for reverse turning. Both geometries cover feed rates ranging from 0.02 to 0.1 mm/rev and are suitable for a variety of materials.

Defence and Aerospace

Alongside these product solutions, AMB 2026 will feature further specialist themes, including Defence and Aerospace . The Saturday of the trade fair also plays a special role for HORN: the company is taking part in the parent-child rally. The aim is to inspire young people to take an interest in mechanical engineering and manufacturing technology and to make it easier for them to gain access to industrial practice.

“In even-numbered years, the AMB in Stuttgart is Europe’s leading trade fair for metal cutting,” says Markus Horn, Managing Director of Paul Horn GmbH. “I am convinced that the trip to Stuttgart is well worth it and that our customers and guests will take home clear added value. Solutions, innovations and dialogue on an equal footing form the basis for this. Please visit us in Hall 1, stand J10. We look forward to seeing you.”

 

 

HORN: Processing of Lead Free Alloys

Specially developed geometries provide a high degree of process reliability when machining lead-free 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 over 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.

With the new Type 105 Supermini, Horn has developed a universal boring tool with sintered chip form geometry

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 adapting your tooling solution for the machining of lead free alloys to meet the new requirements of the industry.

 

VEKTEK: TuffCam Swing Clamps

 

Link: Vektek Metric Tuffcam Swing Clamps

Optimize your fixture build with the advanced TuffCam Swing Clamps, designed for demanding CNC machining applications where precision, speed, and heavy-arm handling are imperative. Built for fixture builders who demand performance, the TuffCam swing clamp delivers robust holding power, repeatable positioning, and minimal downtime.

TuffCam Swing Clamps are engineered to address the most rigorous fixture-clamping demands. Its tri-cam design and patented cam-follower ball seat enable rapid positioning and clamping—often in one second or less with ±0.25° repeatability—while accommodating large fixture arms and high-cycle-rate environments. With the same mounting envelope as standard swing clamp models, the TuffCam offers drop-in compatibility while enhancing capability.

Please contact us to discuss integrating TuffCam Swing Clamps into your next CNC fixture build—optimize throughput, improve reliability and simplify setup with a premium swing clamp solution.