ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH has been a pioneer and trendsetter in the field of micro cutting, stamping, and shaping tools for almost 60 years. The company’s origins in the chronograph industry probably explains our uncompromising commitment to manufacturing not only miniature tools of the highest precision but also customized tool solutions.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity in the company?
ZECHA HARTMETALL: Precision and quality are key for the international employment in different industries, such as, for example, in medical and dental technology, the chronograph industry, automotive industry, or in tool and mould making. Experts in the company’s own research and development department are constantly developing ground-breaking geometries and tools for sophisticated applications and cutting-edge materials.
In addition, tool reproducibility is also guaranteed even for years on account of the life number stamped at the shaft end of every tool.
Modern CNC machines, high-end measuring and testing technologies, carefully selected hard metals of leading manufacturers as well as an intensive cooperation with our customers and partners ensure the exceptional perfection of our tools.
E.E: What’s new about products in 2021?
ZECHA HARTMETALL: Specifically, for dry or wet machining of graphite, ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH has added an innovative series to the proven and patented1 line of SEAGULL® milling cutters. New in the SEAGULL® family is the 567.T3 end mill with corner radius designed by our own internal research and development department. With its three teeth, it is unique in the market. Its combination of geometrical characteristics and flute dimensions creates generous chip space for material removal and high machining volumes during roughing, as well as the most intricate engagement conditions for finishing. In this way, flute pressure is reduced in the machining of narrow and deep contours and thus achieves excellent surface finishes and long-life cycles. The special geometry enables concentricity of 0.003 mm and diameter tolerances of – 0/0.010 mm with a diameter of less than 6.0 mm and a length of less than 70 mm. The unique1 long flute run-out with a variety of new corner radii enables material removal also in deep contours and proves to be the ideal right tool for every electrode dimension.
SEAGULL® products are protected by one or more of the following patents EP 2540427B1 in the following countries: DE, AT, CH, CZ, F, GB, I, NL, PL, PT, TR.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
ZECHA HARTMETALL: ZECHA aims to offer the best possible solution for every application, every material and every dimension, however tiny – with tools that are the best in precision, resistance and quality backed by customised consultancy.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
ZECHA HARTMETALL: We are increasingly active in the mold & die, medical technology and component manufacturing markets.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
ZECHA HARTMETALL: The trend in the market is increasingly towards high-precision tools that can still produce very good surfaces reproducibly within a narrow tolerance range. Machines are becoming more and more precise, so the user also needs a corresponding tool to be able to exploit the potential of the machines. There is also an increasing demand for special project-related tools that are designed to be able to produce mass-produced parts with high precision and reproducibility in the shortest possible time.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
ZECHA HARTMETALL: Fast, accurate, and water-loving – these attributes amply describe both the kingfisher bird and ZECHA’s new KINGFISHER line of tools. Based on the existing 455 series, the KINGFISHER line was developed especially for processing difficult-to-machine materials in the medical technology sector, where there is an interplay of new solid carbide substrate, innovative cooling systems, and a more stable basic geometry. Paired with the latest WAD coating technology, these new tools can master all challenges steadfastly and precisely. The new tool line is available in diameters ranging from 0.2 to 12.0 mm. The coolant channels in shank system (SC), in which coolant within the machining and effective diameter of the tool exits out through many cylindrical bores in the tool, is available for tools with an effective diameter up to and including 6 mm. Because of their size, tools with a larger diameter than 6 mm demonstrate greater basic stability, and the internal cooling system (IC) combined with the power chamber is used. In this system, coolant is fed into the core area of the tool to near the tip of the tool and exits directly into the chip chamber through one or more y-shaped bores. In addition, the power chamber in the machining area of the shank tool significantly increases coolant throughput. With a focus on details, tool lengths adapted to conventional machining systems, polished cutting edges, and improvement of the cutting-edge roughness ensure a streamlined and stable basic geometry. Particularly materials such as titanium place special demands on the tool due to their characteristics.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
ZECHA HARTMETALL: We expect the national and international markets to recover in 2021, and we anticipate a technological leap forward as a result of new manufacturing processes, but also new developments in drive technology.
ZECHA HARTMETALL-WERKZEUGFABRIKATION GMBH
Benzstraße 2, D-75203 Königsbach-Stein
Phone: +49 7232 3022-0
Fax: +49 7232 3022-25
Email: marketing@zecha.de
Website: www.zecha.de
