It’s the attitude that counts

ARNO believes that machining is now something like Formula 1 racing: every little screw is tuned to increase performance. Thinking outside the box is essential, especially when considering cutting tools and turning. It would be helpful if users could always use the right combination of tools, inserts, and coolant supply.

In Formula 1, everything is constantly scrutinised to glean maximum performance. Yet only the driver and the manufacturer who have mastered the overall package can reap the world championship crown. Despite all the optimisations and specifications, cutting tools for turning have yet to reach the end of their potential. Responsible tool manufacturers think about selling as many cutting tools as possible and include the tool holders and cooling supply into the equation. On the other hand, users should be open to tips, let consulting manufacturers approach them, and allow them to enter the production process. The potential that can be achieved in this way can provide a decisive leading edge.

Be open to third-party expert tips
For example, ARNO Werkzeuge has long been involved in the continued development of tool holders and coolant supply. Thanks to its customer proximity, the family-run company has a wealth of expertise from numerous applications and a wide range of holders with and without coolant supply. Users can rely on the best overall packages for small and large batches, as well as Swiss and fixed headstock lathes. “Here, too, we are not interested in maximising sales figures for high-margin products. We aim to find the best solution for our customers,” assures Sales Manager Dieter Wollensack from ARNO Werkzeuge.
As an experienced technical advisor, he focuses on long-term and intensive customer relationships. He detests the promise of ‘double the service at half the price’ and pie in the sky. “I sometimes say to my customers: ‘No, that’s not possible’ or ‘We won’t do that’ and risk being turned down. I’ve always been successful with this approach – and ultimately, so have my customers.”
Advice or not, process optimisation products must be convincing in practice. For this reason, the overall package consisting of a cutting insert or indexable insert with a matching tool holder and high-performance cooling must always deliver the best customer performance. This is exactly what users should attach importance to their tool partners to understand the processes and have the right overall package for every production situation. For example, universal packages for small batches, high-tech solutions for large batches, and special products for difficult-to-machine materials. Exorbitant promises never help.

Innovative when it comes to ‘cost per part’
When tool manufacturers adopt this mindset, new products and solutions result. One example is the clamping holders with through-tool cooling for inserts that ARNO Werkzeuge developed in 2022. They are produced using a hybrid manufacturing process that combines additive technology with conventional CNC milling, achieving better surface quality.
But why? Coolant flows directly where it’s needed. Three precisely aligned channels guide the coolant to the cutting edge from above and underneath without obstructing chip evacuation. The special geometry of the cooling channel creates a nozzle effect that greatly improves cooling compared to conventional channels. The outlet openings are always perfect—they need no adjustment. And since they are much closer to the cutting zone, the coolant significantly reduces the temperature.
Experienced users will recognise the benefits immediately: greater process reliability, less vibration, better surface quality and a much longer tool life. Users have sent reports about tool life that is three times longer. Of course, this is not at all suitable for small batches – but when it comes to large batch orders, it’s just the right ace in the calculation where everything has to do with the cost per part.

Hybrid holder: productive from additive
The secret isn’t rocket science, but you must figure it out first. The shanks of the hybrid holders from ARNO Werkzeuge are produced using conventional CNC milling. On the other hand, the complex head part of the holder is attached directly to the shank using a 3D printing process. “This gives us new design freedom and outstanding stability,” says Werner Meditz, Head of Technology at ARNO Werkzeuge.
The geometric design of the cooling ducts can be precisely optimised so that coolant is guided through the holder to the cutting tool at maximum efficiency and reaches the cutting edge directly from above and underneath. This cools the tool flanks in a way that was previously unthinkable. At the same time, the number of attachments required at the top of the head is reduced to the absolute minimum. The chip breaks as needed and is optimally evacuated – regardless of the cutting depth. “We get a lot more coolant to where it needs to go,” Meditz assures us. The innovative hybrid holder is exactly what clever users want – and this all comes from a tool partner thinking out of the box.

Not only high-tech but also ‘basic work.’

But even when it’s not high-end, machine shops welcome innovative turning tool manufacturers with well-thought-out products. Meeting someone who can also offer the right holders and complete systems for small batches with frequent workpiece changes is refreshing. At ARNO Werkzeuge, you will find a wide range of turning holders for external machining, where the length is easily adjustable using a scale. “The ARNO special design is extremely simple and practical when it comes to adjusting the length and coolant access,” confirms Meditz.
The holder and through-tool cooling are easy to install and ensure repeatable process reliability. Their nickel-plated, high-tensile, and precisely finished nature promises top quality and long tool life. The efficient cooling system, which feeds coolant directly to the cutting edge through three channels, not only ensures long tool life but also allows higher cutting speeds with optimised chip control. The machining time savings make the cost calculation look good.

Variety of boring bars for internal machining
Finally, we come to internal machining. Turning tool manufacturers have already given this much thought. First and foremost, the designers at ARNO Werkzeuge have also considered the customer’s situation and developed suitable boring bars for a wide range of applications. The range includes boring bars of steel and solid carbide, each with two possible coolant hole exits. Depending on the turning process, users can choose between a coolant channel from above (IKO) for through holes and a coolant channel from underneath (IKU) for blind holes. Accordingly, chips are guided forward away from the cutting edge (IKO) or behind the cutting edge and flushed out (IKU). This reduces wear.

Boring bars come in right or left-hand versions with different shank diameters, a wide variety of clamping holders, and many approach angles. This variety alone shows that the manufacturer thinks from a user’s point of view. Combined with suitable mini indexable inserts from ARNO Werkzeuge, components from Dmin 4.8mm can be machined effortlessly, regardless of diameter and material. This is only the standard range, not customised products. This already promises long tool life because all ARNO boring bars are nickel-plated, high tensile and precisely machined, which certainly boosts confidence.
Users looking for suitable, long-life productivity-enhancing tools for all their turning operations and processes should be glad that some manufacturers have adapted their thinking to include their customers applications.