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Star Cutter Expands Tool Offering with 3D Printing Capability

Star Cutter Expands Tool Offering with 3D Printing Capability

Farmington Hills, Mich., June 9, 2021 – Star Cutter Company, in alliance with its strategic partner Neher Group, has announced the availability of 3D printed PCD monoblock tool bodies and chip deflectors where the 3D printed bodies are integrated with the holder interface to create a single robust tool. As compared to traditional manufacturing methods, additive manufacturing is more reliable in achieving designs with complex details and effective chip evacuation. This ability to optimize coolant hole and cooling channel locations can improve tool life by 30% or more and is well suited to the growing, and environmentally-friendly, MQL (minimum quantity lubrication) trend.

With 3D printing, there is about a 30% reduction in tool weight, yet it has the equivalent torsional stiffness of a steel ground body tool. Lightweighting can play a big role in large, heavy tools that take a toll on the machine spindle, helping to reduce preventative maintenance. These improvements can be significant when producing aerospace and automotive components, including electric vehicle parts, where existing spindle interfaces are not always ideal for some of the size/weight of tools.

Also available are 3D printed chip deflectors for applications that require total elimination of chips from the workpiece. These deflectors are mounted on the body of the tool so that when the tool is in the cut, the chip has no way to exit except through the flute channel.

The 3D printer technology is typically being applied to large reamers, interpolating and milling cutters.  The company offers printing in a variety of materials including plastic, aluminum, titanium, steel and stainless. The Star Cutter engineering team works with all customers to provide the optimal tool design for each application.

These tools are sold through Star SU LLC in North America.

3D Printed Tool Bodies
Star SU/Neher Group 3D printed tool bodies can help optimize coolant channels for extended tool life and chip control.

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Star Cutter Company has developed into a world leader in the cutting tool industry. Each of our six manufacturing facilities specializes in producing a specific type of product or service: solid carbide cutting tools, carbide blanks and preforms, gundrills, gear cutting tools, and 5-axis CNC tool and cutter grinding machines.


23461 Industrial Park Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48335

Tel. 248-474-8200
Fax. 248-474-9518