The quality of cutting tools affects the quality of workpieces directly and creates unique workpieces including high precision work that requires high accuracy. With continuous improvement of manufacturing innovation and technology, there are a variety of cutting tools options. The decision of choosing cutting tools to create certain pieces requires some objectives or understanding what the final results from the cutting tools are first.

Mr. Nattapon Wetchaphonraktham, General Manager from CL Engineering Company Limited, an auto parts manufacturer that has 3 main production lines including stamping, machining and spot welding, revealed to the M Report Industry News Agency that "In the near future, the automotive parts manufacturers will compete against one another with their specialty, that is, how they are able to set themselves apart by producing high precision parts or customized parts that are outstanding and different from competitors." 

l  Specialist Needs to Choose Special Tools

CL Engineering focuses on the quality of the workpiece. Although the production of the desired quality of work depends on many factors, cutting tools is the main factor impacting directly on the work. "At CL Engineering, we know what kind of quality of the work we need, but we still need to rely on information and expert advice to find out what kind of cutting tools will be used to get the determined work results," said Nattapon.

CL Engineering has been using TaeguTec cutting tools for over 5 years. Most of them are inserts for cutting, milling and grooving. TaeguTec products are able to meet the needs of workpiece quality very well. When receiving a new model of work, CL Engineering would seek advice from TaeguTec, with the common goal of the quality of the workpiece, to plan the production and choose the cutting tools to produce work that will meet the customer’s needs at the specified costs. Then a plan is set as a working outline and TaeguTec will have experts to service and take care of the whole project until the goal is achieved.

l  There Are a Variety of Cutting Tools. How Do We Choose? 

"CL Engineering used to trust only in Japanese brands because we believed that Japan was the leader in technology. Plus, we work on high precision for cars and most of our clients are Japanese companies. However, that idea has changed. With today's advanced technology, the quality of cutting tools has evolved dramatically and is remarkably similar," said Nattapon.

Therefore, CL Engineering gave an opportunity to the quality of work at a reasonable price. We started testing cutting tools of various brands from Taiwan, Japan, and TaeguTec from Korea. The key criteria is the tool life, that is, it must be reasonable for the price. Since cutting tools is disposable, tool life that is inconsistent with the price would cost more, affecting the production costs, the waste of time to change tools, and the overall production.

Mr. Paitoon Thasa, Marketing Director from BP Engineering and Tools Limited Partnership, an automotive and aerospace mold maker, said "The purchase orders for automotive have been down, but those for aerospace have not changed. Upholding the quality of work with high precision is still our priority. The machines must be high-speed and cutting tools must meet the needs."

l  Conflicting Demands of the Market Causes the Search for Solution

Even though the market was competing with quality products, rapid production and fast delivery were expected. Therefore, BP Engineering and Tools looked for something to help reduce the lead time, that is, to consider tools and cutting tools that can meet the just-in-time needs. "BP Engineering and Tools chose TaeguTec cutting tools to help with high precision work because this type of work requires us to find ways to reduce preparation time and production costs to increase opportunities."

BP Engineering and Tools has been using TaeguTec high feed inserts and single blade endmills for a long time. With their good advice, choosing cutting tools for the production needs is no longer a problem. More importantly, the application engineer has a clear answer to explain how to reduce the lead time and we practically can see the real results. The reduced lead time means the increasing capacity of the machines, and consequently, the more chances of getting new orders.

BP has tested many cutting tools in 4 areas: 1) quality of the workpiece according to the objectives 2) reduced lead time 3) price that corresponds to the tool life, and 4) just-in-time service. TaeguTec has passed all of the above.

Before using the afore-mentioned criteria in selecting cutting tools by a full system performance test, we have learned the hard way from choosing a certain brand's cutting tools based on the price factor. Ultimately, they could neither meet the production needs nor reduce the lead time, resulting in increased production costs. That lesson made us be very serious in selecting cutting tools. We have visited the TaeguTec manufacturing plants in Korea, which look reliable and in line with our needs. That’s why BP Engineering and Tools chose TaeguTec with confidence and has continuously been choosing their cutting tools.

The quality-price relation along with the use of cutting tools are certainly the first things that an entrepreneur always considers. However, it is undeniable that customer service and consultation by giving a vivid picture and guaranteeing with success are equally important. It is because the entrepreneurs themselves know exactly what kind of work quality they desire, but they still need an expert advice on what kind of tools they need to reduce production costs and lead time in order to increase opportunities in the industrial business.