Rainford - An Agent of Change at MACH 2014

20 January 2014

Renowned as the UK's market leading supplier of 'micro machining' solutions with machine tools and cutting tools for true 'micron' precision; Rainford Precision has increased its product portfolio by announcing the introduction of a number of new suppliers that will all be represented on Stand 5219 at MACH 2014.

The new agreements primarily centre around holemaking, threading and milling products. Demonstrating what is likely to be the UK's smallest diameter range of drills, Rainford will be showing the Japanese manufactured Iwata Tool drilling line. With diameters from 0.008 mm to 0.100 mm and flute lengths of 3xD, 6xD and an astounding 12xD; for visitors physically capable of seeing the miniscule drills, they will demonstrate jaw dropping drilling capabilities. For show visitors focusing upon the 'micro machining' sector, the new Iwata Tool range will also include end mills from 0.008 mm to 0.100 mm with flute lengths of 2xD, 4xD and 6xD.

Complementing the Iwata Tool range of micro drills and end mills at MACH will be the new Osawa line of drills and milling tools. Osawa gives Rainford customers access to an extensive range of drills from standard HSS and carbide to through coolant drills with diameters from 1mm to 30 mm with some ranges offering 0.05 mm or 0.1 mm diameter increments. The diversity of the Osawa line notes an impressive range of drill points with its TA and HTA range for a wide range of materials and applications. Additionally, the ALH drill point is specifically for aluminum with lapped flutes and the SUH for stainless steel and titanium. This drilling line is supported with high quality end mills and face mills from 1mm to 125mm with more application specific end mills, and coatings for machining graphite and additionally abrasive and hard materials, available from 0.2 mm diameter.
To complement the increased capability in hole making products Rainford are also able to offer threading solutions from two different companies at MACH, Japanese Yamawa and Swiss company Xactform.

For users who prefer taps Yamawa’s expertise in threading is demonstrated by having 158 different solutions for producing metric threads. These product solutions are deciphered by parameters such as tool material, workpiece material type, roll or standard tap, through or blind hole, hand or machine taps and synco or rigid tapping to name a few. With an extensive product range that covers all thread-making possibilities from M0.6 up to M36, Rainford's access to such a diverse line of taps will be of much interest at MACH.

In instances where tapping isn't the threading solution of choice, manufacturers can now acquire tools from a comprehensive selection of threadmills from Rainford Precision. The partnership with Swiss threading specialist Xactform enables the Merseyside micro machining specialists to offer a 'problem solving' solution to a diverse range of threading applications. This broad line of solid carbide thread mills range from M0.5 to M64 with indexable inserts and the corresponding toolholders also available for alternate applications.

Most importantly, and key to Rainford teaming up with Xactfrom is the potential to develop specialised threadmills with either a special thread-form, overall length or extended clearance that is unavailable from alternate cutting tool suppliers. Furthermore, these solutions can be turned around from drawings in a lead time of under 2 weeks.

As well as introducing four new principals and their respective product lines at MACH, Rainford Precision will be aiming to launch a wealth of other new products at the event from a variety of high quality Swiss cutting tool manufacturers. The new lines that are yet to be announced will include slitting saws, medical industry cutting dies, micro boring tools, step drills and step reamers to name a few.