The sharp 13 for tool construction

"For 25 years, in our third generation, we are not only developing solid carbide and PCD tools, but also automated solutions such as clamping and lifting devices," says Michael Enzenross, who is responsible for corporate communications. "We have a product range that generates just under nine million euros per year."

Neher, whose headquarters is located just a few kilometres away from Lake Constance in Ostrach-Einhart, uses PCD (polycrystalline diamond) to manufacture robust milling cutters, drills, reamers and combination tools used by customers in the woodworking, car manufacturing and aerospace industries around the world. Thanks to a high degree of hardness and resistance to abrasion, the rotary tools are primarily suited to machining lightweight construction materials such as aluminium and magnesium alloys as well as composites.

Neher employs 82 members of staff, with women accounting for 27% of that number – a figure of which they are proud. It is the quality and reliability of its diamond tools that distinguishes the company from its competitors. Since they were founded in 1990, Neher has been using VOLLMER eroding machines to manufacture PCD tools. Thanks to the contactless eroding process, the PCD can be removed precisely and the tool geometries can be individually adapted to customer requirements.

Today, Neher uses 13 VOLLMER sharpening machines. The company uses a total of eight QWD 750 H wire erosion machines to machine PCD tools. Due to the eroding wire, they are used for the precise sharpening of complex tool geometries with very small internal radii, as is typical of multi-stage tools. In addition, Neher has two QXD 250 disc erosion machines. These are used to machine diamond tools in one clamping operation and, thanks to the Vpulse EDM generator technology, achieve an excellent surface quality at the highest stock removal rate. The QXD 250 even provides greater flexibility when manufacturing special tools in order to deal with the various requirements that customers have.

The full complement of VOLLMER machinery is made up with QW 72 P and QWD 755 wire erosion machines and the VOLLMER CHD 270 grinding machine for sharpening carbide-tipped circular saws. The CHD 270 is a modular machine and consists of individual CNC-controlled machining tools for sharpening the tooth geometries on the tooth face and tooth top as well as sides that have been networked with an intelligent handling system.

"Neher has made a name for itself in the international manufacturing industry thanks to their highly precise solid carbide and PCD tools," says Dr.-Ing. Stefan Brand, CEO of the VOLLMER Group. "Whether for automotive or aerospace applications, our grinding and eroding machines are contributing to Neher's ability to continue to successfully supply those industry sectors that rely on the precise machining of aluminium or composite materials."