MACH 2026: Rainford to present expansive tooling portfolio

Rainford Precision will exhibit an extensive portfolio of cutting tool solutions at MACH 2026, taking place at the Birmingham NEC on 20-24 April. Visitors to stand 6-112 will discover tooling technology from Union Tool, Louis Bélet, IWATA, Delmeco, Gloor, HOBE, Osawa, DTS, 6C Tools, Swissceramill, ATOM and Hufschmied – all brands  that Rainford says sit at the cutting edge of micro-machining technology.

Representing Union Tool, a specialist in micro-diameter hard-material machining, Rainford Precision is introducing the HGLB, HWLB, HWLB-S and CWLB series of two-flute ball-nose end mills. The HGLB features an optimised geometry for cutting hard materials over 60 HRc and comes in radii ranging from 0.05 to 3 mm. This long-neck ball nose tool utilises HMGCOAT coating technology to deliver long tool life compared with conventional coated carbide tools, reports Rainford. With diameter tolerances of 0/-0.006 mm and ball radius accuracy of ±0.002 mm, the series is available in effective lengths from 0.2 to 50 mm, depending on the ball radius.

Suitable for machining everything from pre-hardened steels to fully hardened tool steels in the 40 to 70 HRc range, the versatile new HWLB and HWLB-S series of long- and short-shank end mills will also be making a MACH premiere. Incorporating the specialist HMWCOAT multilayer coating that presents nano-composite shock absorption and ultra-high hardness nano-laminated structure, the HWLB ball nose offers high performance and long tool life. The range is available in radii from 0.05 to 3 mm, with effective lengths from 0.2 to 60 mm. For softer materials up to 40 HRc, manufacturers can specify the CWLB series with the UTW coating. This two-flute long-neck variant delivers mirror finishes on everything from cast iron and aluminium alloys to copper and heat-resistant alloys.

Alongside the new two-flute tools will be the CLRS (Carbide Long Radius) series of corner radius end mills for extended-reach machining from 0.2 to 6 mm diameter. These long-neck end mills enable machining to depths previously requiring multiple set ups or EDM finishing. Notably, the neck diameter and reinforced shank minimise deflection and vibration to deliver long tool life, rigidity and high performance. The key differentiator of this series is the negative flat surface geometry that delivers mirror finishes when machining flat surfaces in cavities and other difficult-to-reach areas.

Another product in the spotlight at MACH will be the DLC-ALES series of three-flute square end mills from Union Tool. Intended for machining aluminium, DLC-coated tools with chip-breaker geometry demonstrate fast and effective chip evacuation, whilst the thick core diameter enhances rigidity to improve material removal rates, minimise vibration and provide smooth surface finishes. Available in diameters from 1 to 12 mm, Rainford says the 45-degree helix solid-carbide tools can take aluminium machining to the next level.

Also available with diameters up to 10 mm, the DLCES 2000/4000 series of two- and four-flute long-reach solutions for machining copper electrodes will make a UK exhibition premiere at MACH 2026. The DLC-coated DLCES 2000 and 4000 series deliver extremely sharp cutting edges to reduce burrs when milling copper electrodes.

From Louis Bélet’s stable, Rainford will unveil a MACH show premiere for the new Excalibur series. This next-generation PCD range is aimed at modern non-ferrous materials, including lead-free alloys, copper-beryllium compounds and platinum derivatives that rapidly wear out conventional carbide tooling.

The Excalibur range utilises high-quality PCD inserts brazed on to carbide bodies with helical cutting geometries laser-machined to ensure absolute precision with tool life from 50-100 times higher than solid-carbide competitors. Available ranges include the 41510 and 41520 series of micro helical end mills, the 4580 range of micro twist drills from diameters as small as 0.1 mm, and the 45600 series of thread-whirling tools. This will be complemented by the Cyclon X range, which introduces the through-coolant micro series Cyclon X pilot drill, the X drill and the X end mills. This micro-series of end mills is Rainford’s first-choice recommendation for machining stainless steel, whilst its geometry and coating technology makes it equally suitable for machining everything from titanium to silver and gold, and a host of additional material types.

For MACH attendees in the motorsport, aerospace and electronics sectors, Rainford will showcase motorsport-proven deep-hole drilling technology from IWATA Tool Co. The IWATA Toglon long drill range addresses critical deep-hole drilling challenges in demanding materials up to 72 HRc. Providing H7 tolerance holes that eliminate secondary reaming, the ALT coated three-flute drills are available from 0.5 to 12 mm diameters with the ability to reach 5xD depth ratios – enabling hole depths up to 72 mm.

For specialist graphite machining applications, the Hufschmied brand will once again appear at MACH on the Rainford Precision stand. Hufschmied’s Graftor range of end mills has been designed specifically to provide significant improvements when machining graphite.

Supporting its cutting tool portfolio at MACH, Rainford Precision will showcase its comprehensive tool analysis and consultancy services. Following an investment in Keyence digital microscope technology, Rainford Precision now provides detailed tool insights and expert recommendations to manufacturers across the UK and Ireland. To explore this bespoke service, visit the stand, where the company will also demonstrate its machine tool technologies. This includes the Benzinger range of multi-axis turn-mill centres, Kern micron-precision machining centres, PEMTec PECM (Precision Electro Chemical Etching) machines, Finepart micro-precise waterjet technology, Innolite precision ultrasonic systems and the newly launched Alzmetall brand of machining centres.