According to Terrence Miranda, Managing Director of Phillips Machine Tools, "Our vision is to see every shop floor in India equipped with Haas CNC machines. This is not just about selling machines, but about contributing to the growth and advancement of the Indian manufacturing sector, building the legacy of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. With Haas's innovative technology coupled with Phillips's robust support system, we are perfectly aligned with the ‘Make in India’ vision.” He adds that Haas’ commitment to continuous improvement and innovation means that Indian manufacturers will always have access to the very latest advancements in machining technologies.

Globally, Haas Automation has sold over 2,50,000 machines across the world today. Phillips Machine Tools has been pivotal in establishing and driving Haas’ presence specifically in the Indian subcontinent. As of today, it has an installation base of over 15,000 Haas machines across the country, spread across over 5000 customers. In fact, Phillips Machine Tools is the market leader in imported Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs), as well as in 5-axis machining centers. The Phillips mission is to create legendary value for the manufacturing community by unlocking solutions that propel profitability, productivity, and new capability.

“Jet cut tooling is vital today,” he said. “Iscar has taken great care in making sure coolant is introduced to the cutting edge of the insert even when high pressure is not accessible. Data has shown that in all cases this makes a difference in tool life and part quality.

Said Winter of Sandvik Coromant, “We will see machines turning in all directions and the requirement for part-off and grooving tools is to do the same.”

At Horn USA, the company is offering coolant on more of its products. “This includes part-off and grooving holders and even some inserts,” Kollenbroich said. “Getting coolant to the cutting edge has many advantages. For one, having a more accurate delivery method for the coolant direction helps in cooling the work zone. It also offers the benefit of chip breaking when used with higher pressure applications.”

Sandvik Coromant works to make its products flexible. Winter said that with CoroCut 1-2 “you can part-off, groove, face groove and do high-feed machining of hardened steel. The CoroCut QD platform can part-off in both the X and Y axis and face groove.”

Improvements in machine tools have also altered the way companies design tools. “The biggest improvement in machines that I have noticed is more machines are running high-pressure coolant,” Kollenbroich of Horn said. “Even the standard offering from most manufacturers is a considerable jump in pressure from what it was just a few years ago. High-pressure coolant offers benefits in chip breaking. Coolant-through tools, with better and more focused coolant delivery, remove chips from the work zone. This helps improve tool life and overall performance.”

Iscar has had a series of product launches to address customer demands. “Cut Grip is one of the most complete and comprehensive grooving lines on the market,” Vanderink said. “Iscar promotes and champions the GTO (groove turn operation) as a cornerstone process for this line. Straight grooving and then turning side to side utilizing all edges of the insert reduces cycle time while producing excellent part finishes.”

Founded in 1983, American machine tool manufacturer Haas Automation has long been synonymous with precision, innovation, and performance. The company has grown to become one of the world’s largest builders of CNC machine tools today, continuing its legacy of providing high-quality machines at economic prices.

Higher machine speeds are also a big part of the demand on tools. “As the machines get more capable of higher speeds and torques, and the demand to get more out of the same tool constantly increases, manufacturers have to respond accordingly,” said Sarang Garud, product manager at Walter USA LLC, Waukesha, Wis.

As initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat gain increasing traction, Haas and Phillips Machine Tools are poised to play a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of the Indian manufacturing sector. With a strong emphasis on the trifecta of customer support, genuine parts, and economical pricing made even more attractive through the current running discount on Haas SUPER SPEED SS-I Models, the duo is set to empower Indian manufacturers with the tools they need to achieve superior performance and global competitiveness.

What sets HAAS apart is the versatile, user friendly and powerful HAAS control which on our SS series is true 5 axes upgradable at any time and features high speed machining, expanded 1GB memory, ethernet, WIFI and much more…

Kollenbroich described how Horn addressed that challenge with its 960 part-off system. “This is a cassette-based, coolant-through design that offers a major upgrade in blade stability,” he said. “This additional stability results in great improvement in tool life. Customers can realize gains of double or triple the tool life while showing dimensional improvements in flatness and surface finish.”

“Also, lower vibrations lead to less pitting of the tool pocket, increasing toolholder life,” Garud continued. “The new patented design by Walter for our DX18 inserts securely clamps the inserts on three sides.” It also has “a secure prismatic base: a V-shaped top groove for the top clamping finger and a small double-faceted groove at the back of the insert to seat it securely in the insert pocket.”

Horn also offers a Y-axis part-off system. “This system uses the Y axis of certain lathes as feed direction,” Kollenbroich said. “This switch in axis feed directs forces back into the holder instead of against the holder. The improved strength allows for feed rate increases of two or three times that of standard X-axis part-off applications.”

Haas Automation and Phillips Machine Tools are revolutionizing Indian manufacturing with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled support. Learn how their collaboration is driving productivity and global competitiveness for Indian manufacturers.

Adding to the momentum of this collaboration, Haas and Phillips have announced a special discount on Haas SUPER SPEED SS-Models exclusively for the Indian market. This offer provides significant savings on the all-new Super-Speed VF-SS-I Models, known for their high spindle speeds, ultra quick tool changes, and fast rapids, making them ideal for high-volume production environments. Each Super-Speed VF-SS-I Model is equipped with a 12,000-rpm 30 hp inline direct-drive spindle, ultra-fast 30 tool side-mount tool changer, and high-speed rapids on all axes. Compared to standard I-Models, Haas’ Super-Speed I-Models boast a 20% faster spindle speed, 30% faster tool changes, and 40% faster rapids, thereby driving even more value for Indian manufacturers.

By making the world’s most advanced technology accessible in our nation, Haas and Phillips Machine Tools enable Indian manufacturers to produce top-tier products for the global market. This collaboration ensures that Indian enterprises are equipped to compete with the rest of the world, driving the vision of a self-reliant and prosperous India.

"Haas is renowned for setting new standards in the global industry in almost every way. For example, it is the only machine tool manufacturer that offers completely transparent pricing—any customer can visit the Haas website and generate a quotation tailored to their needs," says Nikhil Modi, Global Marketing Lead at Phillips Machine Tools. "In addition, we provide a multitude of automation options that are not only affordable but also seamlessly integrate with our CNC machines. This ensures that our customers remain flexible and agile in an ever-changing world – something that’s more valuable than ever today."

One question is what to expect in the next few years. “I believe one thing we will see is machines equipped with sensor monitoring technology watching slight changes in the tool and adjusting accordingly,” Kollenbroich said. “Some machine manufacturers already have things like this, but they are not accurate or sensitive enough yet. Incorporating this sensor technology into the toolholder and tying directly into the machine control is a possibility.”

The company also looks to coating for product improvement. “We offer coatings that are capable of handling heat better, which in part-off and grooving is always a challenge,” he said.

“The side-lock, or ‘smart lock’ as the technology is called, allows the users to index the inserts while the tool is still clamped onto the gang tooling of a Swiss machine,” he continued. “The side access to the indexing screws allows a time reduction of up to 70 percent in insert indexing, saving valuable time on high-volume Swiss machining operations.”

Added Steve Vanderink, national product specialist for grip products at Iscar USA, Arlington, Texas, “Users are demanding ease of indexing of the insert with accurate repeatability while increasing productivity with rigid support and strength in the pockets—all while keeping an eye on the economics. The market wants it all. Innovation is the driving force for solutions to the market’s needs.”

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Another example: “Heli Grip is a game changer due to its unique twisted geometry, enabling depths of cuts to go beyond the second edge of the insert without damaging it.” He said that results in “much deeper depths of cut—grooving and excellent groove turn capabilities.”

Walter USA has adjusted the way it clamps its inserts. “Usually the grooving inserts are held either through a self-clamping mechanism or through a ‘top-clamp’ screw-down mechanism,” Garud said. “The more secure the insert in the pocket, the lesser the tendency of vibration and longer the insert life.

According to Garud, Walter is also adjusting design. “The need for higher volumes and reduced cycle times is always weighing down on tool manufacturers,” he said. “Walter recently introduced a new line of G4014 toolholders specifically designed for gang tooling. One of the key features of these holders is the side-access screw to clamp the insert into the toolholder.

Added Vanderink of Iscar, “Technically, center-height position of the tool is critical. The process of a square tool plunging into a round part is very abusive. The centerline dynamic is not fiction. It is real and essential for success in these applications.”

The Phillips commitment to Indian manufacturing is also reflected in their best-in-class service support. Their customer-centric approach is clearly paying off – a recent survey indicated an impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85, one of the highest in the industry globally.

“We are seeing the increased usage of Y-axis grooving and parting-off. By using this axis of the machine, we are able to increase cutting data, allowing our customers to reduce their cycle times,” he said. “Machine tool builders are adding features to their machines that allow for the use of the Y axis. Also, builders are looking at increasing the stroke of the Y axis, allowing for increased diameters where you can use Y-axis part-off tools.”

HAAS offers a multitude of affordable automation options that are not just affordable but also easy to integrate with our CNC machines.

Phillips Machine Tools consists of a team of over 500 employees, with nearly half of them dedicated field engineers across the country, each possessing specialized expertise in CNC machines. This ensures seamless installation, training, and ongoing supporting, enabling Indian manufacturers to maximize the potential of their Haas investments to drive sustained growth.

Phillips strives to make Haas machines a staple for manufacturers in India – a dream that is fast becoming a reality as more Indian manufacturers recognize the value of Haas's innovative solutions.

Kollenbroich of Horn noted that managing centerline is critical. “Centerline can be your biggest friend and your worst enemy. All manufacturers design their tools to work on center. When a machine is off, even slightly, things become unpredictable. Customers typically experience a drop in tool life, maybe poor surface finish or, worse yet, catastrophic failure. It is critical to apply part-off and grooving tools properly, and on center.”

Phillips Machine Tools' dedication to authenticity extends to their parts and service support, as well. With over $2 million worth of genuine Haas spare parts in stock across their nine technical centers in India, they ensure that Indian manufacturers receive timely and genuine replacements. This reliability in after-sales support further cements the trust Indian manufacturers place in Haas and Phillips.

“Users are always demanding the same thing,” said John Kollenbroich, head of product management at Horn USA Inc., Franklin, Tenn. “More tool life and predictability, better chip control and surface finish. These demands have not changed in many years, nor will they change anytime soon.”

Some trends in machining remain constant. Machine speeds continue to increase. Difficult-to-cut materials are used more frequently. The desire for better cooling, chip control and reliability remains.

He also said clamping is an issue. “Using torque wrenches when clamping inserts in all parting and grooving tools is essential to maintain clamping force, tool integrity and finally part quality.”

“Multi-axis, multi-spindle machine tools with Y-axis capabilities are emerging to complete parts in one setup,” Vanderink continued. “The use of robots on the shop floor is increasing and is becoming a viable operation for small to medium-sized shops now.”

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Together, Phillips Machine Tools and Haas collaborate to guarantee that each machine operates at peak performance, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity. Therefore, the long-standing partnership between Haas and Phillips has evolved to much more than a mere business arrangement – it is a commitment to empowering Indian manufacturers to democratize access to the cutting-edge tools and service they need to Make in India with the utmost quality and efficiency.

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Haas first started its journey in India two and a half decades ago. It joined hands with Phillips Machine Tools Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Phillips Corporation (the world’s largest distributor of Haas machines) in 2008. This enduring collaboration is revolutionizing Indian manufacturing by equipping local manufacturers with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled support, paving the way for enhanced productivity and global competitiveness.

Haas machines are renowned for their technological innovations. The incorporation of advanced features like high-speed spindles, automatic tool changers, and intuitive control systems sets Haas apart from the competition. These are features that not only enhance productivity but also ensure high precision, which is critical for industries such as aerospace and defence, automotive, energy, medical equipment, and general engineering.

Industry changes also create other considerations for toolmakers and their customers. “Geometry always plays a critical role in grooving operations,” Walter’s Garud said. “But parting-off operations typically tend to need the inserts to go all the way to the center of the bar, so cutting speeds are zero at the center, which means tougher grades are always going to be better than the harder grades. Also, chip-crimping is quite important. Not only do the chips need to curl into ‘sixes and nines’ shapes, they also need to be folded axially, so the chip breakers need to be aggressive to fold the chips.”

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Notably, the VF-2SS model, the world's best-selling Haas VMC, is included in this exclusive discount. This underscores the commitment of Haas and Phillips to support Indian manufacturers in accessing premium machines at competitive prices, further enabling them to achieve superior performance and stay competitive in the global market. This initiative is yet another step in reinforcing the ‘Make in India’ vision by providing local manufacturers with the best tools to excel in their operations.

Advancements in carbide substrates are “ever changing and we are seeing new grades and coatings that are making a meaningful impact in tool life,” he added. “Industry 4.0 is expanding into tooling more and more. Tracking of tool life and wear is becoming a seamless part of the manufacturing process.”

“As tool designers, we need to increase the pocket security of our grooving platforms to allow customers the freedom (to) turn in all directions,” said John Winter, turning specialist at Sandvik Coromant, Fair Lawn, N.J.

Progress in various manufacturing technologies may play a role in the future for parting and grooving, Iscar’s Vanderink said. “Additive manufacturing will be a big player from here on out,” he said. “Already, new concepts are on the way due to this technology. Additive manufacturing producing near-net shaped parts will change how removing material is viewed. This concept alone will drive the innovation needed to accommodate these types of components.”