Tool holders are defined as a mechanical or structural system used to securely hold, align, and support tools, dies, or molds in manufacturing processes, ensuring stability, precision, and efficient force or energy transfer. Tool holders are mainly used in classical machining operation but the concept is frequently extended to other tool based industries such as cold working, hot working and plastic processing, where tool holders broadly describe systems that support and fix functional tooling components.
Tool holders are mechanical devices used to securely hold, position, and align tools or tool elements within a machine, ensuring precise force transmission, stability, and accuracy during manufacturing processes. In classical machining (e.g., CNC milling or drilling), tool holders act as the interface between the machine spindle and the cutting tool, providing rigid clamping, accurate alignment, and efficient transfer of motion and torque. This concept can be extended to other tool-based industries, where tool holders broadly describe systems that support and fix functional tooling components: Cold working (e.g., stamping, forming): Tool holders include systems such as die sets or punch holders that precisely position and secure forming tools under high mechanical loads. Plastics processing (e.g., injection molding, extrusion): Tool holders correspond to mold clamping and positioning systems that hold molds or inserts, ensuring alignment, pressure distribution, and thermal stability. Hot working (e.g., forging, die casting): Tool holders are structures that support dies or molds under extreme temperatures and stresses, maintaining consistent positioning and compensating for thermal expansion.
The newly developed, patent pending, BÖHLER E185 AMPO is an AM powder, fulfilling the highest demands from various industries, ranging from motorsport to engineering components and any kind of prototype applications. This low alloyed steel with easy printability and the possibility for surface treatments (e.g. case hardening or nitriding) was developed especially for the demands of the 3D printing industry. The material shows an excellent combination of strength and toughness.
Read MoreBÖHLER K305 belongs to the group of 5% chromium steels and corresponds to the material 1.2363 (X100CrMoV5, A2). Compared to conventional tool steels with 1% carbon and low chromium content, BÖHLER K305 has significantly better through hardenability and wear resistance. This class of 5% chromium steels is used in situations where grades like 1.2842 are no longer sufficient in terms of wear resistance and through hardenability but materials like 1.2379 are not yet required. BÖHLER K305 is used for punching and cutting tools, die plates and inserts, thread cutting tools and machine knives in the wood, paper and recycling industries.
Read MoreBÖHLER K460 corresponds to the material 1.2510 (100MnCrW4, O1) and has comparable properties to the popular tool steel 1.2842. Additional alloying with tungsten achieves higher resistance to abrasive wear compared to the tool steel 1.2842. BÖHLER K460 offers the advantage of simple heat treatment with low hardening temperatures and single tempering. However, this characteristic tempering behaviour limits the use of advanced coatings. The material has a good hardening response, but only moderate through hardenability. BÖHLER K460 is used for punching and cutting tools, plastic molds, thread cutting tools and machine knives in the wood, paper and recycling industries.
Read MoreBÖHLER K605 is approximately equivalent to the material 1.2721 (~50NiCr13). The alloy concept of this tool steel is similar to the one of 1.2767. With its high nickel content, this material offers a very good combination of through hardenability and toughness. The higher carbon content compared to material 1.2721 results in a better hardening response and consequently higher compressive strength. The material is used in applications such as forming, bending and embossing tools.
Read MoreBÖHLER M200 is a prehardened, non-corrosion-resistant chromium-manganese-molybdenum alloyed plastic mould steel with very good machinability and uniform strength over the entire cross-section of medium-sized dimensions.
Read MoreBÖHLER M238 is a prehardened, non-corrosion-resistant plastic mould steel with good machinability. The addition of Ni guarantees uniform strength across the entire cross-section, even with large dimensions (up to 600 mm).
Read MoreBÖHLER M238HH corresponds to BÖHLER M238 in High-Hard product variant. A variation in the heat treatment enables significantly higher wear resistance and edge-stability for improved tool life.
Read MoreBÖHLER M261 is a precipitation-hardenable steel for plastic molds that exhibits very good machinability in the as-delivered condition – solution-annealed and aged. Compared to 1.2312, BÖHLER M261 has a higher resistance to pressure and wear. By eliminating the need for additional heat treatment, the throughput time can also be significantly reduced.
Read MoreBÖHLER M315 is a prehardened, corrosion-resistant martensitic plastic mold steel. Due to its chemical composition, BÖHLER M315 has improved machinability compared to 1.2085 and is approved for food contact.
Read MoreBÖHLER M789 AMPO is a newly developed maraging steel, which combines the mechanical properties of 1.2709 with the corrosion resistance of 17-4PH. This patent bending grade can easily printed without any preheating and achieves a hardness of about 52 HRC with a very easy heat treatment. Furthermore, this material shows an excellent polishability, which makes it the ideal choice for inserts with conformal cooling in plastic injection molding and in any other application where a high hardness and corrosion resistance is of need.
Read MoreBÖHLER W300 ISOBLOC is a 5% chromium steel and corresponds to material number 1.2343 (X37CrMoV5-1). Produced via the electroslag remelting process (ESR), this tool steel has very high hot toughness as well as good hot hardness and very good resistance against heat-checkings. The combination of these properties makes it a top performer in high- and low-pressure die casting as well as in closed-die and open-die forging. In addition, this material has very good polishability and is therefore also often used as a molding material for plastic injection molds.
Read MoreBÖHLER W300 ISODISC is a 5% chromium steel and corresponds to material number 1.2343 (X37CrMoV5-1). This common tool steel has good hot toughness as well as a high hot hardness and a high resistance against heat-checkings. The combination of these properties makes it a standard choice in extrusion, forging and low-pressure die casting. This material is also available as W300 ISOBLOC which is a remelted grade with improved cleanliness, homogeneity and toughness.
Read MoreBÖHLER W302 ISOBLOC is a 5% chromium steel and corresponds to material number 1.2344 (X40CrMoV5-1). Produced via the electroslag remelting process (ESR), this tool steel has very high hot toughness as well as very high hot hardness and a very good resistance against heat-checkings. The combination of these properties makes it a top performer in closed- and open-die forging as well as in high- and low-pressure die casting. In addition, this material has very good polishability and is therefore also often used as a molding material for plastic injection molds.
Read MoreBÖHLER W302 ISODISC is a 5% chromium steel and corresponds to material number 1.2344 (X40CrMoV5-1). This common tool steel has good hot toughness as well as a high hot hardness and a high resistance against heat-checkings. The combination of these properties makes it a standard choice in extrusion, forging and low-pressure die casting. This material is also available as W302 ISOBLOC which is a remelted grade with improved cleanliness, homogeneity and toughness.
Read MoreUddeholm Bure er et højstyrke specialstål, der er beregnet til anvendelser med store krav til materialets mekaniske egenskaber, samtidig med at det kræver god bearbejdelighed. Sammenlignet med lignende stålkvaliteter er bearbejdeligheden forbedret, hvilket letter operationer som boring og gevindskæring af små huller. Det er særligt velegnet til induktionshærdning og kan også forsynes med en PVD-belægning uden at reducere værktøjets hårdhed. Benefits Less wear from the chips High safety against tool breakage Less distortion by hardening Excellent machinability Uddeholm Bure is supplied either soft annealed or prehardened on demand.
Read MoreUddeholm Bure HT is a pre-hardened, hot rolled high-strength special steel, intended for applications with severe demands on the mechanical properties of the material, while also requiring good machinability. Compared with similar steel grades the machinability is improved, which facilitates such operations as drilling and tapping of small holes. It is pre-hardened to a suitable hardness of 39-43 HRC, and can also be given a PVD coating without reducing the hardness of the tool. Benefits Delivered in pre-hardened state Less wear from the chips High safety against tool breakage Excellent machinability
Read MoreUddeholm Formax is a bolster steel with low carbon content suitable for large top and bottom plates and medium strength supports. It can be supplied in as-hot-rolled or fine-machined condition. Uddeholm Formax is intended for use in the as-delivered condition, i.e. not heat treated. However, it is also suitable for applications where the material must be hardened to a higher hardness, Delivery hardness is 170 HB. Benefits Cost efficient tool making Short tool making lead times Safe and consistent production Cost efficient tool making/production
Read MoreUddeholm Holdax is prehardened steel with very good machinability and good resistance to indentation, mainly as holder steel for the plastic industry: Holders/bolsters for plastic moulds and die casting dies Plastics and rubber moulds with low requirements on polishability Support plates Constructional parts Uddeholm Holdax can also be used for engineering applications. Benefits Fast machining Less wear of cutting tools Good resistance to indentation Standard specification W.nr 1.2312 / AFNOR 40 CMD 8 + S
Read MoreUddeholm Idun is the world’s first patented corrosion resistant tool holder steel. It is delivered in pre-hardened condition and provides the possibility to start machining the finished part directly. Uddeholm Idun shares the superior qualities that always accompany the members of the Uddeholm Tool Holder Concept – meeting your requirements on durability while still being good to machine. With Uddeholm Idun we offer you even more: a possibility to change the game. A corrosion resistant steel grade that is delivered in pre-hardened condition. Uddeholm Idun allows you to skip the long and costly process of hardening, surface treatment and the transportation in between that is normally required with standard materials. A safe and reliable fast forward button to your finished product. It shortens tool making lead time and improves tool holder durability. It is e.g. perfect for custom made tool holders. Benefits Corrosion resistant Big savings in time and money Environmentally friendly
Read MoreUddeholm Ramax HH is a corrosion resistant holder steel with good machinability, supplied in a high prehardened condition. Good machinability and corrosion resistance reduces tool manufacturing and maintenance costs. Benefits Low mould production cost thanks to low wear of the cutting edges in the milling and drilling operations and shorter machining time thanks to increased cutting speed possible. Lower mould maintenance costs due to corrosion resistance Lower production costs since water cooling channels are less effected by corrosion, ensuring consistent cycle time Uddeholm Ramax HH is supplied at a hardness level that is higher than other corrosion resistant prehardened grades, resulting in a more durable mould and a longer life time. By combining Uddeholm Ramax HH with one of our other products within the Stainless Concept, you can create a completely stainless mould.
Read MoreUddeholm RoyAlloy is a high-performance stainless mould base tool steel designed to deliver exceptional durability and efficiency in demanding tooling environments. It is developed to meet the requirements of mould bases and moulds where demands on surface finish, service life, and corrosion resistance are more moderate. The material offers an attractive balance between performance, machinability, and cost, making it a competitive option for standard applications in the plastics industry. Benefits Unlike conventional stainless steels, RoyAlloy is supplied in a pre-hardened condition of approximately 30 HRC, eliminating the need for additional heat treatment. This significantly reduces lead times and production costs while ensuring dimensional stability throughout machining and finishing processes. RoyAlloy’s superior corrosion resistance sets it apart in applications where moisture or humid environments can compromise tool life. By minimizing rust and surface degradation, it ensures longer service intervals and reduced maintenance costs. The material’s homogeneous structure and stable mechanical properties provide good dimensional stability and sufficient strength for applications involving short to medium production runs or less demanding plastics. The steel’s weldability and repairability further enhance its value, allowing easy maintenance and extending tool lifespan.
Read MoreUddeholm UHB 11 tool steel is an easily machinable carbon steel characterized by good machinability and mechanical strength. Uddeholm UHB 11 is primarily intended to be used in the asdelivered condition. It is only to be heat treated for special applications. Benefits A bolster steel with medium high carbon content. Narrow composition limits give very consistent properties. The property profile of Uddeholm UHB 11 combine to give a steel suitable for bolsters, top and bottom plates and higher strength support plates. Standard specification W.nr 1.1730 / AISI 1148
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