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 moulding, extrusion): Tool holders correspond to mould clamping and positioning systems that hold moulds or inserts, ensuring alignment, pressure distribution, and thermal stability. Hot working (e.g., forging, die casting): Tool holders are structures that support dies or moulds 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 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 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 MoreRoyAlloy is a high-performance stainless mold 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 molds 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.
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