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Platinum Tooling Hires New Sales Manager

Chris Blaine Sales ManagerPlatinum Tooling Technologies, Inc., the exclusive North American importer of Heimatec Live Tools and Angle Heads, Tecnicrafts Swiss Collets and Guide Bushings, Henninger Speeders, and AMF Cleaning and Marking tools, is excited to announce that they have hired a new regional sales manager.

Effective immediately, Chris Blaine will oversee all sales activities related to four Platinum Tooling rep groups across the country.  This includes Machine Tool Accessory Sales which covers the states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.   Additionally, the territory includes Evergreen Tool Group Tool in Michigan, McGill Sales in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, and lastly, CMI covering the states of Indiana and Kentucky.

Chris has strong technical knowledge of machine tools and machine tool accessories.  Before joining Platinum Tooling, Chris worked for 3 years at Morris Group, Inc./Velocity Products headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut.  As sales manager, he was responsible for managing their Live Tool sales for many states in the Midwest.  In addition to his vast knowledge of Live Tools, Chris also held the position of project manager for machining center products including rotary tables.  He also has experience with new product development and all levels of product and sales management.

Chris has gained experience through working with complex parts used in the aerospace, medical, defense, diesel fuel systems, automotive, oil and gas, and down hole industries.  Chris has a vast understanding of metals which allows him to make recommendation for the appropriate tooling given a specific application.

Blaine studied Manufacturing Technologies at Ivy Tech Community College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He looks forward to his work at Platinum Tooling saying, “I am excited to apply and expand my technical expertise and sales ability as a member of Platinum Tooling.”

Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc., is located in Prospect Heights, Illinois (just outside of Chicago). They recently expanded their facility to provide increased inventory to better serve the marketplace.


For more information, please contact:
Preben Hansen, President
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc.
16 East Piper Lane, Suite 128
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
847-749-0633
www.platinumtooling.com
phansen@platinumtooling.com

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Platinum Tooling Catalog Cover

Platinum Tooling Releases New Catalog

Platinum Tooling Catalog CoverPlatinum Tooling Technologies, Inc., the exclusive North American importer of standard and custom Live Tools, Angle Heads, and Multiple Spindle Tools manufactured by heimatec GmbH, is excited to announce the release of their new catalog.

The newly released catalog offers an updated look and features their high quality machine tool accessory lines, including: heimatec GmbH – Live Tools and Machining Center Angle Heads; Tecnicrafts Industries – Collets & Guide Bushings for Swiss Type CNC Lathes; Henninger GmbH u. Co. KG – Mechanical, Air & Motor Speeders, plus Custom Machining Center Angle Heads; Andreas Maier GmbH & Co. KG (AMF) – Cleaning & Marking Tools.

Preben Hansen, President of Platinum Tooling, is known throughout the industry for his expertise and experience in the tooling industry. Hansen will continue to offer advice and welcomes the opportunity to discuss your application.

Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc., is located in Prospect Heights, Illinois (just outside of Chicago). They recently expanded their facility to provide increased inventory to better serve the marketplace.


For more information, please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc.
16 East Piper Lane, Suite 128
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
847-749-0633
www.platinumtooling.com
phansen@platinumtooling.com

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Kurt Machining Utilizes Live Tool Speed Increaser, Realizes 9x Tool Cost Savings in Less Than a Year

Minnesota CNC shop uses Heimatec speed increaser to up RPM and feed rate; significantly reduces cycle time on aluminum engraving application

Kurt Machining (Minneapolis, Minnesota) specializes in providing precision CNC machined parts, using state-of-the-art technologies and up to 5-axis machining.  Since 1952, this 110,000 sq. ft. shop has provided its customers in a variety of high-quality demand markets with components and welded assemblies.  These include aerospace, defense, semiconductor, energy, automotive and more.  A very flexible shop, Kurt produces parts ranging from micron-sized semiconductor components to 2000 lb. workpieces for the defense sector.

On a recent project, where 5000 pieces of 6060 aluminum were to be engraved on a Hwacheon horizontal turning center, Kurt Engineering Manager, Shawn Eisenshank, had concerns over the cycle times.  He turned to his local tooling distributor, Abrasive Specialists, Inc. (ASI) and their tooling partner, Platinum Tooling, for suggestions.  Leigh Kinnan of ASI worked with the local Platinum Tooling representative, Cody Papenfus, to test run a Heimatec speed increaser, with the goal of increasing RPM on the machine and decrease part cycle time, with a documentation of the potential savings.  After performing the calculations in consultation with Preben Hansen, president of Platinum Tooling and exclusive importer for Heimatec products in North America, it was determined a significant savings could be realized.

Detailing the application, ASI demonstrated that a 1:3 speeder, increased the spindle RPM enough that when coupled with the nearly 3X increase in the feed rate on the machine, would produce a significant improvement to the current machining cycle.  Calculating the reduction in machining cost per part and factoring the cost of the speed increaser, it was determined the use of the Heimatec product onboard the Hwacheon turning center would result in a 9X cost saving for the customer, in the first year’s production run on this engraved aluminum component.

As Shawn Eisenshank notes, “This is one of those classic scenarios, where the theoretical has proven out in practice, as we’ve seen exactly the results ASI and Platinum Tooling proposed in their test calculations.”

Cody Papenfus of Hexis in Plymouth, Minnesota, who is the area rep for Platinum Tooling adds, “We say we put our expertise to work at the spindle of the machine and, in this case, that’s exactly what happened.  The speed increaser performed as expected, the customer got the results promised and it was a win-win, for all.  We serve our customers for the long haul and successes like this one are the big reason.”

Kurt Machining performs both vertical and horizontal milling and turning, complex assemblies and weldments, delivering with rapid lead times.  CAD compatibility is offered for web-based communications and fully interactive manufacturing engagement for its customers.  The company performs contract manufacturing in high quantity as well as prototyping for new designs.  Kurt also performs impact extrusion, heat treating and cleanroom operations including ultrasonic cleaning of stainless steel and aluminum components and assemblies, with cleaning to Class 1000 with 100 protocol.  The company is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D plus NADCAP Certified.  Kurt Machining is quality certified by the U.S. Government to MIL-Q-9858 and MIL-I-45208.


For further information on the application discussed in this story, please contact:

Shawn Eisenshank, Engineering Manager
KURT MACHINING
5280 Main Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55421
Phone:  763-572-1500
Fax:  763-572-9878
Web:  www.kurtmachining.com

or

Preben Hansen, President
PLATINUM TOOLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
16 E. Piper Lane
Suite 128
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
Phone:  847-749-0633
Fax:  847-749-2445
Web:  www.platinumtooling.com
Email:  phansen@platinumtooling.com

 

 

Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. is the exclusive importer for North America of quality tooling from around the globe.  The company currently represents Heimatec live tools and angle heads, Tecnicrafts collets and guide bushings for Swiss machines, Henninger spindle speed increasers for machining centers, AMF marking and cleaning tools plus Suzuki Swiss speed increasers.   In addition, Platinum Tooling engineers application-specific specialty tools at its location in the Chicago area.  The company is led by its president, Preben Hansen, a longtime veteran of the tooling industry and an acknowledged authority on machine tooling and accessories.

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Platinum Tooling: A new beginning for Preben Hansen

The following interview was conducted with Platinum Tooling’s President, Preben Hansen, at the company’s headquarters in Prospect Heights, Illinois. Hansen discusses the beginnings of Platinum Tooling, the transition period, changes, product lines and the future.  

preben hansenWhen asked what motivated him to start the company, Hansen said that it was a natural progression and that “As we added additional machine tool accessory lines to our offering, it made sense to have a name that encompassed more than just Heimatec.”  He added “In our industry, it is common to have one importer representing multiple product lines.”  Hansen was very pleased with the transition from Heimatec Inc., to Platinum Tooling.  “As always, our main concern is the customer; their understanding of our continued presence and new image in the marketplace was essential to our success.” Furthermore, he was grateful for the acceptance of their customers during this transition period.

Regarding future changes at Platinum Tooling, Hansen isn’t going to change his main goal: making sure customer needs are met. He explained “As always, I will continue to look for new products to complement our current product offering in an effort to satisfy the growing needs of our customers.  Since the transition to Platinum Tooling, we have done our best to assure our customers that we will continue to promote and support the Heimatec tooling lines as we did in the past.”  Hansen clarified by saying “Heimatec tooling will always be our core business.  We have several other complimentary lines including Tecnicrafts collets & guide bushings for the Swiss market, Henninger spindle speed increasers for machining centers, AMF marking tools, cleaners, and radio sensors plus Suzuki IB spindle speeders for Swiss machines.”

As for custom tooling, Hansen assures customers that Platinum Tooling will continue offering this service. “Our current manufacturers are all excellent at engineering solutions for special applications.”

Lastly, Hansen expressed excitement about the future of Platinum Tooling, saying “We are eager to see how the company will grow and evolve.”


For more information, please contact:
Preben Hansen, President
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc.
16 East Piper Lane, Suite 128
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
847-749-0633
www.platinumtooling.com
phansen@platinumtooling.com

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Henninger Tool Accessories

Platinum Tooling Now Represents Henninger

Henninger Tool AccessoriesPlatinum Tooling, the importer of live tools, angle heads, marking tools, Swiss tools and multiple spindle tools manufactured by various global suppliers, is now importing Henninger Speed Increasers for North America. The announcement was made by company president, Preben Hansen, at headquarters in Prospect Heights, Illinois, near Chicago.

Henninger is a manufacturer of specialized equipment and precision machine tool accessories. Spindle speeder types including mechanical, air and electric motor driven styles are all available.

These speed increasers help maximize productivity by achieving a higher spindle rpm that is required for certain applications in today’s marketplace.  Small diameter tools require rpms that are sometimes not possible to reach with existing machine tools.  In addition, they allow for less wear and tear on the machine’s spindle when it is not required to run at its maximum rpm.

Mechanical speeders are available with up to a 1:8 gear ratio and a maximum speed of 50,000 rpm.  Air speeders can run continuously at up to 80,000 rpm and high frequency motor spindles can maintain up to 80,000 rpm with high torque, and have variable speed options.

Many of the speeders have automatic tool change capabilities and are modular in design to offer the customer greater flexibility.

Henninger also manufactures custom angle heads, live centers, face drivers, and live chucks.  In addition, Henninger is the premier manufacturer for center grinding machines.

To learn more about these Henninger products as well as the Heimatec, Tecnicrafts, and AMF lines available through Platinum Tooling, please visit the company website.


For more information, please contact:
Preben Hansen, President
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc.
16 East Piper Lane, Suite 128
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
847-749-0633
www.platinumtooling.com
phansen@platinumtooling.com

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Heimatec Inc. to Combine with Other Tooling Lines Under New Corporation, Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc.

Longtime tooling authority Preben Hansen to lead new company

Heimatec Inc., a market leader in live tooling for the North American machine tool industry, announced today that it will become part of a new corporation, Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. The announcement was made by the longtime president of Heimatec, Inc., Preben Hansen, who will lead the new company as its president and COO, holding a majority stake in its ownership. Mr. Hansen is a 30-year veteran and recognized authority in the machine tool industry for tooling and its applications.

“I’d been pondering this move for some time and, after considerable discussions with Heimatec GmbH, Tecnicrafts Industries, Henninger GmbH, and other principals we represent, it seemed time to make this decision and move forward with the new company,” said Hansen, speaking from the Heimatec North American headquarters in Prospect Heights, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

Hansen continues, “The new company will enable us to serve our existing and new market opportunities in a more pro-active fashion.” He cited the recent expansion of the Chicagoland facility, with added office and warehouse space, allowing more staff to be hired and greater inventories to be carried on all lines to be represented by the new company. The Heimatec products will continue to be our main focus but we are fully committed to the growth and success of Tecnicrafts and our other product lines.

Other developments in the works, Hansen states, include additional lines of machine tool accessories and related machine components. Heimatec Inc. has been adding various other brand names to its roster over the years, most recently the very successful guide bushing and collet line from the global supplier Tecnicrafts Industries. Tecnicrafts manufacture products made specifically for the Swiss machine tool market. Platinum Tooling will make a further investment to this line with extensive inventory and the purchase and installation of a grinding machine. Bringing this process “in house” will improve delivery times and strengthen market position.

Additional personnel and sales representative firms are being sought to augment the existing team, Hansen notes. “Nothing will change in our interaction with current customers, reps and distributors. We’ll be enhancing our capabilities, however, with more application engineering, service technicians and staff dedicated to the specific tooling lines we represent. In that way, our value proposition and overall service package to the industry will rise to new heights.”

A new website has been developed for Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc., as well, www.platinumtooling.com.


For more information on all these developments, please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc.
16 East Piper Lane, Suite 128
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
847-749-0633
www.platinumtooling.com
phansen@platinumtooling.com

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AMF Marking and Cleaning Tools Now Available from Heimatec USA

Andreas Maier products now offered by live tooling importer 

Marking tools from AMF (foreground) and cleaning tool (background), now represented in North America by Heimatec Inc.

Marking tools from AMF (foreground) and cleaning tool (background), now represented in North America by Heimatec Inc.

Heimatec Inc., the North American importer of precision live tools, angle heads and multi-spindle drill heads, announces immediate availability of marking and cleaning tools from its European partner Andreas Maier, under the AMF brand. The announcement was made by the president of Heimatec Inc., Preben Hansen. “This development brings additional products to our current customers and responds to the market needs for quality marking and cleaning tools for workpieces in CNC machining,” he observed.

AMF marking tools are used for the permanent marking of workpieces made from all types of metal and thermoplastic substrates. They are typically mounted in Toolholders for use in the spindle of a CNC machine tool. Marking surfaces is achieved by a combination process of pressure and material displacement. These tools can function with or without rotation and usually without height adjustment on the spindle, resulting in a high-speed, highly efficient marking process and no degradation of the substrate. Very thin material as well as cylindrical workpieces can be easily marked, using AMF tools. Cost savings are said to be substantial, compared to conventional marking or labeling. Key design feature of the AMF marking tool is its needle, which achieves the surface marking with clarity and at high speed.

AMF cleaning tools are used for the cleaning of workpieces, tooling and the interior of CNC machines. They are typically clamped in Toolholders and mounted directly onto the machine spindle. Using through spindle coolant or compressed air, the cleaning tool removes swarf and other debris from workpieces, clamping tools, rotary tables and other fixtures before the next workpiece blank is loaded. The machine spindle can remain stationary or in slow rotation mode during the cleaning process. Models are available in horizontal or vertical styles to suit the machine spindle configuration and feature adjustable jet nozzles for precise cleaning and coolant or compressed air conservation. Kits can be furnished complete with tools, gauge and all fastening hardware or sold separately.

These new products from Heimatec Inc. are available immediately and are described in the literature available on request or at the company website.


For further information and literature on this new product line, please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
Heimatec Inc.
16 East Piper Lane, Suite 129,
Prospects Heights, IL 60070
USA
Tel: 847-749-0633
www.heimatecinc.com
Email:  phansen@heimatecinc.com

Heimatec Inc. in Prospect Heights, IL, near Chicago, serves its growing North American customer base with an extensive inventory of machine tool accessories. Its experienced staff is dedicated to providing the most innovative tooling and technology. Heimatec serves the auto, aero, medical, woodworking, composites and other industries, as well as an ever-increasing number of machine tool OEMs worldwide, through its network of manufacturers’ representatives.

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Heimatec Offers Live Tools for New Haas BMT Turret

Market leader in live tooling can supply complete range of products for new Haas BMT Turret

Heimatec Radial Tool

Radial tool 8 030 66 097

Heimatec, a market leader in live tooling for the North American machine tool industry, announced today that it has an extensive line of tooling available for the new Haas BMT turret.

The line includes a variety of driven tools (axial and radial drilling & milling heads) as well as static tool holders.  Heimatec also offers specialty tools for this turret including multi-spindle, adjustable angle, and speed multipliers.  For detailed download catalogs, please see the Heimatec website at: http://heimatecinc.com/catalogs/

Heimatec Axial Tool

Axial Tool 8 010 66 079

Heimatec already offers the most complete line of live tools available in the machine tool industry today, with over 40,000 designs in its database. These BMT turret tools are already proven and in production allowing Heimatec to provide immediate support and the most innovative tooling technology possible.

Heimatec North American distribution headquarters are located in Prospect Heights, Illinois (Chicagoland area) with world headquarters and all manufacturing based in Germany.  A team of manufacturers’ representatives covers the North American market for Heimatec.

 


For more information please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
Heimatec Inc.
16 East Piper lane, Suite 129,
Prospects Heights, IL 60070
USA
Tel: 847-749-0633
www.heimatecinc.com

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Heimatec Precision Tools Rolls Out New Website

Information-packed website features complete line of standard, machine brand specific and custom tooling

Heimatec, a market leader in live tooling for the North American machine tool industry, announced the rollout of its new website at www.heimatecinc.com.

The new site offers an in-depth look at the company’s extensive lines of standard and machine brand tooling, including the new Tecnicrafts line of collets and guide bushings, specifically designed for the Swiss machine tool market.

The site includes dozens of downloadable PDF catalogs, as well as an online tool search feature and videos of various live tool demonstrations. A “Contact” page offers customers the option to inquire directly from the site, and easy access to local manufacturer’s representative information. The site is easy-to-navigate and is mobile phone friendly.

Also included in the website is a dropdown section on custom designed tooling, which Heimatec offers in addition to its standard tooling and machine brand specific line. Tooling experts work directly with customers to design solutions to suit specific requirements for all CNC lathes, helping to solve the most challenging applications in multiple markets served by the company.

Heimatec tools offer the highest precision and most advanced technology available in the machine tool accessory market. The company is acknowledged as a world leader in live tools, angle heads and multi-spindle drill heads. With over 40,000 designs in its database, Heimatec offers the widest range of live tooling in the industry.

Heimatec North American distribution headquarters are located in Prospect Heights, Illinois (Chicagoland area) with world headquarters and all manufacturing based in Germany.  A team of manufacturers’ representatives covers the North American market for Heimatec.


For more information please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
Heimatec Inc.
16 East Piper lane, Suite 129,
Prospects Heights, IL 60070
USA
Tel: 847-749-0633
www.heimatecinc.com

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Heimatec Named North American Distributor for Tecnicrafts

Effective immediately, Heimatec Inc., will be selling products from Tecnicrafts Industries, a manufacturer of collets and guide bushings for Swiss Type CNC Lathes.

Tecnicrafts is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified company, with its manufacturing plant in South India with state of the art machine tools and 115 technicians. Tecnicrafts collets and guide bushings are exclusively used for Swiss Turning applications on Citizen-Cincom, Tsugami, Star, Tornos, Hanwha, Traub, Hardinge, Manurhin-Kmx, Miyano, Nomura and other popular machine brands and are widely recognized and accepted by customers in Europe and Asia.

COLLETS: The collets are offered in Steel and Carbide lined versions with Grooved, Smooth, Serrated Bores in Standard and Long Nose Types. Tecnicrafts produces special collets such as V-Line, U-Line, Over-grip Collets, for positive gripping of delicate parts without marks.  The Ultra Precision (XP) W-Type collets are available for tool grinding applications on machines like Rollomatic, Anca, Ewag  and others.   Other collets offered includes 5C and 16C types.


GUIDE BUSHINGS: Tecnicrafts Guide Bushings are generally offered in carbide lining having Super Finish bore with roughness value of less than 0.4 micron. These special guide bushings include U-Line, Extended Nose and Long Carbide Bores (Max Land) for special turning applications.

BAR FEEDER COLLETS: The Bar feeder collets are available for various bar feeders like Fedek, LNS, Ikura-seiki, Iemca, Citizen, FMB and other popular brands.

All Collets and Guide Bushings are offered in Standard and Ultra-Precision grades. The bore profile includes Round, Square, Hexagon, Rectangular and Profile bores as per customer drawings.


Heimatec Inc., with its expertise in precision tooling and having customer representatives throughout North America, is ready to meet the work holding tool needs for Swiss Turning applications with this new Tecnicrafts product line on its roster of quality tooling.


For more information please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
Heimatec Inc.
16 East Piper lane, Suite 129,
Prospects Heights, IL 60070
USA
Tel: 847-749-0633
www.heimatecinc.com

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