Internal thread production – whether through hole or blind hole – is one of the most challenging cutting tasks. It is particularly important as one of, if not the last, machining step. Process reliability is the top priority in order not to waste the almost completed component.

Every year, more than one billion taps and thread formers are produced worldwide – for many years, most of them have been coated with traditional TiN and TiCN coatings, unchanged in most cases.

When it comes to really thick coatings, manufacturers of cutting inserts have so far had no choice but to resort to the CVD coating process, which is very limited in its possibilities.