Tool manufacturer ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH has shown just how far precision can be taken with lettering milled into a human hair. ZECHA’s sensational 10 micron milling cutter caught the attention of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG in their search to find a unique solution for a special application. In any case, precision is getting to be a substantive issue in the future of communication, information and security.

Rohde & Schwarz has made a name for itself with electronic capital goods for industry, infrastructure operators, and government customers.

With development, production, and marketing of a vast range of products, the technology and market leader is active in the fields of wireless communications and RF test and measurement, broadcast and media technology, air traffic control, and military radio communications, as well as cybersecurity and network technology. As a pioneer and trendsetter in the field of micro-cutting, stamping, and forming tools, ZECHA produces the ideal tool solution for every application, every material, and every dimension, however small. With origins in the chronograph industry, the expert for micro tools recognizes the importance of precision in various industries. It is not just recently that Rohde & Schwarz has relied on precision tools from ZECHA. Diverse machining solutions have been used here for some time, including high-end multi-cutters in the small diameter range with diamond-coated, laser-sharpened cutting edges in the IGUANA line.

Rohde & Schwarz is one of the world's largest manufacturers of electronic measurement technology. As a key partner for industry and network operators, they offer a wide range of market-leading solutions for the latest wireless technologies, as well as for RF and microwave applications up to 500 GHz. These complex applications demand special solutions. For the creation of a 0.5 mm deep and 0.02 mm wide slit in a brass component, Rohde & Schwarz relied on the expertise of ZECHA. The tool manufacturer designed as special solution a micro-slitting cutter with a diameter of 4 mm and a width of 0.02 mm. To achieve the required even base and optimized cutting performance, a few of the slitting cutter parameters were subsequently improved. Incredible, right?

Together, the two technology experts have made the impossible possible. Through mutual expertise and years of experience in their fields, the problem was handled with an excellent solution. ZECHA and Rohde & Schwarz have been growing with new challenges for decades and are thus constantly offering their customers innovative and unique product solutions.

Figure 1: Drawing of the brass component

Figure 2: Comparison of brass component vs. cent piece (milling is performed on red marking)

Figure 3: Slitting cutter under 50-x magnification (oblique)

Figure 4: Slitting cutter under 50-x magnification (lateral)

Figure 5: Teeth of the slitting cutter under 150-x magnification (frontal)

Figure 6: Tool with hollow grinding under 1000-x magnification

Figure 7: Original photo of the component: minimal to barely visible burring and no shape or measure deviation during slit milling

ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH

ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH has been a pioneer and trendsetter in the field of micro cutting, stamping and forming tools for over half a century. The company's origins in the chronograph industry can be seen not only in its uncompromising specialization in the producing miniature tools of the highest precision, but also in its special tool solutions.

Precision and quality are key for the international employment in different industries, such as, for example, in medical and dental technology, the chronograph industry, automotive industry, or in tool and mould making. Experts in the company's own research and development department are constantly developing groundbreaking geometries and tools for sophisticated applications and cutting-edge materials.

In addition, tool reproducibility is also guaranteed even for years on account of the life number stamped at the end of the shaft of every tool.

Modern CNC machines, high-end measuring and testing technologies and carefully selected hard metals from leading manufacturers as well as an intensive cooperation with our customers and partners ensure the exceptional perfection of our Tools.