5ME Authorizes Star SU, Fullerton Tool to Make, Distribute Cryogenic Tooling

5ME (Cincinnati, Ohio) has made agreements with Star SU LLC (Hoffman Estates, Illinois) and Fullerton Tool Co. (Saginaw, Michigan) authorizing the companies to manufacture, sell, service and market its BlueZone cryogenic tooling brand in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tooling designs include end mills, ball mills, tapered ball mills, thread mills, reamers and drills.

Bill Horwarth, 5ME president, says, “We’ve worked with Star SU to develop tooling solutions on a variety of cryogenic machining configurations and applications,” adding that the two companies share an excitement for bringing cryogenic machining to more manufacturers.

Of Fullerton, Mr. Horwarth says that the company’s reputation as a provider of quality carbide tooling as well as service and support made the supplier a natural choice as a partner. “We’ll work closely with the Fullerton team to develop the next advanced-performance BlueZone tooling, as well as testing on materials to optimize coatings, cutting geometries, and machining parameters,” he says.

5ME’s cryogenic machining process enables higher cutting speeds for increased material removal rates and longer tool life by transmitting liquid nitrogen at 321°F through the spindle/turret and tool body, directly to the cutting tool’s edge.