So much more than just machines

< Back to Magazine No. 01-2025

aerospace

So much more than just machines

Starrag offers everything from complete manufacturing solutions with its own in-house components through to special tools

The high quality of the Starrag machines developed and manufactured in Rorschacherberg, Switzerland, is undisputed. But these machining centres are just one facet of the diverse portfolio. The production solutions available also include other components made by the company. In addition to technology, software and clamping concepts, the carbide tools produced in-house are often vital to success.

The core expertise of Starrag’s headquarters in Rorschacherberg lies in developing and manufacturing high-performance machining centres for use in aircraft and turbine construction. But the company actually has much more to offer. The process knowledge accumulated over many years and through numerous projects, are reflected in the many components developed in-house: from carbide tools to the RCS CAM software for blades, from clamping technology and fixture construction to automation solutions and host computer technologies.

“It is this ‘full package’ that sets us apart from other suppliers,” says Sofian Regaz, Starrag Sales Manager for Aerospace & Turbine Technology. “We don’t see ourselves purely as a machine manufacturer, but as a solution provider for production processes in the aerospace and turbine sector. This ranges from standalone plants to flexible manufacturing systems, which customers can obtain from us as a one-stop shop.”

Gaining a market advantage from tools adapted to the process

Sofian Regaz is primarily responsible for product management and sales of Starrag tools. “Here in Rorschacherberg, we have spent many years developing and grinding carbide milling cutters for aircraft and turbine components made from difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium, Inconel or high-alloy steels.”

Though Starrag does offer a small range of standard tools, more than 90 % of the tools the company sells are custom- made products that are tailored to the specific machining process, i.e. to the component, the machine, the material and other considerations.

“It makes a huge difference whether I adapt my NC program to a catalogue milling cutter or whether I design the tool in terms of cutting edge length, corner radius, flank angle, coating, etc. so that I can deliver the optimum machining process. Our customers enjoy great success with this,” says Sofian Regaz.

Success leads to growth

The tool business has seen tremendous growth in recent years. This is not solely down to success stories such as the Honeywell contract. The expanded product range has also contributed greatly to this. While Starrag used to produce only end mills, torus mills and conical ball nose mills, today the company also grinds cylindrical and barrel ball nose mills, lollipop, barrel and chamfer milling cutters as well as high-feed, plunge and a wide variety of form milling cutters, for example for turbine blade roots. In order to generate further growth, Starrag will in the future, offer special tools for machining aluminium in addition to tools for materials that are more challenging to machine. Sofian Regaz’s team is also 21 strengthening its business development: “Our process expertise in aircraft and turbine construction is so extensive that we can also enjoy great success with our tools on third-party machines. And we are already in talks with other Starrag sites. In the future, we want to utilise their machining centres and their expertise to produce special tools for other industries.”

您的问题、评论以及反馈？

我很期待收到您的反馈。

联系我们