Although the topic is not new, it appears as new item on the agenda on daily basis. The demands made on manufacturers in the aviation and aerospace industry are becoming increasingly more demanding and complex. And what applies to production businesses, also applies to the machining industry that provides them with the tools they require.

In order to be more cost-efficient, manufacturers need to not only use tools with perfect performance and a long tool life, but also continuously optimise their machining solutions and processes. In this area in particular, Walter - the Tübingen- based machining specialist - has taken on the task of supporting its aerospace customers.

 The Goal is to create complete solutions that address the complexity of the task and help to increase productivity and cost-efficiency. Thomas Schaarschmidt, Director Business & Application Development at Walter, explains: "Today customers expect their tool supplier to have a high level of expertise in all key operations that are carried out using its tools. This reduces the increasing cost pressure and compensates for the loss of expertise which arises as a result of outsourcing a large number of tasks."

More specifically this means that, in addition to the tools required for the relevant machining solutions and the associated comprehensive service, suppliers must have an impressive recycling and reconditioning program. They must provide extensive technical support and offer simple order processing which is integrated as seamlessly as possible into the customer's workflows. The supplier programs the machining systems (or helps the user's staff to do so) and trains the customer's employees - to name a few of the most important basic requirements.

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