Jiro Osawa, Managing Director of Technology, OSG 

Andreas Haimer, President of the Haimer Group

The OSG-Group has begun offering their cutting tools shanks with the protection system, Safe-Lock from Haimer worldwide.

The unique Safe-Lock design in cutting tools and toolholders combines a high precision press fit clamping with a positive form locking mechanism. This prevents round cutting tools from being rotated or completely pulled out from its tool holder during heavy machining. The combination of symmetrical pull out protection, highest concentricity and excellent balance of the Safe-Lock system, results in a vibration free machining process. This leads to a more efficient metal removal rate, that is superior when compared to conventional milling chucks or weldon shanked cutting tools and toolholders.

OSG has been testing various systems for pull out security over the past several months. Only the technology of the Safe-Lock system could convince the Japanese company. Jiro Osawa, Technical Managing Director at OSG headquarters and CEO for North America, explains: “Our field testing proved that the combination of our endmills with the system resulted in higher RPMs and feed rates even with difficult-to-machine materials. This enables our customers to obtain a significant increase in their current metal removal rates, while at the same time having a higher security in their machining processes. The system also has a very positive effect on tool wear.”

For the Japanese corporation, there was one further crucial factor. “It is the only system that is actually in high demand globally and also available in various clamping methods. Since we are not only in Japan but also well represented in North America and in Europe, we have decided to sign this license agreement and integrate the Safe-Lock design into our tools worldwide.” Osawa said.

Andreas Haimer, President of the Haimer Group, explains: “We have established Safe-Lock as a standard in roughing and heavy machining for which a variety of tools are available worldwide. We are very proud and happy to have reached a strong partnership with OSG.”

Since its launch in 2007, the Safe-Lock System has developed very successfully and excited many international customers. Last year alone, the growth was four times higher compared to previous years. This boom can be attributed to recognising that the productivity increases resulting from the pull out protection is not restricted to typical aerospace applications but the cost and time savings can also be used in any typical milling application.