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WALTER: A leader in tool machining, forged by history
WALTER, a subsidiary of the UNITED GRINDING group, is a major player in the field of tool machining. Founded in 1919, the company specialises in the design and manufacture of CNC machine tools for grinding, eroding and laser treatment of cutting tools. Its expertise also extends to the optical measurement of precision tools. Headquartered in Tübingen, Germany, WALTER draws on unique know-how and a global distribution network to serve customers in a wide range of industrial sectors.
A history of sharpening rich in innovation
Following its foundation in 1919 in Düsseldorf by Richard Walter, under the name Walter Montanwerke, the company, driven by its founder's passion for research and development, quickly acquired a solid reputation in the field of tool machining. By specialising in the manufacture of milling cutters during its first decades, and more broadly in the manufacture of carbide tools, it quickly distinguished itself by its spirit of innovation and its desire to push back the technological limits.
WALTER's contribution to the world of CNC grinding
WALTER played a pioneering role in the development of industrial grinding by successfully researching the integration of automation and numerical controls on its machine tools.
It was in 1953 that WALTER marked a turning point with the launch of the world's first fully automated tool grinding machine, a veritable revolution in the sector. This was followed in 1977 by the Helitronic 40 NC, the world's first CNC grinding machine.
Over the years, the company has continued to develop new technologies and launch innovative products, including increasingly precise combined machining, optical measurement and high-performance numerical control systems, all of which have significantly improved the productivity, precision and quality of cutting tools. The HELITRONIC range of grinding machines, a benchmark in precision grinding, is a perfect example.
Integration into the UNITED GRINDING Group
In 2004, a major turning point came with the integration of WALTER into the Schleifring Group, which became UNITED GRINDING in 2013. This acquisition enabled WALTER to benefit from the synergies of a larger group and to strengthen its position on the world market.
WALTER and EWAG grinding machines form the tool machining technology branch of the UNITED GRINDING group, which is a world leader in the field of abrasive machine tools. It also includes several other historic brands specialising in the manufacture of abrasive machine tools, such as STUDER, MÄGERLE, BLOHM, JUNG, SCHAUDT, MIKROSA and IRPD cylindrical grinders.
Each brand contributes its own specific expertise and know-how, creating a unique set of skills within the group, which benefits from this synergy to offer increasingly sophisticated machines. Today, it is able to offer a complete range of tool machining services, from jig grinding and precision measurement to erosion, laser machining and software, all from a single source.
Emblematic machines: WALTER CNC grinders
The HELITRONIC ESSENTIAL CNC grinding machine is testimony to WALTER's solid experience in the production of innovative machine tools. Offering an ideal compromise between performance and ease of use, this sharpener is particularly appreciated for its efficiency in sharpening a wide range of cutting tools.
Other models in the Helitronic range have made their mark on the industry with their cutting-edge technologies, such as the Helitronic Power in 1994, renowned for its versatility and precision in sharpening a wide range of tools, and the Helitronic Vision in 2003, equipped with advanced optical measurement systems for precise control of complex geometries.
The Helitronic Mini Power model, meanwhile, reflects the brand's focus on prototyping, small production runs and workshops, with a machine that is both compact and economical. In the same spirit, the Helitronic Basic system, with its 5 CNC axes, sharpens and jig grinds most tools with exemplary precision and quality, whether for metal or wood. This combination of versatility and precision makes it an excellent gateway to the world of high-precision tools.
Buying a used WALTER CNC sharpener
Renowned for their precision and reliability, they are used in many workshops around the world, meeting the most demanding requirements in the automotive, aerospace and high-tech tooling sectors.
And with good reason, many players choose to turn to qualified used machine tool dealers to acquire used WALTER CNC grinding machines. Overhauled and maintained to high quality standards, they guarantee optimum performance.
The different types of WALTER machine
But WALTER doesn't stop there ... The manufacturer offers a complete range of CNC machine tools, each designed to meet specific tool machining needs.
WALTER is developing combined machining systems for its erosion machines, taking on both jig grinding and erosion operations for greater flexibility, such as the Helitronic Power Diamond. But it is also developing specific machines for the erosion of very hard materials, including polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (CBN).
At the same time, WALTER is expanding its Helicheck range of optical measuring machines. Equipped with high-resolution optical measuring systems and cutting-edge metrology software, they enable complex cutting tools to be measured accurately in a single clamping.
Finally, the manufacturer also designs machines that use laser technology, such as the Vision Laser, to perform surface treatments on tools, such as marking, hardening or coating.
Sectors of activity served by WALTER
WALTER machines are used in many industrial sectors where the precision and quality of cutting tool machining are essential.
- In the automotive and aerospace industries for the manufacture of moulds for plastic parts, machining of engine and turbine components, production of cutting tools for the machining of structural parts.
- In the medical sector , manufacturing surgical instruments, dental implants and tools for making prostheses.
- In the watchmaking and precision tooling industries, manufacturing tools for machining watch components or for machining metals, plastics and composites.
Examples of specific applications for WALTER jig grinders
- Sharpening carbide milling cutters: WALTER machines can be used to precisely sharpen carbide milling cutters used for machining hard materials.
- Erosion of PCD dies: WALTER machines are used to manufacture PCD dies for plastic extrusion.
- Measurement of complex turning tools: WALTER optical measurement machines are used to check the dimensions and geometry of complex turning tools with great precision.