Process reliability, productivity, and sustainability are among the central requirements in the tool market. Solutions that reduce processing times, increase uptime, and simultaneously meet the highest quality standards are in demand. Particularly in the manufacturing of complex PKD tools, precise processing processes and application-specific tool concepts are gaining increasing importance. To meet these requirements in the future, YG-1 Technology Center GmbH in Oberkochen invested in the VLaser 370 laser machine from Vollmer. Since January 2026, the company has been using the machine for the processing of PKD milling and PKD reaming tools and has already achieved improvements in productivity and cutting edge quality.
YG-1 Technology Center develops customized tool solutions
The YG-1 Technology Center in Oberkochen was founded in January 2018 and serves within the international YG-1 group as a competence center for customized tool solutions and demanding project applications. With around 75 employees, the site develops innovative special tools, supports international customers, and works closely with the group's global development and production sites.
The South Korean YG-1 group, with around 5,500 employees, 38 branches, and a presence in more than 75 countries, is one of the largest manufacturers of precision tools. The portfolio includes PKD and solid carbide tools, ISO turning insert tools, and line boring bars for applications in the automotive industry, medical technology, aerospace, and general mechanical engineering.
"With the investment in the VLaser 370 laser machine from Vollmer, we emphasize our strategy to focus on quality, precision, and long-term competitiveness even in challenging times. Our focus is on the development of innovative special tools, process design, and technical support for customers and other YG-1 locations worldwide," says Jose Eduardo Guimaraes, Managing Director of YG-1 Technology Center GmbH.
Innovative manufacturing technologies as a competitive advantage
As a complete provider of standard and special tools up to turnkey projects, YG-1 aims to support customers worldwide with powerful tool solutions. Increasing demands for productivity, delivery capability, and sustainability are changing the expectations of modern tool manufacturers.
The supplier is increasingly seen as a strategic partner who not only delivers tools but also develops optimal manufacturing processes together with customers.
"Innovative manufacturing technologies are a key competitive advantage for us. They enable higher quality, more efficiency, shorter delivery times, and the development of powerful tool solutions. This allows us to respond flexibly to market demands and provide our customers with real added value," says Jose Eduardo Guimaraes.
VLaser 370 enables precise processing of complex PKD tools
When deciding on the VLaser 370 from Vollmer, the geometric requirements for processing demanding tools and efficient process design were particularly central. YG-1 was especially convinced by the compact design and the laser concept of the machine.
"Currently, PKD milling tools and PKD reaming tools with optimized chip guiding geometries are gaining increasing importance in aluminum machining.
These customized solutions place high demands on manufacturing. The VLaser 370 supports us in producing these tools precisely and economically," says Jose Eduardo Guimaraes.
Equipped with sophisticated kinematics, stable extraction technology, and internal compensation measurement, the VLaser 370 enables precise and process-safe processing of complex tool geometries. Particularly in the manufacturing of chip guiding steps, the machine shows its advantages. These are directly integrated along the cutting edges and ensure controlled chip formation in the subsequent machining process. This allows chips to be broken selectively and entanglements to be avoided – an important factor especially in automated manufacturing processes.
Initial experiences confirm the investment decision
Since January 2026, YG-1 has been using the VLaser 370 in daily production. In addition to high precision, the company is particularly impressed by the ease of operation and efficient processing of complex tool geometries.
"We were able to halve the cycle time for several series products through the use of the VLaser 370 while simultaneously increasing the quality of the cutting edges of our tools," says Benjamin Ravida (left), Production Manager at YG-1. "This not only lowers our TCO but also allows us to offer PKD tools with higher uptime and improved precision."
With the VLaser 370 and appropriate automation solutions, tools made from ultra-hard cutting materials such as PKD, CVD diamond, or PcBN (polycrystalline cubic boron nitride) can be processed. The machine is ready for use without warm-up time and enables efficient processing even with complex tool geometries.
Due to processing based on the focal point in the center of the C-axis, only minor compensatory movements are needed. This contributes to high stability and precision during the machining process.
"YG-1 exemplifies the requirements modern tool manufacturers place on the processing of complex PKD tools today. Our VLaser 370 provides the necessary precision and process reliability for this," says Tobias Trautmann, Managing Director of the Vollmer Group. "Especially in the interplay of technology, automation, and process understanding, we can support our customers in sustainably developing their manufacturing processes."
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