In the fast-paced world of automotive manufacturing, efficiency and cost control are everything. One manufacturer found themselves facing a persistent issue: their current PCD insert tipped drill was underperforming while machining aluminum transmission housings. Each insert could only produce 8,000 parts, forcing the company to purchase 525 inserts annually at $62.75 each—a total tooling cost of nearly $33,000 per year. 

This wasn’t just a budget concern—it was a productivity bottleneck. Frequent tool changes meant more downtime, more labor, and more room for error. The manufacturer needed a smarter, more sustainable solution that would extend tool life, reduce costs, and keep production running smoothly. 

GWS partnered with the manufacturer to engineer a custom PCD insert tipped drill tailored to their specific application. This success story is a powerful example of what happens when custom tooling meets real-world manufacturing challenges. By working closely with the customer, GWS was able to deliver a solution that not only extended tool life by 175% but also cut annual tooling costs by almost 75%.

The impact went beyond just dollars saved. With fewer tool changes and longer-lasting inserts, the manufacturer saw improved uptime, smoother operations, and greater confidence in their production line. So impressed by the results, they invited GWS back to evaluate other areas where custom tooling could drive similar gains.

If you’re facing similar challenges with tool life, cost, or efficiency, GWS is ready to help. Let’s talk about how our custom solutions can unlock savings and performance for your operation. Just send us an email at sales@gwstoolgroup.com to get started!