Contact Us - West Ohio Tool

Reach Out For Custom Tooling & Engineering Services

Talk with a tooling expert today about extending tool life and lowering cost per hole.

E-mail

customerservice@westohiotool.com

Phone

937-842-6688

Address

PO Box 1457
7311 World Class Drive
Russells Point, Ohio 43348

What is the difference between standard carbide drills and the EDGEX4® PCD cross-center tip?

While standard carbide drills effectively handle general applications, the EDGEX4® PCD cross-center tip is engineered specifically to solve the "chisel point" breakdown that occurs at zero surface footage

By utilizing the hardest grade of solid wafer Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD), the EDGEX4® is over 113x stronger than the best-maintained carbide equivalent.

How many holes can a PCD drill last in high-volume automotive production?

In high-volume applications, such as die-cast aluminum with silica content, the EDGEX4® PCD drill has demonstrated the ability to drill up to 1,000,000 holes without changeout.

This longevity allows the tool to potentially outlast a complete four-year automotive model change without requiring replacement.

By preventing premature breakdown at the drill point, manufacturers can significantly reduce downtime associated with frequent tool change-outs.

Is custom PCD tooling worth the cost compared to cheaper carbide options?

Yes, the return on investment (ROI) for PCD tooling is driven by the drastic reduction in cost-per-hole. While the initial investment is higher, the EDGEX4® has been proven to lower the cost per hole from $.007 to $.001, making the tooling process "virtually free" over its lifespan.

Our partners have saved millions of dollars in operational costs as a result of EDGEX4® use.

What is the lead time for custom PCD drill manufacturing?

West Ohio Tool delivers custom EDGEX4® tooling in just 4–6 weeks, which is 75% faster than the industry average.

While many competitors require 16–20 weeks for custom tool delivery, our streamlined manufacturing process ensures you receive critical tooling faster to maintain production schedules.

How do you maintain PCD tooling to prevent corrosion during long production cycles?

EDGEX4® tools can remain in production for 3 to 5 years, tool holders must be regularly checked for corrosion, which often results from running lean on water-soluble coolant concentrations.

Best Practices for Care:

1. Monitor Coolant: Ensure proper concentration to protect the holder over long cycles.

2. Cap Immediately: When removing the tool, place rubber caps on the tip immediately to protect the brittle cutting edge.

3. Tube for Transport: Place the capped tool in a protective tube before returning it to West Ohio Tool for evaluation (retip, regrind, or scrap).

How does the EDGEX® drill protect my production from carbide supply chain volatility, and how does it impact cycle times?

The EDGEX4® protects your production by fundamentally changing your reliance on consumable tooling, while simultaneously supercharging your throughput.

When you rely on standard carbide tools, which typically require regrinding or replacement after just 20,000 to 25,000 holes, your shop must maintain a massive inventory of consumables.

This heavy consumption makes your production line highly vulnerable to global carbide shortages, price spikes, and shipping delays.

The EDGEX4® acts as a built-in supply chain safeguard. Engineered over six years of rigorous testing, this patent-pending solid PCD drill can generate 800,000 to 1,000,000 holes in diecast aluminum without needing a single regrind or re-tipping. By replacing dozens of standard carbide tools with one EDGEX4®, you drastically reduce your consumable inventory, insulating your operations from market shocks and raw material volatility.

Beyond supply chain protection, the EDGEX4® is designed to exponentially increase your output. Thanks to its proprietary geometry and solid PCD cross-center design, speeds and feeds can often be run 3 to 5 times faster than standard carbide tools.

Ultimately, you are not just eliminating the downtime associated with constant tool changes; you are multiplying your production speed, guaranteeing a significantly lower total cost per hole.