E-Sharp News June 2026

 
For Nicholas Long, working at ARCH Cutting Tools carries a strong sense of legacy. Custom Carbide, where Nicholas first developed his passion for precision grinding, was acquired by ARCH Cutting Tools in 2023. As the son of Custom Carbide’s previous owner, Nicholas grew up immersed in the world of tool manufacturing and now continues that legacy as a machinist within ARCH Cutting Tools.
 

“I worked with him as a kid. He showed me a lot of the processes,” Nicholas recalls. Now, with years of hands-on experience with ANCA machines, he has embraced the advanced technology that supports efficiency, precision, and innovation in modern tool manufacturing.

ARCH Cutting Tools operates a diverse range of grinding machines, but Nicholas found himself naturally gravitating towards ANCA. “When I was learning machines and going through the whole process, I felt more of a draw towards the ANCA than anything else. It seemed like a much easier way to get into it.”

What stood out to him was the seamless balance between user-friendliness and advanced capability: “It's much simpler when you start, and it can still be complicated and make complicated stuff.”

The reliability and efficiency of ANCA machines have been game-changers for the team. “It takes everything that you put into the machine into account, and you can actually make all these tools and you can see the tools when you put it in.” This visibility and control over the manufacturing process have allowed the company to produce tools with utmost precision and consistency.

Productivity has also seen a significant boost thanks to ANCA’s automation capabilities. “It keeps a lot of the tools in a machine. It can hold a whole bunch of tools that can hold those well, and it doesn't change in size as much as you would think it would, especially with the stability of the machine,” says Nicholas. This level of reliability has been especially critical in addressing labour shortages. “You can put a big job on there, and since it holds it so well, you can make it to where you can walk away and work on something else.”

One of the most valuable aspects of ANCA technology is its CIM3D software, which allows for easy customisation to meet customer demands. “It helps a whole bunch, especially when you're making a tool you've never seen before. As long as you get a picture and you can make it in that 3D software, then it might take a little bit of time. But even as a beginner, you could probably start it up real easy.”

This flexibility has proven to be a major advantage in a competitive market. “A lot of customers, they want a tool a different way. But when they ask you to do it this different way with the 3D software and all these different things you can change on a tool with an ANCA, you can just change that. You can ask them about it, and you can change anything about it and meet your customer's demands.”

The CPX, in particular, has become an essential part of the operation. “The CPX is really good because of its size, it holds that tool. And even with a worn-out wheel, it can still hold the tool really, really well.” The ability to run for extended periods and handle a high volume of tools has made a tangible impact on output. “Especially with the amount of pallets you could put in the CPX, it also can run a lot longer and a lot more tools than anything else because of how much you can put into it.”

The benefits extend beyond just production speed. The integration between ANCA machines streamlines the entire workflow. “The moment the CPX is done you just take the pallet, put it on another machine. It makes it really easy to basically transfer from one machine to the next,” Nicholas says.

With ANCA’s precision and automation, ARCH Cutting Tools has been able to meet increasing customer demands with confidence. “Every time we get a new ANCA and we say that we can make this many parts and we start selling out the door at that cost, then suddenly people are starting to ask us for more quantity because we're making so much quantity, so fast and constantly that people trust that.”

Looking ahead, Nicholas sees ANCA continuing to play a critical role in ARCH Cutting Tools' success. With the ability to reduce material waste, streamline setups, and optimise labour resources, the company is well-positioned to succeed in an evolving industry. “You can get a finished tool with less wasted material than anything else.”

As ARCH Cutting Tools pushes the boundaries of precision grinding, ANCA remains at the heart of their operation, providing the tools and technology that enable excellence, efficiency, and innovation.
 
 

18 May 2026