HiPIMS Coating for Higher-Performance Cutting Tools

A U.S. tool manufacturer is investing in a HiPIMS system. The technology enables customized coatings for high-performance cutting tools and is expected to boost the company's competitiveness.

Scientific Cutting Tools is expanding and improving its in-house tool coating capabilities with CemeCon’s HiPIMS technology. The family-owned company based in California is thus clearly positioning itself in the high-end sector of cutting tools for complex applications and is deliberately laying the groundwork for further economic growth: The new CC800 HiPIMS opens up virtually unlimited possibilities for customized coatings and provides customers with genuine added value in terms of precision and repeatability.

In the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Scientific Cutting Tools—SCT for short—manufactures precision tools for leading U.S. manufacturers. In addition to tools with a universal, broad range of applications, the company places a strong emphasis on drilling and milling tools for highly demanding industries. In particular, SCT specializes in the manufacture of porting tools and thread milling cutters for fluid technology in the aerospace sector and other industrial applications. These are production environments where adherence to minimal manufacturing tolerances, maximum repeatability, and guaranteed reliability determine success or failure in the market.

With the CemeCon CC800 HiPIMS coating system, including a wet blasting system, the medium-sized company has been taking its tool coating capabilities to an even higher level since May 2026. For SCT, in-house coatings using HiPIMS and the accompanying comprehensive premium service from CemeCon are key building blocks for further expanding its technical capabilities and strengthening its market position. This is because, beyond the immediate availability of the latest generation of exclusive coating materials, the partnership with CemeCon also offers a decisive advantage in terms of support. It ensures that the entire mold manufacturing process at SCT is geared toward achieving the highest-quality results.

In this concept, the new CemeCon system serves as the perfect final piece of a comprehensive innovation package that also includes a Zoller measuring system for geometric inspection and quality control, as well as an ANCA tool grinding machine for cutting edge preparation. “We are convinced that only those who control every step in tool manufacturing can ultimately control their own performance,” says Jonathan Christopher, Director of Manufacturing at SCT, explaining the rationale behind the investment.

The systems work together seamlessly: The measuring system provides precise geometric data and ensures consistency across batches. The defined preparation of the cutting edge—edge radius, surface condition, homogeneity—ensures that the coating can reach its full potential. “Each of our tools is the result of an end-to-end process chain that includes final inspection. All steps are optimally coordinated with one another,” emphasizes Jonathan Christopher.

It is no coincidence that CemeCon and HiPIMS were chosen as the coating technology. SCT and CemeCon are, as the saying goes, on the same wavelength in many areas. A shared set of values and a strong focus on quality in products and services quickly brought the two family-run companies together. Added to this were the undeniable technological advantages: “HiPIMS is extremely flexible and provides competitive advantages for both tools for general-purpose applications and specialized tools for demanding materials and applications,” explains Ryan Lake, Sales Manager at CemeCon Inc. USA. “With HiPIMS, SCT benefits from extremely smooth coatings without the droplets typical of traditional arc processes and the resulting need for post-processing. This effectively reduces friction and improves chip flow,” he continues. This is made possible by the exceptionally dense and homogeneous layer structure of the HiPIMS coating materials, which offer excellent adhesion and optimized wear resistance.

“We wanted a solution that could grow with our needs,” adds Brian Falk, Director of Business Strategy at SCT. “Not an off-the-shelf solution, but one that we can tailor to our customers’ tools.” This is remarkably easy to achieve with HiPIMS; new coating materials can be implemented at any time without changing equipment or making complex adjustments. At the same time, CemeCon has delivered functional solutions from day one, which the two companies are now jointly refining step by step to further expand the SCT portfolio. The goal is to tailor coatings specifically to new applications, tap into new industrial sectors, and develop new product lines. SCT’s primary focus is on round tools for the aerospace industry and general machining. The company specializes in those product families where the coating offers the most immediate benefits and where performance can be carefully verified prior to expansion. “We want customers to view the coatings as part of SCT’s comprehensive commitment to precision and performance, rather than as a separate, after-the-fact feature,” explains Brian Falk.

In their search for better technology and optimal service, they found what they were looking for with the global market leader in HiPIMS and diamond coating for cutting tools. “The technology was impressive, but just as important to us was that CemeCon was a perfect fit as a partner. Long-term, trusting relationships are of great importance to us,” Jonathan Christopher explains. “At the same time, we operate in a market with significantly larger competitors. CemeCon understands these dynamics and is—like us—a company with clear values, technical expertise, and a long-term perspective on manufacturing.” These aspects are what make a distinct difference for him. “We never felt like we were just buying a machine. We chose the ideal partner. That was all the more important to us since we hadn’t had such good experiences with our previous supplier recently, especially when it came to support and service.”

A spirit of partnership and trust between SCT and CemeCon characterized the order preparation and the very earliest phases of their collaboration. Before making the investment decision, SCT employees visited CemeCon’s U.S. facility in Horseheads, New York, where their tools were coated for testing and analysis to validate the quality and performance of the HiPIMS coating. “CemeCon can be exactly what the customer expects and needs from us,” says Ryan Lake, summarizing the philosophy behind the partnership: expert consulting, technical planning, and sample production—as well as doors that are always open.

CemeCon Inc., as well as the headquarters in Würselen, North Rhine-Westphalia, provided close support during installation and commissioning through a structured transfer of expertise. This enabled SCT to use the HiPIMS technology independently from day one with a full understanding of the process. The team in Horseheads has more than 20 years of experience in on-site coating. Backed by 40 years of experience from CemeCon’s German headquarters, this knowledge is passed on through hands-on training.

With the versatility and flexibility of CemeCon technology, SCT is also well-equipped to meet the latest market challenges. Rising carbide costs and increasing cost pressures require tool manufacturers who want to stay competitive to offer their customers greater performance and value in the form of longer tool life. In this regard, SCT is taking a pioneering step toward market differentiation and growth.

Sarah Christopher Falk, Director of Marketing at SCT, sees the HiPIMS system as a key differentiator for SCT: “In-house coating of cutting tools using HiPIMS is becoming increasingly important in the U.S., and we are among the pioneers. On the West Coast, we are the first company to have this technology. This technology and CemeCon’s service effectively and sustainably strengthen our market position—as a medium-sized provider with a high degree of specialization.” (OM-11/26)