Studer CT960

$350,000 - $550,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Accuracy

±0.002 mm (linear), ±2 arcsec (rotary)

max tool diameter

320 mm (12.6 in)

max tool length

350 mm (13.8 in)

min tool diameter

1 mm (0.04 in)

cnc axes

5-axis simultaneous (X, Y, Z, A, C)

grinding spindle power

18 kW (24.1 HP)

Overview

The Studer CT960 is a CNC tool grinding machine developed through the collaboration of Studer and Walter within the United Grinding Group, designed specifically for the production and resharpening of round tools — end mills, drills, reamers, step tools, and form tools — in high-volume tool manufacturing and industrial resharpening environments. The CT960 combines Studer's cylindrical grinding heritage and machine build quality with Walter's deep expertise in tool grinding kinematics and software, resulting in a machine that can grind the full geometry of a cutting tool including flutes, clearances, point geometries, and chamfers in a single setup.

The machine is built around a 5-axis simultaneous CNC architecture — three linear axes and two rotary axes — that enables the grinding wheel to follow the complex helical and relief geometries of modern round cutting tools. Tool diameters from 1 mm to 320 mm and lengths up to 350 mm cover the vast majority of standard and special round tool profiles. The grinding spindle power of 18 kW with speeds up to 10,000 RPM and peripheral wheel speeds up to 80 m/s supports both conventional vitrified wheels and superabrasive (CBN/diamond) wheels for carbide and HSS tool grinding applications.

The CT960's control platform runs Walter's HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO software, which is a comprehensive CAM system specifically for round cutting tools. HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO provides parametric programming for all standard tool geometries (drills, end mills, reamers, taps, step tools), 3D simulation with collision detection, and automated grinding cycle generation from tool geometry parameters — a significant capability advantage over general-purpose CNC grinding machines when programming complex tool geometries. The software integrates measurement data feedback for closed-loop geometry verification.

The CT960 is positioned in United Grinding's lineup between simpler single-purpose tool grinders and the larger, fully automated HELITRONIC Power series from Walter. It is a production-capable machine with automation options including a workpiece changer for unattended tool grinding batches. New pricing typically falls in the $350,000–$550,000 range depending on automation configuration and wheel pack specification.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Tool Diameter	320 mm (12.6 in)
Max Tool Length	350 mm (13.8 in)
Min Tool Diameter	1 mm (0.04 in)
Cnc Axes	5-axis simultaneous (X, Y, Z, A, C)
Grinding Spindle Power	18 kW (24.1 HP)
Max Grinding Spindle Speed	10,000 RPM
Max Wheel Peripheral Speed	80 m/s
Max Grinding Wheel Diameter	250 mm (9.8 in)
Workhead Speed Range	1 - 2,000 RPM
A Axis Swivel Range	-10° to +120°
C Axis Rotation	360° continuous
Positioning Accuracy	±0.002 mm (linear), ±2 arcsec (rotary)
Machine Base	Polymer concrete mineral casting
CNC Control	Siemens 840D sl with HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO software
Automation Option	Workpiece changer (up to 200 tools, optional)

Specifications sourced from studer.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

5-axis simultaneous CNC with HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO software enables complete round tool geometry grinding — flutes, clearances, point geometries, and chamfers — all in a single setup with parametric programming
18 kW spindle at 10,000 RPM with 80 m/s peripheral speed supports CBN and diamond superabrasive wheels for high-volume carbide tool production and precision tool resharpening
HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO parametric CAM software generates grinding cycles from tool geometry parameters rather than requiring manual axis programming — dramatically reduces programming time for complex tool profiles
Optional workpiece changer for up to 200 tools enables unattended batch grinding of production tool orders without operator intervention between parts
Mineral casting base provides excellent vibration damping for the high spindle speeds required in tool grinding, directly improving the helix consistency and surface finish achievable on cutting edge geometries

Limitations

At $350,000–$550,000, the CT960 is a significant investment for tool grinding — shops grinding only simple profiles (single-flute, straight-relief) may find value in simpler, lower-cost dedicated tool grinders
HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO is a specialized software environment that requires dedicated training — operators experienced on general-purpose CNC grinding machines face a meaningful learning curve for tool-specific programming
The 320 mm maximum tool diameter covers most round cutting tools but excludes very large face mills and indexable cutters, which require larger-format tool grinding platforms

Best For

Cutting tool manufacturers producing end mills, drills, reamers, and step tools in production quantities where parametric programming and optional automation reduce per-tool cycle cost Industrial tool resharpening services that need to regrind complex geometries — helix angles, point thinning, variable rake — from engineering drawings without manually calculating grinding paths Precision shops grinding special form tools and custom profiles where HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO's 3D simulation provides confidence before the first cycle on high-value carbide blanks Toolrooms and tooling departments at aerospace or medical manufacturers that produce both standard and special cutting tools in-house and need one machine to cover the full tool geometry range

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the relationship between Studer CT960 and Walter HELITRONIC machines?

The CT960 is a joint development between Studer and Walter within the United Grinding Group. Studer contributes the machine architecture, precision grinding mechanical expertise, and Granitan-type base; Walter contributes the HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO software and tool grinding kinematics knowledge. The CT960 is positioned below Walter's HELITRONIC Power and HELITRONIC Power Diamond in automation and capacity, but uses the same software platform and shares the group's overall tool grinding competency.

02 Can the CT960 grind carbide cutting tools?

Yes, the CT960 is designed for carbide tool grinding. Carbide grinding requires diamond superabrasive wheels, high spindle speeds, and careful coolant management to control thermal damage to the carbide substrate. The 10,000 RPM spindle and 80 m/s peripheral wheel speed provide the conditions for diamond wheel carbide grinding. HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO includes carbide-specific grinding cycles with parameters optimized for different carbide grades and tool geometries.

03 What types of tools can the CT960 grind?

The CT960 can grind end mills (single-helix and variable-helix), drills (point geometries, flute forms, web thinning), reamers (helical and straight-flute), step drills and step reamers, form milling cutters, taps (thread relief), and custom special tools. The 5-axis simultaneous capability handles helical flute grinding, clearance angle generation, and point geometry in the same program. It also handles tool resharpening from worn tool scans.

04 What automation options are available for the CT960?

The primary automation option is an integrated workpiece changer that can hold up to approximately 200 tools (quantity depends on tool size) in a magazine or pallet system. Tools are automatically loaded from the changer into the grinding chuck, ground to program, and returned to the magazine — enabling overnight or weekend unattended operation. For higher volumes, United Grinding can integrate robot loading and unloading systems using the machine's PROFINET interface.

05 How does the CT960 compare to a dedicated drill grinder or end mill grinder?

Dedicated single-geometry grinders (e.g., a drill-point grinder) are simpler, lower-cost, and faster to set up for their specific tool type. The CT960 is a universal platform: it can grind any round tool geometry up to 320 mm diameter through the 5-axis simultaneous capability and HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO software. The tradeoff is higher capital cost and a more complex setup process. The CT960 becomes cost-effective when a shop needs flexibility across multiple tool types, or when grinding special geometries that a dedicated machine cannot achieve.