CCMT2026 Tool Showcase Review – From “Price Competition” to “Value Competition”

CCMT2026 Tool Showcase Review – From “Price Competition” to “Value Competition”: The Industry Explores New Paths for Systemic Cost Reduction

The 14th China CNC Machine Tool Exhibition (CCMT2026) was held in Shanghai from April 21st to 25th. At this exhibition, the cutting tool industry faced multiple pressures, including high and volatile raw material prices and a complex international trade environment. Tool companies are accelerating their shift from “price competition” to “value competition.”

Focusing on the rising cost of raw materials and the increasing overall cost of cutting tools, the solutions presented at the exhibition mainly concentrated in three directions: structural optimization to reduce carbide consumption, material optimization to improve resource utilization efficiency, and cutting system optimization to reduce the unit part processing cost.

In terms of tool structural optimization, indexable tools are further developing towards smaller diameters and higher rigidity to replace solid carbide tools and reduce carbide usage. The EMP11 series of small-diameter indexable end mills launched by Zhuzhou Diamond Cutting Tools Co., Ltd. was particularly noteworthy, breaking through the limits of small diameter indexable tools and realizing the market application of 8mm diameter multi-tooth indexable end mills. This product can be widely used in mold making, medical, aerospace, and other fields, significantly reducing the total lifecycle cost of tools by "replacing the insert rather than the tool itself." Furthermore, modular tools are becoming an important trend—through modular interface designs for the tool body and tip, the consumption of carbide material in the shank is reduced, driving the transformation of tools from "disposable consumables" to "combinable, reusable, and maintainable."

Regarding tool material optimization, more and more companies are seeking breakthroughs in three areas: "reducing tungsten use, recycling tungsten, and replacing tungsten with other materials." Zhengzhou Diamond Precision Manufacturing Co., Ltd. launched a steel-based PCD tool with a carbide-welded shank; Shenzhen Zhongtian Superhard Co., Ltd. showcased drill bits made using recycled carbide shank welding material; and Suzhou Xinrui Alloy Tools Co., Ltd. launched gradient carbide bars with recycled materials for the shank. Meanwhile, cermets are showing strong momentum in replacing carbide.

This exhibition demonstrates that the carbide tool industry is upgrading from single-product supply to comprehensive process solutions.