How ANCA Technology Is Redefining Reliability In India’s Cutting Tool Industry
Based in Aurangabad, India, Forbes-owned company Totem has earned a reputation for producing reliable and precise cutting tools that enhance productivity and quality. The company’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technology has been key to this success. By leveraging advanced technology from ANCA CNC Machines, Totem has not only boosted its production capacity but also raised the bar for product quality, setting new benchmarks in the industry.
Ravi Prem, Executive Director of Forbes & Company Limited says, “We were the first customers to buy ANCA’s TapX Linear machines in India. The good performance of our earlier ANCA machines made our team trust them to invest in the latest machine in the market. After witnessing the solid performance of TapX Linear machines by ANCA, all other cutting tool manufacturers in India followed suit.”
Established in 1968 by Forbes & Company, Totem has established itself as a market leader in India for High-Speed Steel taps. The company also produces solid carbide end mills and drills, High Speed Steel drills, tungsten carbide rotary burrs and High Speed Steel rotary cutters that cater to diverse manufacturing applications in the aerospace, medical, and automotive industries. Totem’s products are exported to 22 countries worldwide, with its Aurangabad facility spanning 16 acres, employing 700 people, and producing 20 million tools per month.
Totem took the brave step to upgrade its cutting tool technology, to achieve its goal of exporting and competing against multinational companies. Totem’s success story is a case in point of how embracing new technology has taken company performance to new heights.
Forbes & Company was established in 1767 by John Forbes and became part of Tata Groups just before India’s Independence. In 1960, a mounting crisis among the steel mills in Sheffield, England saw British cutting tool manufacturer Warrior shift their production to India. Cutting tools manufactured under the Warrior brand, were then produced in India by Forbes. Since 1968, Totem, a Forbes brand, has been manufacturing a wide range of cutting tools.
In the 1990s, Totem focused predominantly on high-speed steel tools. To compete internationally, the company expanded its product portfolio and upgraded its technology and applications. In 1998, Totem partnered with ANCA CNC Machines, importing its first-generation machines from the USA. These initial machines were conventional setup ones, and after 26 years, two of these legacy machines continue to function and perform well.
Anca’s flexible software and simulation capabilities enable Totem to provide innovative solutions for customers. “Taps are produced in seven stages, and with more setups on a tool there is a high chance that it will generate some tolerance and compromise. With the TapX Linear, you just have to insert blank and you get a finished tap at the end. This is where we became impressed with ANCA and started ordering from their product lines.”
Ravi Prem sees numerous advantages of working with ANCA CNC Machines. “Totem’s customers see the life, accuracy, performance, and repeatability of products before they purchase from us. In Totem, we don’t just sell products but reliability, which is our tagline. If we are not able to manufacture our products with machines that don’t have a high Process Capability Index (PCI) it becomes a challenge for us. ANCA machines possess a very high PCI and serves the purpose for us.”
“The setup times are quick. Having more external setups than internal saves time. Lastly, their service team based in India means that they can provide rapid support and response time to solve any issues on the machine.”
“ANCA’s team supports us in servicing machines as well as supplying critical machine parts when required. They also provide online support for technical corrections. If an issue needs further attention, the team flies from Bangalore to resolve it on-site.”
Ravi Prem adds that they have a huge amount of confidence in ANCA machines, confirmed by their25-year-long relationship. He adds, “We have the entire range of ANCA CNC Machines as well as the older to latest generation of TapXLinear machines. As of today, we have 18 machines and have ordered four more state-of-the-art ones that will be manufacturing carbide drills, carbide taps, and carbide treadmills.”
Totem has been able to reach great heights by leveraging the technology and capabilities of ANCA’s CNC machines. Investing in quality, reliability, and flexible technology has helped to enhance the company’s production capabilities, aiding their pursuit of abroader customer base. Known for their ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and low maintenance, ANCA machines have become a preferred choice among cutting tool manufacturers worldwide. As the demand for high-quality products and efficient production continues to rise, ANCA is expected to play a crucial role in the growth of the Indian cutting tool industry in the coming years.
