Raising the Bar in Micro-Tool Precision with Optical 3D Metrology
As economic forecasts point toward continued uncertainty, forward-looking manufacturers are doubling down on what matters most: quality. Italian high-end toolmaker TTE Srl is one of those companies – demonstrating that in micro-tooling, sustainable success is not shaped by chance, but by precision, stability, and the ability to measure what others can only guess. With Bruker Alicona’s InfiniteFocus G6, TTE is not only safeguarding product quality but actively redefining what is geometrically possible in micro tool design.
Micro-Tooling at Its Limits: Why TTE Needed a New Way to See
For more than two decades, TTE has specialized in high-performance solid carbide cutters for automotive, watchmaking, medical, fashion, and other demanding sectors. As the company expanded into micro-tools and complex custom geometries, one challenge intensified: traditional measurement tools were no longer capable of reliably capturing the ultra-sharp, highly polished, lapped geometries their customers required.
Cristiano Zecchini, Head of Production and Tool Design at TTE, has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what high-performance micro-tools can achieve. Deeply involved in both hands-on manufacturing and advanced geometry development, he understands better than most how quickly the limits of toolmaking are reached when measurement capability falls short. Reflecting on TTE’s recent innovations, he explains: “Today, we are entering new territory in micro-tooling. To compete there, you must be able to measure what others can only guess.” Polished surfaces scatter light. Lapped edges are almost invisible to many systems. And in micro-dimensions, every deviation matters. TTE needed clarity – non-contact, repeatable 3D measurement that reveals the true edge of the tool, not a best-effort approximation.
Turning Invisible Geometry into Actionable Data
The introduction of Bruker Alicona’s InfiniteFocus G6 transformed TTE’s workflow from classic inspection into data-driven design and R&D acceleration. The system’s Focus-Variation technology excels on polished, mirrored, and sharp edges – areas where conventional metrology struggles or fails entirely.
With the InfiniteFocus G6, TTE can now:
• Quantify surface roughness at micro and nano scale
• Validate cutting edge preparation
• Measure machine-lapped, high-gloss surfaces
• Capture shape fidelity in custom geometries
• Generate repeatable 3D data for every development step
“With the G6, we reached a level of accuracy that lets us design tools we couldn’t even analyze before. It opens geometries that were previously invisible to us.” explains Zecchini. “This capability is especially crucial for tools used on non-ferrous materials, where surface reflectivity makes measurement notoriously complex.”
From Bottleneck to Competitive Advantage
TTE’s quality philosophy—rooted in precision, respect, and customer-centric design—aligns naturally with high-resolution optical metrology.
The measurement workflows powered by Bruker Alicona now enable:
Faster Development Cycles: What once took hours now takes minutes, allowing TTE to iterate design choices rapidly.
Higher Inspection Volume & Automation: With the MetMax digital metrology platform, measurements can be prepared offline or executed autono mously directly on the machine – no operator intervention required. This accelerates inspection throughput and ensures consistency across batches .
Better Customer-Specific Solutions: Over 25% of TTE’s production consists of custom tools for niche applications. Detailed 3D insights help TTE respond more quickly—and more accurately – to problems brought in by customers from healthcare to luxury goods manufacturing.
“It’s not just about measuring. It’s about learning from every tool and using that knowledge to build a better
one next time” states Cristiano Zecchini.
Quality as Strategy in a Difficult Market
In a period when many industrial players are slowing investments, TTE sends a strong signal: precision is non-negotiable. The company demonstrates that excellence, especially in micro-tooling, is a deliberate business strategy that demands the right technology partners.
“For us, Alicona is not a machine. It’s a partner in our development process” comments Cristiano Zecchini.
The decision underscores a broader trend within advanced manufacturing: companies that continue to innovate in downturns secure the strongest competitive position when markets recover.
For more information: www.alicona.com
