Open mold for grip housing Tool and die and mold design. The tool and die design center at STIHL is integrated in the company as a system supplier of tooling "for stamped and injection molded plastic parts ". Its core tasks include the production of Multi stage compound tools for saw chain production Complete cutting tools for guide bar production, Precision stamping tools for the stamping works, Injection molding dies for plastics production. The tooling center accompanies the entire process, from the start of product development to continuous service during subsequent full-scale production. Its services begin with advice to development engineers and extend through the design of prototype tools, the manufacturing of tools for full-scale production and engineering change-management all the way to commissioning and service for the production tools. In addition, it provides essential services such as tool maintenance, repair and production of spare parts. With this exhaustive range of services, the tooling center is able to provide internal customers within the worldwide Group with highly specialized and specific in-house know-how.

With your own tool design you possess product-specific company know-how. Does that mean that you do not have to buy any additional tools from the outside? What we need, we have in-house. Therefore we are able to respond immediately and precise to specific inquiries and problems. However, if necessary, we also work with specialized suppliers. Why are production of new tools and repairs combined into a single competence unit? That way, we can constantly improve our tools. Communication routes are short, and experience from in-line production service flow directly into the design and manufacturing of new tools. The tooling center clearly demands a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills. What are your staff's qualifications? The center employs specialists: experienced skilled labor, technicians and engineers. They need a craftsman's expertise combined with specialized knowledge of CAD design and NC programming. How can constant quality of the tools be ensured long term? The tools are regularly serviced during production. Special processes, such as surface treatment maintain or even improve their quality.