Rotary Lathe tooling was originally patented in 1917 by Mattison Technologies in Rockford Illinois.

While it has been extremely durable tooling it is plagued with engineering oversights which can be understood, given the time of its invention. For 71 years lathe tooling remained virtually unchanged.

In 1988, Western Cutterheads Inc. was established with the intention to modernize the tooling and to develop a profile grinding system. New balancing techniques were developed that dramatically improved performance and reduced setup times. Western Cutterheads also launched a research and development program which ultimately produced the first computer program (copyrighted) for designing lathe tooling, complete with blueprints, patterns, and templates. These exciting advances have made profile grinding of lathe knives a reality.

Western Cutterheads developed the first profile grinding system which has since become the industry standard. Our computer program which develops the knife shapes, templates and [patterns needed in the profile grinding and cutterhead building process reduces the learning curves which can be taught much easier to one or more people. Click here for a short slide show on the Profile Grinding System.

This revolutionary system offers more options in utilization of lathe tooling than ever before. Some customers elect to have us build their tooling, or have us grind their knives only, and they assemble the cutterhead. Knives only can be sent for sharpening, while a second set of knives can be in use. Some companies elect to have blueprints, patterns, and templates made and then build the cutterhead themselves using the grinder we developed specifically for lathe tooling.

In 1994 Western Cutterheads set about developing a new version of Rotary Tooling. The goal was to update the tooling with the latest technologies. Corrugated knives, hydro-locking sleeves, chiplimiters and a fail safe design were included in the new tooling.  This new hydro-locking tooling received the prestigious Challenger Award for excellence at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta in 1996.  This tooling has now become the standard of the industry.