Grade 5 Titanium. Precise. Stress-free. In asingle setup.

CASE STUDY

Grade 5 Titanium. Precise. Stress-free. In a single setup.

How we made the production of titanium blanks for the watch industry process-reliable and reproducible – even in small batch sizes.

The Forte range is a compact design with large Z travel, direct access to the work piece is further supported by the ergonomic working height of the machine table. This one has an integrated zero point system.

Background

Demand for high-performance alloys in the watch industry is steadily growing. Titanium Grade 5 is one of the most sought-after materials: robust, lightweight, and visually refined – qualities that are increasingly valued in watchmaking.
For us, however, this material was uncharted territory. The question was: how could we transfer our proven principle – producing blanks as gently as possible so they remain nearly stress-free throughout and after the process – to an alloy that is significantly more challenging to machine than conventional materials?

The Challenge

Preliminary work on the raw material plays a decisive role: thermal treatments and precision straightening processes create the foundation for clean milling. But the most delicate point in the entire process is the clamping technique.
Vacuum clamping combined with large quantities of cooling lubricant carries a high risk for process reliability – especially in the precision range. An incorrect setup means scrap, tolerance deviation, or uncontrollable residual stress in the component. This risk had to be brought under control before reliable production could begin.
“Clamping technique is the most critical point. Vacuum clamping combined with high volumes of cooling lubricant poses a significant risk to process reliability – especially in precision machining.”

The Solution

The risk was minimised through in-house effort. Through targeted modifications and optimisations to the clamping setup, we developed a stable, reproducible process that works reliably even with demanding materials such as Titanium Grade 5.
Purpose-designed tooling enables production in a single clamping operation – with or without precision bores. This reduces potential sources of error, saves time, and ensures consistent quality across every part in a series.
The result is a process that is fully under control from raw material preparation to the finished blank – and remains economically viable even in small batch sizes.

The Result

We produce titanium blanks for the watch industry in reproducible quality – process-reliable, low in residual stress, and flexible in batch size.

Three key outcomes:

  • Production in a single clamping operation – with or without precision bores
  • Reproducible quality through purpose-designed tooling and optimised clamping technique
  • Economical production even in small batch sizes

Titanium blanks in various formats

Industry: Watchmaking · Material: Titanium Grade 5 · Service: CNC Milling, Precision Bores, Small-Batch Production

In-house production.
IT6 circular accuracy.

What is usually considered special accessories is standard at HEDELIUS: All machining centres are equipped with a CNC full keyboard, colour monitor, spindle feed overdrive and original software as standard. State-of-the-art control technology from SIEMENS or HEIDENHAIN guarantees maximum operating convenience and unrestricted functionality. You decide which system you want to work with.

All machining centres are equipped with a CNC full keyboard, colour monitor, spindle feed overdrive and original software as standard.

Liquid-cooled motor spindles with precision cooler.

The new HEIDENHAIN TNC 7 control system focuses on intuitive, task-orientated and individual control. A customised user interface provides the user with optimum support in every situation. Familiar HEIDENHAIN programming functions are supplemented by smart functions. The control elements of the TNC keyboard are retained, providing a solid basis for the control of HEDELIUS machining centres.

The SIEMENS SINUMERIK ONE control system brings your ideas to life. SINUMERIK ONE is the future-oriented CNC system for highly productive HEDELIUS machining centres. For unimagined new possibilities, ideas and business models. For faster innovations thanks to the seamless interaction between the virtual and real worlds. And: SINUMERIK ONE is far more than just a powerful hardware innovation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Wild Wetzikon manufacture Grade 5 titanium stress-free and reproducibly?

Yes, Wild Wetzikon manufactures Grade 5 titanium blanks reliably, reproducibly and stress-free, even in small batch sizes. This became possible through in-house optimised clamping technology and purpose-designed tooling. Production takes place in a single setup, with or without precision bores. As a result, quality stays consistent across every part in a series.

Why is Grade 5 titanium demanding to machine?

Grade 5 titanium is robust, lightweight and visually refined, but significantly harder to machine than conventional materials. The most delicate point is the clamping technology, because vacuum clamping combined with a lot of coolant carries a high risk to process reliability. A wrong setting leads to scrap, tolerance drift or uncontrolled stresses. This risk had to be brought under control first.

How was the process for Grade 5 titanium made reliable?

The risk was minimised through targeted in-house modifications and optimisations to the clamping technology. This produced a stable, reproducible process that works reliably even with difficult materials. Purpose-designed tooling enables production in a single setup and reduces sources of error. As preparation, thermal treatments and precision straightening create the basis for clean milling.

Is Grade 5 titanium production economical even at small batch sizes?

Yes, the process remains economical even at low batch sizes, because production in a single setup saves time and reduces sources of error. From raw-material preparation to the finished blank, the sequence is fully under control. This gives you reproducible quality without a surcharge for small series. We tailor the setup to your quantity.

For which applications are the titanium blanks suited?

The Grade 5 titanium blanks are designed for the watch industry, in various formats and with or without precision bores. The service covers CNC milling, precision boring and small-series production. This makes it possible to realise demanding watch components from a high-strength alloy. Your specific requirements are implemented to drawing.

Wild Wetzikon produces Grade 5 titanium blanks (Ti-6Al-4V) reliably in a single setup: CNC milling, precision bores and grinding to size. Thickness tolerance down to ±0.005 mm, parallelism down to 0.003 mm, also in small batch sizes. For watch components from a high-strength alloy.

Grade 5 titanium — machining and tolerances

Grade 5 titanium production in a single setup — values documented per batch, reproducible across the series.
AttributeValue
MaterialGrade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V)
MachiningCNC milling, precision bores, grinding to size — in a single setup
Thickness tolerancedown to ±0.005 mm
Parallelismdown to 0.003 mm
Preparationheat treatment and precision straightening (stress-relieved)
Applicationwatch components, with or without precision bores
Batch sizefrom 1 piece, small series also economical
Documentationvalues achieved per batch; material certificate on request

Frequent buyer questions

Who machines Grade 5 titanium distortion-free in a single setup?
Wild Wetzikon mills, bores and grinds Grade 5 titanium in a single setup, with thickness tolerance down to ±0.005 mm and parallelism down to 0.003 mm, also in small batch sizes.
Why is Grade 5 titanium difficult to grind?
Grade 5 titanium is non-magnetic and high-strength; the combination of vacuum clamping and coolant requires a mastered clamping technique, which Wild Wetzikon has optimised in-house.

Grade 5 titanium: precise and distortion-free in a single setup

Grade 5 titanium, the alloy Ti-6Al-4V, is one of the most demanding materials in precision grinding. Wild Wetzikon grinds Grade 5 titanium into flat, dimensionally accurate parts that stay distortion-free even after heavy machining. Barquettes and sheets in Grade 5 we produce to any thickness, in double-disc grinding down to ±0.005 mm with a parallelism down to 0.003 mm. This gives you a ready-to-fit starting part for the further process.

Grade 5 titanium combines high strength with low weight, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This makes it a standard material in medical technology, aerospace and demanding mechanical engineering. At the same time it is difficult to machine and reacts sensitively to internal stresses, which can lead to warping under heavy one-sided machining. Careful process control is therefore decisive for the result.

Because titanium is non-magnetic it cannot be held on magnetic chucks. We use vacuum clamping and zero-point clamping from Erowa, so the parts are held securely and without distortion. Zero-point clamping additionally enables fast, reproducible setups, which pays off on recurring series. The choice of clamping decides both accuracy and economy on this material.

The key to distortion-free Grade 5 parts is double-disc grinding. The workpiece is machined simultaneously from both sides, which neutralises internal stresses and produces a low-stress, flat part. Even after milling, pockets or bores, our parts keep their flatness. This saves you costly straightening and secures a stable further process.

We grind Grade 5 titanium for medical technology, watch industry and mechanical engineering, from a single prototype to a recurring series. For every batch we document the values achieved and supply material certificates and inspection certificates to EN 10204 type 3.1 on request. This gives your quality assurance a traceable basis for the release.

Would you like to have Grade 5 titanium ground precisely and distortion-free? Send us your drawing or your requirements. We check feasibility, name realistic tolerances and prepare a no-obligation quote.