Sharpening & Recoating for Gear Cutting Tools
CTI-USA resharpens gear hobs, shaper cutters and broaches of any make to their original geometry and recoats them with TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, AlCrN (Alcrona) and Altensa PVD coatings, returning the tool to its rated accuracy class. Resharpening is done in CTI-USA's own facility in Hudson, Ohio. PVD recoating is applied by Kyocera or Oerlikon Balzers Coating USA, Inc. to the tool manufacturer's specification, and each tool returns with an inspection report. Turnaround is 2–3 business days for resharpening, plus about 3 business days when recoating is included, from receipt in Hudson, Ohio. Every tool is inspected before and after grinding. Resharpening plus recoating renews a premium tool for a fraction of the cost of a new one and preserves the regrinds remaining in its life.
Resharpening
A gear cutting tool is only as accurate as the geometry it is ground to. Resharpening is precision work that must preserve relief angles, rake, tooth spacing and flute lead, or the tool will cut an inaccurate gear no matter how sharp it feels.
Our resharpening service:
- Preserves original geometry so each tool continues to cut to its rated accuracy class.
- Removes the minimum material necessary to restore a clean, true edge, maximizing the regrinds remaining in the tool's life.
- Controls grinding heat to prevent burning and micro-cracking of the substrate.
- Includes full inspection, catching chips, runout or wear patterns that may point to an upstream process issue.
Recoating
When a coated tool is reground, grinding removes the coating along the freshly ground faces, leaving the new edge on bare substrate without the wear resistance, heat resistance and lubricity the coating was chosen for. A resharpened but uncoated tool wears noticeably faster than it did when new.
Recoating restores that performance. A fresh PVD coating, matched to your workpiece material and cutting conditions, is applied by Kyocera or Oerlikon Balzers Coating USA, Inc. to the tool manufacturer's specification (AlCrN/Alcrona and Altensa are Oerlikon Balzers coating names):
| Coating | Best for |
|---|---|
| TiN | General-purpose wet cutting of carbon and low-alloy steels |
| TiCN | Abrasive materials and cast iron; higher hardness than TiN |
| TiAlN | Alloy steels, hardened materials and dry or MQL cutting |
| AlCrN (Alcrona) | Highest oxidation resistance for high-temperature, high-speed work |
| Altensa | High-productivity hobbing of case-hardening steels |
Not sure which coating fits? Run the free tool steel and coating selector or ask us.
Resharpening + recoating: the complete renewal
Resharpening restores the edge; recoating restores the performance of that edge. Combined, they renew a tool far more economically than buying new and keep every cycle of the tool's life delivering the endurance you paid for originally.
Why CTI-USA
- Ground in Ohio, back in days. Resharpening is done in our own Hudson, Ohio facility in 2–3 business days; recoating adds about 3 days. Tools stay in the United States.
- Name-brand coating. Recoating by Kyocera or Oerlikon Balzers Coating USA, Inc., the companies behind the coatings on the tools when new.
- Specialists, not generalists: we work only on gear cutting tools and understand the geometry that makes them accurate.
- All three tool types: hobs, shaper cutters and broaches through one contact.
- Coating matched to your application, not a one-size-fits-all process.
- Built to extend tool life: minimal material removal and proper heat control mean more regrinds per tool.
Request a quote
Have tools due for service? Tell us what you are running: tool type, make, size, quantity, current coating and the workpiece material. Email sales@cti-usa.co, call 330-962-8160, or use the request form. We reply within one business day with a quote and shipping instructions; typical turnaround is 2–3 business days for resharpening, plus about 3 business days when recoating is included, from receipt in Hudson, Ohio.
Shipping tools to us: CTI-USA, 1239 Hudson Gate Dr., Hudson, OH 44236, Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm Eastern. Include a packing list with tool type, make, size and current coating for each tool.
Frequently asked questions
Which tools do you resharpen?
Gear hobs, gear shaper cutters and broaches, including tools not originally supplied by CTI-USA. Gear milling cutters are quoted case by case.
Who does the grinding and coating?
Resharpening is done in CTI-USA's own facility in Hudson, Ohio. PVD recoating is applied by Kyocera or Oerlikon Balzers Coating USA, Inc. to the tool manufacturer's specification, and each tool returns with an inspection report.
Do I need to recoat after resharpening?
Grinding removes the coating from the ground faces, so a resharpened tool runs on bare steel at the new edge and wears faster. Recoating restores the original performance and is recommended for any tool that was coated when new.
What coatings do you offer?
TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, AlCrN (Alcrona) and Altensa PVD coatings.
How do I send tools in?
Email sales@cti-usa.co with the tool type, quantity and current coating. We reply within one business day with a quote and shipping instructions for our Hudson, Ohio facility.
How long does resharpening take?
Resharpening takes 2–3 business days from receipt in Hudson, Ohio. Recoating adds about 3 business days. Large lots are confirmed when we quote.
Related pages and guides
Have tools due for service?
Tell us the tool type, quantity and current coating. We reply within one business day; resharpening takes 2–3 business days and recoating about 3 more.