Dec
IMPROVING BORE QUALITY WITH SKIVING AND ROLLER BURNISHING
- 2025
- Ampersand Milwaukee

Skiving and roller burnishing is one of the most surprisingly productive ways to achieve high-quality bore finishing in OEM production. Even experienced machinists are impressed when they see raw tubing converted into a mirror-like finish in a single pass at extremely high feed rates. This is achieved by combining two operations into a single tool and having the right machine for the job.
The process works by using a set of floating knives on the front of the tool, followed by rollers. The diameter and finish are adjustable on the head to “dial” in the exact sizes, and the finish can be tuned by adjusting the roller pressure relative to the cutting diameter. Cutting fluid floods the tool to clear chips, and hydraulic actuation protects the finished surface as the tool retracts. The process delivers outstanding accuracy, surface durability, and repeatability across a wide range of bore sizes and production environments.
ACHIEVABLE RESULTS
ACHIEVABLE RESULTS
"Skiving and roller burnishing combines two operations into a single tool."

APPLICATION AND PRODUCTION FLEXIBILITY
UNISIG MACHINES BUILT FOR THE PROCESS
APPLICATION RANGE AND PRODUCTION FLEXIBILITY

UNISIG MACHINES BUILT FOR THE PROCESS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Skiving and roller burnishing combine cutting and finishing in a single tool, allowing raw tubing to be converted into a mirror-like finish in one pass. High feed rates, adjustable tool settings, and efficient chip evacuation allow the process to achieve speeds and quality levels that exceed conventional drilling, milling, or turning.
The process supports a wide range of bore diameters from 30 to 500 mm (1.18 to 20 inches) and depths beyond 6 meters (20 feet). UNISIG has applied skiving and roller burnishing to depths exceeding 13 meters (43 feet) in demanding applications.
UNISIG S-Series machines are purpose built for tube production and designed specifically around the skiving and roller burnishing process. B-Series BTA deep hole drilling machines can also integrate this capability, enabling manufacturers to produce both the starting bore and the final high quality finish on one platform.
Nov
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT UNISIG
- 2025
- Ampersand Milwaukee

Energy efficiency is one area where everyone can agree. It is beneficial for the planet and for profits. A small gundrilling machine may have less than 20 horsepower, while a large BTA drilling machine can exceed 200 horsepower. Regardless of size, every kilowatt-hour of electricity matters. UNISIG designs machines with efficiency in mind because we believe that is how well-planned, modern machines should be built—through thoughtful engineering and design choices that reduce energy consumption and improve performance.
DESIGNING FOR MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY
DESIGNING FOR MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY
"Mechanically efficient designs run cooler, hold tighter tolerances, and last longer."

SMART SYSTEMS THAT CONSERVE ENERGY
COMMITMENT BUILT INTO EVERY MACHINE
SMART SYSTEMS THAT CONSERVE ENERGY

COMMITMENT BUILT INTO EVERY MACHINE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Because efficiency impacts both performance and sustainability. Well-designed, efficient machines reduce waste, lower operating costs, and improve reliability.
They recover kinetic energy and, in many cases, return high-quality power to the grid.
Yes, positively. Efficient designs reduce heat, maintain precision, and extend component life, leading to improved accuracy and uptime.
Nov
WHEN IS TREPANNING THE RIGHT CHOICE?
- 2025
- Ampersand Milwaukee

Trepanning is a process that creates a hole in a workpiece by machining only the outer area of the hole, leaving an unmachined core in the center. In contrast, a BTA drill creates the same hole by turning all of the material into chips, leaving no core behind. This provides manufacturers with two distinct ways to create a hole from solid material.
BTA drilling is simple in concept: set up the machine, drill the hole, remove the workpiece, and empty the chip hopper when it’s full. Many manufacturers choose this process for its straightforward operation and the convenience of chip recycling. Trepanning isn’t necessarily more difficult, but it requires more operator involvement. When the hole is complete, the retained core must be removed from the tool between cycles.
Trepanning and BTA solid drilling share the same coolant delivery and chip evacuation systems. Coolant is introduced around the outside of the tool, and chips are exhausted through the drill tube. In BTA drilling, coolant passes freely through the tube, carrying chips to the conveyor. In trepanning, however, chips taken by the coolant must pass by the workpiece core inside the tube. The bore quality between the two methods can be similar, but it depends on the tool design. Trepanning tools with a sufficient cutting width to engage guide pads can achieve diameter tolerances similar to solid drilling. Tools designed for the narrowest width of cut (leaving the largest core) generally produce lower bore quality. For very deep holes, a counter-rotating tool and workpiece are often used. Because the trepanning core rotates with the workpiece, it can create challenges related to vibration or unexpected loading. Once these differences are understood, the key question becomes: When is trepanning the right choice?
ADVANTAGES OF TREPANNING

ADVANTAGES OF TREPANNING

“Trepanning is not just an alternative to BTA drilling—it’s a strategic choice when core recovery, power efficiency, or tooling economy align with production goals.”

LIMITATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
EQUIPMENT FOR TREPANNING
LIMITATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

EQUIPMENT FOR TREPANNING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Trepanning is ideal when core recovery or reduced tooling cost is valuable, or when material properties must be preserved for testing or reuse.
It’s possible, but challenging. Specialized core-breaking or cropping tools are required to separate the core, which adds time and complexity.
Machines must be powerful, and designed for core handling. UNISIG B-Series machines can perform both trepanning and BTA drilling, offering flexibility for different applications.
Nov
MANUFACTURING INNOVATION DRIVES ENGINEERING INNOVATION
- 2025
- Ampersand Milwaukee

Every company that builds advanced technology products is chasing engineering innovation, looking for clever and practical designs that separate them from the competition. Precision machine tools and automation have evolved to incredible levels because of constant competitive pressure, but that same pressure can leave design engineers searching for fresh inspiration.
Where does true design innovation come from? While inspiration can occasionally strike out of nowhere, relying on those rare moments is not a sustainable strategy when your profession demands a consistent output of high-quality designs. One of the most reliable and enduring sources of engineering innovation comes from a strong, ongoing connection to manufacturing.
INNOVATION MEETS REALITY
INNOVATION MEETS REALITY
“We have an endless source of engineering innovation that comes directly from innovations in manufacturing.”
MANUFACTURING EXPANDS POSSIBILITIES
KEEPING ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING TOGETHER
MANUFACTURING EXPANDS POSSIBILITIES
KEEPING ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING TOGETHER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Manufacturing advancements expand what is physically possible to build. When engineers stay connected to the shop floor, they gain real-world insights about materials, processes, and tolerances that influence smarter, more efficient designs.
Close collaboration ensures that designs are practical, efficient to produce, and optimized for quality and performance. When both teams operate in the same facility, feedback flows naturally, leading to faster innovation and fewer design challenges.
UNISIG builds its critical components in-house, investing in advanced machinery, technology, and training. By keeping manufacturing and engineering under one roof, the company maintains full control over production and continuously drives innovation in both areas.
Sep
UNISIG Promotes Steve Landmann to Vice President of Sales
- 2025
- Ampersand Milwaukee

About UNISIG
UNISIG is a leading manufacturer of deep hole drilling machines and automation systems. Engineered and manufactured in the USA, its machines serve industries ranging from aerospace to medical to moldmaking. Known for engineering innovation and in-house manufacturing capabilities, UNISIG combines precision, performance, and reliability in everything it delivers. For more information, visit www.UNISIG.com
Steve Landmann has been promoted to Vice President of Sales at UNISIG. He has over a decade of experience managing the Midwest sales region, where he contributed significantly to strengthening UNISIG’s reputation for delivering robust, customer-focused solutions. In his new role, he will lead the global sales team and work closely with management to anticipate evolving customer needs and reinforce the company’s leadership in deep hole drilling solutions.
Landmann brings a unique perspective shaped by his experience in predictive maintenance, machine building, and installation. This hands-on background gives him a deep understanding of customer challenges and long-term needs, positioning him to continue UNISIG’s tradition of solution-driven selling in high-value equipment markets.
Landmann succeeds Jeff Price, who is retiring in December after more than 22 years as Vice President of Sales. Price played a pivotal role in UNISIG’s global footprint and long-term growth. This transition ensures continuity while also advancing UNISIG’s customer-focused strategy under new leadership.