In the world of precision manufacturing, the smallest of inefficiencies can create costly production roadblocks. For PT Sparta Guna Sentosa, an Indonesian automotive and industrial components manufacturer, one roadblock came in the form of persistent long chips during tapping operations — an issue that had long affected production efficiency and tool reliability.

But through collaboration and the application of advanced solutions from metal cutting and manufacturing solutions manufacturer Sandvik Coromant, solving that challenge has unlocked new levels of productivity, cost savings and opportunity.

Founded in 1986 in Bandung, Indonesia, PT Sparta Guna Sentosa started out servicing and manufacturing components for the textile industry. As of 2025, it manufactures a broad range of high-quality mechanical parts, such as pins, bushes and shafts for diverse industrial applications.

Backed by advanced automation and machining capabilities, Sparta Guna Sentosa has positioned itself as quality-driven supplier. However, even the most well-equipped production lines can face technical challenges.

Understanding the problem

For years, the company struggled with long chip formation during tapping, a common but significant machining challenge. This issue led to several complications, including frequent machine downtime caused by chip jamming. As a result, scrap rates and rework increased, tool life became unpredictable and the risk of breakage rose.

These problems compounded rather than occurred in isolation — worn tools accelerated chip buildup, requiring repeated spindle cleaning and further halting production. Despite multiple attempts to address the root cause, the company struggled to find a consistent and effective solution.

Partnership that drives productivity

Having already built a strong relationship with Sandvik Coromant through regular use of its drills and inserts, PT Sparta Guna Sentosa turned to the metal cutting expert for help resolving these tapping issues. Sandvik Coromant stepped in and proposed a live five-day trial using its CoroTap DT100-PM104DA-M8P1PL taps, featuring innovative chip-breaking geometry.

This tool is specifically designed for precision threading in short-chipping materials such as cast iron, aluminum, and hardened steel. In this case, CoroTap was selected due to its optimised geometry and low-friction coating, which provides superior chip control and greater thread quality.

The results of the trial were immediate and significantly improved production performance. Specifically, tool life increased by 20%, ensuring better cost efficiency and productivity was upped by 15% thanks to smoother operations and fewer interruptions. Shorter chips also eliminated jamming and minimised downtime, and finally, surface quality improved, reducing rework and waste.

Following these impressive results, the customer completely transitioned to Sandvik Coromant’s Corotap solution to replace the existing tapping tools. “Tapping issues like long chip formation are deceptively complex,” said Manny Valenza, sales cluster manager South East Asia Oceania at Sandvik Coromant. “By recommending Corotap DT100 with advanced chip-breaking geometry, we not only solved the immediate problem, but also helped the customer unlock long-term process stability.”

A strategic step forward

Beyond solving the technical issue, this project reinforced Sandvik Coromant’s position as a number one value provider. By delivering a solution that exceeded performance, cost and reliability expectations, Sandvik Coromant has strengthened its partnership with PR Sparta Guna Sentose and opened the door to future opportunities. In particular, this success has led to discussions about adopting Sandvik Coromant solutions for other areas, including ISO turning inserts, shoulder milling tools and high-performance drills.

“This collaboration with PT Sparta Guna Sentosa highlights what we strive for at Sandvik Coromant,” continued Valenza. “Delivering measurable value through technology and partnership. Solving a technical challenge like this one reinforces our role as a long-term partner, not just a supplier.

“Our collaborative approach and innovative tooling have made a measurable difference — not just in tool performance, but in overall manufacturing efficiency. It’s a clear example of how technical expertise, backed by trust and long-term partnership, can turn a persistent challenge into a strategic success.”