ABOUT HELION CUTTING TOOLS
Helion Tools was founded in 1952 in Manresa, Spain, starting out as a small industrial supply business. Three generations of the Molins family have taken it from a local trading operation to a specialist manufacturer of solid carbide cutting tools, with its own production facility and a distributor network reaching more than 23 countries.
Helion manufactures its own range of end mills, drills, taps, reamers and special tools from its Manresa facility, using high grade raw materials, optimised tool geometries and in-house coating technology. Every product category goes through ongoing research and development, and production is backed by high-precision quality control on modern machinery. Erikor is the sole authorised distributor of Helion tooling in South Africa.
Over 70 years in the industry
Worldwide presence
Product Lines
HELION PRODUCTS
Mill Line
Solid Carbide and HSS End Mills for Every Application
Helion’s mill range covers roughing, finishing, contouring and trochoidal work, with diameters from 0.2mm micro end mills up to 25mm. Available in solid carbide and HSS, in both metric and inch, so you can match the tool to the job and the machine.
- Solid carbide end mills (metric and inch)
- HSS end mills (metric)
- Smart Line general-purpose range
- Ball nose, trochoidal and finishing geometries
Thread Line
Threading Tools for Blind and Through Holes
Helion’s threading range runs from standard HSS taps through to solid carbide threading tools rated for tempered materials up to 65HRC, giving you options for both routine and demanding threading jobs.
- Threading mills
- Standard taps (HSS)
- Forming taps
- Solid carbide threading tools for hardened materials
Count Line
Countersinking Tools for Clean, Consistent Chamfers
Helion’s countersinker range covers standard conical and fine-guide options in HSS, coated HSS and solid carbide, plus boxed sets for workshops that need a full size range on hand.
- 90° conical countersinkers (HSS and TiAlN coated)
- 180° fine guide countersinkers
- Solid carbide countersinkers (TiAlN coated)
- Boxed countersinker sets (DIN 335)
Drill Line
Solid Carbide and HSS Drills Built for Precision
Helion drills are engineered for soft drilling and clean finishing across a wide range of depths and diameters, from 0.5mm to 20mm. The range includes standard length ratios as well as specialised options for tight tolerance and flat-bottomed holes.
- Solid carbide drills (3xD to 30xD)
- HSS drills
- H7 tolerance drills for materials up to 65HRC
- Drills for flat-bottomed holes
Ream Line
HSS and Solid Carbide Reamers for a Precise Finish
Helion reamers are built for maximum precision and a superior finish, with special geometries that improve productivity. Internal cooling options are available where extra heat control is needed.
- HSS reamers (DIN 212-2, H7 tolerance)
- Solid carbide reamers (DIN 212-2 and centesimal tolerance)
- Reamers with internal cooling
Other Solutions
Toolholders, Gauging and Coventry Die Head Chasers
Beyond the core cutting ranges, Helion supplies the supporting tooling that keeps a workshop running: toolholders for secure clamping, measuring tools for quality control, and Coventry die head chasers for threading on production equipment.
- Clamp Line toolholders
- Metro Line measuring and gauging tools
- Coventry Line die head chasers
Browse the Helion Catalogue
The most popular Helion product range in one place. Page through it below or download a copy to keep on hand.
For a full overview of the Helion range, download the general catalogue. It covers the complete product lineup Erikor stocks locally, so you can see what’s available before placing an order or speaking to a rep.
OR
Not sure which tool is right for your application? Our reps can work through the catalogue with you and recommend the best option for your specific job.
Why Workshops Choose Helion
Manufactured In-House
Every Helion tool is designed, produced and coated at their own facility in Manresa, Spain.
Built for Tough Materials
From mild steel to titanium, Inconel and hardened steel up to 65HRC, Helion tools are engineered to perform.
Precision You Can Rely On
Tight tolerances and consistent finishes, backed by over 70 years of tooling experience.
Sole SA Distributor
Erikor Engineering Supplies is the only authorised source of Helion Cutting tools in South Africa.
Delivered Across South Africa
Order from Edenvale headoffice and get your tools delivered nationwide, free on orders over R1,500.
Local Application Support
Our reps know the product range and can visit your workshop to help you spec the right tool for the job.
See Helion Cutting Tools in Action
Take a look at how Helion cutting tools perform on real machining jobs, straight from the manufacturer.
Alutech - Built for Aluminium
High speed, clean chip evacuation and a polished flute for machining aluminium and non-ferrous materials without buildup.
Yellow Blade - Precision in Stainless Steel
A variable-helix end mill with a gold multilayer coating, built for stable, low-vibration machining of stainless steel like Inox 316L.
Tap vs Thread Mill - Which One to Use
Comparing the HSS-E helical tap against the solid carbide thread mill, and when each one is the better choice.
Trochoidal Milling in Action
The 91.5479 4-flute end mill machining CK45 steel using a trochoidal strategy at 5800 RPM, demonstrating stable performance at high feed rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use a thread mill instead of a tap?
Both cut a thread, but they solve different problems. A tap is simple, fast and well suited to standard through and blind holes in ordinary production work, and it’s usually the lower-cost option per hole. A thread mill earns its keep when you need flexibility, since one tool can cut multiple diameters at the same pitch, which cuts down on tooling inventory. It also puts less radial load on the part, which matters when you’re working with thin walls, brittle materials or anything prone to distortion. Thread mills tend to run cooler and last longer in tough materials like titanium or Inconel, and they suit CNC machines that can run helical interpolation. If you’re doing long production runs in easy materials, stick with taps. If you’re in aerospace, medical or mould work, a thread mill is often the smarter call.
Speak to an Erikor rep and we can walk through your specific application.
What is trochoidal machining?
Trochoidal machining is a milling strategy where the tool follows a series of overlapping circular or looping paths instead of cutting in a straight line, which keeps the radial engagement low even though you’re removing a lot of material. Because the tool is only ever taking a small “bite” out of the material at any point in the pass, heat and cutting forces stay lower, which means you can run higher speeds and feeds without overloading the tool or the machine. It’s particularly good for hard or tough materials like hardened steel and stainless, and for deep slots or pockets where a conventional full-width cut would put too much strain on the cutter. The trade-off is that trochoidal toolpaths are longer than a straight cut, so you’re covering more distance to remove the same material, but you usually make that time back through faster feed rates and much longer tool life. It does rely on a CNC control and CAM software capable of generating the toolpath.
If you’re weighing up whether it’s worth it for a specific job, an Erikor rep can help you work through the numbers.
How do I choose the right drill length ratio (3xD, 5xD, 8xD and so on)?
The rule of thumb is to use the shortest drill that will do the job, because shorter drills are more rigid and less prone to deflection or breakage. A 3xD drill is your default for straightforward holes and gives you the best combination of rigidity and productivity. Once your hole depth exceeds what a 3xD can reach, you move up to 5xD, 8xD and beyond, but each step up increases the risk of the drill wandering off centre, especially in tougher materials or on less rigid setups. Longer ratios also need more attention to coolant delivery and chip evacuation, since chips have further to travel out of the hole. If your part allows it, sometimes it’s worth pre-drilling with a shorter, more rigid drill before switching to a longer one to finish the hole.
If you’re working with a deep hole and unsure which ratio will hold tolerance, an Erikor rep can help you pick the right combination.
Can I use coated cutting tools on aluminium?
You can, but it’s not always the best choice, and it depends on the coating. Aluminium is a soft, gummy material that tends to weld itself to the cutting edge under heat and pressure, a problem known as built-up edge. Coatings like TiN or TiAlN, which work brilliantly on steel, can actually make this worse on aluminium because they’re not designed to resist aluminium adhesion specifically. What works better is either an uncoated polished tool, since a smooth, polished flute lets chips slide off cleanly, or a coating specifically formulated for non-ferrous work, like the polished channel used on Helion’s Alutech range. The goal with aluminium is fast chip evacuation and a clean cutting edge, not heat resistance, which is the opposite priority to what most coatings are built for. If you’re getting material buildup or a poor finish on aluminium, the coating is often the first thing worth checking.
Speak to an Erikor rep if you want help matching the right tool to your aluminium job.
Need Help Choosing the Right Tool?
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