If you are a cutting tool manufacturer interested in expanding your portfolio to include a small diameter modular boring bar offering, Versabar Tools, LLC ("VBT") is currently seeking license relationships.

Since 2009, ToolSaver Inc. (sister company) has been under license to develop, manufacture and market Versabar^®. The license includes shank retrofitting and remanufacture. Given ToolSaver's core business is indexable tool repair, it has promoted Versabar^® primarily as a shank retrofit (over a thousand Versabar^® retrofits to date) and remanufacture. This unique approach has effectively proven the Versabar^® interface, now with more than ten years of success under its belt in the oil patch.

If your offering does not include rigid boring bars (small diameter), a modular program that is supported with the Versabar^® interface would augment your portfolio. We believe this scenario to be the ideal partnering arrangement.

If your offering includes rigid "fixed-pocket" boring bars, the clock is ticking. As the modular option becomes widely available, it will undoubtedly become the preferred choice of end users. A strategic phase-out of fixed-pocket models could be implemented over time. The majority of insert styles common with fixed-pocket models (both inch and metric shank) are adaptable to the Versabar^® platform.

The license would involve an upfront licensing fee along with two royalties. Patent royalty would apply through the remainder of the patent term. Trademark royalty would continue with sale of the product.

Modular vs. Fixed-Pocket Considerations

Replacing the fixed-pocket offering with a modular offering results in a dramatic reduction of line items (nearly 90% reduction). This is highly beneficial from a manufacturing perspective (far fewer items to produce and inventory). Fewer line items benefits distributors as they have far fewer items to list in their online catalog and inventory. Moreover, Versabar is ideally suitable for integrated suppliers with vending machines. End users benefit from floor standardization and a significantly reduced commitment to inventory.

Factors which facilitate inventory reduction:

• Versabar^® shanks adapt any head style (same size)
• Versabar^® shanks adapt RH and LH heads
• Versabar^® heads are universal as they adapt to inch and metric shank

A dramatic reduction is possible given the eight variables that impact the substantial offering of rigid fixed-pocket bars:

1. Inch or metric shank?
2. Shank diameter?
3. Shank type (carbide or heavy metal)?
4. Shank length (stub or standard)?
5. Shank hand (RH or LH)?
6. Coolant or non-coolant fed?
7. Insert style/size?
8. Pocket geometry (lead angle, etc)?

Each variable above requires a different fixed-pocket model. Multiply each variable by shank size. Then multiply by insert style and pocket configuration.

To illustrate: The Versabar^® offering currently includes 217 modular head and shank options. In contrast, a fixed-pocket offering which would be comparable to the Versabar^® offering would involve more than 2,000 line items.

If your group has interest in exploring a partnering opportunity, please send your inquiry to sales@versabartools.com.