Want to sell a Walter tool grinder, such as a HELITRONIC MICRO, a POWER 400 or an older HELITRONIC POWER? We buy your machine. Send the nameplate, the control and a few photos and you usually receive an initial estimate. We organise dismantling and transport; on a direct purchase, payment is made by bank transfer before pickup.
The overview of all machine classes is on sell a tool and cutter grinder, and 5-axis machines are placed in more detail on CNC tool grinders. For the Diamond variants that grind and erode, PCD tool grinders is the matching companion page.
Who Walter is, and who it is not
Walter Maschinenbau GmbH is based in Tübingen (Jopestrasse 5). By its own account it builds tool grinding and eroding machines and optical CNC measuring machines. A second site in Garbsen develops measuring and research technology. The company history begins in 1919 with Richard Walter in Düsseldorf, and the company has been in Tübingen since 1924. Four milestones matter for the used market: the HELITRONIC POWER appeared in 1994, the POWER DIAMOND, which grinds and erodes, in 2001, and the VISION with linear drives in 2003. The company traded as Walter AG from 1990, and since 2004 the former machine tool division has appeared as Walter Maschinenbau GmbH.
Two naming traps follow. First, Walter AG with the website walter-tools.com is the cutting tool company and not the machine maker. If you read ‘Walter AG Helitronic Power’ in a listing, it may be a machine from before 2004; a dealer listing gives the year 1996 for one. Second, the group name has changed. The maker’s site now calls Walter and EWAG brands of the UNITED GRINDING division within the group UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS, based in Bern, after the merger with the GF Machining Solutions division was completed in July 2025. Earlier names were UNITED GRINDING Group (from 2013) and, before that, Schleifring Group. In advertisements and valuations, write the machine name and series, not the group name.
EWAG is a Swiss maker of tool grinding and laser machines and, like Walter, belongs to the UNITED GRINDING division. According to the maker the two brands form the tool processing business of the group. We therefore also assess EWAG machines, but name only designations and no technical data.
The series at a glance
The table lists the HELITRONIC series on the current manufacturer list, with tool diameters and travels from the detail pages (as of 30 September 2026). For your machine the nameplate and data sheet apply. For RAPTOR DIAMOND and POWER DIAMOND 400 we leave the diameter range open, because we could not confirm the maker’s figures consistently.
| Series | Process | Tool diameter (mm) | Travels X / Y / Z (mm) | Features per maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HELITRONIC MICRO | Making and resharpening small rotationally symmetrical tools and production parts | 0.1 to 12.7 (resharpening from 3) | 385 / 320 / 320 | Machine-integrated 6-axis robot loader up to 1,500 tools, mineral cast bed, Laser Contour Check optional, motor spindles up to 10,500 rpm |
| HELITRONIC MINI PLUS | Making and resharpening, small and medium diameters | 1 to 16 (3 to 100 with options) | 320 / 200 / 470 | Belt spindle with 9 kW peak, 6-position wheel changer optional, robot loader optional (up to 7,500 workpieces), top loader up to 500 tools |
| HELITRONIC RAPID | Five CNC axes, resharpening and making of cutters, drills, step tools, woodworking and profile tools | Making 1 to 16, resharpening 3 to 100 | 320 / 200 / 470 | Top loader up to 500 positions, glass scales, A axis with torque motor optional |
| HELITRONIC G 200 | Cost-efficient machine with a small footprint (under 2.3 m²) | 1 to 125 | 305 / 218 / 475 | 9 kW belt spindle, 10,500 rpm, top loader up to 500 positions optional, OPC UA optional |
| HELITRONIC FUSION | Rotationally symmetrical cutting tools with fully integrated automation for workpiece and tool | 1 to 260 | 565 / 275 / 440 | 20 kW spindle with HSK 50, wheels up to 204 mm, triple wheel changer in under 6 s, robot loader optional, Fanuc drive technology |
| HELITRONIC RAPTOR | Entry-level machine for grinding and resharpening, small footprint | 3 to 320 | 460 / 320 / 660 | 11.5 kW belt spindle, gantry design, wheels up to 200 mm |
| HELITRONIC POWER 400 | Series production, making and resharpening | 3 to 315 | 650 / 350 / 720 | 24 kW spindle (26 kW optional), gantry design, wheel changer with 4 or 8 wheels, Laser Contour Check |
| HELITRONIC VISION 400 L | High-end, highest accuracy and dynamics, tool lengths up to 420 mm | 3 to 315 | 500 / 350 / 700 | Linear drives, 30 kW direct-drive motor spindle, mineral cast gantry, Laser Contour Check optional |
| HELITRONIC RAPTOR DIAMOND | Two-in-One: erodes PCD/CBN, grinds HSS and carbide in one clamping | per data sheet | 460 / 320 / 660 | 11.5 kW HSK belt spindle, up to 3 electrodes and 3 wheels or 6 wheels, Fine Pulse Technology |
| HELITRONIC DIAMOND EVOLUTION | Eroding and grinding in one clamping | 1 to 165 | 320 / 200 / 470 | 9 kW spindle with HSK 50, options robot loader, top loader, wheel and electrode changer |
| HELITRONIC POWER DIAMOND 400 | Flexible eroding and grinding machine for PCD/CBN and HSS/carbide | per data sheet | 650 / 350 / 720 | 24 kW spindle, up to 3 electrodes or 6 wheels, Fine Pulse Technology, Laser Contour Check |
| HELITRONIC VISION DIAMOND 400 L | High-end machine for eroding and grinding | 3 to 315 | 500 / 350 / 700 | 35 kW spindle, mineral cast gantry, Fine Pulse Technology, Laser Contour Check |
Today’s POWER 400, POWER DIAMOND 400, VISION 400 L and VISION DIAMOND 400 L carry the suffix 400. Machines from the series of 1994, 2001 and 2003 are often listed as just POWER, POWER DIAMOND or VISION. The maker does not state the technical differences, so we write no figures for older machines.
Names on the used market and their traps
Dealer portals list Walter machines under many spellings. We take only the names from listings, never their figures.
| Designation in the listing | How we place it |
|---|---|
| ‘Walter Helitronic Power’, ‘Helitronic Power Production’, ‘Power Regrinder’, ‘Power HMC 400’ | Dealer names for older machines, seen in listings with years from 1995 to 2004. They do not appear on the current maker list |
| ‘Heli-Power’ | Dealer shorthand for HELITRONIC POWER. The maker writes HELITRONIC in capitals |
| ‘Helitronic Mini Power’, ‘Helitronic Basic’, ‘HMC 500’, ‘Helitronic Vision’ without ‘400’ | Names from listings. Not on the maker’s current series list, so no data on this page |
| ‘Helitronic Micro’, ‘Helitronic Raptor Diamond’ | Names that are also in the current programme; seen in listings with years 2018 and 2023 |
| ‘Helitronic T103’ | Dealer name of a 2006 machine, described in the listing with Tool Studio 2.0. We have no maker data on it |
| ‘Walter Woodtronic NC3’ | According to a dealer listing a saw blade sharpening machine, so not a tool grinder in the sense of this page |
| ‘HELICHECK’ | Name of Walter’s measuring machines, not of the grinders |
| ‘EWAG RS 15’ | According to a dealer listing a manual universal tool grinder without CNC. Not on the current maker lists |
The nameplate counts for more than a listing title, and years in dealer data are not always reliable.
Control and software: what a buyer checks
The control generation decides whether a buyer can still program and maintain the machine with current software. Three points matter at Walter.
HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO is the CAD/CAM software for rotationally symmetrical tools: design, programming, simulation and production, with complex geometries in one clamping. The maker’s page lists versions from 2.1 to 3.0 R4 without saying which is current, so state your version and licence status.
Control. For the FUSION Walter names Fanuc drive technology and a C.O.R.E. panel; C.O.R.E. is the name of the current machine and control generation. On older machines the age of the control is a valuation factor: does the buyer have access to spares and software support, or must the buyer retrofit?
Windows 10 upgrade. Walter offers it for all Walter and EWAG grinding and eroding machines with a Fanuc control, including the COMPACT LINE. It replaces the operating computer with a model with a 15 or 19 inch touch screen and Intel Xeon, raises the system from 32 to 64 bit and includes a free Performance Boost option for HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO. The maker states compatibility with future TOOL STUDIO versions and the software Pro Grind. If the upgrade has been done, the evidence belongs in the documents. If not, the buyer knows to plan for it.
What determines the value of a used Walter machine
The full valuation logic is in what is my tool grinder worth. For Walter machines these points count in particular. We give no figures without seeing the machine.
| Value factor | Why it matters | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Series and tool diameter | A MICRO for tools from 0.1 mm is a different offer from a POWER 400 up to 315 mm. The buyer looks for his tool range | Nameplate, the diameters and lengths ground so far |
| Diamond version (grinding and eroding) | Whoever makes PCD or CBN tools needs eroding in the same clamping. Whether an electrode changer is fitted should be in the advertisement | Generator, electrode changer, eroding reports |
| Loader and automation | A robot loader or top loader decides whether the machine can reload tools without an operator. List the loader separately so it is clear whether it is part of the handover | Loader type, capacity, condition, photo |
| Control, operating computer, software | The control generation decides support and spares. A Windows 10 upgrade that has been done is a plus | Control designation, operating system, TOOL STUDIO version, upgrade evidence |
| Spindle and drives | Spindle hours and condition are a core point of every valuation. On the VISION line linear drives are added | Operating hours, service records, details of spindle replacement |
| Measuring system (Laser Contour Check) | Measuring in the machine makes it easier for the buyer to check. On some series the maker lists it as an option | Whether the option is fitted and calibrated |
| Rebuild or retrofit history | A documented maker rebuild or retrofit is a point of its own in the estimate | Invoices, acceptance reports, date |
| Accessories | Wheel sets, collets and holders make the takeover easier | Inventory list with photos |
Rebuild, retrofit and upgrade at the maker
Walter’s customer care has REBUILD and RETROFIT areas. The REBUILD machine overhaul (described in the FAQ above) comes with a warranty on all work and loan machines subject to availability; the page does not say which series are eligible. A rebuild helps in a sale only if it is documented with invoice, acceptance report and date. We act independently of the maker and do not arrange maker services.
How to sell your Walter machine to MBR
- Send the data: nameplate (series, serial number, year), control, operating system, TOOL STUDIO version, operating hours, test and service records.
- Add photos: overall view, work area with spindle and wheel pack, loader, control cabinet, screen.
- Receive the estimate: you learn how we place your machine. Sale through our buyer network: commission stated upfront; you are paid before pickup.
- Offer: usually within 24 to 48 hours on working days once all information is in. An urgent on-site visit is possible, usually within 48 to 72 hours on working days.
- Dismantling and transport: we organise both, also for gantry machines with a loader.
- Payment before pickup (direct purchase): no machine leaves your site without confirmed payment. The whole process usually takes 7 to 15 working days on a direct purchase.
The general process is under how it works.
What this page does not cover
This page is about Walter tool grinding and eroding machines. General precision grinders such as surface or cylindrical grinders are on our page for grinding machines, and general EDM machines on EDM machines. We do not take loose grinding wheels or single spare parts as stand-alone items. If you are looking for the cutting tool maker Walter AG, you are in the wrong place here.
If you are releasing machines from several makers, the other maker pages are ANCA, Vollmer (for the rotary tool series, not saw sharpeners) and Rollomatic; Saacke, Schneeberger and Haas Multigrind are covered on the tool grinder overview.
Sources
Manufacturer data as of 30 September 2026:
- Walter Maschinenbau: tool grinding machines (series overview and detail pages)
- Walter Maschinenbau: company history 1919 to 2024
- Walter Maschinenbau: announcement on UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS, 4 July 2025
- Walter Maschinenbau: customer care REBUILD
- Walter Maschinenbau: Windows 10 upgrade for Walter and EWAG machines