--- title: Multifunctional Step Tools description: Find out more about Fullerton's multifunctional step tools, by combining multiple operations into one tool enables a shop to purchase fewer tools, improve production efficiency by reducing cycle time, and gets products to market faster, all impacting the bottom line. image: https://blog.fullertontool.com/hubfs/2020_Multifunctional-Step-Tool1.png --- Menu [![fullerton](https://blog.fullertontool.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Fullerton_June2021/images/fullerton-logo.svg "fullerton")](https://fullertontool.com/) Close - [Search Tools](https://fullertontool.com/search) - Products - [End Mills](https://fullertontool.com/products/end-mills) - [Drills](https://fullertontool.com/products/drills) - [Drill Mills](https://fullertontool.com/products/drill-mills) - [Burrs](https://fullertontool.com/products/burrs/burr-rotary-files) - [Keyseat Cutters](https://fullertontool.com/products/keyseats/4375-general-purpose) - [Saws](https://fullertontool.com/products/saws) - 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Products - [End MillsOffering covers any milling operation and material.](https://fullertontool.com/products/end-mills) - [Keyseat CuttersDesigned where narrow width slots are necessary.](https://fullertontool.com/products/keyseats/4375-general-purpose) - [DrillsOffering covers any drilling operation and material.](https://fullertontool.com/products/drills) - [SawsManufactured to exact size requirements within 24 hours.](https://fullertontool.com/products/saws) - [Drill MillsDesigned for chamfering and milling.](https://fullertontool.com/products/drill-mills) - [BurrsDesigned to clean (deburr) castings](https://fullertontool.com/products/burrs/burr-rotary-files) - [ReamersReamers stocked and made to exact sizes within 24 hours.](https://fullertontool.com/products/reamers) - [Countersinks1 & 6 flute options perfect for any material.](https://fullertontool.com/products/countersinks) - [RoutersOffering for any material or application.](https://fullertontool.com/products/routers) - [Boring ToolsTapered clearance neck improves rigidity with less deflection.](https://fullertontool.com/products/boring-tools/2400-boring-tool) - [Custom ToolingCustom tooling solutions that increase efficiency.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/custom-tooling) - [JIT ServicesJust-in-time services available to ship in 24-48 hours.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/jit-services) - Resources - [DownloadsExplore and download available catalogs, brochures, and flyers.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/downloads) - [Speeds & FeedsExplore and download available speeds and feeds.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/speeds-and-feeds) - [Tool SearchSearch by tool types, specs, geometry, or materials.](https://fullertontool.com/search) - [Speed & Feeds Calculator Calculate your optimal speed & feed rates.](https://fullertontool.com/calculators/high-performance-end-mill) - [Coating SearchSearch by material and cutting operation for optimal coating.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/coating-search) - [Regrind ServicesRecondition your tooling at a fraction of the cost.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/regrind-services) - [Video LibraryWatch our products in action and find out more about Fullerton.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/videos) - [Education & TrainingLearn more about our products and processes.](https://fullertontool.com/resources/education) - Quotes - - [Special End MillInstant pricing & lead times on special end mills.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/jit-endmill) - [Altered End MillInstant pricing & lead times on altered end mills.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/altered-end-mill) - [JIT 24H ReamerInstant pricing & lead times on 24-hour JIT reamers.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/jit-reamer) - - [End MillBuild altered and custom end mills to your specifications.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/end-mill) - [DrillBuild custom drills to your specifications.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/drill) - [ReamerBuild JIT and custom reamers to your specifications.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/reamer) - [Keyseat CutterBuild custom keyseat cutters to your specifications.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/keyseat) - [SawBuild custom saws to your specifications.](https://fullertontool.com/quote/saw) - About - [About UsFind out all about who we are and what we do.](https://fullertontool.com/about) - [FASTFAST is the foundation to our company’s success.](https://fullertontool.com/about/fast) - [CareersSee what our employees have to say about working for us.](https://fullertontool.com/about/careers) - [FAQFind answers to our frequently asked questions.](https://fullertontool.com/about/faq) - [BlogGet the latest information on everything Fullerton.](https://blog.fullertontool.com/) - Contact - [Contact UsWe are here to help.](https://fullertontool.com/contact) - [Rep LocatorFind representatives in your area](https://fullertontool.com/contact/locator) - [Login](https://fullertontool.com/login) ![](https://blog.fullertontool.com/hubfs/2020_Multifunctional-Step-Tool1.png) # Multifunctional Step Tools Published by [Steven Oszust Jr.](https://blog.fullertontool.com/author/steven-oszust-jr) on April 16, 2020 ## Multifunctional Step Tools ![2020_Multifunctional-Step-Tool1](https://blog.fullertontool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2020_Multifunctional-Step-Tool1.png?width=1600&name=2020_Multifunctional-Step-Tool1.png)Your business makes its money when your machine is making parts.  For jobs that require multiple operations, changing tools can take time away from that manufacturing process.  This is where multifunctional, step tools can make all the difference.  Combining multiple operations into one tool enables a shop to purchase fewer tools, improve production efficiency by reducing cycle time, and gets products to market faster, all impacting the bottom line. Fullerton's team employs a simple strategy, a mindset for cost savings thru process optimization.  Tools designed with today's competitive marketplace, machine tool capabilities, and the fewest possible tool changes.  Today's multifunctional tool options can combine operations such as drilling, milling, reaming, ramping, interpolation, spotting, chamfering, or counterboring and even etching on a single tool. **Process Reliability** Consideration to operational sequence and combining features in a single tool gives shops the ability to hold critical tolerances, improving dimensional control, tolerance stack ups and process constraints, increasing process reliability and production consistency.  When producing parts across a combination of operations, it can become consistency.  When producing parts across a combination of operations, it can become difficult, if not impossible, to maintain high levels of accuracy.  Multifunctional tools stabilize the manufacturing process by allowing parts to be cut to completion with a single setup.  This makes it much easier to hold tight tolerances, while reducing variables. **Reduced Cycle Time** CNC machines use tool changers, and depending on the style of tool changer, it can take anywhere from 15 to 20 seconds from cut stop to cut start to change over tools.  Depending on the number of changeovers needed, this time can add up. **Inventory Management** One of the most obvious benefits of multifunctional tool is in inventory management.  Replacing multiple tools even across multiple parts with a single tool that can perform all operations is not only a smart option, but also an economically advantageous one. Whether looking for higher productivity, tighter tolerances or increased capacity, multitask machining can help a shop achieve its goals.  The technology has proven itself, and companies that take advantage of its benefits will likely find themselves with an advantage over the competition. At Fullerton it is important for us to improve our productivity and reduce costs associated with your current CNC machining capabilities.   Contact our Engineering team at 800.248.8315 or [engineering@fullertontool.com](mailto:engineering@fullertontool.com) for help to determine your goals and requirements to improve your business.     Tags: [Tool Tips](https://blog.fullertontool.com/topic/tool-tips), [cutting tools](https://blog.fullertontool.com/topic/cutting-tools), [tool tip](https://blog.fullertontool.com/topic/tool-tip), [multifunctional step tools](https://blog.fullertontool.com/topic/multifunctional-step-tools), [step tools](https://blog.fullertontool.com/topic/step-tools), [multifunctional tools](https://blog.fullertontool.com/topic/multifunctional-tools) [Back to Blog](https://blog.fullertontool.com) ## Related Articles ## [Custom Drill, Chamfer, Back Chamfer Tool Saved Customer $114K Annually](https://blog.fullertontool.com/drill-chamfer-back-chamfer-custom-tool) Here at Fullerton, we're passionate about generating cost savings for our customers and creating... [Read More](https://blog.fullertontool.com/drill-chamfer-back-chamfer-custom-tool) ## [Saw Blade Applications & Efficiencies](https://blog.fullertontool.com/saw-blade-applications-efficiencies) This month we will discuss three effective ways our engineering and applications teams use our... [Read More](https://blog.fullertontool.com/saw-blade-applications-efficiencies) ## [Crafting Precision: The Journey to Custom Tooling Success](https://blog.fullertontool.com/crafting-precision-the-journey-to-custom-tooling-success) In the intricate world of manufacturing, where every micron matters and productivity is king, the... 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