Abstract: A process for the low-wear micromachining of workpieces made from metal or metal alloys, in particular steel, in which a workpiece (1) is micromachined using at least one machining apparatus (5) that has a diamond tool (6), in particular an ultraprecision turning, milling or grinding machine, and prior to the micromachining the workpiece (1), in a first step, is subjected to a thermochemical surface zone treatment, and that in a second step the thermochemically treated surface zone (2) of the workpiece (1) is machined using the machining apparatus (5).

Abstract: Provided is a culture medium for microorganisms present in contaminated working fluids such as coolants. More particularly, said culture medium is particularly suitable for supporting growth of microorganisms colonizing metalworking fluids and allows for specific detection of both bacterial microorganisms and fungal microorganisms the latter depending on the added selective agents which can be antibiotics for the detection of fungal contamination or fungicides for the detection of bacterial contamination. Furthermore, devices and kits comprising the culture medium of the present invention are described as well as a method of detecting microbial contamination of metalworking fluids.

Abstract: A process for the low-wear micromachining of workpieces made from metal or metal alloys, in particular steel, in which a workpiece (1) is micromachined using at least one machining apparatus (5) that has a diamond tool (6), in particular an ultraprecision turning, milling or grinding machine, and prior to the micromachining the workpiece (1), in a first step, is subjected to a thermochemical surface zone treatment, and that in a second step the thermochemically treated surface zone (2) of the workpiece (1) is machined using the machining apparatus (5).