The Cadenas Industry Forum in Germany, which took place on May 9 and 10, 2023, gathered numerous speakers, exhibitors and visitors in Augsburg's WWK Arena. Pioneers of digitalisation attended the event to provide insights into the latest developments, challenges and solutions in their industries.

Semantic interoperability is considered key for the implementation of Industry 4.0. Standardized and secure communication from the field device to the cloud is no longer a vision, but a reality that can be implemented with the help of OPC UA. In this article you will learn what this open communication standard is all about.

European manufacturing companies are faced with multiple challenges when competing internationally. However, these very same difficulties are also giving rise to some remarkable innovations. The smart use of digitalisation — including artificial intelligence — in combination with robotics and automation solutions can bring about major leaps in productivity and help raise competitiveness on a long-term basis.

Composites United, the VDMA and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) hosted an event in Brussels to place the topic of lightweight design at EU level. The aim of the initiative is to promote cooperation between science, industry and politics at European level. A continuation of this format is planned for next year.

Despite financial burdens and economic weaknesses, there is a halt in the downward trend of orders for German machine tools, particularly from abroad, driven by non-euro countries and large-scale orders. The industry is experiencing a reduction in difficulties due to factors like the end of China's zero-Covid policy and easing supply chain tensions.

In the first quarter of 2023, the index of machine tool orders, elaborated by Centro Studi & Cultura di Impresa di Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre, recorded a decrease of 23.7 percent compared to the period January-March 2022, with an absolute index of 125.1 (base 100 in 2015). The result is due to a reduction in orders placed by manufacturers in both the foreign and domestic markets.

The confluence of various crises continues to present the tool and die industry with new and challenging situations. The new edition of the study “Tooling in Germany“ sheds detailed light on the current situation of the German tool and die industry based on key figures.

The 100-year anniversary of the Hehl family company has set the stage for Arburg's latest piece of machine technology, the hybrid Allrounder 470 H. This anniversary machine delivers a high performance across the board: it saves energy, conserves resources, is production-efficient, user-friendly and reliable.

Composites United, the VDMA and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) hosted an event in Brussels to place the topic of lightweight design at EU level. The aim of the initiative is to promote cooperation between science, industry and politics at European level. A continuation of this format is planned for next year.

The Cadenas Industry Forum in Germany, which took place on May 9 and 10, 2023, gathered numerous speakers, exhibitors and visitors in Augsburg's WWK Arena. Pioneers of digitalisation attended the event to provide insights into the latest developments, challenges and solutions in their industries.

The Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) announced that exhibit space at NPE2024, The Plastics Show, the global platform for innovation in plastics, has completely sold out. With more than 1.1 million net square feet of exhibit space, this is a significant achievement twelve months ahead of the triennial trade show.

Injection moulding company Technimark has been named the winner of the European region for the second annual RJG Mold Smart Award. This award recognises companies that have made a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of their products and making a positive impact on society and the environment.

Swedish manufacturer VBN Components is known for its extremely wear-resistant materials, especially the world's hardest steel, Vibenite 290, and the world's first 3d-printed cemented carbide, Vibenite 480. A new machine now allows the company to produce pore-free materials and to develop the alloys further.

When dealing with a large number of temperature control connections in injection moulding of plastics, a Meusburger solution now makes it possible to start production much faster.

The supplier of standard parts, Strack Norma, will be showcasing its extensive range of innovative and standardised solutions for the mould and die industry at Moulding Expo in Stuttgart from 13-16 June 2023. Visitors to the trade fair can obtain advice on the new products and the range in Hall 1, Stand I56.

As a market leader in mould, die, and jigs and fixtures construction, Meusburger focuses on selecting high-quality material and digital solutions to best support its customers. This is why it is always an advantage to cooperate with like-minded partners such as Engel.

3D printing company Ultimaker announced the launch of Method XL, a 3D printing solution for engineering applications, offering precision printing with industrial-grade materials without compromising on part size.

In May 2023, the new Center for the Engineering of Smart Product Service Systems (Zess) was opened in Bochum, Germany. A new Lunovu rLMD system, which was recently put into operation, plays an important role there.

Chemical company Asahi Kasei has decided to invest in Castor Technologies, an Israeli start-up specialised in the development of 3D printing software. In addition to utilising the software and services, the investment will allow Asahi Kasei to pursue synergies between its CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) technical service for plastic products and Castor’s software.

Massivit 3D Printing Technologies has introduced its groundbreaking Massivit 10000-G to the European composites market at JEC World. The event also marked the launch of Massivit’s 2023 corporate rebranding in line with the company’s latest technological milestones and strategic penetration into the composites arena.

European manufacturing companies are faced with multiple challenges when competing internationally. However, these very same difficulties are also giving rise to some remarkable innovations. The smart use of digitalisation — including artificial intelligence — in combination with robotics and automation solutions can bring about major leaps in productivity and help raise competitiveness on a long-term basis.

Heavy duty cutting places particular requirements on the machine and working processes. If this involves a material such as titanium, which is particularly hard to cut, specific know-how is necessary to deal with these requirements. Thanks to its expertise, WFL Millturn Technologies can offer a machining solution for aircraft landing gear.

Despite only opening its doors for business in 2002, Oakley CNC Machining has undergone a major transitional shift in its machine tool technology in recent years. The company has rapidly evolved its investment strategy, with the latest acquisition being a Nakamura-Tome WT150IIF twin-spindle twin-turret turning centre.

Toolmaker, SJ Dimmock, has upgraded its manufacturing capabilities with the purchase of their first UK-made Yamazaki Mazak VCN 530C vertical machining center.

The Cadenas Industry Forum in Germany, which took place on May 9 and 10, 2023, gathered numerous speakers, exhibitors and visitors in Augsburg's WWK Arena. Pioneers of digitalisation attended the event to provide insights into the latest developments, challenges and solutions in their industries.

European manufacturing companies are faced with multiple challenges when competing internationally. However, these very same difficulties are also giving rise to some remarkable innovations. The smart use of digitalisation — including artificial intelligence — in combination with robotics and automation solutions can bring about major leaps in productivity and help raise competitiveness on a long-term basis.

Software company CG Tech will showcase its expanded range of software applications for the aerospace industry in Hall 4, Booth E92, at the Paris Air Show between 19th – 23rd June 2023.

With Artificial intelligence (AI) an important technology is moving from the research lab into daily use. Not fast enough, perhaps, in the view of those hoping to gain a significant competitive edge from AI. Rather sinisterly in the view of others who currently only have a vague idea of how self-thinking machines could change their everyday working lives.

Technology provider Husky Technologies commemorated the next phase of expansion to the company’s India facilities with ceremonies at their new offices and existing Chennai campus. The events were hosted by local leaders in the region, as well as senior executive, Robert Domodossola, President of Husky’s Rigid Packaging business.

At Moulding Expo 2023, Oerlikon HRS Flow will focus on an extensive range of hot runners tailored to small shot weights and the new Xp nozzle series for use in thin-wall injection moulding. Both support the trend towards greater sustainability by helping to reduce energy consumption in plastics processing.

In micro-injection moulding, the size of the production is increasing as we move forward in time and now often runs into millions. Scientists at the Kunststoff-Zentrum (Plastics Centre) in Leipzig/Germany (KUZ), together with Hasco, developed a technology for economical production on conventional injection moulding machines.

Modern medicine wouldn't be anywhere near what it is today without plastics. The technology expert in hot and cold runner technology Günther Hot Runner Technology can point to extensive expertise in medical technology, as the following examples demonstrate.

Reaching a good surface finish has always been challenging, especially when it comes to internal machining. It’s even more difficult when the holes are deep and narrow which calls for a tool with a long overhang. To master also those processes MAQ is introducing its diamond burnishing line.

The supplier of optical instrumentation and precision micro-finishing tools, Titan Tool Supply, announced the global market introduction of its L-Series, a family of rigid industrial-grade micro fiberscopes, also known as fiber optic borescopes.

Tool manufacturer Guhring has further extended its range of drills with the arrival of its new Micro Precision Drills. Developed for the precision drilling of challenging materials, the new Micro Precision Drills deliver rigidity, stability, performance and precision when drilling small holes.

It is acknowledged that run out can be relatively low on some hydraulic chuck systems, and this can diminish further after intensive use. This can now be significantly improved with the new Hydraulic Chuck Jet Through that has been introduced to Big Kaiser’s HDC (hydraulic chucks) series.