When traditional machining methods reach their limit, electric discharge machining can be the answer. The EDM process allows for high accuracy and is applicable for any conductive material.

Germany — For German cutting tool specialist Bachert, an FX5 Linear grinding machine with an integrated AR300 Scara loading robot from Anca has increased productivity.

Workpieces made of electrically conductive materials are cut through by using an accelerated jet of hot plasma. It is an effective way to cut thick sheet metal.

Precision tools are a speciality of the European market. Their quality allows manufacturers around the world to produce high-technology parts and components for sophisticated applications. The innovative spirit of the industry is the trump card for the emerging recovery after the Corona crisis. We present some of the highlights recently launched by international toolmakers.

UK — In advance of its physical launch event 19th May 2021, Wayland Additive announced the first sale of its Calibur3 metal AM system to Exergy Solutions, Calgary, Canada.

With an eye on the German, Austrian and Switzerland market, Sesto Robotics is collaborating with automation specialist Baumüller, to bring its flagship autonomous mobile robot ‘AMR Sesto Magnus’ to these European countries.

Germany — DMG Mori Aktiengesellschaft has nothing to complain about in the first quarter of 2021. In monetary terms, orders were up by around 149.6 million euros compared to 2020.

Moulding Expo was firmly on the schedule of many equipment suppliers and end users, but the organizers of the Stuttgart Exhibition Center had to pull the emergency brake due to the pandemic development and cancel the industry’s highlight event. But what are the consequences for the industry? ETMM asked Moulding Expo Project Manager Florian Niethammer about what happens next.

USA — The Crain Global Polymer Group and AMI are launching a major American exhibition focused on the design and production of injection-moulded plastic parts and products.

Since Moulding Expo cannot be held this year as planned due to the Corona pandemic, on 10 June 2021, a Virtual Innovation Day (VID) will present highlights from the supporting and lecture program planned for 2021 to the international trade fair audience free of charge.

Germany — The international trade fair for the additive manufacturing industry, Formnext, is to take place as a hybrid event from 16 to 19 November 2021 in Frankfurt. As at the end of April, 351 companies from around the world had already confirmed their attendance.

Italy — The Italian Machine Tools, Robots and Automation Systems Manufacturers’ Association (Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre), in cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency ICE, organized a press conference for the Chinese market.

Mapal has introduced a wide range of products especially for the die and mould sector. From milling with fixed and replacement blades and drilling to countersinking and reaming, the company provides it all.

Italy — Since 2002 E.N.S. International has been producing guide parts for moulds and dies. High-quality materials, customized manufacturing and fast delivery times are some of the services, the company promises.

Germany — For 50 years, standardised components from Hasco have been enabling mouldmakers throughout the world to ensure efficient cooling of injection moulding tools.

Italy — The new S Series Cylinder, a patent pending solution from HRS Flow, is now available. This new compact solution reduces pitch and is suitable for technical materials.

UK — In advance of its physical launch event 19th May 2021, Wayland Additive announced the first sale of its Calibur3 metal AM system to Exergy Solutions, Calgary, Canada.

Difficult situations in 2020 have given additive manufacturing a boost. Some of its benefits have become clear, and awareness has increased. But are more machines being purchased as well?

Germany — The international trade fair for the additive manufacturing industry, Formnext, is to take place as a hybrid event from 16 to 19 November 2021 in Frankfurt. As at the end of April, 351 companies from around the world had already confirmed their attendance.

Supplier of polymer 3D printing solutions, Stratasys, introduced three new 3D printers that together address a large portion of the multibillion-euro market opportunity in additive manufacturing of end-use parts. The systems collectively are aimed at accelerating the shift from traditional to additive manufacturing for low-to-mid-volume production applications underserved by traditional manufacturing methods.

Germany — DMG Mori Aktiengesellschaft has nothing to complain about in the first quarter of 2021. In monetary terms, orders were up by around 149.6 million euros compared to 2020.

UK — To upgrade its plant and instigate 24-hour production later this year, High Wycombe-based subcontract machining firm EV Engineering has bought four Japanese-built Okuma mill-turn centres from sole UK agent NCMT and a pair of machining centres from another supplier.

With OPS-Ingersoll’s high-speed Eagle V9 milling machine 3D geometries or 3D surfaces can be produced efficiently and reliably for the die and mould industry due to its high dynamics and precision. In contrast, the Promech company in Abtwil, Switzerland moved into a completely new territory with this machine. Here, the focus was primarily on parts production for the medical industry. Accordingly, the requirements for a universal and at the same time high-precision machine were demanding.

Germany — For German cutting tool specialist Bachert, an FX5 Linear grinding machine with an integrated AR300 Scara loading robot from Anca has increased productivity.

Switzerland — Swiss company Starrag Group, which specializes in precision cutting machine tools, uses Vericut NC simulation software to predict machining times. In addition to verification and optimization of NC programs, it provides a precise indication of the runtime of the optimized machining on the machine.

Avevas and Cadenas have joined forces to integrate the technical search engine, 3DfindIT.com, into the Aveva E3D Design system. Users of this 3D design solution now have the ability to select accurate equipment models from thousands of manufacturer catalouegs and integrate them directly within their CAD software environment.

Germany — The production of a glass container starts with the design of the mould. The more precisely the mould is designed and manufactured, the better its quality in terms of glass distribution, visual appearance, strength and weight. The weight in turn plays an important role in energy consumption and resource efficiency.

The 3D Systems additive manufacturing technology that is available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) has now been enhanced with the release of 3D Sprint 3.0.

The worldwide demand for disposable vaccination syringes is constantly increasing, not least due to the Corona pandemic. Werkzeugbau Ruhla, one of the leading suppliers of modular mould solutions for the medical industry, realised two high-cavity moulds for the production of a three-part safety vaccination syringe in a short time with Ewikon as a partner in the hot runner sector.

Switzerland — The provider of surface engineering, polymer processing and additive manufacturing, Oerlikon, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Italy-headquartered Inglass and its innovative hot runner systems technology operating under its HRS Flow business.

Germany — The plastics processing sector is one of the most energy-intensive industries. Plastic packaging manufacture particularly stands out in this respect with its high-speed machines and high production quantities. As the demand for high-quality plastic packaging will continue to rise, processors are focusing their efforts on increasing resource and energy efficiency. If we take the injection moulding process as an example, it is clear how numerous parameters need to be fine-tuned to advance these efforts.

Creating an accurate injection moulding prototype requires a great amount of skill and practice. And while it is generally held that injection moulding defects are a reflection of poor craftsmanship, even the most experienced CNC machine operators may face this issue at some point.

Germany — With its expansions to the tool range for slot milling and slot cutting, Paul Horn is responding to the requirements of users. The company now offers the cutter body of the M310 milling system with an internal coolant supply.

Germany — EMO 2019 in Hanover was the last time Lach Diamant could present their entire tool range for the automobile and accessories industry, aircraft and wind power industries, for tool and mould making, machine manufacturers, composite industry as well as for medical technology. The company had great plans — but then came the Corona pandemic paralyzing the economy.

Germany — With the Carb Loop, LMT Tools is expanding its tool portfolio with solid carbide cutters that have been specially developed for trochoidal milling.

UK — For any manufacturers involved in boring operations, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) is expanding the Big Kaiser Precision Tooling offering of boring heads.