Germany — For some years now, it has been possible to manufacture metal components using fused layer modeling (FLM). Its limitations and quality characteristics compared to metal injection molding have now been explored by researchers at Fraunhofer IPA.

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 — The aspect of digitalisation has gained further momentum in the wake of the Corona pandemic. But what role do people play in an increasingly digitised production environment? in this article Metav puts the spotlight on the changing corporate culture in smart factories.

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.

Optimism is returning to business, the mood in the economy is brightening and the willingness to invest is increasing. After two years of great restraint, many user industries now need to catch up. However, China is currently the lifeline of the global industry.The VDW presents the latest global figures, data and facts.

Japan — Japanese technology company Teijin announced that it will install a composite compression molding line at Benet Automotive, the company’s automotive composites business in Milovice, Czech Republic.

Italy — On an annual basis, machine tool orders in Italy dropped by 18.6 % in 2020 versus 2019. Even in the last quarter of 2020, the collection of machine tool orders shows a negative trend.

The Netherlands — On January 1, 2021 Open Mind Technologies has taken over Dutch-based CNC-Consult & Automation. The company, which has served for many years as a distribution partner for the Hypermill CAD/CAM suite, has now become the sixteenth subsidiary in the global Open Mind network.

Germany — At Chinaplas, which takes place from 13 to 16 April 2021 in Shenzhen, China, Arburg is presenting its portfolio for plastics processing in hall 10, stand J21.

Italy — On February 24, a press conference for the South Korean public was held to present EMO Milano 2021, the Italian exhibition of reference for the metalworking machine tool manufacturing industry, scheduled to take place at Fieramilano in October 2021.

Germany — The aspect of digitalisation has gained further momentum in the wake of the Corona pandemic. But what role do people play in an increasingly digitised production environment? in this article Metav puts the spotlight on the changing corporate culture in smart factories.

Germany — For the 8th time in a row, Cadenas and partners call on students to submit their design ideas for a chance to win cash prizes.

The modularisation and standardisation of elements, devices and systems is on the rise in many industries. The advantages are obvious. Hasco is also focusing even more on standardisation.

Increasing importance is being attached to greater cost-efficiency and occupational safety during production processes. Hasco offers a wide range of solutions for meeting these requirements in the temperature control of injection moulds.

Slide retainers are needed to hold slides securely in the end position when the mould is open.

Smart moulds equipped with sensors yield new applications and greater process gains. This Germany-based mouldmaker has been recognised for its smart moulds for Industry 4.0 applications in the“Excellence in Production 2020” competition.

With the increasing popularity and advancement of 3D printing, the need for specialised materials is growing accordingly. This article gives an overview of the most important plastics, metals and other materials used in 3D printing.

Germany — The Additive Manufacturing company Amexci, founded by eleven Nordic based industrial companies and Selective Laser Melting pioneer SLM Solutions strengthen their partnership. The joint objective is to further accelerate the industrialization of metal-based Additive Manufacturing.

Israel/UK — With the acquisition of UK-based RP Support (RPS) and its Neo product line for industrial stereolithography systems, Stratasys is adding a complementary technology to its polymer solutions portfolio.

USA — Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) specializes in micro-precision 3D printing. The company's Micro Arch system is based on a 3D printing technology called PμSL (Projection Micro Stereolithography).

Germany — At Chinaplas, which takes place from 13 to 16 April 2021 in Shenzhen, China, Arburg is presenting its portfolio for plastics processing in hall 10, stand J21.

Need to sequentially number small components? Apply bar codes? Mark a QR code on components? All these are possible applications for the new Eneska marker 300 with which Joke Technology is offering a practical and versatile laser marking system.

Anybody looking to machine medical components cost-effectively and reliably needs high-precision tools that have been tested in practice — sometimes with the smallest of dimensions. The tool manufacturer Inovatools from Haunstetten near Kinding in Germany offers the Inomed range of tools for this very purpose.

To meet the criteria of ever-expanding customer demands, Chiron has now launched its latest machining centre, the 5-axis Chiron DZ22W.

South Korea — Software component provider Module Works announced that Doosan Machine Tools has integrated their cutting simulation technology into their Sketch Turn product. The software replaces Doosan’s previous cutting simulation engine and is part of the group’s strategy to optimize the availability and effectiveness of machining information on the shop floor.

Germany — In a research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), ATS Elektronik, the Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Machine Tools at Leibniz University in Hanover and Fauser are developing new functions for the Manufacturing Execution System of the future. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.

A tool and mould maker in transformation. What is changing at this medium-sized company as a result of the conversion to Industry 4.0 and digitalisation?

Germany — Medium-sized companies in the tool and die industry are often short of engineers, and competition in the Far East is getting fiercer. For these reasons, a start-up called Clous has developed a platform for outsourcing design tasks. Read how crowdsourcing is set to enter the engineering industry.

Husky introduces the Ultrashot Injection System, an injection molding technology designed to increase overall part design freedom and speed-to-market with unmatched scale and quality, the company promises.

Called the Flat Die Unit (FDU), this hot runner system passes melt through a long slit instead of a circular hole like a conventional nozzle. The result is said to be faster injection of more melt through a thinner gate opening, with lower shear and injection pressure, as well as lower melt temperature.

Austria – After reviewing its entire mould production process, Austrian-based Haidlmair Group found many CO2-saving opportunities, including optimised, compact mould designs, mould-optimised cycle times and the use of technologies such as digital mould monitoring which enables significant energy savings in production.

An expert mouldmaker for the pharmaceutical industry can now produce more compact moulds thanks to the Streamrunner.

Anybody looking to machine medical components cost-effectively and reliably needs high-precision tools that have been tested in practice — sometimes with the smallest of dimensions. The tool manufacturer Inovatools from Haunstetten near Kinding in Germany offers the Inomed range of tools for this very purpose.

Mapal is launching a new, particularly economical system of replaceable head reamers — the Press-to-Size-Reamer (PSR) — for customers who manufacture in large series. The new development reduces the costs per bore massively, the company claims.

Mapal has launched a new series of drills for machining in the micro range. The drills of the new series Micro-Drill-Steel are available in a diameter range of 1-2.9 mm.

UK – All businesses will be glad to draw a line under 2020 and move into 2021, but for Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC), 2021 will be a landmark year as the UK cutting tool manufacturer celebrates 30 years of business. Here, we take a look back at 30 years of ITC and how this prestigious UK manufacturer has grown over the last three decades – a brand that will be celebrating its anniversary with several 2021 special offers for manufacturers to look out for.