Germany/Switzerland - Additive manufacturing enables the production of metal mould inserts that feature conformal cooling to ensure and control temperature homogeneity for shorter cycle times. GF Machining Solutions and EOS collaborate to integrate AM into companies’ production process. By Barbara Schulz

Germany - Two prototypes of a machining centre show the way towards digital production. The networked machines are equipped with sensors which initially supply the data. Intelligent evaluation in correlation with other data provides a new quality of statement of the machine status. By Jörg-Oliver Hestermann, Schaeffler Technologies

Protection Systems – The Safe-Lock pull out protection system from Igenhausen-based Haimer, close to Augsburg in Germany, is said to ensure safe cutting in tool clamping.

Europe – The best cooling is useless if it doesn’t get to the blade. Therefore, tools with integrated coolant supply are increasingly used. Experts predict that the trend in cooling strategies is moving toward minimum-quantity lubrication and high-pressure cooling.

UK – Ajax has extended its range of heavy duty, solid box-way CBM interactive bed-style milling machines with the launch of the AJCBM 800.

UK - Edgecam software is playing a pivotal role in assisting a precision engineering company become a growing contributor to the niche market of supplying mould tools to the UK’s rotational moulding industry.

Compared to Q1 2017, the first quarter of 2018 brought a 22% indcrease in order bookings for the German machine tool industry, VDW reports.. Domestic orders were up by 39% and oders from abroad increased by 15%.

CNC machine manufacturer Anca has announced that Dr Christopher Hegarty will succeed Grant Anderson FCAM as Group CEO.

Germany/Spain - Gunther Borbonus heads the German subsidiary of the Spanish machine tool manufacturer MTE in Montabaur. In 20 years the company has sold 1,100 large milling machines all over the world and currently expects increasing demand from tool and mould makers. The company will also be exhibiting at Metav 2016 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Formenbau Kellermann, one of the few mould houses in Europe to be run by a woman, has officially opened its new production plant in Bavaria. The ceremony was put on hold until a key machine for checking tool quality finally arrived.