Tool and mould-making is a key factor in industrial manufacturing. In addition to machining processes, spark erosion is also used, the electrodes of which are very complex to manufacture. Researchers are now developing a simpler method for this.

Around 700 exhibitors are expected at Moulding Expo 2019 in Stuttgart this year. The event will take place from 21 to 24 May with the international participiation being higher than ever before. Moulding Expo has made a name for itself as one of the most important events for the industry and their customers.

A company specialising in industrial rubber injection moulds and cold runner blocks for the automotive sector uses WorkNC to create 3+2 axis toolpath programs across a range of eight CNC machine tools as well as Workplan to consolidate information ranging from sales orders to invoices.

Italy / Germany - The production of high-quality aluminium extrusion tools is an art unto itself. Through the introduction of of laser measurement and touch probes in its machining centres, an Italian toolmaker has significantly reduced machining time while at the same time improving accuracy.

USA - As it expanded its moulding operations, US-based Henkel realised it would need to add more than moulding machines - namely, a toolroom.

For customers facing frequent tools changes, a German supplier said it has developed an end mill able to realise five operations: drilling, ramping, slotting, roughing and finishing.

Horn has expanded its DTM lightweight milling system to include two new versions.

First concrete OPC UA Companion Specification based on a realistic set of parameters was presented at EMO Hannover 2019. Global networking as envisaged by Industry 4.0 will only succeed if the data exchange takes place via standardised interfaces over the entire process chain.

At MEX, experts at the DP Technology booth will demonstrate features of the company's Esprit CAM software.

The company looks to add market share outside of China.