Europe - Europe’s tool and mould makers are facing fierce competition caused by increasing cost pressures and globalisation; which, on the other hand, also offers opportunities to tap into new markets and embrace new technologies. Let’s see what 2017 holds for the industry.

The highly specialised occupation of a tool, pattern and mould-maker will find a perfect platform at Moulding Expo which will be staged at Messe Stuttgart from 21 to 24 May 2019. The trade fair will provide an extensive overview of the educational and training programmes in the industry, and will become involved directly in advanced training and education of young people.

UK – Gewefa has introduced its Grindtec range of hydraulic chuck toolholders designed to work with tool grinding machines.

Germany – Machine tool manufacturer and laser specialist Trumpf will be expanding its group management from 1 July 2017, increasing its group managing board from five to six.

At the EMO trade fair in Hanover, LMT Tools is expanding its product portfolio with a number of innovations for milling, threading and gear cutting. Users from the automotive, aerospace, energy technology, ­mechanical engineering, medical technology and mould and die-making industries receive new solutions to increase productivity in their individual machining applications.

United States/ Europe – Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies' innovation combines CNC and additive technologies. The hybrid kit can be integrated into any CNC machine for metal deposition (via laser cladding), finishing and inspection of parts on a single machine.

At Fakuma, Mold-Masters will present its latest developments in hot runner technology. Main focus of the presentation is on the Fusion G2 Series Hot Runner, which offers a uniform heat profile thanks to independently heated gates.

They say only a poor workman blames his tools, but selecting the proper ones isn’t always that easy. Cutting tool suppler Seco Tools (UK) Ltd offers a few tips for die and mould shops.

The pneumatically operated Z4156 ejector coupling manufactured by Strack Norma is said to provide a form-fitting connection between die-casting or injection moulding machine ejectors and the tools.

Production at subsidiaries serves a wide range of machining applications.