The Netherlands — Machining specialist Seco Tools is opening a new, fully automated, sustainable distribution centre in Den Hoorn, the Netherlands. The new location will cater to customers throughout Europe and is to further strengthen customer support and provide even shorter response times.

Hermle board member Franz-Xaver Bernhard was unanimously elected new chairman by the board of the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) and the Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems Association within the VDMA at its fall meeting.

For the ongoing production of a particular component for a defence industry customer, subcontractor PRV Engineering, Pontypool, has invested in a Spinner U5-630 trunnion-type, 5-axis, vertical-spindle machining centre (VMC). It was delivered in mid-2021 by Whitehouse Machine Tools, Kenilworth, sole sales and service agent for the German-built machines in the British and Irish markets.

Italy — According to Ucimu, the Italian machine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers' association, 2021 was extremely positive for their industry. The association reported double-digit increases of all key economic indicators.

Blackmore Precision Engineering has invested in some of the very latest advanced manufacturing equipment to produce complex tight tolerance components within demanding timescales. Helping the company achieve its promised delivery is Vericut CNC simulation and optimisation software.

Software developer Open Mind closes the gap between CAM systems and physical machine environments with its Hypermill Virtual Machining solution that is an integrated all-in-one system that eliminates the need for various software solutions.

What happens when three specialists go wild in their field of expertise can be seen on a workpiece for tool and mould making. A project developed for an online seminar demonstrates the know-how and the successful cooperation. The clamping specialist Schunk, the programming professionals from Open Mind and the tool experts from Horn were on board. New approaches met proven technologies.

Germany – Compared to last year, German machine tool builders can look forward to significantly more orders. However, there is a shortage of parts to deliver the machines and hence, the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) has revised its growth forecast from 8 % to 5 %.

Computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) software introduced by Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division provides the digital tools needed to prepare 3D-printed components for manufacturing using powder bed fusion (PBF) technologies.

Sacmi Imola is specialised in mould making for rigid packaging production. To further automate and digitise its production, the Italian company invested in robotic systems from Erowa to make machining and EDM operations more efficient.