Gira Giersiepen has named Arburg and FPT Robotik as "Suppliers of the Year 2014".

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

Italy – Italian hot runner specialist HRS-Flow (belonging to the Inglass Group) premiered its newly developed Flex-flow One, a servo-driven valve gate system for hot runner nozzles at K.

Since the 1996 launch of its stack turning technology, Foboha says it has installed 400 of these production systems. Now the toolmaker has added an all-electric version.

Germany – For 70 years, Wernigerode-based company Schneider has been producing high-quality writing instruments. The company’s continued success today, which includes the production of 80 million ink cartridge cases each year, involves systems from Günther Hot-Runner Technology.

Jörg Essinger, head of application technology at Günther Heisskanaltechnik, explains how hot runners can improve the process and cut waste when turning harder materials embedded in plastics into finished products.

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.

Portugese-based PMM Moldes says it is a good partner when it comes to mould conception and mould making.

Utilising Stratasys’ PolyJet technology, Unilever 3D prints injection mould tools to create prototype parts in final material. It reportedly slashed lead times for prototype parts by 40%

Motor spindles are an essential part of machining centres. The correct spindle enables users to master a wide range of applications, from delicate finishing operations to heavy-duty roughing. Last year, Swiss spindle-manufacturer Step-Tec has presented its product portfolio at EMO 2017 in Hanover.