In times of travel restrictions online tool ordering, services and training are gaining in importance. How do suppliers react to this demand? ETMM presents some of the current developments that make tool ordering faster and easier and support training efforts.

UK — In response to demand for lateral flow testing devices, Günther Hot Runner Systems, Amies Innovation and RDMS joined forces, producing eight impression tools in five weeks followed by two 32 cavity moulds in just ten weeks.

Standardised high-quality mould units provide a reliable basis for modern mould- and toolmaking. This was reason enough for Schoform, a German mould and toolmaking company based in eastern Saxony, to opt for standard mould units from Hasco for the last 20 years. The latest example is a 32-cavity hot runner mould, for which Hasco supplied the complete, ready-to-assemble “hot half” as well as most of the associated standardised components.

Germany — For some time, the management team at SD Formentechnik, based in Lüdenscheid, has been thinking in terms of networked process chains. When it came to electrical discharge machining, this mould maker called on Zimmer & Kreim: The Chameleon and the Alphamoduli workshop software integrate the erosion systems, as well as a machining centre for electrode milling and the measuring machine.

Supplier of polymer 3D printing solutions, Stratasys, introduced three new 3D printers that together address a large portion of the multibillion-euro market opportunity in additive manufacturing of end-use parts. The systems collectively are aimed at accelerating the shift from traditional to additive manufacturing for low-to-mid-volume production applications underserved by traditional manufacturing methods.

Germany — NFPA hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder manufacturer, Ortman Fluid Power, enhances online experience for engineers with CAD downloads, 3D configurator and integrated pricing.

Germany — The production of a glass container starts with the design of the mould. The more precisely the mould is designed and manufactured, the better its quality in terms of glass distribution, visual appearance, strength and weight. The weight in turn plays an important role in energy consumption and resource efficiency.

UK — To upgrade its plant and instigate 24-hour production later this year, High Wycombe-based subcontract machining firm EV Engineering has bought four Japanese-built Okuma mill-turn centres from sole UK agent NCMT and a pair of machining centres from another supplier.

Mapal has introduced a wide range of products especially for the die and mould sector. From milling with fixed and replacement blades and drilling to countersinking and reaming, the company provides it all.

The 3D Systems additive manufacturing technology that is available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) has now been enhanced with the release of 3D Sprint 3.0.