Eleven years after its accession to the EU, Bulgaria faces a political challenge; in the first half of 2018, it holds the EU presidency for the first time. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov wishes to use the presidency to drive the EU integration of the entire region of South-Eastern Europe.

With the new Logiq tool lines, Iscar wanted to address future requirements in tools, taking into account that the processes of the future will be automated and digitised. For the company, the Logiq tools are a logical step towards optimised production.

In 1947, Edwin H. Land produced the prototype of the first instant photo camera. Today, the name Polaroid is synonymous with instant cameras. But despite further innovations for “taking snaps”, the system also found many friends among renowned artists.

Editor Claudia Otto from our sister publication MM Maschinenmarkt looks at purpose-oriented design, which can simplify the operation of machine tools by easing the demands on users to ultimately improve processing.

Spain - Arburg, Germany-based injection moulding machine manufacturer, has expanded its business in Spain with the opening of a new building in Montcada i Reixac (Barcelona). According to the company, this step will ensure that Arburg continues to offer comprehensive support to customers in Catalonia, the largest and most important market in Spain.

Germany – Combining different processing steps in one machine is attractive for several reasons: it saves space, a component can be machined in a single setup, and higher accuracy can therefore be achieved. Hybrid machines, where additive manufacturing processes are incorporated in one machining centre, are currently in fashion. Renowned companies in the sector, ranging from DMG Mori and Hamuel to Hermle and Mazak, in the meantime offer suitable machines.

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Germany – In order to remain competitive, companies have to produce workpieces more and more quickly, while still maintaining maximum levels of precision and surface quality. Open Mind has released a machining performance package that is said to provide machining time savings of up to 90%.

Belgium – Wider insert blades cut away more material during parting off operations.

China - This year’s Die and Mould China exhibition (28 June - 7 July, Shanghai) will mark the 16th time this trade show has been held. In an exclusive interview, Wu Bingshu, deputy vice-chairman and secretary general, China Die & Mould Industry Association, discusses the current situation in the industry.