The die and mould sector has progressed by leaps and bounds since the turn of the millennium. The factors behind the advances are diverse, but their effects have changed shops around the world, from the biggest OEMs to the smallest family companies.

Germany - Increasing cost pressures and fiercer competition are driving toolmakers to embrace new concepts such as Tooling 4.0 and to industrialise their operations to reduce idle and lead times by limiting the number of variations in tool components and processes.

Adding in customer suggestions next step for developers.

CNC Software has released the latest version of its machining software, Mastercam 2017. It features 3D machining enhancements, Multiaxis improvements and so much more, the company says. Also, there is a new Mastercam 2017 package for Solidworks.

Latest innovations from within and outside Europe.

France - French multinational, Schneider Electric, is epitomising the ‘Factory of the Future’ concept and has incorporated 3D printing technology across its manufacturing operations. This has seen the company slash the cost of producing injection mould inserts used for prototyping designs by up to 90%.

UK – Engineering Technology Group (ETG), a leading independent machine tools and allied equipment supplier, has strengthened its commitment to offering a ‘total customer solution’ by announcing a new distribution agreement.

Keeping an even temperature on the surface of the mould is a challenge. In their quest to maintain even temperatures, manufacturers have tried many things. 3D printing may offer a solution.

Production has to be more flexible and efficient. Efforts strive for simplicity, standardisation and process optimisation. Regardless of clamping system and machine type, the focus is the CNC system, says Joachim Zoll, head of machine tool systems at Siemens.

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