Small lot sizes — short delivery times. There’s no better way to describe the greatest challenge the global manufacturing industry is facing. How do you address it? Perfection in production, as one example, is the foundation for sustainable competitiveness. But what role does simulation play in these efforts?

The UK factory of Alltrista Plastics, located in Christchurch, had been relying on two CNC coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) for over a decade, but the machines had become inefficient. The company replaced these with two new Altera S 10.7.6 CMMs by LK Metrology, which significantly improved productivity.

WFL Millturn Technologies will present two turning-boring-milling machines at EMO: the M50 Millturn / 3,000 mm and the M80X Millturn / 4,500 mm. Visitors can experience the M80X live with a demonstration of the machining of a gear shaft, including measurement of the gear teeth. Both machines feature a new design and are equipped with Sinumerik One.

Whether it comes to machining large workpieces on milling machines or working on smaller workpieces on EDM centers, the Erowa UPC (Universal Power Chuck) is the ideal for flexible daily use. With a repeatability of two microns in pallet change, the UPC fulfils high demands place on precision.

Facing rising production costs, scarcity of skilled labor, and a demand for lower manufacturing prices, WTO, a precision toolholder manufacturer, takes a groundbreaking leap into the future. Partnering with workholding technology manufacturer, Hainbuch, WTO launches a fully automated Smart Factory where all processes are robot-controlled, revolutionising the manufacturing industry.

Taking a cue from the structural complexity of trees and bones, Washington State University engineers have created a way to 3D-print two types of steel in the same circular layer using two welding machines. The resulting bimetallic material proved 33 to 42 percent stronger than either metal alone, thanks in part to pressure caused between the metals as they cool together.

Reaching a good surface finish has always been challenging, especially when it comes to internal machining. It’s even more difficult when the holes are deep and narrow which calls for a tool with a long overhang. To master also those processes MAQ is introducing its diamond burnishing line.

Austrian injection moulding machine manufacturer Engel has set a new record with two injection moulding machines delivered to the USA. With a clamping force of 8,000 tons each, they are the largest machines ever built at the St. Valentin plant in Austria.

European manufacturing companies are faced with multiple challenges when competing internationally. However, these very same difficulties are also giving rise to some remarkable innovations. The smart use of digitalisation — including artificial intelligence — in combination with robotics and automation solutions can bring about major leaps in productivity and help raise competitiveness on a long-term basis.

Moulding Expo will bring tool, pattern and mould making companies, their customers and suppliers together under one roof in the L-Bank Forum (Hall 1) at Messe Stuttgart from 13 to 16 June 2023. Solutions range from from hydraulic cylinders standard components and hot runner systems through to clamping devices and machine tools.