Germany — It has been four long years since the leading industry platform for grinding technology was hosted in Augsburg. From 15 to 18 March, Grindtec 2022 will once again bring supply and demand together.

Blackmore Precision Engineering has invested in some of the very latest advanced manufacturing equipment to produce complex tight tolerance components within demanding timescales. Helping the company achieve its promised delivery is Vericut CNC simulation and optimisation software.

For the ongoing production of a particular component for a defence industry customer, subcontractor PRV Engineering, Pontypool, has invested in a Spinner U5-630 trunnion-type, 5-axis, vertical-spindle machining centre (VMC). It was delivered in mid-2021 by Whitehouse Machine Tools, Kenilworth, sole sales and service agent for the German-built machines in the British and Irish markets.

Germany — Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF, working together with partner companies, have demonstrated that recycled plastic performs similarly to virgin plastic — not only that, it is also a suitable material for dishwasher case bottoms.

Software developer Open Mind has upgraded its Hypermill CAM software for machine- and controller-independent NC programming. These include optimisations for Virtual Machining, enhancements to the 5-axis strategies for better results in terms of surface quality, new options for 2D functionalities, as well as efficient innovations in the area of electrode manufacturing that deliver even more convenient and faster programming.

Unmanned production, 24/7. For many manufacturing companies, this is one of the key factors for success in this highly competitive field. This has been the case for turning, milling and drilling technologies for some time, but increasingly now also for fine machining. Exhibitors at Grinding Hub will be providing a first glimpse of their solutions for achieving significant increases in productivity and reproducibility levels.

For many years, Fischer Werkzeugbau has been milling electrodes in a production cell that also measures and erodes. In order to become even better at graphite milling, all processes were analysed together with Moldino Tool Engineering and optimised to a large extent. Result: Three times higher feed rates, reduced manufacturing costs and better dimensional accuracy.

Kennametal has released the FIX8 heavy-duty turning system, delivering maximum metal removal rates in steel, stainless steel and cast iron. With eight cutting edges per insert, the FIX8 turning system increases productivity of any heavy-duty turning operation, providing the lowest cost per edge while reducing cutting forces up to 15 percent.

Blow moulds produced by Blomix are used worldwide. The Dutch company strives to meet highest quality demands while remaining flexible and economical. The recent investment in automated 5-axis machining centres from Hermle helps the company achieve these goals.

Germany — On October 15th, the first site-planning phase for AMB 2022 began. The organiser, Messe Stuttgart, already reports over 940 registrations for the event.