It is the nightmare of every manufacturer: While working on a important and time-sensitive production project, a machining centre fails and stops working. The only possible rescue is a quick replacement of the machine. In case of FGP Systems, they were able to get a replacement in the course of two weeks.

USA - Mastercam developer, CNC Software, has announced the integration of Sandvik Coromant's Coro-Plus tool library in its new release of Mastercam 2018.

The term industry 4.0 is hyped especially at trade fairs, but the digital transformation is also met with fear among manufacturers and their professionals: will their expertise become obsolete in the age of digitalisation? Alexander Epple and Michael Königs explain, why the knowledge and experience of experts will still be needed in the future.

When automating machine tools, the focus is usually on loading and unloading workpieces. The increasing spectrum of variants, however, calls for flexible solutions from the building set in order to be able to adapt the automation quickly to the altered tasks.

A flexible machining cell that can be adapted to a number of different tasks relies on robot technology to ensure high precision. For mould shops, the unit suits a number of finishing applications, according to its supplier.

International demand drives sales.

Protection Systems – The Safe-Lock pull out protection system from Igenhausen-based Haimer, close to Augsburg in Germany, is said to ensure safe cutting in tool clamping.

UK - Edgecam software is playing a pivotal role in assisting a precision engineering company become a growing contributor to the niche market of supplying mould tools to the UK’s rotational moulding industry.

CNC machine manufacturer Anca has announced that Dr Christopher Hegarty will succeed Grant Anderson FCAM as Group CEO.

Germany/Spain - Gunther Borbonus heads the German subsidiary of the Spanish machine tool manufacturer MTE in Montabaur. In 20 years the company has sold 1,100 large milling machines all over the world and currently expects increasing demand from tool and mould makers. The company will also be exhibiting at Metav 2016 in Düsseldorf, Germany.