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.

The positive geometry of the Double Z inserts for the WSX series takes face milling to a new level of usability with 8 cutting edges. The geometry also produces low cutting resistance, making it ideal for all types of machines, from low power through to heavy duty types. This level of cutting resistance is only usually associated with conventional single sided positive inserts and allows end users to increase machine utilization.

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.

The Italian machine tool market has seen stark declines in recent years, but that hasn't stopped one company there from expanding. Based in Milan, FFG Europe first bought a number of Italian producers and then pushed into Germany, where it’s still on the hunt.

Cutting Tools - Pokolm offers an app, the Polkom guide, which offers many functions for users of milling technology, aiming at supporting everyday work.

The latest release of Visi by Vero Software includes new features, that - according to the company - give users additional speed and quality throughout their design and machining processes.

Swabians are often considered "the Scots of Germany". While this also implies all sorts of negative stereotypes, Swabians are also said to be hard-working, which is a prejudice that is certainly true for Lothar Horn.

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.

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.