Germany – A clean and tidy work piece is essential for carrying out tactile measurements. But components must also have the right temperature – a state of affairs a German mould maker and their partners achieved with a dedicated cleaning chamber with added vacuum drying.

After its success with the clamping system for mould-making, Meusburger has expanded its product portfolio with the H 3000, a clamping system particularly for die-making. Users benefit from the efficiency and repeatable accuracy by positioning, fixing and clamping workpieces in one work step.

Germany/Switzerland - Additive manufacturing enables the production of metal mould inserts that feature conformal cooling to ensure and control temperature homogeneity for shorter cycle times. GF Machining Solutions and EOS collaborate to integrate AM into companies’ production process. By Barbara Schulz

Germany - Two prototypes of a machining centre show the way towards digital production. The networked machines are equipped with sensors which initially supply the data. Intelligent evaluation in correlation with other data provides a new quality of statement of the machine status. By Jörg-Oliver Hestermann, Schaeffler Technologies

Japan/ Germany - Matsuura will start to sell its hybrid metal laser sintering and milling machine Lumex Avance-25 in selected European countries from 1 January 2016, the company announced.

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.

Sweden/Germany - Nasdaq Stockholm-listed Indutrade has taken over Inovatools. The takeover will strengthen the Swedish company's position in Germany, while allowing Germany-based tool manufacturer Inovatools to continue focusing on success and growth with the support of a strong investor, it has been reported.

Europe – The best cooling is useless if it doesn’t get to the blade. Therefore, tools with integrated coolant supply are increasingly used. Experts predict that the trend in cooling strategies is moving toward minimum-quantity lubrication and high-pressure cooling.

UK – Ajax has extended its range of heavy duty, solid box-way CBM interactive bed-style milling machines with the launch of the AJCBM 800.

SF Moldes, a mould manufacturer in Oliveira de Azeméis in northwestern Portugal, uses software from Tebis from start to finish, relying on programs from the point of job planning to actual manufacturing.