Germany — Medium-sized companies in the tool and die industry are often short of engineers, and competition in the Far East is getting fiercer. For these reasons, a start-up called Clous has developed a platform for outsourcing design tasks. Read how crowdsourcing is set to enter the engineering industry.

Switzerland — Many tool and mould makers are also located in Asia, and they are giving the European industry a hard time. A Swiss mould maker shows how to arm oneself against this with its well-selected milling machine park.

Austria — The Austrian steel and technology group, Voestalpine, reports further recovery in key business segments during the third quarter of the business year 2020/21. This development followed a considerable decline in demand in almost all customer segments and regions during the first quarter 2020.

Germany – From association to entrepreneur? What goals is the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) pursuing with its entry into the Munich-based start-up Spanflug Technologies?

UK – All businesses will be glad to draw a line under 2020 and move into 2021, but for Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC), 2021 will be a landmark year as the UK cutting tool manufacturer celebrates 30 years of business. Here, we take a look back at 30 years of ITC and how this prestigious UK manufacturer has grown over the last three decades – a brand that will be celebrating its anniversary with several 2021 special offers for manufacturers to look out for.

Germany – The economic impact of the coronavirus has drawn a negative effect on Germany’s precision tools industry in 2020. Nevertheless, manufacturers are confident of being able to achieve a significant increase in sales this year, the German VDMA Precision Tools Association announced at its annual press conference in January.

The Netherlands — On January 1, 2021 Open Mind Technologies has taken over Dutch-based CNC-Consult & Automation. The company, which has served for many years as a distribution partner for the Hypermill CAD/CAM suite, has now become the sixteenth subsidiary in the global Open Mind network.

South Korea — Software component provider Module Works announced that Doosan Machine Tools has integrated their cutting simulation technology into their Sketch Turn product. The software replaces Doosan’s previous cutting simulation engine and is part of the group’s strategy to optimize the availability and effectiveness of machining information on the shop floor.

Slide retainers are needed to hold slides securely in the end position when the mould is open.

USA - Many moulders are fighting venting problems that would not exist if they had designed the original mould using an enhanced venting steel. Tom Schade explains how the use of porous metal inserts and no additional venting can eliminate chronic flow lines or virtually eliminate material spray.