The surface finish of moulds is crucial, because it has a major impact on the quality of the articles produced and on the lifetime of a tool. ECP is a unique method that ensures smooth surfaces. PMM Moldes from Portugal makes this technology available to other mould makers as well.

Precision tools are a speciality of the European market. Their quality allows manufacturers around the world to produce high-technology parts and components for sophisticated applications. The innovative spirit of the industry is the trump card for the emerging recovery after the Corona crisis. We present some of the highlights recently launched by international toolmakers.

Renowned British supercar manufacturer Briggs Automotive Company uses Ultimaker 3D printers to design and produce bespoke parts for its high-end sports cars. 3D printing has given the team more design freedom to produce complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to manufacture using traditional manufacturing methods.

Together with MM Maschinenmarkt, we have compiled a list of trade fairs that are still taking place, have been postponed or have been cancelled at the time of writing (10 March 2020).

The new Digital Mega Torque Wrench from Big Kaiser achieves the secure and accurate tightening of collet chucks. The new wrench has a user-friendly digital interface and interchangeable head sizes.

The core element of additive manufacturing has always been the 3D printer. However, with so much focus being put on 3D printers, it can be easy to lose sight of the many other important sectors that make 3D printing, especially industrial additive manufacturing, possible.

At the Grindtec 2023, the filtration specialist Vomat from Treuen showed solutions on how tool manufacturers can realise high quality and economic efficiency with optimally filtered coolants.

If you want to move something, you also have to be able to control the movement. Positioning movements in the nanometre range require high-precision control, such as the Automation 1 control platform from Aerotech.

NSK has developed a new type of ball screw that exhibits reduced motion errors to deliver higher surface finish quality for machine tools used in mould and die machining and other surface-critical applications. By eliminating or reducing the time needed for secondary burnishing or polishing applications, the new ball screw also contributes to higher productivity, while simultaneously reducing the amount of drive torque to save energy.

The global digital reality solutions company Hexagon, has announced the winner of the second cohort of its coveted Sixth Sense open innovation platform, which nurtures start-ups creating solutions to pressing manufacturing challenges. The winner impressed the jury with their innovative inspection technology.