Speed to market has never been more important in the consumer goods sector, as brand owners aim to develop new bottle and package designs to address ever-shifting customer desires. But creating conventional metal tooling for the blow moulding of bottles is an expensive and time-consuming proposition. That is why Pepsico was looking for an alternative.

In the third quarter of 2023, Italy's machine tool sector reported a significant decrease in orders, hitting an index value of 63.7, according to the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture Centre of Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre.

Tool supplier Big Daishowa expands its line of power chucks with the Mega 12DS, a tool designed for high-performance trochoidal milling. Featuring enhanced rigidity and high clamping force, the Mega 12DS is compatible with a variety of end mills and aims to enable stable, high-speed machining.

Liquidity bottlenecks are causing more and more tool, pattern and mould making entrepreneurs to deal with bankruptcy issues. Johannes Brinkmann, managing director of form & function from Hesse, had to experience first-hand what it means to go insolvent more than eleven years ago. In Part 2 of an interview, the 51-year-old talks about his experiences at that time and shows which mistakes should be avoided as best as possible.

With Freefoam, Desktop Metal wants to revolutionize the way foam products are made. This new family of photopolymer resins produces durable and dimensionally accurate closed cell foam parts without tooling.

The benefits of automation in the metal cutting industry are particularly welcome when it comes to implementing flexible production processes for small quantities. Here are some examples of the solutions to be presented at the International Exhibition for Metal Working (AMB) in Stuttgart from 13 to 17 September 2022.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced that it will invest approximately 21.8 million euros, in its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric India to establish a new factory in India.

The European Commission adopted a policy framework on the sourcing, labelling and use of biobased plastics, and the use of biodegradable and compostable plastics. However, the bioplastics industry was hoping for stronger support for the use of biobased feedstock.

German workholding equipment manufacturer Roemheld will launch a new, mechanically operated, centric (self-centring) machine vice on its stand (E54 in hall 4) at the forthcoming EMO 2023 metalworking trade show in Hannover, 18th - 23rd September.

The aerospace company Airbus Helicopters will use 3D printers from the high-tech company Trumpf to manufacture components for its helicopters and for aircraft from the parent company Airbus.