LVD purchases Italian automation firm

Industrial automation solutions provider Compac Srl of Urbino, Italy, has been acquired by LVD.

The pair have partnered together since 2016 to produce automatic warehouse systems for numerous LVD laser-cutting machine installations in Italy. LVD will add Compac systems for metal fabrication to its automation portfolio, broadening the choice of solutions for its punch press, fibre laser and tube-laser cutting machines for customers worldwide. The metal fabrication systems will be branded as LVD, while Compac will retain its brand for automation solutions supplied to other markets.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

MEP acquired by Legris Industries

Legris Industries has achieved another milestone in its growth strategy by acquiring MEP Group, an Italian company with consolidated sales of €52m and a workforce of 280. MEP designs and manufactures precision metal-cutting equipment for steel, aluminium and other metal alloys, providing automatic and semi-automatic systems and solutions to many industries.

Thanks to its capacity, range of products and modern production infrastructure, MEP Group is now a major global player in its market, with industrial sites and sales units in Italy, Canada, the United States, China and Brazil. Through its network of distributors, the many products offered under the MEP and HYDMECH brands are sold in over 60 countries. A part of Legris Industries, MEP will be able to step up its growth by tapping into group resources.
In the past two years, MEP’s business has expanded by more than 25%, and the group will work with its existing management team, led by William Giacometti, to continue that growth.
Erwan Taton, chairman of the Groupe Legris Industries’ executive board, says: “In acquiring MEP we are pursuing our diversification strategy by integrating a company that meets all of our investment criteria. A major player in a worldwide niche market, MEP has powerful technical expertise that generates continuous innovation to drive growth.”
Stefano Guidotti, managing partner of the seller Aksia Group, a leading Italian private equity player, adds: “We’re really proud of having contributed to the growth and internationalisation of our portfolio company, and are firmly convinced that Legris Industries is a perfect fit to bring MEP Group up to a further phase of development.”
Says William Giacometti, CEO of MEP Group: “To join Groupe Legris Industries is for MEP a great opportunity and will have a positive effect in the acceleration of our growth path.”
For further information www.legris-industries.com

Record order secured by Gewefa

Gewefa UK has won its largest ever order for grinding arbors – along with a large quantity of collet chucks – for use with newly commissioned Magerle MFP 100 grinding and milling centres.

The order, comprising 600 individual tool holders in total, including 400 ‘Grindtec’ grinding arbors with HSK80 tapers, is to assist with the finish-machining of critical aero-engine components.
The tool-holder specification required a robust construction to guarantee wide machining contours with high material removal rates. Gewefa Grindtec arbors are part of a comprehensive range of arbors, tool holders and accessories.
For further information www.gewefa.co.uk

Sawing and drilling machine at SNCF

Geismar’s teams have successfully completed the installation of a carbide rail sawing and drilling machine ordered by SNCF, which is now part of its installation in Saulon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

According to the national rail operator’s expectations, this fully automated machine tool contributes to the operations of its “Centre d’excellence rail”, the only workshop in France which includes a production line dedicated to short rails.
Said to be highly versatile, the Geismar carbide rail sawing and drilling machine allows precise cutting and drilling operations on 3 to 36 m rails, meeting customer standards and expectations. This latest generation technology offers high efficiency thanks to its drill spindle with high power output and a hydraulically driven blade which eliminates all vibrations.
Fully integrated into a cabin, the whole installation includes the machine, control panel and hydraulic power unit, as well as the electrical cabinet, thus representing a turnkey solution for SNCF.
This final stage marks the project’s completion, for which SNCF already expressed full satisfaction and ongoing trust in Geismar.
For further information www.geismar.com

Saw blade firm puts trust in Vollmer

Steep mountain passes and narrow winding roads; this is how the first Vollmer sharpening machine found its way through the northern Italian Alps more than 25 years ago.

The machine’s destination was saw blade manufacturer Moreschi, in the small town of Vilminore di Scalve. A strong partnership has linked the two companies ever since, with Moreschi today relying on Vollmer CHD, CHF and CM grinding machines for sharpening carbide-tipped circular saws, and the Loroch KSC-710 series of machines for sharpening HSS circular saws.
Marco Moreschi, CEO, confirms that the company is “currently using more than 15 Vollmer and Loroch machines”.
Eight CNC-controlled axes, along with measuring technology, make the CHD 270 suitable for automatically machining carbide-tipped circular saw blades with an outer diameter of between 80 and 840 mm, while thanks to its fixed grinding unit and solid structure, the CM 300 grinding machine achieves precision for circular saw blades with a diameter between 200 and 1440 mm. When it comes to extremely large dimensions, right up to circular saw blades with a diameter of 2200 mm, Moreschi uses Vollmer’s CHM and CHMF 400 grinding machines. These two models, with five CNC axes each, grind the tooth face and tooth top of the saw teeth, as well as their sides.
Moreschi’s international customer base includes numerous companies from the steel and metal alloy industry, meaning that the blades are used mainly by large manufacturers, as well as in saw mills. Since customer requirements can differ greatly, Moreschi provides advice that is tailored to each individual customer, supported by custom-produced saw blades.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com