Perfect surface finishes for prosthetic parts

Ottobock in Duderstadt, Germany, a €1bn turnover manufacturer of orthopaedic systems, recently commissioned two new mass finishing systems from Rösler. The equipment is now in place at a factory in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, which opened in 2021.

For planning and building its tenth and largest manufacturing facility, this global health-tech company paid special attention to efficient and sustainable operations. As a result, the company specified a specially developed Keramo-Finish process, an energy-efficient dryer and a centrifuge for cleaning and recycling the process water.

The Keramo-Finish operation replaces an acid-based process for creating a high-gloss polish. This includes the utilisation of a porcelain polishing media in combination with a special paste and a brightening compound. The new, acid-free process allows the complete recycling of process water, which not only results in a significant decrease in water and compound consumption, but also a sizable cost reduction.

The polishing operation takes place in a new R780 EC vibratory bowl. Here, the special shape of the processing bowl creates a homogeneous flow of the media/workpiece mix, ensuring that workpieces are quickly polished and separated in an efficient and gentle manner.

Ottobock achieves the same operational benefits with its second new vibratory bowl, an R420 EC model. Together with specially selected media and compounds, Ottobock is using this machine for a broad spectrum of applications ranging from deburring and edge radiusing, to surface smoothing.
For the eco-friendly cleaning and recycling of process water, the two mass finishing machines connect to a semi-automatic Rösler Z800 centrifugal cleaning system, while for drying the finished workpieces Ottobock chose the latest version of the RT550 Euro-DH rotary dryer, also supplied by Rösler.
For further information www.rosler.com

Doncasters invests further in aerospace future

With post-Covid orders from commercial airlines higher than predicted, Doncasters is doubling the capacity of its US operations in Connecticut, and more than doubling production in shell lines at its UK site in Droitwich. This closely follows the announcement of Doncasters’ acquisition of Uni-Pol, which increased its annual revenue to over $500m. The two new robot shell lines at Doncasters Precision Castings – Deritend will be delivered by early 2023, more than doubling outputs and efficiencies. Doncasters is working with VA Technology to deliver the upgrades in the UK and US.
For further information www.doncasters.com

EV acquires Fablink

EV Technology Group Ltd has signed a share purchase agreement with the shareholders of Fablink Group to acquire 76% of Fablink Group Holdings, a tier-one supplier to the automotive, transport and off-highway sectors. Fablink Group supplies pressings and complex welded structures, cab assemblies, lightweight bonded aluminium chassis and structures, and mixed material architectures. The acquisition includes all seven Fablink manufacturing sites across the UK, and Streamline Automotive, a new division of Fablink Group that offers turnkey clean-build vehicle assembly capabilities.
For further information www.evtgroup.com

Ceratizit grows applications support in Scotland

Ceratizit UK & Ireland has further expanded its applications support team with the appointment of James McLeary, who will be working with customers across Scotland to enhance productivity and make sure they benefit from the company’s latest cutting tool and work-holding technologies. His appointment brings the number of field-based applications sales engineers to 11, all of whom work alongside Ceratizit’s technical sales engineering team. Key to McLeary’s role will be his ability to draw on his own extensive shop-floor experience in the aerospace and oil and gas sectors.
For further information www.ceratizit.com

ETG expands with new product manager

With The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) becoming the exclusive UK and Ireland distribution partner for fibre laser cutting machine specialist DNE Global, the company has employed Shane Langston as product manager to drive this new division into the marketplace. Langston is an engineer with over 20 years of experience in the sheet metal sector, at companies including Amada and LVD.

ETG group managing director Martin Doyle says: “Shane’s background gives him the perfect blend of technical knowledge from his years of service support experience. He has built upon this with an extremely successful career in sales, marketing and leadership – all in the sheet metal sector. Both Shane and the ETG team are excited to embark upon this new venture.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com