LVD mourns passing of founding father

Sheet metal processing machinery specialist LVD reports that one of its founders, Baron
Robert Dewulf, passed away earlier this month at the age of 93. As one of the company’s driving forces, the ‘D’ in LVD, Dewulf made a significant contribution to the success of the business that he helped to establish in 1954 alongside Jacques Lefebvre and Marc Vanneste. The three managers complemented each other well, with Dewulf acting as the bridge builder to both government and industry. Even though he had been retired for many years, until the last moment he remained genuinely interested in the company’s fortunes.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

Stratasys growth via accretive acquisition

Stratasys, a specialist in polymer 3D printing solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the additive manufacturing materials business of Covestro AG. The acquisition will include: R&D facilities and activities; sales teams across Europe, the US and China; a portfolio of approximately 60 additive manufacturing materials; and an extensive IP portfolio comprised of hundreds of patents and patents pending. The purchase price is approximately €43m, plus additional inventory, less certain liabilities.

Covestro has been a key part of Stratasys’ third-party materials ecosystem, and the acquisition will benefit customers using multiple Stratasys 3D printing platforms, including its Origin P3, Neo stereolithography and H350 printers. Stratasys is already a distributor of Covestro’s Somos resins and they are already available for Neo and Origin One 3D printers.
For further information www.stratasys.com

Resource centre for machine builders

Machine builders and companies looking to bring new technologies to market are set to benefit from a new resource centre launched by PP Control & Automation (PP C&A). The UK strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialist has pooled all its expertise and knowledge into an easy-to-use online hub that will provide crucial insights into the benefits of outsourcing and how it can overcome common pain points.

Free of charge to access, the content will be a mix of downloadable documents, podcasts and videos that will address key strategic outsourcing questions through a combination of guides, customer case studies and thought leadership pieces. There will also be specific white papers on UL standards, production and engineering topics, and industry analysis and trends.
For further information www.ppcanda.com

Apex becomes Renishaw partner

Edinburgh-based CMM support and equipment supplier, Apex Metrology, is the latest partner of Renishaw’s Channel Partner Programme, which aims to enhance levels of local customer service and product support. This partnership agreement sees Apex Metrology become a ‘Premium Partner’, supporting the installation and integration of Renishaw’s CMM product range, including the UCC range of retrofit solutions and providing access to the portfolio of gauging, styli and fixturing products. Apex Metrology is the first company from Scotland to join the programme.
For further information www.renishaw.com

Drilling steel just got faster

Sandvik Coromant has launched an upgraded assortment of its CoroDrill 860 solid-carbide drill to offer customers improved productivity in drilling steel. The advanced -PM geometry delivers high-performance drilling in ISO P steels while significantly improving tool life, reports the company.

CoroDrill 860 with -PM geometry features a new grade, with an improved multi-layer PVD coating. The results include enhanced wear resistance, better tool life, an overall increase in productivity and, subsequently, reduced cost-per-component. The drill is suited to applications in the automotive, general engineering, toolmaking and power-generation industries.

Coming in standard stocked diameters from 3 to 16 mm, tailor-made tools are also available to customise the drill to specific user requirements. To receive quotations and place orders for customised drill options, simply visit the Sandvik Coromant website.

To further extend tool life and to support a more sustainable machining strategy, the CoroDrill 860-PM is suitable for the Sandvik Coromant tool reconditioning programme. Furthermore, following end of life, the tool can enter the company’s recycling scheme.

James Thorpe, global product manager at Sandvik Coromant, says: “We’re always upgrading our offer and understand that improved productivity, along with achieving lower cost per component, are two major requirements of customers. The introduction of this next-generation solid-carbide drill with an improved PVD coating will enable customers to improve process security, productivity, quality and cost.”
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com