Smart picking and vision AI on show

Machine tool builder Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen (SW) GmbH will be present several new solutions from its extensive manufacturing and automation portfolio in hall 5, booth 320 at Automatica in Munich (27-30 June 2023). Thanks to interactive exhibits, visitors can experience automation live: they will be able to test a newly developed optical recognition system, compete against an automated robot arm in a game of ‘buzz wire’ and have a personalised giveaway handed to them via smart picking.

These and other solutions from SW show how manufacturers can use flexible manufacturing modules, agile process chain connectivity and digital manufacturing control and production to meet challenges such as fluctuating quantities and shorter runtimes with reduced volumes.
For further information www.sw-machines.com

Chiron Group continues to grow

Machine tool builder, Chiron Group, continued growing in the 2022 despite the enduring difficult market conditions. The company recorded a clear rise in order intake last year alongside a significant increase in turnover. According to Chiron Group, the medical and precision technology business segment developed strongly, while automotive remained constant thanks to growth in e-mobility and recovery in the aerospace sector is underway. Overall, the company says it is better positioned than previously thanks to growth in different markets, making Chiron more resilient to fluctuations in individual segments.
For further information www.chiron-group.com

Showing the rewards of integrated measurement

As well as showcasing two new-to-the-UK Walter Helitronic tool grinders – the Helitronic Mini Plus and the Helitronic G 200 – Walter Ewag UK’s open house (Warwick, June 27-29) will host daily series of workshops/demonstrations of some of Walter’s money-saving and user-friendly technologies for fast and effective tool production and regrinding, as well as inspection.

The three-day event will highlight: rewards of integrated measuring; benefits of non-contact laser contour checking; remote service; and how Helitronic Tool Studio software can simplify and speed up grinding/erosion times.

Walter heralded a step change in the fully automatic measurement and digitisation of tools when it launched the Walter 3D laser sensor, which enables the Walter Helicheck Pro and Plus tool measurement machines to scan with four times the resolution than previously possible and to process that data four times faster.

Suitable for inspecting high-performance tools where cutting edge geometry, pitch and spiral pitch vary widely, the 3D sensor can replace two separate machines traditionally used for measuring such tools – perhaps a combination of conventional and laser checking. Easily and quickly programmed using wizard routines, with resulting short set-up times, the 3D sensor effectively ‘visualises’ the workpiece as a point cloud (in differing formats) and enables various measurements to be undertaken on the 3D image.

When the resulting image is ‘placed’ on the tool’s three-dimensional design drawings, or a master part, any deviations are clearly visible (via the integrated 3D Viewer) as 3D comparisons of point cloud and target model, including surface reconstruction.
The result is that tool measurement has never been more accurate or faster, reports the company.
To register call Phil Morris on 01926 485047, 07714 826832

Too much time lost sourcing industrial supplies

Based on a new survey of stakeholders working across the UK subcontract manufacturing industry, commissioned by MSC Industrial Supply, 58% have limited or no capacity to take on more work, while a further 28% are operating at +50% capacity. Notably, according to ‘The Subcon Report: What next for the backbone of British industry?’, significant time is lost dealing with a volatile supply chain. Some 77% of subcontractors are spending up to 4 hours a week sourcing industrial supplies, and 75% of those surveyed have to deal with as many as five different industrial suppliers. Read the full report at the link below.
For further information www.bit.ly/46asihI

Recycling wind turbine parts

Experts at the Manufacturing Technology Centre are to take part in a €10m EU project to develop technologies that recycle high-value parts from wind turbine blades. The four-year EoLO-HUBS project aims to recover glass and carbon fibres from large wind turbine structures that have reached the end of their useful life. The Coventry-based MTC is one of 18 partners from across Europe, with project co-ordination by the Aitiip Technology Centre in Zaragoza, Spain. The consortium also includes research divisions from several leading industrial companies.
For further information www.the-mtc.org