Manufacturing for the future

High precision, automation and digital technology – this is what the future of metalworking looks like. During its ‘Technology Days’ event in Chemnitz, Starrag showcased some of the crucial building blocks of this ambition and highlighted machine developments such as the Heckert H100 compact machining centre.

A sneak preview of the new large machine series was displayed alongside perfectly co-ordinated peripherals. The event also offered the 200+ visitors a glimpse of the newly designed production hall, where precision-critical components for a wide range of StarragTornos Group machines are manufactured in a highly automated process with micron-level accuracy.

More information www.starrag.com

HBK Porto celebrates new site in style

Following a major two-year expansion plan, global test and measurement specialist HBK celebrated the official opening of its new Porto site in Portugal last month with a host of presentations and local music. This new chapter for HBK was marked by the raising of the Portuguese and British flags, accompanied by a rendition of the national anthems, performed by a group from the Vila do Conde Conservatory. Upon arrival, guests and staff enjoyed a reception, followed by opening speeches from HBK Plant Manager Luís Rodrigues and Director of Optical business Luís Ferreira.

More information www.hbkworld.com

Top UK talent takes on Europe’s finest

The UK’s very brightest and best young apprentices and learners are heading to Denmark to test their skills against the crème de la crème of Europe at EuroSkills Herning 2025. It is Europe’s largest skills competition and takes place on 9-13 September. The more than notable 19, making up Team UK, carry the hopes and vision of the UK’s ambition to grow and prosper on its shoulders.

Selected and trained in skills excellence by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with lifelong learning company Pearson, the team will compete in a raft of skills disciplines. Team members have already been through months of competition and selection processes, and now face the final crucial months of their intensive training programme for EuroSkills Herning 2025.  

More information www.worldskillsuk.org

Clamped, centred and aligned with flange mandrel

With the KFDF flat-element flange mandrel, Ringspann says it offers a compact precision clamping tool for optimising many turning, drilling, grinding, milling and balancing processes in gearbox construction, gear production and tool manufacturing. It scores with precise concentricity, a short clamping length and a standard clamping diameter of up to 375 mm, which can be extended to up to 560 mm by using alternative clamping elements. Its flat clamping body centres the workpiece and aligns it level.

The turning and drilling of steel coupling elements, the grinding of carbide rolling rollers, the milling of aluminium gearbox covers and the gear grinding of hollow shafts made of stainless steel are just a few applications examples of the KFDF flat element flange mandrel from Ringspann. They illustrate the versatility of this compact clamping fixture, whose domain is mechanical machining processes that place increased demands on precision. Apart from its concentricity of ≤0.01 mm, it ensures precise centring and a flat alignment of the clamped workpiece.

“The uneven deformation of workpieces – a common problem when using three-jaw chucks for example – can be ruled out with our KFDF thanks to complete 360° clamping,” says Christoph Schulz, product manager for clamping fixtures at Ringspann.

The KFDF is one of the group of purely mechanical precision clamping mandrels in the Ringspann portfolio and can be individually configured in the company’s one-stop web shop in all standard variants for executable clamping diameters from 120 to 375 mm. In addition, the manufacturer offers standardised flat elements that can be used to extend the clamping diameter up to 560 mm. Additional adaptations to different spindle connections, special workpieces or customer specifics are possible via adapted holders, assembly rings, intermediate flanges or spring accumulators.

More information www.ringspann.com

Digital engineering in the industrial metaverse

The industrial metaverse streamlines and accelerates industrial processes. By utilising digital twins and the use of artificial intelligence, automation tasks can be digitally planned, simulated and optimised prior to physical implementation. Work-holding and tool-holding specialist Schunk is therefore enhancing its portfolio with digital engineering to unlock new potential and boost customer productivity.

Virtual simulation not only accelerates the development of new products and systems but also reduces commissioning times, production interruptions and costly post-corrections. Schunk is now also utilising this technology to develop new digital components and drive progress in all areas of automation.

Schunk employs a five-stage approach in developing accurate digital twins. Each stage progressively refines components and assemblies from clamping, gripping and automation technology to mirror their physical counterparts. These digital twins encompass not only electrical properties and interfaces but also physical behaviours such as force, friction and wear.

The company has successfully digitally modelled the complete physical behaviours of several products, including new mechatronic parallel and centric grippers. A significant advancement is Schunk’s AI-supported 2D Grasping Kit, which automates repetitive sorting and handling tasks. The kit comprises a camera with lens, an industrial PC, AI software and an application-specific gripper, facilitating reliable handling of randomly arranged parts even under varying conditions.

“By simulating automation tasks, we offer customers a highly refined and productive solution, quickly optimised for their manufacturing requirements,” says Timo Gessmann, CTO of Schunk. “Thanks to AI, we can greatly simplify engineering. With digital tools and simulations, it is possible to validate all variants digitally in no time.” More information www.schunk.com