Mirka launches high-performance grinding wheels

Mirka is expanding its product portfolio with the launch of the Mirka Cafro Ultra-Flute grinding wheel range for the precision grinding of solid-tungsten carbide tools. The new product line offers users a selection of durable and precise grinding wheels, engineered to withstand the demands of large-scale production runs.

Cafro Ultra-Flute is engineered as a single-piece construction and features an abrasive rim that has a porous structure that optimises the power transfer from the grinding machine to the material. This design ensures high stock removal rates in less time, which leads to an increase in the overall efficiency of the process, reports Mirka.

The product has been developed with durability at the forefront of the design process, highlighted by its edge retention that aids in the delivery of fast, efficient and consistent performance. Cafro Ultra-Flute grinding wheels also help increase productivity as there is less downtime due to the dressing intervals being longer.

The range also provides the user with a quiet operation, no vibrations when in use and stable power absorption for reduced energy consumption during the time it is working. Additionally, when paired with automatic tool loaders, it performs at an optimal level and leaves a consistently fine surface finish.

Kevin Jackson, business development manager – superabrasives and automation at Mirka UK, says: “With the launch of our Cafro Ultra-Flute, we’re providing tool manufacturers with a cutting-edge solution that enhances productivity and reduces costs. This new grinding wheel range also highlights our commitment to providing high-quality, performance-driven grinding solutions that will be an asset to the customer from the first use to the last.”

More information www.mirka.com

Indicating the way to sustainable manufacturing

As the UK distributor for Rosa Ermando’s Rosa GrindTech and Favretto GrindTech grinding machines, Master Abrasives is introducing two key themes that are central to the future of manufacturing: energy-saving solutions and sustainability.

In the face of today’s complex economic challenges, Davide Lucca, CEO of Rosa Ermando, believes that businesses must leverage digitalisation, energy efficiency and sustainability to gain a competitive edge.

“European machine manufacturers have excelled at designing and producing high-quality machinery,” he says. “However, to remain competitive on a global scale, we must go beyond just manufacturing products. We need to focus on integrated solutions that combine innovative machinery, services, and processes.”

Master Abrasives shares this vision and excited to bring these innovative solutions to the UK market, highlighting how Rosa and Favretto’s technology can drive both operational efficiency and sustainability.

One of the stand-out features of Rosa and Favretto machines is their focus on energy saving – an essential consideration for businesses aiming to reduce operational costs and their environmental impact. At the BI-MU exhibition in Milan last year, Rosa Ermando presented an advanced energy management system that is now available on all Rosa GrindTech and Favretto GrindTech machines. This new feature allows users to measure energy consumption in real-time, providing detailed insights into energy absorption across different components and processing steps.

“Our new system not only tracks overall energy usage but also enables differentiation by monitoring the energy consumption of specific parts of the machine,” says Lucca. “The next step is to modulate machine functions based on actual energy requirements, which helps optimise consumption and enhance overall system efficiency.”

More information www.master-abrasives.co.uk

Grinding Hub back in 2026 for the third time

Everything relating to grinding technology for experts from all over the world – that is what GrindingHub will offer in Stuttgart from 5 to 8 May 2026. After two successful editions, the organiser VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) will continue the trade fair’s success story in co-operation with Messe Stuttgart and the Grinding Conference.

Dr Markus Heering, managing director of the VDW, says: “GrindingHub has become established as the central hub for the grinding technology industry. The energy and commitment of every participant in the previous editions of the trade fair were overwhelming.”

Marie-Sophie Maier, managing director of Adelbert Haas GmbH, has been an exhibitor from the very beginning: “This trade fair is the ideal platform for our company: internationally oriented, technologically leading and tailored precisely to our industry. At GrindingHub we meet the right trendsetters with whom we can jointly shape the future of grinding technology.”

Markus Kiffe, managing director of Kiffe Engineering GmbH and a visitor to GrindingHub 2024, shares this enthusiasm: “We’ll definitely come back again because you always see interesting things here and obtain exciting ideas, establish numerous contacts and hold a large number of discussions.”

In 2026 GrindingHub will again feature a wide range of grinding machines, abrasives, software tools, process peripherals, and measuring and test systems. Companies wanting to exhibit their innovations and products at the leading trade fair for grinding technology can now register online.

Heering concludes: “It’s always inspiring to see how the industry – despite and even because of the economically challenging times – comes together and plays a mutually supporting role. We’re convinced that GrindingHub 2026 will again be a great success.”

More information www.grindinghub.de/en

Absolent units set to boost dust extraction

A UK filtration expert has launched new dust and fume extraction technology from sister company Absolent. Filtermist, which specialises in ensuring workshop air is clean and safe to breathe, is now offering the AD range of dust extraction units, which maximises the advantages of Absolent’s ‘True Downflow’ technology.

“Several pain points were identified and addressed during the three-year development project,” explains Robert Wiktorén, Absolent Air Care Group’s chief product officer. “As an existing manufacturer of dust collectors under our Absolent, Dustcheck and Diversitech brands, we knew there was a need in the market for a new way of thinking about dust and fume extraction. Traditionally, dust collectors have been sized using generic data to select suitable filter type, filter area and air speeds between filter elements. The resultant footprints have been comparatively large.”

He continues: “When filters need changing, even the best current designs require the filter-retaining mechanism and moving parts to be in the ’dirty side’ of the unit, exposed to contamination. This is not a great environment for moving parts and requires a tool to reach the filter elements furthest away. Our True Downflow technology combines the verticality of the filter elements with a top to bottom air flow. This combination optimises the effect of gravity and ensures that dust coming out of the filter elements during pulse-jet cleaning is forced down to the disposal solution in the hopper.”

The roll-out of the first AD phase includes three models: the 0.5 (which holds two deep pleat cartridges); the 1.0 (four filters); and the 1.5 (six deep pleat filter elements).

More information www.filtermist.co.uk

Tool manufacturer installs Vollmer VHybrid 260

When it comes to cutting tools, Guhring says its brand is synonymous with innovation and pushing the boundaries of convention. Driving this culture is a management structure that provides its 48 worldwide subsidiaries with complete autonomy. Guhring UK has led the charge on several fronts, from powering its Birmingham facility with solar panels to investing in a Vollmer VHybrid 260 grinding and erosion machine.

Guhring UK’s PCD supervisor Alan Pearce says: “We sent Vollmer some PCD step drills to trial on the VHybrid, followed by ball-nose tools for a prestigious customer. The results were exceptional.”

Production manager Gary Field adds: “Last year, my job role changed to production manager, giving me oversight of our PCD department. I spoke with Alan about our future direction and what we needed to keep moving forward. With the new VHybrid, we can immediately target several areas, with micro-drills being a priority for the electronics, medical and miniature industry sectors.”

Installed in late 2024, the Vollmer VHybrid 260 has already proven transformative to shop-floor operations.

“The VHybrid enables us to combine multiple operations into a single machine,” says Pearce. “Rather than grinding a tool diameter, wire eroding and grinding drill points, we can combine all three operations on one platform.”

As early examples of savings derived from transferring tools to the VHybrid, a PCD Drill Relap tool has moved from a two-machine 1-hour 25-minute process to a 29-minute process on the VHybrid, a 70% cycle time saving with additional set-up savings. The production time of another PCD Drill Relap tool has fallen from 1 hour 30 minutes to 21 minutes.

More information www.vollmer-group.com