At the METAV 2018 exhibition in Germany last month, a forum on sawing technology was held for the first time at the show. The forum showcased the latest developments and solutions, ranging from simple single-blank cutting in a workshop environment all the way through to mass production.

The VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA), organised the symposium. “We are purposefully aiming at fostering a dialogue between machinery and tool manufacturers, and end users,” emphasises Tim Mayer, group leader sawing technology at the IPA.
In three thematic blocks of sawing machines, sawing tools and process optimisation, the IPA and various market leaders from the sawing sector presented application-relevant, solution-led approaches. Participants were thus able to acquire an overview of current trends, not only in sawing processes, but in the tools used and the manufacturing and automation processes involved. This enabled them to form a picture of the present status in terms of ongoing research, while at the same time finding out from technology leaders what is already possible in entrepreneurial practice.
In times of digitalisation and networking, the subject of Industry 4.0 must never be ignored, of course. The forum accordingly addressed the opportunities and options for sawing machines and the networking of downstream processes.
For further information www.metav.com