First robot scrubber-dryer from Karcher

Karcher is launching its first-ever robotic cleaning machine: the KIRA B 50 fully autonomous scrubber-dryer. Designed to tackle medium and large floor areas, this new compact cleaning robot is efficient, timesaving, easy, safe, flexible and completely autonomous when required.

The KIRA B 50 scrubber dryer robot utilises a proven roller brush technique, with a pre-sweeping function and side brush to clean up to the wall, 55cm working width, 160 Ah lithium-ion battery, and area performance of up to 15,000 sq m per day. According to Kärcher, the robot delivers consistently outstanding results, even on textured or uneven floors, efficiently completing a time-consuming job and freeing up cleaners to manage more complex cleaning tasks.

Suitable for floor cleaning in both smaller and large areas, KIRA B 50 is ideal for multiple sectors, including production and manufacturing halls.The water volume, detergent dosing and cleaning speed can be precisely pre-set, ensuring the cleaning fleet is deployable based on speed. This capability safeguards a high level of cleaning quality, while simultaneously freeing up resources and reducing costs.

To maximise KIRA B 50’s autonomy, the optional docking station allows the unit to refill its water tank, drain and rinse the wastewater, and recharge its battery with no intervention. All functions on the robot are easy to operate via the large touch display featuring an intuitive menu and user guidance, allowing for multiple user profiles and even different language options.

With integrated laser scanners, 3D and ultrasonic sensors and a powerful on-board computer, KIRA B 50 is capable of 360 detection of its surrounding areas with quick reactions and reliable navigation to ensure safety.
For further information www.kaercher.com/uk or www.karcherhire.co.uk

OSG UK adds another Walter tool grinder

The success of tooling specialist OSG UK continues apace, with the company recently installing another Walter Helitronic tool grinder to meet rising monthly volumes of tool regrinds and orders for new tooling, and to satisfy plans for its latest range of carbide tooling. These tools are joining the company’s own-brand series of taps, thread mills and end mills, as well as drills and reamers.

Supplied by Walter Ewag UK the company’s latest Walter Helitronic, a Power 400, joins existing Helitronic tool grinders and Helicheck Pro tool measuring machine at OSG‘s Basildon site. The ongoing investment by OSG means the company is “superbly equipped to meet all current and immediate future demands”, says director Tony Cooper.

Importantly, the fact that all of OSG’s Helitronic machines have pallet systems and robot loaders makes it possible to pre-load variable size batches of tools ready for effective and efficient processing overnight, unmanned, in batches of up to 30-off. The company says this capability provides the ultimate in order responsiveness for a wide customer base, including aerospace and automotive clients throughout the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

The multi-axis Helitronic Power 400 features a mineral cast machine bed and gantry design, and it provides 26 kW (up to 24,000 rpm) of spindle power. Coupled with sophisticated drive technology and X, Y and Z axis travels of 650, 350 and 720 mm, respectively, the machine can handle tools of 3 to 315 mm diameter, up to 520 mm long and weighing up to 50 kg.The robot loader can accommodate tools up to 125 mm diameter and weighing 5 kg.
For further information www.walter-machines.com

New HQ for Bodor

International laser solution provider Bodor is unveiling plans for its new global headquarters. The 300,000 sq m Bodor Dream Park is a state-of-the-art facility that will encompass R&D, production, showrooms, administration and a ‘life zone’, all to support Bodor’s strategic vision of leading the laser industry and co-creating better human life.
The company will extend a warm invitation to its esteemed customers and partners to visit Bodor Dream Park in December 2024 and experience the facility first-hand.The UK representative for Bodor lasers is World Machinery.
For further information www.worldmc.co.uk

SW appoints Pieronczyk

Kai Pieronczyk is the new commercial managing director of Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SW), a manufacturer of multi-spindle CNC machining centres. He takes over from Markus Schmolz, who left at the end of 2022 after 21 years with the company. In his role at SW, Pieronczyk will focus on the company’s growing international operations.”Direct contact in the respective country is crucial – from logistics to sales and aftersales service,” he explains. “This requires personal contacts, local networks and a reliable range of services on site.”
For further information www.sw-machines.com

Invitation to compete for research prize

Grinding machine manufacturer Studer is awarding its research prize, the ‘Fritz Studer Award’, for the seventh time, invitingstudents from European universities and technical colleges to participate. The winners will receive a reward of CHF10,000.Participation in the competition provides young researchers with a platform for their creative solutions. The goal of the award is to advance and strengthen innovative developments in the machine tool industry.

For this competition,Studer is looking for work and research results with the following content: innovative machine concepts or components for precision machine tools; alternative materials in machine construction; simulation models for the dynamic and thermal behaviour of machine tools; control and sensor concepts for machine tools; digital solutions to support the grinding process; and new or advanced manufacturing technologies, especially in precision machining processes such as grinding and hard turning.

Anyone who has focused on scientific topics or applied research areas in their student research project, college work or dissertation is invited to enter. The applicant should also be able to produce substantiated results or partial results from their research work. What is crucial for the assessment? Firstly, the feasibility of findings in the machine tool industry. Secondly, the approach must be new. Studer will also assess the scientific content, form and accuracy of the statements.

A prestigious jury will assess the submitted entries and choose the winner or winners, who will receive a reward of CHF 10,000, the Fritz Studer Award and a certificate.The award ceremony will take place in mid-February 2024. Entrants should send their documents to Fritz Studer AG, Dr Frank Fiebelkorn, Head of Research and Technology,PO Box 177, 3602 Thun, Switzerland,no later than 30 September 2023.
For further information www.studer.com/en