Enhancing production with a second MecWash

HellermannTyton is a global specialist in cable management solutions, supplying high-performance products to the aerospace, automotive and electrical sectors. At its Plymouth facility, the company manufactures heat-shrinkable tubing and related components. These products require precise cleaning processes to maintain their integrity, as excessive heat during cleaning could cause premature shrinkage and render the components unusable.

Maintaining strict quality standards while meeting rising production demand prompted HellermannTyton to seek increased cleaning system capacity. However, the cleaning challenge was tough. For a start, heat-shrinkable tubing must never exceed 38°C during cleaning and drying, while silicone residue, notoriously difficult to remove, requires consistent elimination to guarantee product performance and quality.

HellermannTyton had already invested in a MecWash Midi system, which had proven reliable over time. However, increasing production volumes required an additional system capable of meeting both the technical requirements of sensitive heat-shrinkable parts and the operational demand for 24/7 production.

After consulting with MecWash Systems, HellermannTyton installed a MecWash MWX400 precision aqueous parts-cleaning system specifically designed for complex cleaning applications and sensitive materials.

The introduction of the MWX400 delivered significant benefits to HellermannTyton’s operations. The system not only enables continuous, around-the-clock operation (24/7), scaling production without compromising quality, it also ensures complete removal of silicone residues while protecting delicate components.

Says Steve Walker, continuous improvement engineer at HellermannTyton: “The MWX400 allows us to clean and dry heat-shrinkable components at the precise temperature needed to maintain quality, while removing even the most stubborn silicone residues. It has increased our production capacity and runs reliably 24/7.”


By adopting the MecWash MWX400, HellermannTyton has strengthened its production capability, ensuring both quality and scalability in its cable management solutions.

More information www.mecwash.com

DN Solutions launches DNC series for semiconductors

DN Solutions, the world’s third-largest and South Korea’s leading machine tool manufacturer, has launched its new DNC series (DNC 8050, DNC 8060) of high-precision grinding machines for semiconductor manufacturing.

The name ‘DNC’ stands for DN Solutions Ceramic, representing the company’s ceramic machining equipment. These machines are designed to manufacture consumable components such as focus rings used in the semiconductor wafer process. Since these parts operate inside chambers that endure high temperatures and exposure to chemicals, they are made from materials like quartz, ceramic and silicon carbide (SiC) — all of which are notoriously hard to machine. The DNC series enables precise grinding of these hard-to-cut materials.


Quartz is harder than carbon steel yet brittle and prone to fracture, making it challenging to machine with conventional tools. Even with costly diamond tools, micro-cracks and breakage often occur. Moreover, quartz is sensitive to impurities, demanding an exceptionally clean machining environment.

To address these challenges, DN Solutions developed a high-performance grinding spindle for the DNC series, capable of 10,000 rpm and 7.5 kW output. This spindle delivers both high productivity and precision, even when machining difficult materials such as quartz and ceramics.

Vibration- and heat-induced errors have also been minimised. The monolithic, high-rigidity bed and high-precision feed-axis guides suppress vibration and prevent thermal displacement during long continuous operations. While conventional machines tend to lose precision due to spindle drift, DN Solutions says its DNC Series ensures long-term accuracy and structural rigidity, extending equipment lifespan.

Fine quartz dust (sludge) produced during machining can cause serious equipment failure. To prevent this, DN Solutions adopted a fully enclosed sliding cover that shields the inclined bed surface, blocking coolant and dust from entering the machine interior.

More information www.dn-solutions.com

GrindingHub to send strong signal in difficult times

The preparations for GrindingHub 2026 from 5 to 8 May are picking up speed: the latest provisional list of exhibitors shows 360 companies.

“The participation of leading manufacturers from the grinding technology sector demonstrates the industry’s clear commitment to GrindingHub as a place for exchange, innovation and international networking,” says Dr Markus Heering, managing director of event organiser VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association). “It’s much more than just a trade fair – it’s the place to be for anyone who is interested in exchanging ideas and finding solutions for pressing production problems related to grinding technology. Keeping this dialog going is particularly important at the present time when the economy is challenging.”

While the economy remains weak, incoming orders for grinding technology have at least stabilised after two years of decline. They rose by 4% in the first nine months of 2025 – driven by customers outside of Germany with an increase of 17%. The eurozone in particular (up 32%) is the driving force behind this trend.

In 2026, other international trade fairs will be held at the Messe Stuttgart trade fair centre in parallel with GrindingHub. In particular, the Surface Technology Germany exhibition and the MedtecLIVE show will provide a great deal of relevant synergy.

This combination offers real added value for everyone involved, emphasises Sebastian Schmid, board member at key partner Messe Stuttgart: “The simultaneous trade fairs grant our trade visitors a unique opportunity: they can discover a wide range of relevant topics in one place – efficiently, connected and inspiring. For exhibitors, this means greater reach and access to key target industries. To make networking as easy as possible, one ticket provides access to all parallel trade fairs.”

More information www.grindinghub.de

Inline cleaning after deburring for residue-free surfaces

Founded in 2007, VULIC ECM GmbH & Co KG initially focused on the development and manufacture of customer-specific devices (tools) and spare parts for electrochemical machining (ECM). Seven years later, the first ECM system developed in-house followed with the V500 machining centre and the established service portfolio was expanded to include contract machining.

In ECM technology, burrs can be efficiently removed and edges rounded with precision, even in hard-to-reach areas such as blind holes, bore intersections and pockets. For the non-contact process, the tool is connected to a direct current source as the cathode (negative) and the component is polarized as the anode (positive). The charge exchange takes place in a saline electrolyte solution, whereby the burrs are completely dissolved and removed from the working gap by the electrolyte.

“For the quality and precision of ECM processes, it’s crucial that the parts to be machined are free of oil and grease,” explains Sascha Haushammer, sales manager at VULIC ECM. “In addition, enormously increased cleanliness requirements usually require cleaning after the ECM process to remove electrolyte residues and any particles adhering to the component.”


One company for cleaning media recommended Weber Ultrasonics AG as an efficient
partner for the ultrasonic equipment.

“We also spoke to other manufacturers at the time, but the collaboration with Weber Ultrasonics worked so well right from the start that we didn’t bring any other suppliers on board,” reports Haushammer. “We receive very good advice and have been able to build up a certain amount of expertise in ultrasonic cleaning over the years. Today, we only really need the expertise of Weber Ultrasonics for special projects.”

More information www.weber-ultrasonics.com

Why not consider a shot-blast machine retrofit?

Secure spare parts supply and improved blast performance, these were the reasons why a manufacturer of saw bands invested in new turbines for an existing belt-driven shot-blast machine. The customer chose the Rutten Gamma 330-HD turbines from Rösler not only because of their wear-resistant design, but also their 25 % higher blast performance and lower energy consumption. In the meantime, the customer decided to equip other blast machines in his manufacturing organisation with Rösler turbines.

The saw bands produced by this company are known all over the world for high quality. These steel strip products offer precision, exact edge dimensions and flatness. To maintain its quality standards, the company makes all its products in Germany, even though around 90% are exported to other countries. A key stage in the manufacturing process is a shot-blasting operation in a belt blast machine.

In short, the machine used for this shot-blasting task, supplied by a manufacturer in southern Europe, urgently needed modernisation. Therefore, the engineer responsible for streamlining manufacturing operations discussed the customer requirements with the Rösler team during a visit at the Deburring Expo exhibition.

The topic of this conversation was not only a secure spare parts supply and first-class technical service but also improved blast performance to provide a higher workpiece throughput. Based on the detailed process parameters provided by the customer, Rösler developed a technical concept and submitted a quote for retrofitting the turbines on
the existing blast machine.

The high performance of the Rutten Gamma turbines is based on their special design. They contain four Y-shaped throwing blades with a precisely calculated blade curvature. This concept guarantees precise blast media acceleration and delivery at maximum throwing speeds and, compared with conventional turbines, improved shot-blast efficiency.

More information www.rosler.com