Large workpieces sawn with precision

Structural steel and tool steel stockholder and processor, JKZ Bučovice, is using KASTObbs automated block bandsaws to cut large, heavy billets and plates of various geometries, grades and dimensions. The company delivers components to domestic customers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania and the Baltic States.

Founded in 2000, employing 125 staff and with an annual turnover of €20m, the company holds approximately 10,000 tonnes of steel in its 15,000 sq m warehouse. The oldest Kasto vertical block bandsaws have been in use for nearly 20 years and are still operating reliably today. More recently, the company invested in two KASTObbs A 3×20 bandsaws for cutting material up to 420 mm high by 7 m long and weighing up to 56 tonnes.

Marek Hermann, sales and production director at JKZ, says: “The new KASTObbs saws are very robust and reliable and provide the high degree of quality and precision that our customers demand, especially those in the toolmaking sector.”

Characteristic of this bandsaw series is a longitudinal cutting method using a vertically oriented blade. The saw head moves on rails having side-mounted, hardened and ground rollers, while the workpiece remains static on the saw table. This configuration results in a small footprint, while the torsion-resistant, welded construction provides smooth running and vibration-free operation, leading to shorter cutting times and longer blade life.

JKZ employees are able to adjust the cutting infeed to optimise productivity, consistent with the required workpiece quality and the cross section of the material in-cut. Band speed is also infinitely variable from the integrated control panel.
For further information www.kasto.com

AM partnership

Siemens and Desktop Metal, global specialists in digitalisation and additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, have commenced a multi-faceted partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of AM for production applications with a focus on the world’s largest manufacturers. The sweeping collaboration will touch many aspects of Desktop Metal’s business and benefit end users through increased integration of Siemens technology in Desktop Metal’s AM 2.0 systems, including operational technology, information technology and automation. Furthermore, Desktop Metal solutions will fully integrate into Siemens simulation and planning tools for machine and factory design.
For further information www.desktopmetal.com

Schivo acquires APN Global

Ireland-based contract manufacturer Schivo has acquired APN Global and its operating subsidiary APN Inc, a Quebec, Canada based provider of AFP valves, fittings and tubing technologies for analytical instrumentation and minimally invasive surgical devices. Schivo manufactures prototypes and production devices for the medical device and life science markets. Its capabilities include five-axis milling, micro-machining, laser cutting, welding, metal fabrication and cleanroom assembly. Yves Proteau, co-president of APN Global, joins Schivo’s leadership team as senior vice president of manufacturing and technology systems.
For further information www.schivomedical.com

Visual Components makes key acquisition

Visual Components, a developer of 3D simulation software, has acquired the robotics division of Delfoi, a global pioneer in robot offline programming (OLP) software solutions. The move gives the Finnish organisation a foundation to expand globally by complementing its existing simulation tools for production systems and virtual commissioning with OLP capabilities.

OLP gives manufacturers the opportunity to program robots on the factory floor, alongside Visual Components’ existing product offering of layout design, feasibility and validation of control logics, robot programs and processes. This functionality will essentially make a one-stop-shop for the digital transformation of production systems a reality. It will also enable manufacturers to benefit from significantly reduced downtime, while simultaneously improving the accuracy of robotic programming processes.
For further information www.visualcomponents.com

Renishaw joins Empowered Employers campaign

To help create an inclusive and diverse business community, Renishaw is partnering with the Empowered Employers campaign, led by Barnwood Trust, a Gloucestershire-based charity. Empowered Employers aims to help organisations consider attitudes and policies that enable meaningful work opportunities for disabled people, people with mental health challenges and neuro-divergent people. Partners of the Empowered Employers campaign will contribute to the conversation and support the campaign by raising awareness about barriers to disabled people in employment and to challenge existing misconceptions.
For further information www.renishaw.com