Taiwan and Europe are continuing to deepen their technological cooperation under the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ A+ International Innovation R&D Collaboration Programme, supporting Taiwanese manufacturers in their transition from “Made in Taiwan” to trusted partners within the European supply chain. Among the standout success stories is wire EDM machine manufacturer Accutex Technology, recognised as a representative case of effective Taiwan-Europe collaboration.

Accutex partnered with ONA, a leading wire EDM brand in Spain, to develop high-precision, intelligent wire-cut EDM machines. The collaboration combines Accutex’s strengths in manufacturing integration and cost-efficient production with ONA’s established brand reputation and extensive European distribution network. Together, the companies successfully achieved EU certification and introduced the new machines into demanding sectors such as aerospace jet engine component production and high-end mould manufacturing.

The commercial results have been significant. In 2025, Accutex recorded a 152% increase in sales compared with 2023, with total output value reaching approximately TWD$223m. Crucially, the partnership has enabled successful entry into the EU aerospace and premium manufacturing markets, sectors where precision, reliability and certification standards are exceptionally stringent.

Beyond the figures, the achievement reflects the broader capability of Taiwan’s machine tool industry in high-precision engineering, smart manufacturing and international collaboration. By leveraging complementary strengths across continents, Accutex has demonstrated how strategic R&D alliances can accelerate innovation and global market access.

Looking ahead, Accutex will continue strengthening its core technologies through global partnerships, expanding its European footprint and positioning itself as a trusted, long-term partner within the international precision manufacturing supply chain.

More information www.acutex.com.tw

A 15-year strategic collaboration between Tezmaksan and Mitsubishi Electric Europe has culminated in the launch of EDMCell Cube, a new automation system designed to redefine productivity in wire EDM applications. Combining Mitsubishi Electric’s high-precision wire EDM machines with Tezmaksan’s CubeBOX automation engineering, the solution delivers fully automated, uninterrupted production within a compact and modular footprint.

Developed to eliminate manual intervention, EDMCell Cube enables automated loading and unloading of wire EDM machines, supporting lights-out manufacturing during nights and weekends. Hakan Aydoğdu, CEO of Tezmaksan Group, describes the system as a significant technological step forward. By reducing operator dependency, manufacturers can maintain consistent output beyond standard shift patterns while optimising labour resources. Integration with RoboCAM further enhances usability and simplifies process control.

The modular CubeBOX® architecture allows EDMCell Cube to be integrated across different machine platforms, making advanced automation more accessible to a broad range of manufacturers, including SMEs. Its compact design ensures high efficiency even in space-constrained production environments, a critical advantage for many European workshops.

The collaboration leverages Mitsubishi Electric Europe’s global expertise in wire EDM technology and Tezmaksan’s in-house automation capabilities. Together, the partners have created a solution that not only boosts productivity and flexibility but also reflects a shared vision for the future of European manufacturing.

Positioned as a new benchmark for wire EDM automation developed in Europe, EDMCell Cube represents the next phase of a long-standing partnership, one focused on intelligent integration, sustainable productivity and practical innovation for modern production environments.

More information www.tezmaksan.com/en

For more than 40 years, Carl Hirschmann GmbH has produced high-precision rotary spindles and tooling for EDM applications, offering a wide range of specifications to suit different workpiece sizes and machining requirements. Deeply rooted in Baden-Württemberg and a committed member of wvib Schwarzwald AG, the company is proudly supporting the association’s annual campaign, “Germany Can Do More,” sending a clear signal of solidarity with small and medium-sized industrial businesses and with Germany as a manufacturing location.

The challenges facing industry today are undeniable. Global value chains are shifting, technological change is accelerating, demographic trends are intensifying the skills shortage, and energy costs remain high. German industry is under significant pressure. Yet for companies like Carl Hirschmann, pressure has historically been a catalyst for innovation rather than a cause for stagnation. According to the company, pressure has consistently driven further development and renewal.

Baden-Württemberg exemplifies how essential industrial value creation is to prosperity, employment and social stability. When industrial competitiveness weakens, the effects ripple across the entire economic ecosystem. Encouragingly, many companies are already investing, adapting business models and entering new markets. However, optimism alone is insufficient. Competitive energy prices, reduced bureaucracy, faster approvals and sustained investment in education, research and infrastructure are critical to securing long-term success.

The “Germany Can Do More” initiative is therefore more than a slogan; it is an invitation to shape the future responsibly. Carl Hirschmann firmly believes that if entrepreneurship, innovation and performance are prioritised, an industrial renaissance is achievable. The company is ready and calls for a framework that enables industry to deliver its full potential.

More information www.carlhirschmann.de/en

For many years, manufacturers accepted that no single wire EDM machine could excel at every application. Some prioritised speed, others surface finish or taper accuracy. With the introduction of the CUT X 350 and CUT X 500, GF Machining Solutions says it is challenging that assumption.

Developed and built at the company’s Losone, Switzerland facility, the CUT X series is available in two sizes to accommodate workpieces up to 800 x 550 x 250 mm (CUT X 350) and 1050 x 700 x 250 mm (CUT X 500). Both models are engineered for high precision, combining optimised machine mechanics with an advanced thermal management concept. A sealed cabinet and controlled airflow maintain stable internal temperatures, while heat sources are isolated from critical components to minimise the influence of ambient fluctuations.

An array of internal and external sensors feeds data to the CNC, where an AI-driven algorithm predicts potential thermal deformation and compensates axis positioning in real time. The result is consistent micron-level accuracy, even during long machining cycles.

Flexibility is enhanced by interchangeable open and closed wire guide cartridges, which can be changed and aligned in less than 15 minutes. Open guides suit straight or low-taper cuts, while closed guides deliver higher accuracy and surface quality for tapers up to 30°. Additively manufactured heads improve flushing efficiency and increase cutting speeds.

The UNIQUA HMI, featuring a 19-inch vertical touchscreen, provides intuitive control and supports legacy file formats.

Further productivity gains come from automatic wire changing, dual wire circuits, intelligent spark protection, integrated probing and automated slug management, ultimately enabling reliable, lights-out performance across a broad range of EDM applications.

More information www.gfms.com