Intelligent workflows for gear grinding

Cost savings in high-volume production are today found within upstream and downstream process stages such as set-up, measurement and communication between machine and measurement equipment. Here, the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) puts forward the Kapp Niles platform, which can tie together and automate these processes to streamline productivity further thanks to open standards such as umati and GDE.

“Instead of integrated machines, we rather envision integrated production chains with as little manual handling between individual chain links as possible,” says Konstantin Schäfer, head of product management at Kapp Niles.

This ethos becomes apparent in the growing measurement technology sector, Kapp Niles Metrology. What’s more, the existing portfolio is being optimised for production systems to communicate with each other. In particular, through the new KN assist platform, Kapp Niles and ETG can support the user from project planning through to production with KN grind control system software.

As part of the project-related configuration, all required processing options are combined in one workpiece project. With the step-by-step intuitive user interface, concrete project data is collected. In a virtual set-up process, the user selects the gear type and suitable tools from a component set. Upon request, KN grind also offers technological suggestions.

Another factor has been the lack of consistent data transmission standards to allow for secure data integration. For this reason, Kapp Niles has developed solutions that no longer require the installation of invasive software and thus allow users to retain control over their data at all times. The result is the KN assist platform. Thanks to HTML5 programming, KN assist runs without any further software requirements on a PC and mobile devices alike. The only requirement for the user is to call up a single address on the Intranet, after which access is granted to the system through a browser or app.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Promotion at Bowers Group

Jordan Gould has been promoted to the position of central east sales manager at metrology specialist Bowers Group. Gould joined the company in 2020 as mobile metrology centre demonstration manager and enjoyed success delivering detailed product demonstrations across the UK for the full range of metrology products, as well as driving sales and acquiring new business. He has a strong background in metrology and engineering, extensive knowledge of applications engineering, and a wealth of experience providing front line demonstrations.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

£6.25m technology park investment

The £300m development of a Leicestershire enterprise zone has taken another major step forward after agreement was reached over investment in a new £6.25m gateway infrastructure project. Hundreds of new jobs are expected to be created after the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) agreed to invest in new road and security infrastructure at MIRA Technology Park. Construction of a replacement gateway will begin later this year, subject to planning permission, and will immediately unlock development sites for new buildings scheduled for completion in late 2023.
For further information www.miratechnologypark.com

MTC secures award for innovation

A team of engineers from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has scooped a top innovation award for the development of a high-powered electric motor which is smaller and lighter. The Future Electric Motor Systems aerospace motor project, known as FEMS3, has won the 2022 3D Pioneers Challenge award. MTC’s team used additive manufacturing technology to combine three machined components, eight fasteners and three O-rings into a single part. The result was a motor which has a reduction in mass of more than 65%, is much simpler to assemble and has eliminated multiple seals.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

CMZ wins national Industry 4.0 award

Lathe and turning centre specialist CMZ received recognition in the 5th annual National Technology Awards as the best Industry 4.0 company. The award was unexpected, and it is an acknowledgement of the company’s track record and the role it has played in developing advanced software for managing day-to-day work. Staged at the Westin Hotel in Madrid, the award was presented to Iñaki Zumarraga, managing director of CMZ. A grateful Zumarraga dedicated the prize to those he acknowledged as being the real architects: the company’s employees, especially the team of software engineers.
For further information www.cmz.com