Anticipation builds for GrindTec

The GrindTec 2020 exhibition is set to take place in Augsburg, Germany on 18-21 March and, for the first time, MTI magazine will be among the exhibitors.

The last edition of the biennial show in 2018, attracted 19,100 visitors, up 6.4% against the 2016 event. Around 38% visited from countries other than Germany. In addition, some 645 exhibitors from 30 countries attended in 2018, a rise of 11.8%.
GrindTec is major international exhibition on grinding technology. However, beyond purely grinding, the focus of 2020 exhibitors will also be on topics such as Industry 4.0 and electromobility. The quality of GrindTec visitors has always been praised by exhibitors, with the outstanding characteristic cited as decision-making competence. At the 2018 show, 64% of visitors were sole decision-makers or directly involved in the decision-making process.
For further information www.grindtec.de/en

Cutting tools showcased on ITC stand

Southern Manufacturing will be the first opportunity for UK manufacturers to see the latest cutting tool launches from Industrial Tooling Corporation (Stand H250).

Representing Widia in the UK, application experts from ITC will be on-hand to discuss tools such as the newly developed VSM890-12 face and shoulder milling series. The VSM890-12 is hailed as one of the very few eight-edged, double-sided cutters with genuine 90° milling capability, and is able to perform operations such as face milling, shoulder milling, Z-axis plunging, contour plunging and 100% radial engagement slotting on a complete range of materials.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Nibe invests in two press brakes

Markaryd-based Nibe, which manufactures Contura fireplaces and Premodul chimneys, has recently invested in two press brakes from SafanDarley, an E-brake Ultra E130-3100 and an E-brake Econic E40-1600, supplied by local agent Din Maskin.

“When we decided to invest in new press brakes, we wanted machines that would provide stability in the manufacturing process, give consistent results and allow us to use the same tools as before,” says Patrik Ahlin, production group manager at Nibe. “ The machines also needed to be ergonomically designed, where the operator wouldn’t need to handle heavy tools. This is exactly what SafanDarley’s press brakes offered.”
Stefan Kovac, the press brake operator who was involved in test-running SafanDarley’s machines ahead of the investment, adds: “I’m delighted with the machines as they run quietly and smoothly. The tool set-up has worked well for the majority of our parts.”
According to Fredrik Carlsson, product manager for SafanDarley at Din Maskin, the servo electric press brake has low maintenance and running costs, and is quiet in operation. Since the machine does not use hydraulic oil, servicing is also minimal, and the lack of a hydraulic system means even higher precision and more consistent bending results.
Ahlin also emphasises the ‘green’ aspect, since Nibe is very active in its environmental work. The company is always trying out new ways to reduce its energy consumption and it is therefore important that its manufacturing is modern, resource-saving and efficient.
Herman Nordqvist, production engineer for welding and brake pressing, says that another important aspect was ease of set-up, since newly developed fireplace models are launched regularly and therefore new parts need to be produced.
“Here at Nibe, we work together closely in the development process to ensure we only get better,” concludes Ahlin.
For further information www.safandarley.com

Salvagnini reports success at Fabtech

Fabtech brought a wealth of innovation and technology solutions to Chicago recently, where more than 48,000 attendees and over 1,700 exhibiting companies gathered once again to celebrate metal manufacturing at its best.

The event also provided educational sessions and expert-led presentations covering the latest trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.
Visitors to the Salvagnini stand found a fully working smart factory run by the company’s OPS software, comprising the L5 high dynamics fibre laser with its newly developed 6 kW fibre source, the P2lean panel bender, and the B3.AU-TO press brake featuring the latest automatic tool change technology.
The third generation P2lean adaptive compact panel bender natively combines productivity and flexibility, guaranteeing precision, repeatability and quality of the finished product, says Salvagnini. Also on the stand, the B3.AU-TO press brake features the latest automatic tool change, the solid expression of a new automated and scalable bending concept that is said to provide greater certainties in terms of processing times, as well as costs and budgets.
Salvagnini’s L5 high dynamics fibre laser features the newly developed, dedicated 6kW source, which is said to perfect its performance. The latest trajectory planner, the new SVS option, and the novel nesting algorithms are claimed to guarantee even higher efficiency.
For further information www.salvagninigroup.com

Back in control

MACH Machine Tools is exhibiting two of its latest tool-room machines on Stand J310.

The machines, a MACH MDM 1000 CNC bed mill and a MACH MDL 1800 CNC flat-bed lathe, are both equipped with the DynaPath WinDelta control, which was launched by the company into the market last autumn. The DynaPath control on the MDM bed mills (and on the latest range of MDL flat-bed lathes) comes with a range of sophisticated functions and time-saving features which help manufacturers reduce set-up and cycle times, eliminate input and programming errors, and improve operational efficiencies.
For further information www.machmt.co.uk