MMMA Metalworking Village

The MMMA Metalworking Village at MACH 2020 (20-25 April, Birmingham NEC) already has 23 members confirmed as exhibiting, with more set to follow.

At around 650 sq m, the MMMA Metalworking Village is the fourth largest in the entire exhibition halls. At present, members companies present will include: Esprit Automation, Cotswold Machinery, Worcester Presses, Bruderer, Schuler, Presscare, TMA, Roemheld UK, Industrial Clutch, Kaller Springs, Press Techniques, Helm, Anton Saws, QualiMach, Wilson Tool, Pressform Machinery, Ortlinghaus, Decade, Group Rhodes, Oerlikon Balzers, Voith Turbo and Formit.
For further information www.mmma.org.uk

Lantek tie-up with BCAM

Lantek has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM).

The agreement reached by both organisations focuses on developing new models of applied mathematics and algorithms that will enable metal-forming industries to reach high levels of efficiency in their calculations.
BCAM was conceived by the Basque Government, the University of the Basque Country and Ikerbasque in 2008, and is supported by the Provincial Government of Bizkaia and Innobasque. The organisation currently has a staff of over 90 researchers, who work in areas from data science to mathematical modelling.
Throughout industry it is becoming increasingly necessary to resolve situations where the calculation of machining and the optimisation of material consumption is highly complex. As a starting point, the collaboration framework aims to explore new avenues for approaching parts nesting.
The goal of Lantek is to constantly improve its nesting methods, and this collaboration will result in the development of an advanced algorithm that achieves the optimisation of 2D nesting from different potential approaches. Researchers from the computational mathematics group at BCAM have extensive experience in geometric modelling and optimisation, and are pouring their knowledge into the Lantek collaboration with the following objectives: to design an efficient algorithm for the optimisation of 2D parts nesting; to design discreet pairing measures; to improve the current method, which uses the representation of areas (pixels), through the representation of boundaries; and to develop software that both increases the speed of calculations and optimises material management.
This agreement with BCAM opens up the possibility of approaching the improvement of sheet-metal parts nesting from new and innovative directions, which may bring about significant advances, contributing to the efficiency of the industry.
For further information www.lanteksms.com

Easier workflow in latest Radan

The latest 2020.0 release of Radan CADCAM software for the sheet-metal industry sees a further reduction in mouse clicks, along with improvements to nesting and reporting, allowing customers to see an increase in efficiency, saving both time and costs.

Radan product manager Olaf Körner says: “The number of mouse clicks needed to use automatic nesting or work on a 3D model has been reduced by around half, making workflow much easier.”
The newly developed quick nest mode in Radan 2020.0 provides a more visual interface, with limited upfront set-up for projects, while a redesigned ‘new project’ dialog allows users to “get nesting quicker”. Time benefits can also be achieved with machine-specific projects and templates.
Says Körner: “The template contains automation. For example, a fibre-laser template will switch to your correct laser machine and put in all the settings needed.”
Along with a quicker start to projects, it is also easier for users to pick up on previous projects. The newly created streamlined mode benefits from reduced mouse travel and an autosave function so that work is never lost. Ease of use ensures the software is simple to learn and allows more complex projects to be completed efficiently.
Complex projects can also be fulfilled using the newly introduced punching tool type. Punching plays an important part of the manufacturing process, and Körner says customers are getting more creative with their tooling for punch presses, to set them apart from lasers. For instance, there is now a newly created tool type in the tool editor for flattening features.
For further information www.radan.com

KimberMills forges ahead

A West Midlands company that helped pave the way for the Channel Tunnel and produces forged parts for use in hip replacements, is celebrating its 100th birthday in style.

KimberMills International, which employs 50 people across two sites in the Black Country and Coventry, has enjoyed a £1m boost in its centenary year by securing new contracts in the oil and gas, mining, motorsport, and rail sectors. The order haul has taken sales to a record high of £8m, created six new jobs and underlined the company’s recent decision to invest nearly £1m in a new drop forge and additional machining capabilities.
For further information www.kimbermills.co.uk

Panel cutters at Saint-Nazaire shipyard

Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CDA), formerly STX France, has ordered two highly automated PEMA panel-cutting stations to Saint-Nazaire shipyard.

Each of the stations consists of plasma cutting, grinding and marking functions, with special fume-extraction tables. The stations are used to cut the panel to the correct size, grind the primer away from the position of profiles, and finally to mark the position of profiles. Plasma-cutting portals for both stations are made by Pemamek’s partner, MicroStep.
Florent Camaret, investment project manager, CDA, says that thanks to Pemamek’s proven track record in welding and production automation technology, and the companies’ previous collaboration, CDA was convinced to continue co-operation with Pemamek.
“Our previous solutions needed to be updated to new and modern production technology that could provide higher capacity and better quality,” he says. “We’ve collaborated with Pemamek in other major shipyard automation projects, so we trust their expertise and technology.”
With the new PEMA panel-cutting stations, CDA will be able to significantly improve throughput times, add capacity and maintain high production quality in panel processing.
“CDA is one of the world’s leading shipyards and we’re delighted to continue our collaboration,” says Jukka Rantala, vice president, key accounts at Pemamek Ltd. “High-technology PEMA panel-cutting stations will raise CDA’s level of automation and bring a significant productivity boost to panel production.”
The panel-cutting stations, which will be ready for production by the end of 2020, will be delivered as turnkey solutions, including installation, commissioning, testing, training and production support.
For further information https://pemamek.com/