EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

IFR names new president

FANUC Corporation’s chief technical advisor, Takayuki Ito, has been elected as the new president of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), which represents 3000 organisations in over 20 countries. Ito has more than 40 years of experience in the robotics industry and was previously IFR vice president.

“I’m proud to continue the work of my predecessor, Marina Bill, who has been a great ambassador for the world of robotics,” he says. “We are witnessing rapid change in the automation of industrial and service applications around the world. Together with Jane Heffner of Mobile Industrial Robots as the new IFR vice president, I look forward to our mission.”

More information www.ifr.org

Mapal set to integrate digital services

With the aim of providing digital services in a quicker, more targeted manner, Mapal will incorporate the business activities of its subsidiary c-Com GmbH into the company structure on 1 January 2025. Mapal will also take on c-Com’s employees, who will continue their work in Mapal’s Machines & Services Division. c-Com was founded in 2017 to drive modernisation, interconnectivity and automation in the metalworking industry through digital solutions. The company contributes higher productivity with its open cloud c-Com platform and accompanying digitalisation services.

More information www.mapal.com

Mazak names open house dates

Yamazaki Mazak’s annual UK open house will take place on 3-5 December. themed ‘Team Mazak’, this year’s event will spotlight close customer relationships and how collaboration can enhance productivity and profitability. Attendees will witness first-hand Mazak’s commitment to supporting customers at every stage, including pre-sales, installation, training and post-sales.

The open house will boast a line-up of over 20 machines, all in live-cutting action, and four automation systems. Customers are even promised a sneak peek of the company’s new laser machining area to showcase how automation has improved productivity in Mazak’s own factory.

More information www.bit.ly/4fcVNUh

New chair for Euroforge

A leading UK manufacturing figure is now the chair of the automotive group within Euroforge. Steve Morley, current president of the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM), took up the influential role at the association’s autumn summit in Milan on 21 October. He is now responsible for developing a strategy to tackle some of the major issues impacting European automotive forgers, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), fluctuating energy prices and the availability of material across the supply chain.

More information www.euroforge.org

Starrag at MENE 2024

At the Manufacturing & Engineering North East (MENE) exhibition in Newcastle, Starrag will present a host of new technologies, many of which have not been seen previously in the UK. On 28 November on Stand 55, innovations from the Switzerland-headquartered machine tool manufacturer will include the new Dörries VT 28 vertical turning centre. Capable of machining components up to 17 tonnes with a maximum diameter of 2.8 m and a height of 2.65 m, the Dörries VT 28 is a multi-functional, high-precision and flexible vertical turning centre for everything from rough to finish machining in a single operation.

More information www.starrag.com