MEP Saws, which is represented in the UK by ADS Precision, has recently supplied a circular sawing machine to a Finland-based manufacturer of sterilisers and water purification equipment for the pharmaceutical industry. Among the challenging main raw materials used in condensers for steam generators are 14×1 AISI 316L tubes, with about 60 km of tubes used per year. These tubes must be straight, round, and scratch- and burr-free.

The customer already had a circular sawing machine to execute bundle cutting on this material. However, it was not precise and operators had to change the blades continuously to ensure cut quality.

To remedy the situation, the company opted for an MEP Tiger 352 Sx Evo semi-automatic circular sawing machine, which is suitable for steel cutting from -45° to +60° with blade rotation at four speeds. Taking into consideration the requirements of the customer’s sector, together with MEP’s local dealer, it was decided to offer the Tiger 372 Sx Evo, a higher performing version of the Tiger 352, and carry out cutting trials on the customer’s material to show the advantages.

Following tests carried out on a bundle of nine AISI 316L tubes with a diameter of 14 mm, the customer was impressed by the quality of the cutting surfaces and by one of the main machine features: the infinite variable saw blade speed through inverter (instead of the four fixed speeds of the Tiger 352 Sx Evo).

Regarding final customisation, the material loading roller conveyor was equipped with V-rollers covered in Teflon. Teflon clamping jaws were also supplied instead of traditional steel ones. Further customisation included a larger diameter steel circular blade flange and a change of material feeding direction from right to left.
For further information www.adsprecision.com

Siemens and Desktop Metal, global specialists in digitalisation and additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, have commenced a multi-faceted partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of AM for production applications with a focus on the world’s largest manufacturers. The sweeping collaboration will touch many aspects of Desktop Metal’s business and benefit end users through increased integration of Siemens technology in Desktop Metal’s AM 2.0 systems, including operational technology, information technology and automation. Furthermore, Desktop Metal solutions will fully integrate into Siemens simulation and planning tools for machine and factory design.
For further information www.desktopmetal.com

Ireland-based contract manufacturer Schivo has acquired APN Global and its operating subsidiary APN Inc, a Quebec, Canada based provider of AFP valves, fittings and tubing technologies for analytical instrumentation and minimally invasive surgical devices. Schivo manufactures prototypes and production devices for the medical device and life science markets. Its capabilities include five-axis milling, micro-machining, laser cutting, welding, metal fabrication and cleanroom assembly. Yves Proteau, co-president of APN Global, joins Schivo’s leadership team as senior vice president of manufacturing and technology systems.
For further information www.schivomedical.com

Visual Components, a developer of 3D simulation software, has acquired the robotics division of Delfoi, a global pioneer in robot offline programming (OLP) software solutions. The move gives the Finnish organisation a foundation to expand globally by complementing its existing simulation tools for production systems and virtual commissioning with OLP capabilities.

OLP gives manufacturers the opportunity to program robots on the factory floor, alongside Visual Components’ existing product offering of layout design, feasibility and validation of control logics, robot programs and processes. This functionality will essentially make a one-stop-shop for the digital transformation of production systems a reality. It will also enable manufacturers to benefit from significantly reduced downtime, while simultaneously improving the accuracy of robotic programming processes.
For further information www.visualcomponents.com

BLM Group says that the key strengths of its new LS7 laser cutter for sheet metal workpieces include cutting speed and accuracy. Furthermore, the system offers high productivity and ease of use, and is provisioned with all the features characteristic of premier systems of its class.

Says Mauricio Gutierrez Matta, global business development manager – sheet metal lasers at BLM Group. “The goal was to supply superior performance at the lowest possible price, which we achieved by only focusing on sheet metal cutting functions and eliminating all the elements previously necessary to integrate tube processing. In an increasingly competitive market, part cost is a fundamental aspect and it is necessary to have the right machine for each specific production process. Only in this way can costs be truly optimised.”

BLM Group’s LS7 was designed as an entry-level product in the high-end system segment, namely a product with all the features and functionality of a high-end system, but at an attractive price. It has a conventional aluminium mobile gantry structure actuated by a rack and pinion system, which slides on a very strong metal structure, filled with polymer concrete to ensure high rigidity even with high acceleration up to 2 G.

The cutting area has been designed to protect the bellows from the glowing sparks thrown in all directions, especially during piercing. Access is only from the short side and the entire
machine remains completely enclosed for safety reasons related to the fibre laser source. The cutting process can be viewed by means of a camera, the image of which is visible on the operator console, on an additional external monitor, and also remotely.
For further information www.blmgroup.com