In July 2022 CMZ reached the milestone of selling 2000 machines from its TA series, and the company could not let this opportunity for a big celebration pass by. The fact that the TA series has become the best seller from CMZ’s entire range of products is testament to the build quality and specification of these machines. Offering three different bed lengths and multiple configuration options, the company says that TA series machines offer power, precision and high-level technical characteristics at a competitive price.

All models have integrated spindles, while driven-tool machines feature turrets with an integrated fully oil-cooled 12,000 rpm motor facilitating increased precision and a reduction in cycle times. Moreover, by adding a gantry robot loaders, it is possible to automate long and short batch runs. The TA series has hundreds of different configuration options to suit many applications.

Clearly, 2000 machines sold from the TA series means things are going well, and CMZ wanted to reward the trust placed in the company. For this, it prepared a package that included what it describes as “a unique and unforgettable experience”: the CMZ Box.

This experience speaks about who the company is: its home, culture, cuisine, passion and city. At the end of the day, CMZ is a family business with an international character: there are already 2000 TAs spread all over the world thanks to subsidiaries in France, Germany, Italy and the UK, as well as distributors on both sides of the Atlantic.

CMZ wants everyone to know who is going to enjoy this fabulous prize. So, without further ado, the winner of the CMZ Box prize draw is Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta, a privately held Italian firearms manufacturing company operating in several countries.
For further information www.cmz.com

For more than 25 years, German lathe manufacturer Index has produced and sold worldwide more than 3000 ABC series twin-spindle, twin-turret turning centres, including many into the UK and Irish markets through sole sales and service agent Kingsbury. Now, the fixed-headstock, 65 mm capacity, CNC bar auto has undergone a series of improvements that allow it to address today’s requirement to machine more complex components in smaller batch sizes.

Index’s new model occupies an identical footprint and the working area is essentially the same as before. The latter is especially important to meet the needs of current ABC users by ensuring that existing part programs run without any increase in cycle time or loss in machining quality.

Over the years, the robust, slant-bed lathe has seen ongoing improvements, including to the control and drives. With the latest revision, a notable upgrade is that the upper live tool carrier has gained Y-axis movement and is capable of continuous indexing via a step-less gearbox, opening up many more machining possibilities. Additionally, the turret has centre height adjustment and can be equipped with double tool holders in seven stations for more comprehensive machining of component front ends in the 27 kW/6000 rpm main spindle using up to 14 static or driven tools.

An eighth position in the top turret houses a 4500 rpm synchronous spindle for reverse end-working on a parted-off component in conjunction with five tools, two of which may be live, in a back-working attachment mounted on the headstock.

Control is either by a Siemens S840D sl with Index’s own Industry 4.0 iXpanel, or by a FANUC 31i-B.
For further information www.kingsburyuk.com

Orders received by the German machine tool industry in the third quarter of 2022 were 9% up on the previous year’s figure. Orders from Germany rose by 3%, whereas those from abroad were up by 12%. Demand rose by 26% in the first nine months of 2022. Domestic and foreign orders contributed in equal measure to this figure, accounting for growth of 25 and 26% respectively. Orders received by the German metal-forming technology sector in the third quarter of 2022 were also up, by a total of 7% up on the previous year. Orders from Germany fell by 1% whereas those from abroad were up by 10%.
For further information www.vdw.de/en

Hexagon is partnering with Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), a national research and development centre, to provide software that will help meet a Swedish initiative to advance the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and accelerate the adoption of innovative and sustainable processes in European industry. The new application centre for AM will be overseen by a consortium of industry leaders and provide manufacturers with access to a host of AM technologies, including software solutions from Hexagon for AM and quality control.
For further information www.ri.se/en/am-center

Mia Bökmark is the new vice president of product management and R&D at Seco Tools. She reports to Stefan Steenstrup, the company’s president, and is now a member of the Seco Management Group. Together with the organisation, Bökmark will create a stronger connection to customer needs and accelerate the development and deployment of new products, services and solutions. She holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering and, prior to her most recent job as executive management advisor in her own company, she held managing positions within SKF for almost 30 years.
For further information www.secotools.com