Vertical grinder prompts change in turbine industry

Founded in 1987, Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Group emerged during the rapid development of China’s precision bearing industry and has grown into an influential global manufacturer through continuous technological innovation and rigorous quality control. Uniquely, Tianma Bearing says it is the only precision bearing manufacturer worldwide with its own steel plant, enabling full control of the value chain from raw materials to finished products. Its TMB-branded bearings see widespread use in wind energy generation, rail transport and new-energy vehicles.

As a renowned supplier of precision bearings for wind turbines in China, the company also holds a significant share of the global market for azimuth and pitch bearings. Seeking to expand further within the sector, Tianma invested in advanced machining technology to support the development of wind turbine main shaft bearings.

This strategy led to the acquisition of a vertical grinding machine from Starrag Group. The collaboration between the two companies began in 2020, when Tianma purchased a large vertical grinding centre with turning capability for its Chengdu plant. According to Mu Bin, assistant to the chairman and technical director at Tianma Bearing, the machine significantly improved machining efficiency while ensuring outstanding product quality.

The success of this first installation established strong trust between the two companies. When Tianma sought to enhance its capabilities for producing wind turbine main shaft bearings, components that demand extremely high precision and reliability, it again selected Starrag technology.

The Starrag Berthiez RVU 2300/220 vertical grinder has delivered impressive results. Machining time for sample components has been reduced from three to four days to just four to five hours, increasing productivity and accelerating R&D cycles.

More information www.starrag.com

€45m casting investment

Horse Powertrain, a global specialist in low-emission propulsion systems, has invested €45m to expand cylinder-head casting processes at its plant in Valladolid, Spain. The new aluminium casting facility will be the first in the country to cast cylinder heads using the tilting gravity die casting (TGDC) process. Compared with traditional high-pressure die casting, TGDC enhances the structural integrity of finished components. Once this investment comes online, Valladolid’s annual production capacity for cylinder heads will rise from 300,000 to 360,000 and yield 150 new roles.

More information www.horse-powertrain.com

Excetek wins big at Taiwan machine tool awards

Excetek has been recognised at the 2026 Taiwan Machine Tools Industry Award, with its NP600L Plus energy-saving, smart, linear motor wire EDM named a winner of the 34th Taiwan Excellence Award. The accolade highlights the machine’s advanced engineering and its alignment with global drives towards carbon neutrality and intelligent manufacturing.

Developed to meet growing demands for precision, efficiency and sustainability, the NP600L Plus introduces a series of key innovations. At its core is the proprietary GS high-speed, energy-saving discharge circuit, which increases cutting speeds by 25% to 320 mm²/min (comparable with leading Japanese standards), while reducing power consumption by up to 33% through an integrated energy-recovery function.

Performance is further enhanced by the newly developed W600I controller. Using EtherCAT for motion control, the system delivers four-times faster real-time axis response and six-times greater computing performance than the previous generation, ensuring improved machining accuracy and stability.

To support smart manufacturing strategies, the machine incorporates a remote-monitoring system compatible with OPC UA and UMATI communication protocols. This enables seamless integration with factory management software and allows operators to monitor machine status via a web-based interface.

Additional features include an automated (and patented) scrap-collection system, eliminating manual tapping and improving lights-out efficiency, and XY-axis linear motors equipped with 0.01 µm absolute optical scales. Combined with a structurally optimised, symmetrical design verified through Nastran analysis, the result is zero backlash, minimal thermal deformation and exceptional positioning precision.

The award underscores Excetek’s commitment to continuous innovation and high-performance, energy-efficient EDM technology for the next generation of smart factories.

More information www.excetek.com

Strong results for Accutex via Taiwan-EU R&D tie-up

Taiwan and Europe are continuing to deepen their technological cooperation under the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ A+ International Innovation R&D Collaboration Programme, supporting Taiwanese manufacturers in their transition from “Made in Taiwan” to trusted partners within the European supply chain. Among the standout success stories is wire EDM machine manufacturer Accutex Technology, recognised as a representative case of effective Taiwan-Europe collaboration.

Accutex partnered with ONA, a leading wire EDM brand in Spain, to develop high-precision, intelligent wire-cut EDM machines. The collaboration combines Accutex’s strengths in manufacturing integration and cost-efficient production with ONA’s established brand reputation and extensive European distribution network. Together, the companies successfully achieved EU certification and introduced the new machines into demanding sectors such as aerospace jet engine component production and high-end mould manufacturing.

The commercial results have been significant. In 2025, Accutex recorded a 152% increase in sales compared with 2023, with total output value reaching approximately TWD$223m. Crucially, the partnership has enabled successful entry into the EU aerospace and premium manufacturing markets, sectors where precision, reliability and certification standards are exceptionally stringent.

Beyond the figures, the achievement reflects the broader capability of Taiwan’s machine tool industry in high-precision engineering, smart manufacturing and international collaboration. By leveraging complementary strengths across continents, Accutex has demonstrated how strategic R&D alliances can accelerate innovation and global market access.

Looking ahead, Accutex will continue strengthening its core technologies through global partnerships, expanding its European footprint and positioning itself as a trusted, long-term partner within the international precision manufacturing supply chain.

More information www.acutex.com.tw

Tezmaksan and Mitsubishi Electric unveil EDMCell Cube

A 15-year strategic collaboration between Tezmaksan and Mitsubishi Electric Europe has culminated in the launch of EDMCell Cube, a new automation system designed to redefine productivity in wire EDM applications. Combining Mitsubishi Electric’s high-precision wire EDM machines with Tezmaksan’s CubeBOX automation engineering, the solution delivers fully automated, uninterrupted production within a compact and modular footprint.

Developed to eliminate manual intervention, EDMCell Cube enables automated loading and unloading of wire EDM machines, supporting lights-out manufacturing during nights and weekends. Hakan Aydoğdu, CEO of Tezmaksan Group, describes the system as a significant technological step forward. By reducing operator dependency, manufacturers can maintain consistent output beyond standard shift patterns while optimising labour resources. Integration with RoboCAM further enhances usability and simplifies process control.

The modular CubeBOX® architecture allows EDMCell Cube to be integrated across different machine platforms, making advanced automation more accessible to a broad range of manufacturers, including SMEs. Its compact design ensures high efficiency even in space-constrained production environments, a critical advantage for many European workshops.

The collaboration leverages Mitsubishi Electric Europe’s global expertise in wire EDM technology and Tezmaksan’s in-house automation capabilities. Together, the partners have created a solution that not only boosts productivity and flexibility but also reflects a shared vision for the future of European manufacturing.

Positioned as a new benchmark for wire EDM automation developed in Europe, EDMCell Cube represents the next phase of a long-standing partnership, one focused on intelligent integration, sustainable productivity and practical innovation for modern production environments.

More information www.tezmaksan.com/en