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

The Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools at Leibniz University in Hannover has researched how to save energy during machining by adjusting coolant pressure. CADCAM specialist Open Mind provided financial support for the project and supplied the component geometry and programming for milling and analyses. The project revealed a way to determine the optimal level of coolant pressure concerning the degree of tool wear that occurs, resulting in energy savings of up to 33%. In the future, methods based on machine learning will make it possible to control coolant pressure as needed via optimised NC code.
For further information www.openmind-tech.com