INTERNATIONAL NEWS

GrindingHub will be bigger and more international

Five months before the event opens, it is already clear that the next GrindingHub will be bigger and more international. Some 375 companies from 28 countries have already secured a place at the trade fair for grinding technology, which will take place on 14-17 May 2024 in Stuttgart.

The increase in exhibitors from Asia is particularly impressive. The organiser has received just under 50 registrations so far. The first GrindingHub was still suffering from the after-effects of the pandemic, whereas freedom of travel today allows companies from all over the world to make their way to Stuttgart. This is particularly evident among the Chinese: the number of exhibitors from China has grown from four to 32. China is currently the largest national producer and largest market for grinding technology.

As another trend, more abrasives manufacturers will be represented in 2024 than at the launch event, for instance. The broad range on show – including everything from grinding machines themselves to appropriate software tools, process peripherals and measuring and testing systems – raises the appeal of the trade fair for users of grinding technology.

Martin Büsch, head of marketing for central Europe at Saint-Gobain Abrasives, says: “As far as we’re concerned, GrindingHub has established itself as the leading trade fair for grinding technology within a very short space of time. We therefore see it as an excellent and useful opportunity to engage with our customers, potential interested parties and top-class experts.”

Markus Heering, executive director at the VDW, adds: “The VDW will begin the layout planning shortly. We are delighted about having to open a fourth hall thanks to the increase in the number of exhibitors.”
For further information www.grindinghub.de

Nakamura extends next-level machining

Following hot on the heels of the new Nakamura-Tome SC-200II machine that recently launched as an evolution beyond its predecessor, the SC-200, Nakamura is now introducing the new SC-200IIL. This latest iteration is available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

The SC-200IIL turning centre inherits many of the main specifications of the SC-200II and its concept of ‘next-level machining’. However, the SC-200IIL expands the distance between centres, evolving into a machine capable of producing long workpieces. This development allows users to select the R-side specifications from the sub-spindle or NT tailstock units. While the SC200II has a maximum turning diameter of 390mm and a 510mm distance between spindles, the new SC-200IIL increases this distance to 715mm between centres, with 800mm between spindles.

Like the SC-200II multi-tasking lathe, the SC-200IIL provides a powerful and stable machining platform under challenging conditions. Despite the machine being in the 8” chuck size class, it has a swing over the bed of 620mm diameter, providing a large machining area for a small footprint machine.This configuration also enables the machine to accommodate a 10” chuck if required. The output of the spindle motor is now to 15/11kW, with the option of an 18.5/15kW motor.

Similar to the SC-200II, the SC-200IIL has high acceleration rates that enable the operator to machine larger parts and expand the scope and variety of components considerably.

Nakamura-Tome CEO Shogo Nakamura says: “Since this machine is capable of processing large billets and bars that would normally require a machine one size larger, the SC-200IIL has arrived to deliver favourable changes to factory floors.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Machine Tool Indonesia opens this week

Machine Tool Indonesia will open its doors later this week (6-9 December) at the Jakarta International Expo Centre and look to build on the success of last year’s show.The 2022 exhibition edition saw more than 840 exhibiting companies from 33 countries take part. Alongside a variety of onsite activities, including business matchmaking, ‘Tech-Talk’ sessions, live demonstrations and product presentations, last year’s event attracted over 25,300 trade attendees from more than 10 countries. Some 44% were first-time visitors.

Co-located with three other industries events, including Manufacturing Indonesia, Tools & Hardware Indonesia, and Industrial Automation & Logistics Indonesia, the exhibitions have become the largest manufacturing trade show for machinery, supplies and equipment exhibitions in Indonesia – all under one roofspanning 17,800 sq m.Some 78% of visitors at the 2022 show said they would return this year.
For further information www.machinetoolindonesia.com

Tornos and Starrag merger remains on track

As announced by the Tornos Group in May, the executive board and board of directors have been examining a merger with the Starrag Group over the past few months. Based on the positive results of the review and negotiations, the two boards of directors recently signed a merger agreement. The boards of directors of Starrag Group Holding Ltd and Tornos Holding Ltd are now asking their respective shareholders to approve this merger agreement.

The two groups of companies and their offerings complement each other, and a merger to form the StarragTornos Group would further strengthen room for manoeuvre as a manufacturer of precision machine tools. Tornos says it is convinced that if the planned merger gains approval by the two general assemblies, it will be able to offer customers even better technology solutions, products and services.

Bundled resources and combined technical know-how will significantly strengthen the new company’s innovative power, further developing existing technologies and driving forward new solutions. Furthermore, by increasing geographical presence, the merged company will make its performance and expanded range of services available globally on an even more personal, better and faster level.

The Tornos brand of Swiss-type sliding-head lathes and the brands of the Starrag Group have a long tradition. They are rooted in Switzerland and enjoy a high level of customer trustworldwide. That is why the companies want to keep them unchanged, even after the planned merger. The existing production sites of Tornos and Starrag are also to continue, withno job cuts planned as a result of the proposed merger. It goes without saying that familiar contacts at the Tornos Group will also remain the same.
For further information www.tornos.com

Integrex i-H culminates 40 years of innovation

Mazak celebrated 40 years of multi-tasking innovation at the recent EMO 2023 exhibition in Hanover with four Integrex machines on its stand.Mazak’s multi-tasking journey started in 1983 with the Slant Turn 40N ATC, the forerunner of the modern Integrex. The latest Integrex variation, the i-H series, culminates 40 years of turn-mill innovation and learnings that has produced the most compact, automation-friendly and productive Integrex ever manufactured.

At EMO 2023, the Integrex i-200 H ST partnered with a world debut for the Ez Loader 30 collaborative robot cell. Handling workpieces up to 18kg and 50 to 200mm in diameter, the Ez Loader 30 offers a flexible solution for today’s fast turnaround manufacturing.

The Integrex i-200 H ST comes equipped with 5000 rpm main and second spindles and a 12,000 rpm rotating B-axis second spindle for done-in-one capability. The growing requirement for automation is fundamental to the design of the i-H series. All models feature a flat front, while the tool magazine sits at the rear, providing greater accessibility to site automation at the front of the machine while maintaining accessibility for the operator. The rear-mounted 38-tool magazine reduces the machine’s overall footprint (optionally expandable to 74 or 112 tools). As well as providing access to the magazine area at the rear, tools can also be loaded and unloaded at the front of the machine for convenient operation.

Through innovative technology, the Ez Loader 30 solves the problem typically associated with automating high-mix, low-volume production of varied diameter components. Thanks to the automatic chuck-jaw changing function, the robot exchanges work-holding for both spindles to eliminate manual set-up and costly downtime between component runs.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk