INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Making tools and fixtures on an ad hoc basis

Before vehicles are produced in large series, automotive manufacturers test and check the
properties and functions of all components under different conditions. All-Forming GmbH in
Kappel-Grafenhausen specialises in the production of the required prototypes and pilot
series. With innovative ideas and in-depth expertise, the team develops and fabricates the
necessary tools and fixtures. This is where the company appreciates the huge potential of
wire EDM technology.

To produce its punching and forming tools, the specialists at All-Forming have been using
the wire erosion process for many years. The company invested in a Mitsubishi MV2400R
Connect wire EDM machine in the middle of 2022 because the previous machine was
outdated in terms of programming and operation.
Production manager Sebastian Singler says All-Forming decided in favour of the wire EDM
machine from Mitsubishi Electric for several reasons. “First of all, the MV2400R Connect
comes with a cutting-edge and future-proof programming and operating approach. We
benefit from state-of-the-art touchscreen operation. In addition, interfaces to current CAM
systems are readily available. We also the like very large workspace which provides easy
access to the machine operator. This is particularly important for us as we frequently
machine one-off parts.”
All-Forming programs the components to be cut at a CADCAM workstation using the 3D CAD
workpiece data. The data for the NC program for wire EDM gets sent to the MV2400R
Connect via a direct data line. There, the company retrieves the current production orders
and NC programs and loads the machine with sheet metal accordingly.
The advantage is that the company can position several different pieces of sheet in the large
workspace. All-Forming’s MV2400R Connect can therefore cut several workpieces
overnight, unsupervised. This goes a long way towards producing stamping and forming
tools at short notice.
For further information www.mitsubishielectric-edm.eu

Vollmer set to unveil two eroding machines

At the GrindingHub 2024 exhibition in Stuttgart this May, Vollmer will give premieres to a
number of innovations. For instance, the company will unveil its QS 860 and QSF 860 eroding machines, which can machine PCD-tipped circular saws. Although the machines will not be on show in Stuttgart,
Vollmer will be providing information about them both digitally and in face-to-face
meetings. Another innovation from Vollmer will be the VFS 400 filtration system, seen for the first
time at GrindingHub. Visitors to the trade fair can experience live how the space-saving
system carries out ultra-fine filtration of cooling oil or dielectric during the sharpening
process. Depending on the machine type, up to two Vollmer sharpening machines can
connect to the VFS 400. At the show, these machines will be CHX 840 and CS 860 grinding
machines, which sharpen carbide-tipped circular saws. The VHybrid 260 grinding and eroding machine and the VLaser 370 laser machine will also be live on the Vollmer stand. Among further new technology will be a feature for the VGrind 360S grinding machine. Thanks to an optional dressing unit for the grinding wheel, tools with the ultra-hard cutting material PcBN can now also be ground in two machining steps: roughing and high-precision finishing. PcBN machining is possible with the VGrind 360S because the machine has very high system rigidity on one hand, and X, Y and Z axes driven by linear induction motors on the other, which implements oscillating tool machining. Vollmer will also showcase products and services from its subsidiaries Loroch and ultraTEC innovation.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

More exhibitors and product diversity

The second edition of GrindingHub is set to open to grinding experts from all over the world
on 14-17 May 2024. Over 460 exhibitors from 31 countries will present their latest grinding
technology solutions in Stuttgart, now in four exhibitions halls for the first time.
The event will be about more than just technical products and innovations, as Dr Markus
Heering, managing director of organiser VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association),
reports: “Automation and digitalisation, skills shortages, new customers and markets, and
the promotion of young talent: the industry is facing multiple challenges and opportunities.
As the meeting place for the grinding technology industry, we want to offer the community
a platform for swapping ideas and picking up information. I’m convinced we’ll succeed
thanks to the larger number of exhibitors, the impressive supporting programme, and wider
international and sectoral diversity.
For further information www.grindinghub.de/en

Haimer acquires 25% of WinTool

The Haimer Group is now a 25% shareholder in WinTool AG and has agreed on a strategic
partnership with the TCM Group, which grants Haimer global distribution rights to WinTool
and Toolbase. Prior to the decision to acquire this stake in the company, WinTool and
Toolbase were introduced at Haimer’s own production facilities and tested in continuous
use, proving their worth in a short period of time.
Andreas Haimer, president of Haimer Group, says: “The strategic partnership with TCM and
the investment in WinTool fit perfectly with our strategy: we want to offer our customers
worldwide a coherent system concept with regard to the digitalisation and automation of
tool-room management. This requires easy-to-implement products and intuitive software
solutions.

For further information www.haimer.com

New stamping unit and five-axis vice series

With a revised stamping unit (featuring a new type of serration) and a complete, additional series of five-axis vices, Lang Technik say the company continues to develop its ‘original’. According to Lang, the company’s stamping technology has been setting the bar for top-notch quality in five-axis machining through its form-fit clamping philosophy for years. Now, Makro•Grip FS is taking this to a whole new level with even more impressive milling performance. 

The abbreviation FS stands for fully serrated/full serration and describes the new, continuous holding serration on the clamping jaws of the new-generation vice.  The new form-fit between the continuous holding serration and the matching contour in the pre-stamped workpiece blank increases holding force by up to 60%, depending on the material and stamping depth. For machining, this means even more reliability and safety in workpiece clamping, which in turn allows higher cutting performance and faster milling processes.

Lang’s stamping units with adapted stamping serrations impress with numerous new features, making operation even easier and more effective. For example, the process of setting the stamping pressure can be significantly accelerated thanks to the new stamping depth gauge. The setting is now data-based by reading off the dial gauge instead of visually checking the workpiece.

A new centring unit also makes it child’s play to insert the workpiece blank exactly in the centre, reports Lang.

Lang’s five-axis vices of the FS series are available in all previously known sizes and models, and also in a new mini version: the Makro•Grip micro. The FS series will initially run alongside the established Makro•Grip series, but is expected to replace it in the medium term due to its performance advantages.

For further information www.lang-technik.de