Over £150,000 has been invested by Blum Novotest in bringing its LC-Vision software to market. The software will help firms get the most out of their LC50 Digilog laser-measurement system, which visualises measurement results covering 3D tool control, spindle control and grinding control.

As a result, users from automotive, aerospace,
medical and renewables will know sooner about wear and defects on the tool’s cutting edges, will visualise spindle wear to improve preventative maintenance and see detailed representations of issues with the grinding wheel.
“By utilising a ‘best-fit’ feature, tools can be modified so parts are machined more accurately than before, so every component coming off should be good,” says David Mold, managing director. “Scrapping or reworking should be a thing of the past with this software.”
Blum Novotest’s plan is to include LC-Vision software on machines fitted with its Digilog LC50 laser-measurement system, free of charge. Every application will be shown on the software, but only those purchased will be active, with customers able to purchase additional features as part of a licensing agreement. The company’s engineers will be available to deliver full training.
Further development will eventually cover the rest of the Digilog range, including probe, roughness gauge probe and the bore gauge system.
Says Mold: “LC50 evaluates the analogue signal rather than the digital one, meaning we can take thousands of measuring values of all cutting edges per second, resulting in highly dynamic measurement of tool parameters. In essence, this technology is 60% quicker than conventional in-machine measuring.”
For further information www.blum-novotest.com

HANNOVER MESSE cannot take place this year due to the increasingly critical situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. The Hannover region has issued a decree that prohibits the staging of the world’s leading tradeshow for industrial technology. From now until the next HANNOVER MESSE in April 2021, a digital information and networking offer will provide exhibitors and visitors with the opportunity for economic policy orientation and technological exchange.

The world of industry will not be able to meet in Hannover this year. Comprehensive travel restrictions, bans on group gatherings and a prohibition decree in the Hannover region make it impossible to stage HANNOVER MESSE. At the same time, the corona crisis is affecting the economy, and the manufacturing industry – HANNOVER MESSE’s core clientele – is already struggling with serious consequences of the pandemic. Demand and sales in German industry are declining, resulting in supply bottlenecks, production stops and reduced working hours for employees.

“Given the dynamic development around Covid-19 and the extensive restrictions on public and economic life, HANNOVER MESSE cannot take place this year,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Board of Management, Deutsche Messe AG. “Our exhibitors, partners and our entire team did everything they could to make it happen, but today we have to accept that in 2020 it will not be possible to host the world’s most important industrial event.”

It is the first time in HANNOVER MESSE’s 73-year history that the event will not take place. However, the organizers will not let the show completely vanish. “The need for orientation and exchange is particularly important in times of crisis,” says Köckler. “That is why we are currently working intensely on a digital information and networking plattform for HANNOVER MESSE that we will open to our customers shortly.”

Various web-based formats will enable HANNOVER MESSE exhibitors and visitors to exchange information about upcoming economic policy challenges and technological solutions. Live streams will transport interactive expert interviews, panel discussions and best-case presentations all over the world. The online exhibitor and product search is also being enhanced, for example with a function that enables visitors and exhibitors to contact each other directly.

“We firmly believe that nothing can replace direct, person-to-person contact and we are already looking forward to the time after Corona,” says Köckler. “But especially in times of crisis, we must be flexible and act pragmatically. As organizers of the world’s most important industrial trade fair, we want to offer orientation and sustain economic life during the crisis. We are doing that with our new digital offering.”

Thilo Brodtmann, executive director of Germany’s Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), said, “The cancellation of HANNOVER MESSE 2020 is an unfortunate decision, but it is the only correct one. The mechanical engineering industry must now concentrate on minimizing the consequences of the pandemic in its own operations so that it can start up again. In April 2021, the engineers will be back in Hannover in full force.”

Wolfgang Weber, Chairman of the ZVEI Management Board: “The fact that Hannover Messe 2020 cannot be hosted is a bitter loss, but it is the right decision. For the electrical industry, the fair is the showcase to the world, which unfortunately remains closed this year. So our companies will use the time until 2021 to manage the considerable consequences of Corona. Next year, they will then present themselves with the latest products and solutions for Industry 4.0 and the energy system of the future.”

HANNOVER MESSE 2021 will be held from 12 to 16 April 2021.

WAAM3D Ltd, a spin-out company from Cranfield University, has received major investment from Accuron Technologies, an international engineering and technology group headquartered in Singapore.

WAAM3D is commercialising wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology developed at Cranfield University by a team led by Professor Stewart Williams, and will be rolling it out into the aerospace, energy and other industries. WAAM can be used to produce large metal components with low cost and short production lead times.
For further information https://waam3d.com/

The Emag Group is expanding its technology range with cylindrical grinding technology from Weiss.

“Cylindrical grinding is particularly important at the end of the process chain, when a large part of the added value has already been transferred to the component,” says Dr Guido Hegener, managing director of Emga Maschinenfabrik GmbH. “That is why it’s very important for us to offer our customers the best solutions in this area. The expertise and machines from Weiss significantly expand our range of solutions, resulting in even more attractive offerings for our customers.”
Over the past few years, CNC-Technik Weiss has made a name for itself as a developer of cylindrical grinders. Founded in 1993, the company built this expertise by performing maintenance and modernisation work on Karsten cylindrical grinders. The high-quality service provided by the company quickly led to a growth in its customer base, and resulted in demand for in-house production solutions, which marked the birth of Weiss CNC cylindrical grinders.
“I’m excited to have found a new partner in the Emag Group that allows me to put my visions for our business into practice,” explains Bernd Weiss, current and former managing director of the company. “Our massive growth at the Neckartailfingen plant has brought us to our capacity limits. As part of the Emag Group, completely new opportunities are opening up for our products. We now have access to broad knowledge and support from the group, which will allow us to accelerate the development of new machines.”
For further information www.emag.com

Vollmer, a specialist in tool grinders, has launched the VGrind 340S. Complementing the existing VGrind series of machines, the latest VGrind 340S has been specially developed for producing and re-sharpening small carbide tools with diameters from 0.3 to 12.7 mm.

Drills and milling cutters in this size range are in high demand in the automotive, electronics, connector and medical engineering sectors, where assembly space and components are becoming smaller and smaller. Automation options on the VGrind 340S allow tool manufacturers to use the machine for unmanned production around the clock.
The VGrind 340S is not just suitable for producing rotationally symmetric tools, but for re-sharpening; relying on the company’s tried-and-tested VGrind technology to achieve this functionality. VGrind see two vertical spindles made available for different grinding wheel sets, which makes it possible to reduce non-production time. Five harmonised CNC axes achieve interpolation, with short travel distances for the linear and rotary axes. These machine kinematics reduce idle times and the subsequent time required to machine workpieces.
As well as the rotary axes, the linear axes are also designed as direct drives (linear drives) for the first time. Unlike ball screws, these axes are non-contact drives and are therefore not subject to wear, increasing the service life, precision and longevity of the machine. The VGrind 340S also features a steady rest to ensure optimum tool concentricity during grinding, while a back rest is available as an option for longer drilling tools.
NUMROTOplus software enables a 3D simulation of the tool production process and makes it possible to carry out collision monitoring in advance. The height-adjustable and pivoting touchscreen control desk, as well as the generously dimensioned view of the machining space, make for ergonomic machine operation.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com