One of the UK’s fastest growing digital manufacturers has begun work on a £10.5m investment that will increase its 3D printing capability by 50% to meet growing demand for this technology. Protolabs, which specialises in custom prototypes and low-volume production parts, is building a new 5000 sq m production facility in Putzbrunn, Germany, which will give customers even greater access to the firm’s automated manufacturing processes and quality systems.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic impacting economies across Europe, construction of the new building has started, with the initial shell scheduled to be completed by the end of December, and the fit-out and machinery due to be installed in several stages, beginning in May 2021. Up to 25 further machines will be added to the existing technology, while a CNC machining centre will be installed to support the finishing of 3D printed parts for high-end applications.
For further information www.protolabs.co.uk

With the ramp-up of the Ventilator Challenge UK project to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Dugard has witnessed an unprecedented surge in enquiries and sales relating to its Hanwha range of sliding-head turning centres.

As manufacturers up and down the UK switch production output to machining small turned components for ventilators, the attributes of the Hanwha range are coming to the fore. The Hanwha XE is the latest generation series, and enjoying particular success during the COVID-19 pandemic is the Hanwha XE35.
This compact heavy-duty machine is the largest in the XE series, with the facility to turn bars up to 35 mm diameter. The rigid 2750 kg XE35 is designed to machine hard materials and undertake high-volume material removal, as demonstrated by the vibration-dampening heavy cast construction, and strong, rigid tool post.
From a technical perspective, the Hanwha XE35 has a 2.2/5 kW main spindle motor and a 1.5/2.2 kW sub-spindle motor, both achieving a maximum spindle speed of 6500 rpm. The high-torque spindle motors are matched by Hanwha software, FANUC-0i CNC and gear-type modular live tooling configuration.
The tooling offers 18 positions that provide simultaneous front and rear spindle machining through a platen of five fixed tools and four driven tools in the X1 axis, with another four driven tools on the Z2-axis plane and one on the Z1 axis, accompanied by an additional four tool stations for the boring, drilling and machining of other internal features. All live tooling positions offer a high spindle speed of 6000 rpm with a 1 kW spindle motor.
The travel range of the Hanwha XE35 is generous with 210 mm in the Z1 axis, 62 mm in X1, 340 mm in Y1, 205 mm in Z2, and 312 mm in X2.
For further information www.dugard.com

In response to the current COVID-19 situation, Zeiss has created a new one-stop digital hub, so that customers can find everything they need from the company, from home.

The ‘Metrology Digital Hub’ houses useful information that includes: the Zeiss range of free and paid software options; e-Learning and webinars where customers can improve their skills on tool corrections, process optimisation and other topics; and helpful contact information.
Customers can also access the Zeiss Metrology Portal for any of their service, support and training needs. In addition, there is access to a digital magazine where a collated range of articles covering different industries and applications can be found.
Zeiss will soon releasing more information on upcoming e-Learning opportunities, as well as news on its latest product innovations, including invitations to digital events and new virtual means to learn about what Zeiss solutions can offer.
The world has never needed digital platforms so much to help connect people during this unprecedented time. The Zeiss metrology community is connecting people across the globe with social media using #measuringhero on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
CEO Dr Jochen Peter says: “The safety of our employees, customers and business partners is a very important priority for us, so we have adapted our operations and are mostly working from home offices at the moment. Nevertheless, we are confident that we will get through these challenging times, and we want to let our customers know that we continue to offer them our support.”
For further information www.zeiss.ly/digital-hub

Wenzel Group has entered into a close technological and commercial partnership with Metrologic Group. Metrologic Group software solutions are available in a version adapted to Wenzel CMM and portable measuring arms, with a focus on universality, performance and point cloud inspection.

The goal of the partnership is to provide Wenzel customers with software solutions suited to its measuring equipment, based on joint technical expertise with Metrologic Group. Wenzel CMMs and portable measuring arms can now take full advantage of Metrolog X4 and Silma X4, as well as the dedicated portable arm solution, Metrolog Evo.
According to Wenzel, the move means that its customers can enjoy advanced 3D measurement capabilities, a best-in-class point cloud module, robust offline programming and simulation tools, and faster measuring cycles to make the most of their Wenzel measuring system and streamline their 3D inspection process.
Wenzel customers willing to upgrade their software to Metrolog X4, Silma X4 or Metrolog Evo, will be able to do so directly using a Wenzel controller, WPC or with the Metrologic Group controller, ME5011. Be it on Wenzel CMMs or measuring arms, both conventional tactile probes and optical laser line sensors are already supported in the X4 software platform.
The complete solution featuring Wenzel hardware and Metrologic Group software is available directly together with the measuring equipment from Wenzel and its network.
Says Dr Heike Wenzel, CEO: “Together with our high-quality machines, customers will gain significant benefits when using the entire solution in the measurement room and/or the production environment.”
For further information www.wenzel-group.com

Tool and cutter grinding machine manufacturer Anca has joined a consortium that aims to rapidly manufacture invasive ventilators within Australia.

The company’s experience in advanced manufacturing means it can guarantee micron precision, a capability which means Anca could pivot and utilise its machine shop to produce parts for the ventilators. Anca is utilising a cross-functional team comprising manufacturing, supply chain, project management, stores logistics and safety to support this work. Around the world it is predicted that the total demand for ventilators could run into the tens of thousands.
For further information www.anca.com