INTERNATIONAL NEWS

New director for MAPAL

Mark Lich is now director of global key account management at cutting tool manufacturer MAPAL, taking over leadership of a newly established department of the same name. He reports directly to the chief sales officer Claudio Gabos. Lich joined the company at the end of 2013 and has experience in various sales positions at MAPAL. Since January 2023, he has headed the company’s sales management office, which is responsible for steering and supporting global growth and efficiency goals within strategic sales management. Lich will continue to fulfil this role alongside his other responsibilities.

More information www.mapal.com

Stratasys launches post-processing partnerships

3D printer manufacturer Stratasys has launched its Post Processing Partnership Programme, an initiative that simplifies how customers access validated post-processing solutions as part of complete, end-to-end additive manufacturing workflows. Stratasys has also named its first participant in the programme, PostProcess Technologies. Under the commercial agreement, Stratasys will offer validated post-processing solutions from PostProcess Technologies through its global sales channels, enabling customers to purchase post-processing equipment under a single Stratasys PO alongside their Stratasys systems.

More information www.bit.ly/4tuU18z

German Machine Tool Output Expected to Grow

After two years of decline, the German machine tool industry expects production to grow by 1% to €13.7bn in 2026. “The fundamental basis for this increase is the expected recovery of domestic demand,” says Franz-Xaver Bernhard, chairman of the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association).

In 2025, investments were stifled by high costs, insufficient planning security and the absence of economic reform to revitalise Germany as a manufacturing location. In the current year, positive effects are expected from the so-called “special assets” of the German federal government, which have been set up for investments in infrastructure, defence, climate protection, digitalisation and mobility.

More information www.vdw.de

DN Solutions Completes Heller Acquisition

DN Solutions, the world’s third largest and Korea’s leading machine tool manufacturer, has completed its acquisition of Heller, a high-end German machine tool OEM. The transaction has been approved by regulators in various jurisdictions, including Germany, the US and the UK. The strategic integration will enable a more comprehensive service network, offering tailored solutions across key manufacturing regions such as Europe and North America.

The acquisition is set to boost DN Solutions’ consolidated sales to approximately $2.4bn. Together, DN Solutions and Heller produce over 13,400 machines annually, enhancing economies of scale and purchasing power. Strategic investments in the Heller site at Nürtingen and other international facilities, will further strengthen offerings and customer support.

More information www.heller.biz, www.dn-solutions.com

Drion·tec D-Spade D5142 exchangeable-tip drill unveiled

With the new Drion·tec D-Spade D5142 exchangeable-tip drill, Walter is launching the world’s first drill of its kind with a double-sided indexable insert. The special feature is the flank face of the first cutting edge. This serves as a support surface for the second cutting edge that doubles the service life of the exchangeable tip and reduces the costs per metre of drilling.

Designed for cost efficiency, the drill comes in diameters from 12 to 32 mm and cutting lengths from 3xD to 8xD. Four lands and the self-centring point geometry ensure high precision and smooth surface quality of the hole. Furthermore, exact centring, straightness and diameter tolerance are guaranteed.

Ground and polished chip clearance spaces optimise chip evacuation and increase process reliability. Six coolant outlets ensure precision cooling on the cross-cutting edge, main cutting edge and circumference on both teeth. The combination of fine-grain substrate and the gold-coloured HiPIMS coating of the DS42 indexable insert enables high levels of wear resistance and easy wear detection.

The symmetrical design of the double-use exchangeable tips not only doubles tool life but also reduces the amount of carbide used per cutting edge by 45% compared with conventional drills on the market, reports Walter. The company is therefore positioning the Drion·tec D-Spade D5142 as the new standard for both cost-conscious and sustainable hole-making. The drill is particularly suitable for mass manufacturers machining steel and cast-iron materials, such as in the automotive, energy or rail industries.

More information www.walter-tools.com