The high-speed Mikron Mill S 400/500 Graphite and Mikron HSM 500 Graphite have been released by GF Machining Solutions.

As the name suggests, the machines have been designed to produce workpieces made from graphite. Graphite glass moulds for glass products are increasingly used in the ICT sector, while graphite electrodes are proven in the automotive, electronics, aerospace and packaging industries.
GF Machining Solutions’ Mikron Mill S 400/500 Graphite is aimed specifically at graphite mould tools. As ambient temperatures fluctuate in machine shops and machining speeds change, process stability is maintained thanks to the machine’s intelligent thermal management system and thermo-stable machine body. Precision and stability at the tool tip are said to be assured by the Step-Tec HVC140 spindle, with speeds ranging up to 42,000 rpm and 13.5 kW of power. As well as providing a solution for graphite, the machine can also handle a range of other materials, thus increasing its versatility and appeal.
Conversely, the Mikron HSM 500 Graphite is suitable for the dry machining of graphite. The machine’s Step-Tec HVC140 spindle (42,000 rpm) and integrated dust extraction system ensure fast production and process optimisation and, when integrated with a System 3R WorkPartner (WPT1+) part-changing robot, productivity increases yet further.
For further information www.gfms.com/uk

Since its founding in 1969, tool and machine manufacturer FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving (Alltec GmbH) has developed from a craft shop for mould making into an international provider of system solutions for laser marking.

The initially used solid-state and CO2 lasers were supplemented in 2004 by the first fibre laser in FOBA’s portfolio. Constant optimisation of the material and technologies make these today highly powerful marking lasers. As a result, FOBA’s systems can mark virtually any type of material in high quality, with durable characters.
For further information www.fobalaser.com

Industrial automation solutions provider Compac Srl of Urbino, Italy, has been acquired by LVD.

The pair have partnered together since 2016 to produce automatic warehouse systems for numerous LVD laser-cutting machine installations in Italy. LVD will add Compac systems for metal fabrication to its automation portfolio, broadening the choice of solutions for its punch press, fibre laser and tube-laser cutting machines for customers worldwide. The metal fabrication systems will be branded as LVD, while Compac will retain its brand for automation solutions supplied to other markets.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

Steep mountain passes and narrow winding roads; this is how the first Vollmer sharpening machine found its way through the northern Italian Alps more than 25 years ago.

The machine’s destination was saw blade manufacturer Moreschi, in the small town of Vilminore di Scalve. A strong partnership has linked the two companies ever since, with Moreschi today relying on Vollmer CHD, CHF and CM grinding machines for sharpening carbide-tipped circular saws, and the Loroch KSC-710 series of machines for sharpening HSS circular saws.
Marco Moreschi, CEO, confirms that the company is “currently using more than 15 Vollmer and Loroch machines”.
Eight CNC-controlled axes, along with measuring technology, make the CHD 270 suitable for automatically machining carbide-tipped circular saw blades with an outer diameter of between 80 and 840 mm, while thanks to its fixed grinding unit and solid structure, the CM 300 grinding machine achieves precision for circular saw blades with a diameter between 200 and 1440 mm. When it comes to extremely large dimensions, right up to circular saw blades with a diameter of 2200 mm, Moreschi uses Vollmer’s CHM and CHMF 400 grinding machines. These two models, with five CNC axes each, grind the tooth face and tooth top of the saw teeth, as well as their sides.
Moreschi’s international customer base includes numerous companies from the steel and metal alloy industry, meaning that the blades are used mainly by large manufacturers, as well as in saw mills. Since customer requirements can differ greatly, Moreschi provides advice that is tailored to each individual customer, supported by custom-produced saw blades.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

Laser Lines has been named as an exclusive UK reseller of SISMA’s laser-welding systems, which are suitable for customers in the industrial and mould-tool repair markets requiring manual, semi-manual and automatic solutions.

Italy-based SISMA offers both entry-level solutions for one-off welding applications, often used in the dental and jewellery industries, as well as more complex systems, which include advanced movement and programmable welding path features that can incorporate robotics. Laser Lines will be selling units based around both lamp-pumped and fibre-laser technologies.
For further information www.laserlines.co.uk