NSK ball screws from the HTF (High Tough) series are helping press brake manufacturers switch from conventional hydraulic drives, to electric drive systems, which offer a number of notable benefits. The ball screws are being delivered to NSK customer Sangalli Servomotori, which is using the units in combination with its brushless servomotors to supply a complete system solution to a global manufacturer of electric press brakes.

When Sangalli Servomotori, located in Italy, was first approached by the press brake manufacturer for its latest range of electric-driven machines, the company knew it had the motor technology, but had to source a suitable supplier of ball screws.
For many years the company had been using NSK bearings in its motor production operations and, impressed with their performance and quality, made an enquiry to NSK about the ball screws in its linear product range.
NSK´s team of experts assessed the application and recommended the company´s HTF series of high-load ball screws. The size of the balls and their special design configuration, along with the material used, are among the principal differentiators in favour of HTF ball screws.
A 63 mm diameter HTF unit was selected to offer a press force of 20 tonnes. Together with a Sangalli servomotor, the ball screw formed the basis for a prototype that was successfully trialled on a customer press brake. In fact, for applications demanding 60 tonnes of press force, an electric system featuring two HFT ball screws has also been developed.
Such has proved the success of the project that NSK has already received its first production orders and Sangalli has started volume production. Importantly, the single-source solution from Sangalli can be applied to the press brakes of any manufacturer, as well as to presses.
For further information www.nskeurope.com

Frank Klingemann has taken over management of the Industry division at Schuler. He is now responsible, among other things, for fully automated mechanical ‘ProgDie’ and transfer presses, which are mainly used in the automotive and supplier industries, blanking lines, systems for the production of electrical motor laminations, and coin-minting presses.

The graduate engineer has 30 years of experience in the industry, which he gained in various managing positions at robot manufacturer Kuka. Most recently, he was head of the Robotic Automation Business Unit at HLS Engineering Group GmbH in Augsburg. At Schuler, he is based in Weingarten.
For further information www.schulergroup.com

On 3-5 March 2020, Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre in France will become the focal point for the global composites industry with over 1300 exhibitors demonstrating the latest engineering and technological innovations at JEC World.

At this year’s international composites trade show, CGTech, developer of Vericut independent CNC simulation and optimisation software, will be hosting its Composite Manufacturing Symposium. The symposium sessions will take place in Room 513 on the first day of the show at 10:30-12:00, with a free buffet lunch until 13:00. It will then be repeated in the afternoon from 13:00 to 14:30.
For further information www.cgtech.co.uk

Three machine installations gave Engineering Technology Group (ETG) in Ireland a strong finish to 2019, with bosses predicting a rise in demand for twin and triple-turret format models, and smaller five-axis machines, over the next 12 months.

ETG delivered a Nakamura AS200LMYT to the Limerick Institute of Technology’s training facility and a Quaser MV184 EH vertical mill for one of its longest-established customers in Northern Ireland, taking the firm’s total of machines sourced from ETG to nine. A further Nakamura AS200LMSY sub-spindle lathe headed to Sligo, with a mould-making specialist investing in new technology to help it increase market share in the aerospace and medical sectors.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Bowers Group has introduced the Innovatest Falcon 600 pre-configured automated hardness testing system into the UK marketplace. The Falcon 600 provides a fully integrated platform for complete Vickers, Knoop and low-force Brinell hardness testing needs, with a standard force range of 1 gf to 62.5 kgf (with the option of going down to forces of 0.1 gf).

“Fully automatic as standard, the Falcon 600 is a cost-effective alternative to the fully specified Falcon 500 machine, while retaining Innovatest’s mechanical design and optics,” says Martin Hawkins, Bowers Group sales director.
Innovatest Falcon 600 units also boast a range of CNC stages, with an 18 Mp, 4K HD camera system featuring zoom and automatic focus, as well as full colour image technology. Furthermore, the 15” HD touchscreen operator interface offers easy-to-learn workflow control.
Bowers Group represents Innovatest’s range of high-end hardness testers in the UK and Ireland. Made in the Netherlands, the Falcon 600 is covered by Innovatest’s newly introduced 25-year warranty programme, which the company says is a first in the material testing industry.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk