Over the past few years, Fastems reports that the number of CNC applications utilising automated guided vehicle (AGV) or autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technologies has multiplied – and demand is continuing to rise. “Today, the majority of our focus industries are using AGVs or AMRs in some way,” says Mika Laitinen, solution sales director at Fastems. “Whether in aerospace, defence, machine building, medical or subcontracting, there are automated vehicles in many production shops.”

He adds: “When it comes to CNC automation and AGVs or AMRs, they can be of great help in reducing manual transfers and forklift operations, reducing buffer sizes, increasing the automation level, and making production flows more predictable and reproducible.” In addition, Fastems’ Manufacturing Management Software brings higher intelligence for AGV use by overseeing all production orders and resources, and scheduling every piece of this complex puzzle for timely customer deliveries.
For further information www.bit.ly/3rh4SDT

Tyrolit was recently approached by two customers to provide a solution on an existing process suffering from two crucial issues: supply problems from the incumbent supplier and poor lifetime of the product due to belt joints failing.

Using Tyrolit’s Bibielle X-Flex product, the aerospace machining customer ran back-to-back tests against its current solution to try and resolve the quality issues it had been experiencing. The outcome: no breakage over the useable lifetime of the belts. Furthermore, in comparison to the existing supplier, by using Bibielle X-Flex the process achieved a 100% increase in the number of parts produced. Not only is this a hugely beneficial result but it has also saved time, ultimately proving more cost-effective.

The extended benefits of Bibielle surface conditioning products also had a positive impact for another Tyrolit client, a company specialising in casting industrial gas turbine components. This client also began trialling Bibielle X-Flex belts as it was experiencing issues during the manufacturing process (belts snapping), resulting in short lifecycle. Previously, a company engineer would hand manipulate the belt to add flexibility to the backing in an attempt to soften it, allowing the belt to rotate without delaminating. However, with the proprietary material of Bibielle surface conditioning, the structure is quite particular, making it very flexible. In turn, this flexibility allows a tighter radii on the tool and prevents delamination, resulting in the added benefit of extended product life.

The fact that Bibielle X-Flex goes straight on the tool and is flexible from the start, allows usage ‘straight from the box’, making for a cost- and time-saving investment.
For further information www.tyrolit.co.uk

Zeiss and EOS, specialists in metrology and additive manufacturing respectively, have jointly developed and launched an in-process and post-print powder bed analysis solution. Using patented technology from Zeiss, the solution captures all features of the powder bed with high precision for layer-by-layer analysis and evaluation of the entire print job. This capability provides in-situ-proof of powder bed quality via images and defect statistics instead of after-build testing of parts. Zeiss says that the AM in-process offers rapid defect detection and classification with an ultra-high resolution per pixel.
For further information www.zeiss.com

MaxiMill-Slot-SX is the new grooving, slotting and parting-off system from Ceratizit, where through-coolant capability provides the highest levels of process security and optimum performance, even for diameters as large as 250 mm.

Ceratizit developed MaxiMill-Slot-SX, based on existing grooving inserts from its SX system, making it suitable for use on almost all materials in the ISO P, M, K, N and S categories. As for tool holders, customers can select from standard DIN connections, threads or shell mill adapters, ensuring the cutters are compatible with all machining centres, milling machines and turning centres.

Key to the development of MaxiMill-Slot SX is the addition of internal coolant supply up to cutter diameter 250 mm. Swarf control is vital in these applications, meaning through-coolant brings significant advantages. Potential damage to the cutter or component is eliminated, extending tool life, along with time savings gained by not having to remove swarf from grooves by hand. These issues are compounded the deeper a slot or parting-off operation goes.

One other aspect of MaxiMill-Slot SX that Ceratizit says elevates it above its competitors is its ease of insert changes. Simple handling is essential to smooth changeovers and here the MaxiMill – Slot SX makes use of Ceratizit’s patented SX clamping key when changing inserts. The lever design of the SX clamping key reduces insert change times while ensuring the correct clamping force, thus eliminating the risk of over tightening, stressing or deforming the insert seat, guaranteeing that the insert is secure in a precise and stable position.
For further information www.ceratizit.com

How can automation help save energy and costs? What innovations do Okuma machines offer that allow the quick manufacture of all kinds of parts with high precision while simultaneously saving resources? What contribution is Okuma technologies making towards decarbonisation in production? Okuma Europe will be providing answers to these questions and more from 25 to 27 October at its open house in Krefeld, Germany. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a guided tour, taking guests through the warehouse, engineering centre and showroom. The English-language guided tour will start at 13:00.
Register at openhouse2022.okuma.eu