Mapal Frhenosa, a 120-employee joint venture by the Mapal Group, is stepping up its activities in Mexico.

The company has built a second site in Santiago de Querétaro, giving it an operation right at the heart of the country for the first time. An opening ceremony was attended by numerous representatives from the worlds of business and politics. The new factory gives Mapal Frhenosa considerably more production capacity for reconditioning tools, as well as eventually creating 100 new jobs. Approximately €2.3m has been invested in constructing the new facility.
For further information www.mapal.com

Creaform’s recently launched HandyScan Black and Go!Scan Spark have won Red Dot Awards for product design.

Marco St-Pierre, Creaform’s vice president – innovation and technologies, says: “These are Creaform’s fourth and fifth Red Dot Awards in the past few years, which attests to how much we believe in the crucial role that design and ergonomics play in the overall user experience.” Each year, over 5000 entries to the Red Dot Awards are received from more than 50 countries. Entrants are judged on several criteria, including degree of innovation, functionality, formal quality and ergonomics.
For further information www.creaform3d.com

Jack McCarthy, an apprentice trained at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (AMTC) in Coventry is to represent the UK at the WorldSkills 2019 finals in Russia.

McCarthy, who was one of the first cohort of apprentices to be trained at the AMTC – part of the Manufacturing Technology Centre – will compete at the WorldSkills competition in Kazan in August, having successfully competed at WorldSkills UK to win his place. Aged 20, he began his apprenticeship at the AMTC in 2014, completing it last year. McCarthy now works for DMG Mori, and will compete in Russia in the CNC turning category.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Over the past few months, Tornos has been launching a number of products that form part of its entry-level portfolio of turning machines. Now, with the introduction of the Swiss DT13 and Swiss DT26 turning machines, a full product line-up is available.

Tornos’ entry-level segment comprises two product lines, namely the CT20 machine, the second version of the machine recently introduced, and the Swiss DT model. Both model variants are subject to constant evolution. Against this backdrop, the Swiss DT13 and Swiss DT26 models have undergone significant modifications that are aimed at improving their rigidity and axis feed rates.
The Swiss DT13 has been conceived for bar capacities of 13 mm (10 mm without bar preparation). In addition, the machine is provided with five linear axes and two C axes, while its kinematic system has been developed for high-productivity applications. Thanks to maximum feed rates that can reach 35 mm/min and L-type kinematics, the Swiss DT13 is said to be extremely fast, with ultra-short chip-to-chip times. Maximum spindle speed is 15,000 rpm.
Tornos’ Swiss DT26 features five linear axes. Given the bar capacity and performance of the machine, Tornos engineers have prioritised high chip removal by arranging the gang tool post above the guide bush and spindle. With its spindles offering power of more than 10.5 kW for both main and counter operations, in combination with a bar capacity of 25.4 mm, the Swiss DT26 enables large cutting depths. Against this backdrop, high chip removal is required to tap into the full potential of the machine. Just like the Swiss DT13 model, the machine is equipped with a motorised guide bush and, in less than 15 minutes, can be converted to enable collet operation.
For further information www.tornos.com

Open Mind Technologies AG is celebrating its 25th company anniversary and is today represented by its own sales and service subsidiaries in 15 countries.

Indeed, the CADCAM specialist had 305 employees at the end of 2018, and by the end of its anniversary year, this number is set to grow beyond 330 with new subsidiaries soon to open. “We began with just 20 employees, but our love for technology and our innovative spirit are things that have not changed over the years,” says Dr Josef Koch, CTO and one of the company’s founders.
For further information www.openmind-tech.com