INTERNATIONAL NEWS

WFL strengthens its UK and Ireland markets

WFL Millturn Technologies says it has been the innovation and technology leader in the field of complete machining for many years. The company has sales offices and representatives all around the globe to serve its customers. The UK has always been a very important market for WFL, especially in the aerospace industry. To guarantee the best possible service, continuous and consistent customer support in all market-relevant regions is vital for the company. Now, after many years of successful co-operation with esteemed partners in the UK, WFL Millturn Technologies is announcing the establishment of WFL Millturn Technologies UK Ltd.

WFL and Kyal Machine Tools have been working together for over a decade, ensuring that customers in the UK receive first-class service. The combination of Kyal Machine Tools’ in-house expertise and WFL’s technical expertise delivers the desired production solutions and provides customers with high levels of service and support. The transfer encompasses Kyal employees and, in turn, maintains all valuable UK business relationships.


This strategic decision aligns with WFL’s global expansion strategy and fortifies its UK market presence, ultimately benefiting customers. The transfer of the WFL business from Kyal to WFL UK became effective in November 2023. Steve Malone becomes the general manager and sales manager for the UK and Ireland.

WFL currently has 20 different MILLTURN models. With turning lengths from 1000 to 14,000mm and turning diameters from 520 to 2000mm, users can perform the complete machining of an extensive range of workpieces. Almost all MILLTURN models are also available as a counter spindle variant.

For further information office@wfl-uk.net

Two new tools for multiple measurements

Reliable, flexible measuring equipment is indispensable in production and quality assurance. This is what two new additions to the Mahr family stand for: the MarCal 30 EWRi depth caliper and the new Millimar P 2002 sensor.

Normally, it is not possible to measure lengths linearly over the entire measuring path with an inductive probe. This is not the case with the new Millimar P 2002 all-rounder from Mahr, which achieves high linearity thanks to its optimally matched measuring system.

Wherever the lengths, the new P 2002 shows its strengths; from brake discs and smartphone covers to turbine blades, Mahr says that its new Millimar sensor is a true all-rounder. The probe stands for maximum measuring accuracy and minimal linearity deviations over the entire measuring range. At the same time, its revised ball guide ensures high-precision, easy handling.

The second new Mahr addition, the MarCal 30 EWRi depth caliper, represents maximum process reliability. This tool allows users to measure completely without any disturbing cables and to benefit from its fast, automatic data acquisition that eliminates manual input errors. The depth caliper sends the displayed measured value directly to the user’s Windows application via radio transmission and at the touch of a button.

Lapped guide rails allow the slider to run smoothly and sensitively. Depending on the measuring task, users can measure either with the universal stylus or the wide front measuring surface: the stylus is removable for this purpose. Mahr offers 30 EXm long measuring bridges of 300 and 400 mm for supporting or bridging distances. Mounting is simple and can be individually adjusted in the hole grid. This means that users can easily reach their measuring point, even with larger support distances.

For further information www.metrology.mahr.com/en-int

Marposs participating in Target-X project

The European Target-X project is launching its second open call to strengthen important economic sectors in Europe by integrating 5G and 6G, accelerating the digital transformation. The call stresses the importance of establishing a sustainable business framework, unlocking new market prospects and providing financial support up to €60,000 per entity.

Marposs is actively involved in the research project, led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) in Aachen. The project’s objective is to conduct validation tests for new technologies in both 5G and its successor, 6G. Collaborating with other partners, Marposs has identified different applications within existing experimental test environments in both Germany and Spain.

In the automotive sector, the project focuses on studies related to digital twin vehicles, co-operative perception, autonomous or remote driving, and the prediction of quality of service (QoS) in real-world scenarios. Meanwhile, in the industrial manufacturing sector, research lines initiated in previous projects continue, involving partners to integrate real-time technologies with cutting-edge cloud architectures. This integration aims to create more efficient and sophisticated digital twins of robots and machine tools.

The project aims to explore the potential of 5G and 6G technologies in realistic environments within end-user industries through demonstrations and experimental evaluations. Notably, the focus includes examining the impact of network and digital-twin integration on real-time communications, localisation, tracking and interactivity. The assessment also considers sustainability, security and privacy metrics for the solutions under test, contributing to the development of a framework for evaluating the economic and social effects of potential new business models emerging from the use of these advanced technologies.

For further information www.marposs.com

Zeiss to co-operate with Borg Automotive

Zeiss is entering into a co-operative project with Borg Automotive, an independent remanufacturer of automotive parts. Researchers at the Zeiss Innovation Hub @ KIT will be working closely with Borg Automotive developers and production engineers on the project over the next 12 months. The project will focus on researching and implementing new visual and automated solutions for modern remanufacturing processes that enable an even better component quality, performance and service life.

By remanufacturing used components it is possible to reduce waste and, at the same time, cut the resources and emissions required to manufacture new components.

“After remanufacturing, used parts have the same functionality, safety and reliability as new parts,” says Max Riedel, head of the Zeiss Innovation Hub @ KIT. “We would like to develop processes with Borg Automotive that will allow us to base even more reliable future predictions about the life of remanufactured parts on measurements and models.”

Grzegorz Pawłowski, group technology director at Borg Automotive, adds: “Testing components in the remanufacturing process is one of the most important steps in determining which parts are suitable for reuse: it defines the lifespan and quality of the product. Our ambition is to use automated systems in the processes increase process efficiency and further improve quality standards.”

Circular economy is one of the Zeiss sustainability focus topics. Borg Automotive also bases its business model on the circular economy, in which it is possible to extend the lifecycle of vehicle parts. Borg Automotive has recently had comparative lifecycle assessments performed on its eight product groups. These assessments show a tendency for 60% less CO2eq, 42% less energy (MJ) and 70% lower consumption of natural resources (Sb-eq) compared with newly manufactured products.

For further information www.zeiss.com

PROVIDING THE CONNECTIVITY FOR EFFICIENT AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

There is no question that the automotive sector is one of the most competitive. Manufacturers continually strive to produce high volumes of vehicles, while responding to the challenges presented by different model variants, attaining and maintaining high quality levels, optimising maintenance procedures, and of course ensuring the safety of operators.

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and e-mobility also presents additional challenges in terms of increasing flexibility within manufacturing lines without compromising the high levels of productivity required to remain competitive. Another complication stifling these objectives is the fact that automotive manufacturing involves multiple processes across the various different stages of build, from parts production, assembly and finishing to powertrain.

At every stage in the manufacturing process, there is the need to connect a range of energies, including fluids, gases, electrical power, signals and air. Regardless of whether the business is an OEM manufacturer, equipment supplier or a systems integrator, energy management is a key part of production. Handled safely and efficiently, this can assist in achieving and optimising the performance and flexibility levels demanded by the sector.

The range of applications for energy management and connectivity are incredibly diverse, with solutions influenced by the specific requirements of each particular task. Within the press shop, for example, reducing tool changeover time plays a key role in maintaining the highest levels of productivity. It is not uncommon for there to be several changeover procedures in a single shift, as the press shop produces the different panel components required for the model(s) in build at the time. These transfer press systems will have multiple tool and die sets which need exchanging, in many cases automatically, and of course the different services to these tool sets also require disconnection and then reconnection quickly and reliably. Stäubli’s energy connections offer customised, innovative solutions for a range of applications within the press shop.

The body-in-white area within automotive manufacturing encompasses a wide range of different processes, as the various body panels come together for assembly to form the main vehicle structure. The processes here include spot welding, arc welding – MIG or TIG depending upon the metal, and increasingly, adhesive and sealant dispensing. Multiple robots, situated typically at various workstations on the transfer line, often perform the majority of these tasks.

Flexibility in this stage of production is paramount to allow the line to cater for different model variants, increased levels of personalisation on the vehicles, and different motive power options, such as petrol or diesel internal combustion engines, hybrids or fully electric powertrains.

With robots a key part of the production and assembly processes in this area, Stäubli’s automatic robot tool changers today form part of many OEM production facilities. With robot tool-changer product variants available for robot payloads up to 2500 kg, and for all of the mainstream robot manufacturers, Stäubli’s automatic robot tool changers find use for exchanging spot welding guns, component grippers and end-of-arm-tooling systems.

The ability to dock, release and collect different tool configurations, while at the same time securely connecting multiple services, not only ensures high levels of flexibility, but also makes it possible to maintain high productivity levels. Stäubli’s centralised connection systems and quick release couplings also see widespread use in other areas within body-in –white manufacture to facilitate quick and safe disconnection and reconnection of services.

The automotive paint shop is another critical area in the automotive manufacturing process, as the finish and standards produced here need to be of the highest quality and consistency to protect both the vehicle and the manufacturer’s brand. Stäubli technology makes it possible to achieve high-quality results through a line-up of industrial paint connectors. The company offers silicone-free quick-connection solutions for air spray guns, quality and inspection, maintenance and cleaning, and filling and draining.

In applications where manual spray painting takes place, Stäubli provide quick-connection solutions for this painting process. Easy-to-handle, the LAK quick couplings allow safe connection from the paint line to the spray gun. In addition, a drip-proof system on the end of the plug prevents the paint from dripping when disconnected, minimising paint loss. Versions are available for both water-soluble and solvent-based paints. Stäubli also offers quick couplings with anti-hose whip safety features for the compressed air supply to the spray gun.

The final assembly area in an automotive manufacturing plant encompasses multiple operations, many of which take place using power tools, some electrically powered, and others pneumatically powered or using a combination of different services. Once again, reliable and consistent connectivity is essential to meet the stringent production demands associated with an automotive assembly line. Stäubli’s connector technology plays a key role in achieving high productivity levels across many different applications including areas that use compressed air, and also at the fluid filling stations where each new vehicle receives its oil, fuel and water.

In addition to the assembly process, the main challenges in powertrain, both for EV and ICE (internal combustion engine), involve ensuring the proper functioning and interaction between different components (engine, motor, battery, inverter and so on) through operational testing. Stäubli develops solutions to meet individual customer specifications, such as the RPE range coupling designed in conformity with the different plug profile of components, type of fluids and the environment. The company’s quick connectors are compact and offer both ease of handling and high performance, even for processes that present accessibility issues. Stäubli’s multi-connection solutions are suitable for automated testing processes, providing simultaneous connections in a single operation.

As for all industrial environments, safety is a priority, especially where there are electrical and high-pressure applications. Stäubli’s expertise, innovations and continuous involvement in safety standards make it possible to guarantee operator welfare. The user-friendliness of these superior quality products is also an important factor in the design of these solutions, ensuring ease of operation and efficiency.

For further information www.staubli.com