INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Sustainable tool packaging

Cutting tool specialist Walter is now supplying its products in packaging made from up to 95% recycled plastic. Known as PCR, a material that is fully recyclable, this new packaging strategy is an important step in increasing economic circularity to above 90%, a goal which the Tübingen-based company wants to achieve by 2030. “And that’s not all,” says Gerhard Schüßler, head of sustainability at Walter. “Our main goal is to be climate-neutral by 2050. It’s essential that we take every opportunity to reduce our CO2 emissions. On multiple levels, PCR packaging plays a part in this ambition.”

More information www.walter-tools.com

Renishaw joins US-based AM Coalition

To help educate key decision makers, stakeholders and the public about the importance of additive manufacturing (AM), Renishaw has joined the US-based Additive Manufacturing Coalition. As a member, Renishaw will help engage and educate manufacturing and research policy leaders across the federal government to emphasise the benefits of AM to national security, health, information security, manufacturing and more.

Renishaw will now receive invitations to quarterly policy roundtables with key decision makers. John Laureto, AM business manager – Americas, at Renishaw, says: “As the use of AM expands further and into new markets, the AM Coalition helps stand as a voice in support of all that this process has to offer. As a member, we’ll help drive AM use to improve economic prosperity and national security.”

More information www.renishaw.com

VDW Hosts Kuala Lumpur Symposium

With its ‘Innovations in Production Technology – German Machine Tools Symposium’ in
Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association)
helped its members gain a stronger foothold in growth markets. Eight German high-tech
companies used the VDW symposium to sound out their opportunities in the presence of
110 Malaysian trade visitors. The companies – DMG Mori, Chiron, Grob, Hermle, Index, Open
Mind Technologies, Schütte and United Grinding – also participated in 48 B2B meetings. The
VDW estimates that the Malaysian machine tool market is worth more than €700m.
More information www.vdw.de

Danobat buys Delta Wheel Truing Solutions

Vertical turning lathe (VTL) manufacturer Danobat is strengthening its position in the North American rail market with the acquisition of US-based company Delta Wheel Truing Solutions. Signing the agreement at Delta’s headquarters in Escanaba, Michigan, Danobat continues to make its way in the United States. Danobat entered the US market in 1982. The company has a technical centre in Chicago focused on the development of solutions for processes such as hard turning.

“This acquisition is an important boost that will position us as one of the benchmark players in the North American rail sector, bringing competition for in-situ wheel profiling maintenance that has been lacking in North America,” says Oskar Uria, director of the Railway Business Unit at Danobat. “Delta’s expertise and know-how will be a strategic support for Danobat to grow in such a demanding market.”

The main objective of this approach is to get closer to the US market, offering products tailored to the specific needs of customers in the North American railway sector. In addition, the Escanaba plant will provide direct services, ensuring a close and agile service to customers. 

Delta has a team of people with extensive experience in the design and manufacture of rail wheel re-profiling equipment. In addition, it holds several patents on different systems, offering unique solutions to the market. The manufacturing capacity in the US, its products and customer base are key elements for future joint development with Danobat.

Danobat has recently inaugurated a new 130,000 sq ft plant with increased manufacturing capacity at its Elgoibar manufacturing complex in northern Spain. The acquisition of Delta adds to its strategic investments for the coming years.

More information www.danobatgroup.com

WFL machines make parts at ArianeGroup

The ArianeGroup site in Vernon, France, designs, develops, manufactures and tests liquid hydrogen propulsion systems. Much of its activity revolves around propulsion for launch vehicles. The site encompasses three test benches for cryotechnic thrusters and component testing benches. In total, six WFL machines are present on the site: four M60 MillTurn and two M35 MillTurn models, all for machining rotating engine parts.

“Machines from WFL are particularly crucial as we use them to manufacture high-value parts,” states Dominique Delor, head of industrial maintenance at ArianeGroup. “We primarily require precision and good rigidity in our machines because we process hard materials that will undergo significant stress during use. Furthermore, process standardisation is part of our business strategy.”

In production, this entails working with the same machines and the same numerical control.

For Delor, this is undeniable: “It saves us time and allows all our operators to work on these machines. Our satisfaction has increased as we gained experience with machines from WFL. We have realised that they are good, sturdy and reliable machine tools. Therefore, if we were to need a new machine, we would undoubtedly opt for a MillTurn. Our colleagues in Ottobrunn, Germany, are also convinced by MillTurn machines. After visiting our production site in Vernon and the subsequent purchase of an M80, they were able to significantly reduce their production time.”

He adds: “For 20 years we’ve maintained excellent relationships with WFL. For us, in a new project, it’s always important to have assurance of functioning production. And that’s the case with WFL. Their service doesn’t stop at simply selling a machine. Implementation is also impeccable. By purchasing a WFL machine, we know everything will go smoothly.”

More information www.wfl.at/en