INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Hexalobe is a star for the medical industry

With star-shaped hexalobular bone screws (TORX) proving the design of choice in the medical industry, Floyd Automatic Tooling is introducing the UK market to CrazyDrill Hexalobe drills and CrazyMill Hexalobe end mills from Mikron Tool.

Medical screws for orthopaedic procedures are predominantly manufactured from titanium, stainless steel and cobalt-chrome. Machining these precision screws to impeccable surface finishes is a challenging task – that was until the arrival of the Mikron Hexalobe series. According to Floyd Automatic, machining hexalobe screws 50% faster with precision burr-free results is what makes this next-generation series the first choice for manufacturers in the medical sector.

These high-performance drills for generating pre-holes in TORX sockets are available in two variants: the pre-hole CrazyDrill Hexalobe TORX drill with a tip angle of 140°, and the CrazyDrill Hexalobe Flat drill with a tip angle of 180°. Both are available from 0.9 to 3.8 mm in diameter for producing T4 to T30 TORX sockets. Upon request, Floyd Automatic can provide the drills as a customised combination drill for streamlining operations. The CrazyDrill Hexalobe series combines two operations into one, as it simultaneously machines a flat pre-hole and a 120° chamfer.

The Mikron CrazyDrill Hexalobe from Floyd Automatic generates chamfer surface quality to a finish of Ra<0.3 µm while guaranteeing high profile accuracy and perpendicularity.

Completing the process is the CrazyMill Hexalobe micro end mill. Available from 0.2 to 1 mm diameter for T4 to T30 socket variants, the CrazyMill Hexalobe presents three- or four-flute variants with milling depths of 3.5xD and 5xD. The CrazyMill Hexalobe milling cutter demonstrates sufficient stiffness for machining with high feeds and stepover rates, while guaranteeing the necessary hex lobular profile accuracy.

More information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Mapal gains foothold at Kramer+Grebe

To stay competitive in mould and die making for the automotive industry, efficient production with a high degree of process reliability is vital for Krämer+Grebe of Biedenkopf-Wallau. Manufacturers such as Krämer+Grebe also judge cutting tool suppliers by their applications engineering. Mapal is earning trust in this respect with its reamers and high-feed milling cutters.

Machinery at Krämer+Grebe is all state of the art. The 16 machining centres are predominantly from DMG and Hermle. There is also a deep-hole drilling machine, two turning centre, three EDM machines and 3D printers. The company has 11,000 m²

of production space at its disposal, where the transition to electric mobility is well underway. Powertrain parts here include stator housings for the electric motor.

Co-operation between Mapal and Krämer+Grebe is reaching its five-year anniversary, a partnership which began with multi-bladed reamers. Mapal was the only manufacturer Krämer+Grebe could find that was able to produce these tools with the necessary quality and short lead times. Bores with H7 quality are needed to insert heating cartridges in low-pressure moulds.

Mapal’s application engineers left a lasting impression. They provided user training on site and helped commission the process on the machine. As part of process optimisation, Krämer+Grebe parted company with some of its former tool suppliers, of which there were many.

After such a good experience with the reamers, Krämer+Grebe began adopting Mapal’s high-feed milling cutters. The tools demonstrate long tool life and generate large chip volumes during roughing, thus reducing production times. The milling cutters are also extremely reliable to allow for multi-machine operation.

More information www.mapal.com

70 new jobs in Galway

Fastening solutions specialist PennEngineering is expanding its operations in Galway, a move that will create 70 new jobs over the next five years. The €14m expansion project, which involves the construction of a new building, includes a state-of-the-art technology and training centre, testing laboratories and a customer experience centre. The new jobs will span a variety of roles that include manufacturing, engineering, training and more.

PennEngineering’s expansion project has support from the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. Estimates suggest the work will be complete by January 2025.

More information www.pemnet.com/eu/

Schuler under new management

Martin Drasch will become the new CEO of press manufacturer Schuler when he takes up his new position on 1 October 2024. Since 2018, the 49-year-old has been CEO of multinational engineering company Manz AG, which employs around 1400 people. Drasch built up the Mobility & Battery Solutions division there and initiated a co-operation with companies such as Dürr and Grob on the topic of a ‘turnkey battery factory’. The mechanical engineering graduate previously worked as chief operating officer (COO) at Manz and in various management positions at Eisenmann.

More information www.schulergroup.com

Countdown begins to EMO 2025

Online registration for the EMO 2025 exhibition is now open. Taking place on 22-26 September 2025, EMO is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the event. EMO general commissioner Carl Martin Welcker is inviting manufacturers of metalworking-related machines and components from all over the world to present their products, services and solutions to an international trade audience. There is an early-bird discount for exhibitors available until 15 October 2023.

“EMO is and remains the industry platform where companies can inspire customers, expand their own network and, of course, do business,” he says Welcker. “Where else can manufacturers meet so many high-calibre trade visitors from more than 140 countries in just five days?”

More information www.emo-hannover.com