In the face of shrinking demand for rubber injection moulds, AMB near Paris has been adding precision prototypes and mechanical components for a wide variety of industries to its portfolio.”

To aid this transition, the company began searching for a new wire EDM, as Jacques-Henri Miguet, second-generation managing director, explains: “We needed a new machine because our existing wire EDM from another manufacturer was unreliable and caused excessive maintenance costs.”
Initially there were discussions with three different suppliers, but the choice quickly narrowed down to the Mitsubishi Electric MV1200R offered by local agent Delta Machines. One important reason was that the system accommodates a working height over 200 mm.
Ultimately, a wire EDM system type MV1200R was purchased along with an EA8S die-sinking EDM system.
“Our Mitsubishi wire EDM machine works perfectly and delivers everything we expected of it,” says Miguet.
The MV1200R achieves an accuracy of 1/100 mm when used with wire diameters from 0.1 to 0.25 mm, usually with two passes to achieve the best possible quality. In two-shift operation and with an average spool life of 20 hours, jobs can usually be planned so that the next change falls within an employee’s working hours and the machine runs largely around the clock. In this context, the automatic re-threading of the wire after a breakage, even in the narrowest kerfs, is also very useful.
“If I should ever need another EDM system, I know exactly who to contact,” says Miguet, summing up his experience.
For further information www.mitsubishi-edm.de

Cutting-tool manufacturer Mapal opened its Fountain Inn, South Carolina plant in 2013 to complement the company’s existing US headquarters in Port Huron, Michigan, as production manager John Schuck recalls: “In 2013, we were sweeping the floors and waiting for the first machines to arrive, one of which was a Vollmer QWD750H wire-erosion machine with a 12-station tool loader. Our immediate growth noted an additional two QWD750H machines arriving in spring 2015.

“From day-one, our ambition and plan for this facility was to run ‘lean and unmanned’ production wherever possible, and the 12-station Vollmer QWD750H wire-erosion machines have supported this philosophy,” he adds.
As the company ramped-up production, it exponentially increased its investment in wire-erosion technology. For instance, Mapal acquired more Vollmer machines in 2018. Succeeding the Vollmer QWD series as the next-generation technology, Mapal took delivery of two new Vpulse500 machines in March 2018.
“We were really pleased with the performance of the QWD750H models, but the new Vpulse500 takes it to a new level,” says Schuck. “Vpulse500 machines incorporate a new erosion generator that is far more efficient than the QWD models. The new erosion generator and the new control format are optimising our productivity, giving us 25-30% cycle time reductions over the previous machines, while generating improved surface and edge finishes. Furthermore, the CNC control and software has been enhanced for greater ease-of-use and operator friendliness.
“No doubt more Vollmer machines will follow as we continue to grow,” he adds. “From a staff perspective, part of our growth trajectory will see us start an apprenticeship programme this year and what better environment for apprentices to learn than in a new factory with state-of-the-art machine tool technology from Vollmer.”
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

A steelmaker based in Poland is saving nearly €3m per year after switching to NSK´s sealed-clean KVS bearings in its roll mill.

Such has been the superior performance of these four-row tapered roller bearings that the company has adopted the solution for all of its tandem cold mills. NSK KVS bearings are said to offer 2-4 times longer life than standard bearings. There are many reasons behind this elevated level of performance. For instance, a special type of bore seal averts the build-up of negative pressure that can cause the entry of water through the main seals.
For further information www.nskeurope.com

Lantek has announced a collaboration agreement with Euromac, an Italian supplier of CNC punching and bending machines, as well as automated systems for sheet metal production.

The agreement reached by both companies enables control of a ‘sorting cell’ programmed with a Kuka KR 10 robot using two punching software solutions from Lantek: Lantek Expert Punch-Plus and Lantek Stackmaster. Combined, these solutions enable the automation of the discharge line for parts and their subsequent palletisation and storage.
For further information www.lantek.com

To help manufacturers return to work following the easing of lockdown restrictions, automation specialist FANUC is offering all interested parties in Europe its RoboGuide and CNC Guide efficiency-boosting software programs as free trial versions until the end of September 2020.

RoboGuide is a program with which both the motion of FANUC robots and the overall production process can be simulated, while CNC Guide allows users to write, simulate and test part programs on their computer. In addition, machine tool builders can use CNC Guide to support their customers remotely.
For further information https://special-offer.fanuc.eu/en/