Marking line improves aerospace traceability

Floyd Automatic Tooling says that it now offers the latest Hommel + Keller brand of Zeus marking systems.
A manufacturer of aerospace industry connectors has recently chosen marking technology from Hommel + Keller as a means of clearly identifying components. The connectors vary in terms of diameter and material. For example, parts identical in design are made from nickel with a diameter of 3.33 mm and from brass with a much smaller diameter of 1.52 mm. To optimise production and further reduce set-up times, the aerospace manufacturer was also looking for an alternative to marking with the production number.

The solution was the Zeus spring return marking method. Explaining the situation, Hommel + Keller International technical sales engineer, José Cruz, says: “The customer was already using our tools for marking. However, the revolving method that depends on diameter was being employed. That meant there was a separate marking roll for each connector diameter and the customer often had to swap tools with production changes. Since the workpieces have very small diameters, the marking rolls also had an unfavourable ratio of 6:1 to ensure precise marking in multiple rotations. This increased the amount of set-ups required, particularly in the case of small and medium-sized production volumes. With our spring return system, we were able to offer the customer an even more cost-effective method of machining. Now, different connectors need only one roll for marking.”
In contrast to the revolving method, the spring return method ensures the embossing process takes place over just one partial rotation of the marking roll. This permits processing at high speeds.
For further information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Wearable robotic exoskeletons

IUVO, a spin-off company of the BioRobotics Institute (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna) in the field of wearable technologies, has recently received a joint investment from Comau and Össur. The objective of IUVO is to create wearable, intelligent and active tools for a better quality of life. Here, the first concrete examples are robotic exoskeletons capable of aiding and improving the quality of life for workers in the industrial and service fields, and for medical patients in need of improved mobility.

A fundamental aspect of the venture is the joint desire to progress and evolve human-machine collaboration within diverse sectors, including biomedical, manufacturing and consumer. With headquarters inside the Comau HUMANufacturing Innovation Centre in Pisa, and a group of engineers and researches, IUVO is leveraging the shared competencies of the extended team to develop and commercialise wearable technologies.
For further information www.comau.com

GF Machining to acquire Symmedia

In line with its strategy to digitalise the company’s offering, GF Machining Solutions has agreed to purchase 100% of the shares of Symmedia GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany. The privately owned company has been specialising in software for machine connectivity solutions for the past 20 years.

Symmedia today employs 60 people, while more than 15,000 machines in various industries worldwide have been equipped with its software. The company will continue to support and develop connectivity solutions for all types and all brands of machines and factory equipment, and continue to operate under current management from its Bielefeld base.
For further information www.symmedia.de

Stark plant

The Roemheld Group has opened a new Stark manufacturing centre in Rankweil, Austria. The 6000 sq m building houses the latest manufacturing equipment and systems, including new turn-mill centres, CNC grinding machines and a 3D measuring machine for use with large parts. From this factory, Roemheld will continue to develop its Stark zero point mounting range.

Terry O’Neill, managing director of Roemheld, says: “As manufacturers ourselves, we use our own zero point elements within our production plants, so we are well placed to understand the changing demands of the marketplace.”
For further information www.roemheld.com

Siemens partners FFG on machine tools

Siemens and Fair Friend Enterprise Co Ltd of Taiwan (FFG) intend to strengthen their long-standing business relationship. The aim of the extended partnership is to consolidate the integration of the Siemens Digital Enterprise Suite across FFG’s business and integrate Siemens digitalisation and automation technologies into FFG’s machine tools and associated products.

Siemens und Fair Friend Enterprise Co., Ltd. Taiwan (FFG) wollen ihre langjährige Geschäftsbeziehung vertiefen. Hierzu unterzeichneten Dr. Jimmy Chu, Chairman der Fair Friend Group (rechts), und Dr. Wolfgang Heuring, CEO der Business Unit Motion Control der Siemens AG (links), eine gemeinsame Absichtserklärung (Memorandum of Understanding) auf der Messe EMO.
Siemens and Fair Friend Enterprise Co., Ltd. Taiwan (FFG) now intend to strengthen their long-standing business relationship. To this end, Dr. Jimmy Chu, Chairman of the Fair Friend Group and Dr. Wolfgang Heuring, CEO of the Motion Control Business Unit at Siemens AG signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding at EMO.

The two businesses agreed at EMO 2017 (Hanover, September 2017) to work closely together at FFG on the consolidation of the Siemens Digital Enterprise Suite and the open, cloud-based IoT operating system MindSphere.
For further information www.siemens.com