INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Single set-up processing of circular saw blades

Vollmer says it is accelerating the processing of carbide-tipped circular saw blades with its new CC 355 production system. The CC 355 enables circular saws for cutting wood to be fully sharpened, including all tooth faces, tooth tops and side angles, in a single working cycle. Four grip arms automatically carry the saw blades from the loading system to the three machining stations. Working through up to 800 teeth per hour, the Vollmer system can process circular saws with a diameter of between 150 and 355 mm.

The CC 355 is equipped with two machining stations for tooth faces and tooth tops, plus one station for side angles. Users can position a stack of un-machined parts either on the left or right, thus providing a free choice of the machining sequence direction and the order that saw teeth are produced. A total of 17 CNC axes control the procedure.
Dr Stefan Brand, CEO of the Vollmer Group says: “The linchpin of our CC 355 is sharpening technology for carbide-tipped circular saws that has been over six decades in the making. Furthermore, the machine’s automated system makes the CC 355 perfect for saw manufacturers who want to produce large volumes of parts, and who also place exacting demands on the tools they use for woodworking.”
For further information
www.vollmer-group.com

£1.5m extension for training specialist

A Black Country training provider has pushed the button on a £1.5m extension that will more than triple the size of its facility in Aldridge. In-Comm Training, which was recently awarded ‘Outstanding’ status by Ofsted, has joined forces with workholding specialist Hyfore to develop what it is calling an Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre next door to its current site in Vigo Place.

Backed by the Black Country LEP’s Growth Deal, the ambitious plan will create an additional 16,000 sq ft of space that will be fitted out with CNC machine tools, automation and a robotics line. The facility will also house material testing, material handling and grinding capabilities, as well as a 16-seat Mastercam and CIMCO CADCAM studio to help students develop their design-for-manufacturing skills.
For further information www.in-comm.co.uk

ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory

Creaform, a specialist in 3D measurement solutions, says that its Canada-based headquarters has received the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). The ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation is an internationally recognised standard for testing and calibration. Laboratories accredited as per the ISO/IEC 17025 standard have demonstrated technical competencies relating to the calibration of their technologies. Creaform also follows the ASME B89.4.22 standard for its acceptance testing and holds
an ISO 9001:2008 certification for its quality management system.
For further information
www.creaform3d.com

Makino reports significant growth in Europe

Japanese machine tool manufacturer Makino says that orders from Europe were up by more than 70% in the last financial year, with major contributions from the aerospace and industrial components sectors. Particularly positive developments were seen in France, Italy, Spain and Poland. At a recent Makino press conference in Germany, the company reported global consolidated turnover of ¥153.6m, down 5.1% compared with the last financial year. Although in Japan the group suffered from a decline in turnover of 7.9%, record positive levels were achieved in all other regions (Americas up 10.3%, Europe up 8.5% and Asia – excluding Japan – up 4.2%).
For further information www.makino.co.jp

Mapal achieves 6% growth

German cutting tool manufacturer Mapal says that consolidated group sales rose by around 6% from €540m in 2015 to €575m in 2016. Together with the increase in sales, the number of employees also increased by 4%, from 4,800 to nearly 5,000 worldwide. Over 3,400 work in Germany. Together with investments in R&D, further Mapal initiatives include implementing several construction projects at international locations. For instance, this year the company is increasing its investment in infrastructure in the USA, China and Mexico. In addition, Mapal has acquired the majority stake in Adico, a South Korean manufacturer of PCD and PcBN.
For further information www.mapal.com