To avoid the possibility of engineers glazing over at the mention of Industry 4.0, “there is no better way to describe the potential rewards of the concept than by illustrating that better profitability and improved growth can only be achieved with customised digital manufacturing solutions”, says Starrag CEO Dr Christian Walti.

“And with Starrag’s Integrated Production System [IPS], users have available a modular solution that can be aligned with specific requirements, allowing individuals to effectively select their own à la carte solutions to realise the benefits of Industry 4.0 through automating and digitising their production.”
At the heart of IPS is a cell controller, proprietary to Starrag, which monitors machines and can guide and control the entire production process – in conjunction with a higher-level ERP system where applicable. The cell controller also ensures digital transparency by visualising system status, for example.
Developed in-house by Starrag, the cell controller is an open system that can link different system components, making it a very practical and cost-effective tool for customer-orientated Industry 4.0 solutions.
“IPS enables users to control and monitor their Starrag machines – standalone units through to flexible manufacturing systems and complete production lines – to ensure reliable production,” says Walti. “In addition, the technology enables us to support them in the complex task of using data in a networked production world to obtain added value.”
He adds: “Starrag has been using IPS components to develop wide-ranging Industry 4.0 solutions for a number of customers, including one company that invested in a flexible manufacturing system of six Ecospeed F2060 machining centres served by a rail-guided pallet shuttle system.”
For further information www.starrag.com

A new machining centre has been introduced by DMG Mori that, despite having travels of 700, 420 and 380 mm in the X, Y and Z axes respectively, has a footprint of just 4.2 sq m.

The DMP 70 takes up 10% less space on a factory floor than the machine it replaces, the MillTap 700, of which more than 3000 have been sold.
Available either as a three-axis CNC machine or fitted with an optional swivelling rotary table to enable five-axis simultaneous machining, the production centre is suitable for the manufacture of medical parts. However, it is equally well suited to producing smaller parts in the aerospace and other demanding sectors,
as well as in the job shop.
Provided that components fall within its working envelope, the DMP 70 is able to lessen the load on larger capacity, more expensive machines. A high degree of rigidity in machine construction, including a grey cast iron machine bed and 35 mm wide linear guideways, allows a metal removal rate that is 10% higher than the maximum possible on the MillTap 700.
With rapid traverses of 60 m/min and acceleration up to 2 g, the DMP 70 offers dynamic performance. In the machine’s standard version, it is equipped with an inline, 10,000 rpm/78 Nm spindle. Fast tool change and chip-to-chip times of 1.5 seconds also contribute to high productivity. The tool magazine has capacity for 15 cutters up to 250 mm long; 25 tool pockets being an option.
For further information www.dmgmori.com

SIC Marking has purchased Zaniboni Srl of Turin, Italy, which has subsequently been renamed SIC Zaniboni.

Formed in 1977, Zaniboni specialises in the design, manufacture and sale of customised marking and laser traceability solutions for the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors. As early as 1994, Zaniboni began introducing lasers into its marking and traceability solutions, becoming a pioneer in the integration of this technology. In over 40 years, Zaniboni has succeeded not only in becoming a reference in Italy and internationally, but in establishing strategic partnerships with international OEMs such as SKF.
For further information www.sic-marking.co.uk

Taking place on 11-12 June, the Modern Shipbuilding Summit 2019, organised by Pemamek, was aimed at shipbuilders looking to modernise their existing production or planning to invest in a new shipyard.

In total, the event in Finland was attended by over 130 maritime influencers from 56 companies in 20 countries. The event included presentations from major shipyards such as MV Werften (Germany) and Ingalls Shipbuilding (USA), as well as welding, cutting and production technology providers like Pemamek, Lincoln Electric, Davi, HGG, Hexagon and Microstep.
For further information https://pemamek.com/

Ballydehob, Ireland-based Ceramicx, a designer and manufacturer of ceramic infrared heating elements and ovens for industrial and commercial applications, has installed an Excetek wire EDM and EDM hole drill from Warwick Machine Tools. The machines are being used to support the company’s tool-room operations.

Under the auspices of founder Frank Wilson, Ceramicx has gone from strength-to-strength. Around 99% of business comes from exporting its products to over 80 countries, including Germany, UK, USA, Russia, Turkey, India and China. During the past decade Ceramicx has been enjoying average annual growth levels of circa 15%.
In 2017, the company reached a new milestone with the completion of a major building expansion project. The extra space included a well-equipped tool room to provide day-to-day support for the ceramic mouldings required by the company.
“We produce the tooling needed for compacting ceramic powder to generate the various heat insulation and control parts required for our products, so a fully capable and self-sufficient tool room was a pragmatic decision,” says Wilson. “Some of my team visited the MACH 2018 exhibition and subsequently visited Warwick Machine Tools’ showroom in the Midlands.
“A demonstration of the compact Excetek V350 CNC wire EDM machine and the HD30Z EDM hole drilling machine provided my team with the confidence to recommend the investment required,” he adds.
In use, the Excetek EDM machines have proven reliable and robust. However, as Wilson points out, “while the machines are easy to use and maintain, it’s reassuring to know that we have support here in Ireland. Our remote location makes this a key consideration, along with the trust we have in Paul Barry, WMT’s local sales and service engineer.”
For further information www.warwickmachinetools.co.uk