INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Sutherland introduces personalised AI bots

In a landmark shift toward futuristic manufacturing capabilities, Sutherland Presses has announced an ambitious initiative to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all its operations. This cutting-edge programme will see the introduction of dedicated 24/7 AI bots assigned to each department and staff member, creating a network of intelligent agents that enhance productivity, improve decision-making and innovate processes.

The transformative approach of Sutherland Presses places AI at the core of its operational matrix. The seamless integration of AI assistants is poised to revolutionise the company’s production line, supply chain management, customer service, R&D, human resources and administrative duties.

Customer service departments will see AI bots handle enquiries, process orders and provide aftersales support around the clock. Through natural language (NL) processing, these bots can communicate effectively, ensuring that customers receive prompt and accurate assistance while freeing up staff to tackle more complex service needs.

AI bots supporting the R&D teams will comb through vast data sets to identify trends and patterns that humans might overlook. By accelerating the design and testing phases, these AI partners substantially reduce time-to-market for new products, effectively keeping Sutherland Presses ahead in the competitive market.

As each department works closely with its designated AI bot, staff members will undergo specialised training to adapt to this collaboration. Far from replacing human workers, these AI agents are designed to augment and empower the workforce, decreasing mundane chores and elevating the human component to strategic problem-solving and creative innovation.

Sutherland Presses says its adoption of individual AI bots represents a significant leap into the future of manufacturing and beyond. AI integration supports the company’s commitment to pioneering advancements, ensuring that every facet of the business operates with heightened intelligence, agility and foresight.

For further information www.sutherlandpresses.com

Vaski Group expands with Pivatic acquisition

Vaski Group Oy from Seinäjoki, Finland, a company experiencing robust growth, is expanding through its acquisition of Pivatic Oy, based in Hyvinkää, Finland. The consideration paid marks a significant milestone for Vaski as it continues to strengthen its position in the industry and strives for excellence in manufacturing and innovation.


This acquisition is a merger of equals, where both businesses achieved a record recent order backlog of €11m. After the purchase, combined sales exceed €25m and 100 staff. Notably, Vaski significantly enhances its coil-fed systems business with Pivatic’s focus on coil-fed punching and bending lines for sheet metal processing. Pivatic, which Pivatic is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, in turn makes a leap forward with Vaski’s focus on coil-feeding technologies.

Vaski managing director Michael Mansour says: “Off the back of significant growth in the Vaski business, I’m excited by this combination, creating a new leader in coil-fed systems, leveraging the multi-coil expertise of both companies and bringing Pivatic’s 50 years of tradition into Vaski.”

Jan Tapanainen, Pivatic CEO, adds: “I’m thrilled to be part of this merger which creates significant cross-selling synergies and a clear vision for both businesses moving forward. Vaski and Pivatic come together to create a coil-fed systems champion and world market leader in our sector.”

In 2023, over 18% of Vaski’s revenue was spent on R&D, demonstrating the company’s commitment to technology advancement. With a shared commitment to innovation and quality, Vaski Group is ready to leverage its expertise in developing Pivatic, particularly in strengthening research and development activities.

For further information www.vaski.com

Hot stamping of high-strength aluminium

Parts made from high-strength aluminium sheets are increasingly found in modern vehicles to save weight. Schuler now offers on its hydraulic presses a new process for hot stamping that heats this light metal very quickly by means of contact heating, with subsequent forming taking place in a water-cooled die. All process steps take place in the die so, in contrast to the hot stamping of steel sheets, no separate furnace is necessary.

“This not only reduces the space requirements for the system, but also significantly lowers investment and operating costs,” explains Christian Palm, who is responsible for the hydraulic presses division at Schuler. “Users of this technology can produce light and high-strength parts with a considerably higher degree of forming compared to cold forming, offering much greater design scope.”

It is possible to achieve highly complex geometries and a tensile strength of 300 to 400 N/mm². In the process, heating plates integrated into the first forming stage heat the 6000 or 7000 series aluminium sheet to over 300 to 450°C in a matter of seconds. In the second stage, forming takes places in a water-cooled die while the next blank heats up at the same time. In a third and fourth stage, the part, which is still at about 60°C, can be cut.

On a 1200-tonne capacity hydraulic press from Schuler operating in conjunction with a dynamic three-axis transfer system, users can achieve cycle times of just 10 seconds per part. Components are ready for further processing immediately and do not require several hours of heat treatment for hardening. The first system is already in manufacture for an automotive supplier in Asia as part of electric vehicle production.

For further information www.schulergroup.com

Trumpf co-operates with Exploration Co

Trumpf and European space-travel start-up The Exploration Company are co-operating on
the construction of core components for spacecraft used in missions to the earth’s orbit and
the moon. As early as this month, the Exploration Company will use 3D printers from the
laser specialist to print core components of the Huracán and Mistral engines for the Nyx
Earth and Nyx Moon spacecraft.
“Our spacecraft can benefit from Trumpf’s manufacturing and application expertise,” says
Hélène Huby, CEO of The Exploration Company. “Trumpf has decades of experience in the
production of high-precision components.” The start-up plans to send a space capsule to
orbit the earth for several months in an initial mission in 2026. Starting in 2028, further
missions are planned to go to the moon. Initially, the spacecraft will carry freight but in the
long term people will also fly on board.
For further information www.trumpf.com

Easy, accurate digital boring head set-up

Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads eliminate tedious, inaccurate
boring head adjustments that can lead to scrapped parts. A wide digital display helps for
quick, efficient adjustment and set-up.
“Boring heads typically require a skilled operator for accurate adjustment,” says Seco
product manager Kavita Dandge. “For shops struggling with skilled labour shortages, the
digital axial boring heads use a reversible digital display so operators of any level can make
adjustments without mistakes.”
Cutting-edge displacement is critical to boring accuracy. Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus
digital axial boring heads use a digital device to display precise displacement values during
tool set-up. This wide display works with all Seco digital axial boring heads.
Without a digital device, boring head set-up requires time-consuming adjustments of tiny
hard-to-read scales. Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads allow for
clear and concise adjustments to eliminate virtually all human error. With a wide, easy-to-
read display and convenient button controls, the Seco digital head also shortens set-up
times for greater efficiency and productivity.
For maximum versatility, the Seco digital adjustment device uses no batteries; charging is
via USB and attaches to the boring head with magnets for a tight seal. The elimination of
replaceable batteries prevents contamination during battery changes. Furthermore, the
battery-free design of Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads remains
sealed to keep dust and coolant out, while the digital display’s single charge lasts for 200
measurements.

Seco offers the Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads in five sizes, starting
from 2 mm diameter. The heads handle OD turning diameters from 2 to 57 mm and
grooving diameters from 19 to 96 mm.
For further information www.secotools.com