INTERNATIONAL NEWS

New capabilities for multi-machine robot automation

Flexxbotics has launched the latest release of FlexxCORE, its patent-pending technology at the centre of the Flexxbotics solution. The company says that the new release delivers even more powerful capabilities for advanced robotic machine tending, robotic quality control and robotic production lines by enabling robots – both industrial and collaborative – to run multiple machines with multiple operations for multiple part SKUs. These new FlexxCORE capabilities equip manufacturers to scale robotic production across the smart factory in a standardised way for greater plant capacity, quality and EBITDA margins.

FlexxCORE now includes enhanced robot awareness, parallelised data pipelines and greater data granularity, which further extends the interoperable communication and co-ordination between robots, factory machines and inspection equipment. 

“FlexxCORE’s fully RESTful application programming interface [API] now has an expanded data model to enable dynamic definition of the production robotic environment,” explains Tyler Modelski, co-founder and CTO of Flexxbotics. “This means the robots not only understand each machine’s capabilities, operating characteristics and part processing status, the robots can direct the machines to execute work and know how to correct problems if they occur.”

FlexxCORE delivers compatibility with over 1000 different makes and models of robots, machines, other factory machinery and inspection equipment options, and enables 22x faster connector creation than conventional automation integration methods, reports the company.

Until now, scaling out advanced robotic machine tending across the smart factory has involved endless custom programming and risk. Failed initiatives occur because the robots have limited or no connection to plant equipment and business systems because of interfacing complexity and incompatibilities. With FlexxCORE, for the first time global companies can roll out production robotics across the smart factory in a standardised way for advanced robotic machine tending.

More information www.flexxbotics.com/flexxcore

Kasto system helps automate machining centres

Storage system and sawing machine manufacturer Kasto, through its UK and Ireland subsidiary, is expanding into a new area of activity with the launch of the UNITOWER cnc. This tower storage and retrieval system automates the transfer of plates carrying fixtured workpieces to machining centres, as well as the return of machined components to the store.

Suitable for automating one or more machines of virtually any make, the tower can hold fixtured components of considerable size on multiple levels in a compact footprint to a height of up to 20 m. Operators are able to prepare fresh fixtured workpieces on plates at separate adjacent set-up stations while machining is in progress. In this way, costly downtime is eliminated and productivity and profitability are raised by allowing the entire system, including high-value machine tools, to operate for extended periods.

Each shelf measuring 3 x 1.5 m in the tower accommodates one or two plates, depending on the size of the fixtured workpiece, while load height is anywhere up to 1.7 m, subject to a maximum supported weight per shelf of 5 tonnes. The plates have a zero-point clamping system on the underside for precise location on the pallets of twin-pallet-change machining centres, which saves the cost of having multiple expensive machine pallets in the system.

An overhead gantry crane in the tower automatically accesses a plate loaded with fixtured workpieces, which is transferred to the locations assigned by the controller via shuttle units and roller tracks configured to suit the application. In comparison with a paternoster system, the gantry crane has the advantage that only the targeted shelf is moved, rather than all of them, ensuring fast access times and saving energy.

More information www.kasto.com

DMG Mori releases new five-axis machine

A second-generation DMU 60 eVo five-axis vertical machining centre of swivelling rotary table design (featuring thermo-symmetrical gantry configuration and optimised kinematics), is now available from DMG Mori. The machine has been developed to meet increasing demands for precision, dynamics and flexibility, and utilises the manufacturer’s MX concept for process integration, automation, digital transformation and green transformation.

The platform integrates various manufacturing processes including milling, turning at up to 1,200 rpm, gear skiving using a proprietary technology cycle, and grinding. Inclusion of these additional metal-cutting possibilities transforms the production centre into a multi-functional machining solution that can flexibly adapt to a range of requirements and industries. Various automation options maximise machine utilisation, around the clock if required.

Compared with its predecessor, the machine has a working volume 40% larger at 750 x 550 x 550 mm. Direct-drive ballscrews in the linear axes are standard, but linear motors are an option offering 80 m/min rapid traverse. The table swivel range is -5/+110° and the maximum table load has increased by 100 kg to half a tonne. Steeply inclined, stainless steel interior surfaces and a 20% wider conveyor ensure effective chip evacuation and reliable production.

The machine bed is a hybrid mineral casting combining stiffness, strength, vibration damping and thermal stability, while comprehensive cooling keeps critical components at a constant temperature. The second-generation DMU 60 eVo is also available in a µPrecision version, enabling it to machine demanding components to accuracies measured in low single figure microns.


The spindle portfolio includes versions capable of speeds up to 40,000 rpm or a torque of 200 Nm. Tool storage with 30, 60 or 120 pockets is within the machine’s 9 m² footprint, which is 20% smaller than before.

More information www.dmgmori.com

New CEO at Kellenberger

Kellenberger, a global provider of metal-cutting solutions, has appointed Carsten Liske as its new CEO with immediate effect. Liske is an experienced executive in the machine tool industry, serving most recently as CEO of the Chiron Group. He has also held senior leadership positions at OC Oerlikon and ABB Group. “Carsten brings extensive global leadership experience along with a strong background in technologically advanced capital goods businesses,” says Kellenberger chairman Quinn Morgan. “We look forward to partnering with him to continue Kellenberger’s growth.”More information www.kellenberger.com

New managing director at Mapal Brazil

Mapal Brazil has named its new managing director as Denilson Misiti, who took over responsibility for the Brazilian subsidiary of the Aalen, Germany-based cutting tool manufacturer earlier this month. He succeeds Conrado Couto Diniz, who had continued to manage Mapal Brazil in tandem with Mapal Italia after his move to Europe at the beginning of 2025. Misiti has over 30 years of experience in the precision tool industry and in managing international companies in Brazil. Most recently, he was general manager of Mapal HiTeco TMS do Brazil, where he focused on tool management services.

More information www.mapal.com