Flow expands into fabrication solutions

Flow International Corp, a global developer and manufacturer of high-pressure waterjet cutting systems, is expanding its manufacturing solutions with the launch of Flow Fabrication – a new division dedicated to providing complete metal fabrication solutions. Of particular note, the expansion brings laser cutting and press brakes into Flow’s portfolio. The new product line-up will be officially unveiled at the Fabtech exhibition in Chicago this September, where attendees can see live demonstrations and learn how Flow’s expanded technology portfolio can enhance their manufacturing processes.

More information www.flowwaterjet.com

Oerlikon innovation and production hub

Oerlikon celebrated the ground-breaking of its new global innovation and production centre for thermal spray systems and coating cervices at Campus Reichhold in Aargau, Switzerland.

The facility will bring together approximately 250 skilled employees, currently located at three separate Swiss sites. Notably, the campus will integrate R&D, engineering, production and customer services into a single hub. Operations are expected to commence in Q1 2027. The centre will primarily serve customers in the aerospace, automotive and general industrial markets. Among its features is a unique test rig for aerospace turbine parts.

More information www.oerlikon.com

Recognition for MES specialist

Critical Manufacturing, a specialist in advanced Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and a subsidiary of ASMPT, has been recognised as a Representative Vendor in the May 2025 Gartner Market Guide for MES report. Gartner states this recognition is based on “inquiry volumes, market presence and the ability to cover the core MES use cases and features”.

Francisco Almada Lobo, Critical Manufacturing CEO, says: “In recent years we have been recognized three times as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for MES report and we are now equally proud that this research and advisory firm has listed us as a Representative Vendor in its May 2025 Market Guide for MES.”
More information www.criticalmanufacturing.com

ANCA’s Spindle Speed Increaser offers 50,000 rpm

ANCA has developed a high-performance Spindle Speed Increaser kit designed to elevate the capabilities of its FX, MX, and TX grinding machine platforms. The solution allows users to achieve wheel speeds of up to 50,000 rpm, making it suited to small diameter grinding wheels and specialised applications, such as PCD pocket grinding and internal diameter (ID) grinding.

Designed to operate seamlessly within the machine’s grinding spindle, the Spindle Speed Increaser kit enables users to access ultra-high spindle speeds without any special machine modifications. Importantly, it is fully compatible with ANCA’s automatic wheel pack changer, allowing it to sit alongside conventional grinding wheel packs for convenient, automated tool changes.

Suitable for grinding wheels under 10 mm in diameter, the kit opens new opportunities in high-precision grinding applications. Originally developed for the TX platform, the Spindle Speed Increaser is now also offered for FX and MX machines, providing broader access to its capabilities across ANCA’s customer base.


“The regular ANCA grinding spindle runs up to 10,000 rpm – perfect for most standard tool grinding operations using wheels above 75 mm in diameter,” explains Duncan Thompson, ANCA product manager. “However, customers have been asking for a solution to use smaller wheels. These wheels require significantly higher rpm to achieve the surface speeds necessary for optimal grinding, and the Spindle Speed Increaser provides an elegant solution to this challenge.”

At the heart of the Spindle Speed Increaser is a compact geared mechanism driven by the main spindle. This gearing increases output rpm by a factor of approximately seven, achieving speeds up to 50,000 rpm at the grinding wheel.
More information www.anca.com

Hard coating of brake discs using laser welding

The EURO 7 standard will immensely change the automotive industry: for the first time, not only emissions from combustion engines will be regulated, but also the abrasion of brakes, among other things. The initial conclusion is that the particulate matter produced by many models must be significantly reduced. As a result, OEMs and suppliers are looking for a new solution for the braking system, with coated brake discs currently proving to be the ideal solution for the task.

So how can the various coating systems be applied reliably and efficiently in the context of high-volume production? EMAG offers the answer to this question: a complete solution ready for series production for the coating of brake discs by laser deposition welding, which has already proven itself in production.

The ELC 450 LMD is a machine solution from EMAG that is characterised by its modularity and flexibility. The basic idea behind the ELC 450 LMD is the use of process modules that can be combined and expanded according to customer requirements. The basic version, the ELC 450 LMD, has one process module. The ELC 450 DUO LMD is equipped with two process modules, while the ELC 450 TRIO LMD, as the name suggests, uses three process modules.

These modular machine concepts make it possible to optimally meet customer requirements in terms of shift structure and productivity. This then determines the choice of machine configuration. The ELC 450 LMD can realize both one-shift and two-shift systems. The combination of laser power and application rate determines the most suitable machine concept for the respective application.

More information www.emag.com