Chiron Group appoints new CEO

The board of directors at machine tool manufacturer Chiron Group has appointed Roman Gaida as its new CEO, effective 1 July 2026. The move sends a clear signal regarding the company’s international expansion, a stronger focus on customer needs and a consistent commitment to profitable growth.

“With Roman, the Chiron Group is gaining a CEO who combines strategic clarity, international leadership experience and deep technical expertise,” explains chairman Dr Armin Schmiedeberg. “His career path – from his roots in CNC machining through senior leadership roles to the global management of international organisations – makes him a valuable and forward-looking addition to our leadership team.”More information www.chiron-group.com

Stratasys selected for war AM programme

Stratasys’ parts-on-demand business, Stratasys Direct, has been selected to take part in the US Department of War’s (DoW) Joint Additive Manufacturing Acceptability (JAMA) IV Pilot Parts Programme, a multimillion- dollar initiative to accelerate qualification and deployment of 3D-printed parts across military platforms and systems.

“In 2025 Stratasys saw double-digit annual revenue growth from aerospace and defence, demonstrating that AM is a becoming a key capability for defence sustainment and supply chain resilience,” says Foster Ferguson, vice president – industrial business unit, Stratasys. “Stratasys Direct already ships over 100,000 parts annually to the defence industry, and programmes like JAMA will accelerate qualification of parts so organisations can deploy them faster across operational platforms.” 

More information www.stratasys.com/en/stratasysdirect

EMG-Control: Digital force and displacement control solutions

France-headquartered EMG Presses has introduced a new solution designed to meet growing demand for enhanced monitoring and full traceability in industrial production processes. The system forms part of the EMG-Control ecosystem, combining force and displacement sensors with an intuitive display interface to deliver 100% part control in real time.

Officially distributed in the UK by Berger Tools, the equipment enables continuous and accurate quality control across a range of press technologies, including rack and pinion, toggle and pneumatic bench machines. Suitable for manual, semi-automated and fully automated workstations, the solution supports reliable anomaly detection and consistent product compliance, even in demanding industrial environments.

Designed as a plug-and-play system, EMG-Control offers multi-program management, sequence programming and statistical analysis, making it a valuable addition to modern SPC strategies. Manufacturers can measure, monitor and record key variables such as force, stroke and time, either individually or in combination, with data displayed in a variety of formats including graphs, curves and numerical readouts. Real-time history tracking and a configurable sequence editor provide operators with complete visibility and control over the measurement process.

Ease of use is central to the system’s design. Operators receive immediate visual and audible feedback indicating whether components meet specified parameters, allowing non-compliant parts to be quickly identified and removed. The integration of TEDS-enabled sensors ensures automatic recognition and self-calibration, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing the risk of configuration errors.

As manufacturers continue to embrace digitalisation, EMG’s latest innovation provides a flexible and scalable pathway to smarter, data-driven production environments.

More information www.emg-presses.co.uk

SMS Group modernises continuous galvanising line

SMS Group has successfully completed a multi-phase modernisation of continuous galvanising line #1 (CVGL#1) for Hyundai Steel at its Dangjin plant in Korea, with the final acceptance certificate now awarded. The upgrade enhances operational efficiency, improves product quality and ensures long-term reliability, supporting Hyundai Steel’s ability to meet increasing performance demands, particularly in the automotive sector.

Delivered in two co-ordinated phases to maintain production continuity, the project addressed both downstream processing and core mill performance. The first phase focused on upgrading equipment following the skin pass mill, including the installation of a strip washer, strip dryer and optimised bridle roll sets, alongside new motors and drives. An advanced X-Pact line drive control system was implemented to deliver precise tension and elongation control, resulting in improved strip quality and smoother operation at higher processing speeds.

The second phase centred on the comprehensive modernisation of the skin pass mill. This included a full upgrade of the technological control system and integration of the latest X-Pact embedded controller. New hydraulic blocks and advanced servo valves for hydraulic gap control and work roll bending were also introduced, ensuring accurate strip thickness and flatness control, enhanced tension stability and reduced maintenance requirements. Rapid commissioning was achieved with minimal software adaptation, reducing production risk and enabling a swift return to normal operation.

Building on a partnership that began in 2005, when SMS Group converted the original continuous annealing line into a combined annealing and galvanising facility, the latest upgrade reinforces long-term collaboration. With CVGL#1 now operating in a stable and efficient manner, Hyundai Steel is well positioned to meet growing market demands while maintaining high standards of quality and process consistency.

More information www.sms-group.com

Andritz Schuler and Feintool advance fine-blank presses

Whether used in seat belt fasteners, seat adjustment mechanisms or transmission components, stamped parts must meet the highest standards of precision to function reliably. Smooth, burr-free cut edges, along with excellent flatness, are essential to ensure consistent performance and durability in demanding automotive and industrial applications.

With the introduction of the HFA plus+ series, Andritz Schuler is expanding its fine-blanking portfolio with systems designed to deliver exactly this level of quality. The energy-efficient presses, offering press forces ranging from 3200 to 15,500 kN, achieve outputs of up to 85 strokes per minute, combining high productivity with exceptional part accuracy.

While the HFA plus+ series represents the latest evolution of this technology, it is built on decades of proven expertise. Andritz Schuler has already supplied more than 800 hydraulic fine-blanking systems worldwide through its long-standing collaboration with Feintool AG.

Under a newly structured partnership, Feintool continues to contribute process and tooling expertise, while Andritz Schuler takes responsibility for manufacturing the presses and delivering complete turnkey systems. Early in 2025, two HFA plus systems with a press force of 8800 kN were produced at the company’s Göppingen facility for deployment in the US.

The latest generation incorporates several technical enhancements, including a servo-controlled hydraulic pump drive that significantly improves energy efficiency while increasing stroke rates. Servo-driven automation components ensure fast and reliable material handling, while an advanced control system with integrated process monitoring supports seamless integration into Industry 4.0 environments.

Beyond installation, Andritz Schuler provides comprehensive lifecycle support, including maintenance, spare parts, upgrades and modernisation services, ensuring long-term performance for both new and existing fine-blanking systems.

More information www.schulergroup.com