INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Starrag machines make turbine gearboxes

With over 100,000 gearboxes already produced for wind turbines, the NGC Group from
China has eight machines supplied by Starrag at its main factory. This historical success was
reason enough for the Chinese specialist in wind turbine powertrains to increase the
number of Berthiez, Dörries and Heckert machines to 20.
 
China wants to be carbon neutral by 2060 and wind power plays an important role in this
plan. Huai’an, NGC’s third factory in China (in addition to production facilities in Nanjing and
Baotou), will set the course for a carbon-free future. Units for the large offshore wind
turbines with 15, 18 and 20 MW capacity have also recently been built there. This is where
Starrag comes in, with its ‘Renewables’ market segment, which has made a name for itself
with machines for manufacturing wind turbine drivetrains. Since 2006, 100 machines have
been delivered to China, of which about one in five went to NGC.
 
“In 2007, we won NGC as our first Chinese customer in the wind power industry there,”
recalls Jörg Heinrich, director of the Application & Technology Department at Starrag
Shanghai Co Ltd. “After successfully handing over the first machine, a Heckert horizontal
machining centre in 2009, NGC immediately ordered three more Heckert machines.”
According to NGC, the machining centres can process workpieces 25% faster than
competitor models. The production technology and the special on-site service were well
received in China and, since 2022, NGC has increased the number of Starrag machines in its
factories to 20.
 
A Dörries vertical turning machine has gone to Baotou and nine machines from Starrag’s
Berthiez, Dörries and Heckert product ranges have been shipped to the new factory in
Huai’an.
More information www.starrag.com

Strategic realignment at Fair Friend Group

The Fair Friend Group (FFG) has initiated a comprehensive strategic realignment to address the current global challenges in the industry and strengthen its competitive position. As part of this transformation, FFG has appointed Dr Sebastian Schöning as its new CEO.

Schöning, who holds a PhD in mechanical engineering, brings over 20 years of professional and management experience. Since 2021, he has served as the group’s COO and as CEO of MAG IAS GmbH. In his new role, Schöning will spearhead global strategy development and lead the group’s operations.

As a global turnkey supplier, Fair Friend Group (FFG) delivers machine tools and machining centres for the manufacturing of internal combustion engines, electric motors, crankcases, axles and wheels. A key element of the realignment is the increased leveraging of synergies among Fair Friend Group’s globally operating companies. This enables FFG to provide customers with even more integrated and custom solutions.

Additionally, FFG plans to expand its range of standard machines and develop new technologies in emerging industries such as humanoid robotics and energy. By integrating AI, smart manufacturing, energy efficiency and decarbonisation, FFG aims to ensure future-oriented and environmentally friendly production. Customers will benefit from a wide range of highly specialist machines and production systems, allowing manufacturing companies to respond flexibly to both regional and global market demands.

“Our clear vision, strong management team and relentless drive to help customers succeed are the keys to future growth,” says Schöning. “With the measures we are now implementing, we’re ideally positioned to expand FFG’s market presence in the global machine tool industry.”

More information www.ffg-ea.com/en

EUROBLECH 2024: PIONEERING THE TRANSITION TO GREATER PRODUCTIVITY

From 22 to 25 October, the international sheet metal working industry will gather at EuroBLECH 2024 in Hanover, Germany. Under the theme, ‘The Power of Productivity’, some 1300 exhibitors from 40 countries will showcase the world’s largest selection of sheet metalworking technology under one roof, all designed to boost performance and efficiency.

Spanning over 160,000 m² of space, the event will feature a wealth of live demonstrations and product premieres. The exhibition will also host a packed event programme, guided visitor tours, the EuroBLECH Awards and a dedicated ‘Careers Day’ to promote young talent.

EuroBLECH covers the entire supply chain in 15 technology sectors. The event attracts high-profile visitors with decision-making power, all seeking innovative manufacturing solutions and machines. Technologies on display comprise stamping, punching, pressing, forming, cutting, joining, welding, fastening, handling, finishing, quality control, CAD/CAM/CIM software, tools, warehouse and factory equipment, material recycling systems, and many more.

This week’s 2024 edition will once again offer a unique visitor experience at the core of the industry, kicking off four days of intense product sourcing, networking and learning. A strong line-up of suppliers from around the globe will fill nine exhibition halls with thousands of exhibits and live machinery.

“We are currently witnessing rapid developments in automation, robotics, AI and IoT devices,” explains Evelyn Warwick, event director of EuroBLECH, on behalf of RX. “Digitalisation, connectivity and big data are playing a crucial role here, allowing more efficiency, precision and real-time adjustments within the production process. This year’s EuroBLECH will be the place to look for guidance on how to use these game-changers in a meaningful way within your own production. Making informed choices is the key to unlocking the true power of productivity in terms of output, performance, costs and sustainability.”

Among the exhibitors will be Yamazaki Mazak, which will announce the European debut of its OptiPlex 3015 Ez laser processing machine. According to the company, this cutting-edge technology offers high-quality laser processing capabilities at a cost-effective price point. The 6 kW machine on display at EuroBLECH will be exhibited as part of a fully integrated manufacturing cell, which takes the workpiece from raw material through to the finished parts.

Another exhibitor with a focus on laser cutting will be LVD, which will also unveil a new machine offering low investment and operating costs. The new laser is available in three configurations to meet price/performance needs and thus deliver the lowest cost per part manufacturing. It can be equipped with a MOVit Load-Assist automation system.

Elsewhere at the show, BLM Group will present its LS7 sheet metal laser cutting system with a 20 kW power source and automatic warehouse in a compact tower version for 24/7 continuous production. According to BLM, the LS7 is a compact, high-performance laser machine with a fast pallet change of only 9 seconds.

As the sector’s flagship event, EuroBLECH successfully fosters a culture of innovation, pushing progress within the industry. This year’s event will host many young companies and new participants alongside well-known global players, giving visitors exclusive access to an ever broader array of fresh ideas and technologies.

One out of five companies in the halls will be a new exhibitor, while a dedicated ‘Young Innovators’ Pavilion in hall 15 will feature promising start-ups from Germany. Besides Germany, major exhibitor countries for 2024 are Italy, Türkiye, China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, India, Finland, France and the USA. Around 64% of all exhibitors are based outside Germany.

A total of 76 companies are shortlisted for a EuroBLECH 2024 Award, industry prizes that recognise outstanding achievements in technical excellence and innovation. Six winners will be honoured at the official awards ceremony on the first day of the exhibition, at 17:00 in the presentation area of hall 27. The ‘Award Trails’ are a new highlight this year, featuring all nominated companies. Six trails filled with cutting-edge innovation are waiting to be explored, one for each of the award categories: Stamping and Forming Technology, Cutting Technology, Joining Technology, Surface Technology, Automation and Handling, and Sustainability.

For visitors wishing to explore further the transformative power of innovation, EuroBLECH offers carefully curated guided visitor tours focusing on productivity solutions by companies such as Amada, Libellula, OTC Daihen Europe, Panasonic Connect Europe, Rico-Thomas Castro Silva, SEYI Presses Europe, Voortman Steel Machinery and Wila. Each stop includes a short presentation and Q&A session with an exhibitor representative. Tours can be booked online.

The popular speaker forum will make a return, featuring expert talks and presentations on key topics such as automation, robotics, cobots, IoT and the industrial metaverse. Sessions run alongside the exhibition in the presentation areas in halls 26 and 27. A special panel discussion will address ‘Automation as a solution to mitigate skilled labour shortage’ on Wednesday 23 October at 15:00 in hall 26.

And Friday 25 October is ‘Careers Day’, promoting young talent in the industry. Students and apprentices are invited to visit the exhibition free of charge to help them engage with potential future employers and groundbreaking technologies on the market.

The official event website provides extensive information on the exhibition profile and show visit, including a full exhibitor list with company and product descriptions, and a comprehensive online show preview with search and filter functions to help attendees find the companies and products most relevant to them. With a simple click, users can create a list of favourite suppliers which they can export for easy access on multiple devices. Visitors can also subscribe to the EuroBLECH e-news to keep informed ahead of the show.

Daily opening times are 09:00 to 18:00. Tickets are €39 for a day ticket and €70 for a season ticket (valid on all four show days). Additional ticket options include guided visitor tours at €25. The ticket shop and registration are available online.

More information www.euroblech.com

Sarix unveils SX30-pm micro-EDM hole drill

Sarix says that the release of its new SX30-pm micro-EDM hole drill allows customers to boost productivity at an affordable price. Designed to push the boundaries of what is possible, the SX30-pm combines high micro-drilling speed with extreme accuracy.

Imagine producing zero-deviation, precision, wire-cut free holes in a fraction of existing cycle times, whether working with tough aerospace-grade materials, medical devices or complex watch components. Sarix says that the SX30-pm’s advanced technology ensures superior results, helping users to increase throughput, reduce downtime and stay ahead of the competition.

Offering high-speed micro drilling, the SX30-pm is suitable for jobs ranging from 3.0 mm down to 100 µm. The machine delivers a high depth aspect ratio for extreme deep-hole drilling. It has travel of 300 x 300 x 400 x 400 in the X, Y, Z and W axis respectively, supported by a positioning precision of 0.01 mm (resolution 0.1 µm). An option is available offering positioning position of ±0.003 mm. The machine features automatic axis co-ordinate positioning and depth control.

The new SX-HMI interface streamlines programming and editing tasks with intuitive operating apps. Furthermore, the SX-Pulsar generator employs the latest Sarix ‘Micro-Pulse Shape’ EDM technologies for faster, deeper and more precise holes than conventional machines, reports the company.

Additional features include an automatic electrode re-feeding spindle and continuous production with the high-pressure flushing of dielectric oil or deionised water. An optional SX-MDH micro deep-hole drilling device is available for producing 0.10 mm deep holes in 15 mm carbide (Sarix patented).

More information www.sarix.com

TEK4 opens US facility in South Carolina

Summer 2024 saw UK-based EDM hole drilling machine manufacturer TEK4 open its US facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The 372 m² facility will support the company’s growing North American customer base.

The new technology centre features the latest TEK4 EDM and laser machines for precision hole development. Customers can also tap into turnkey solutions comprising complete in-house tooling design, programme development and process prove-out for complex parts. In particular, TEK4 is able to provide bespoke tooling packages in support of highly productive solutions.

US-based field service engineers can deliver fast and reliable support throughout North America. Supporting the service team is an extensive Inventory. Over $250,000 of spare parts and consumables, available for next day delivery, ensure high uptime. Notably, the US facility and US personnel enable TEK4 to comply with ITAR standards.

TEK4 specialises in fast hole drill (FHD)/high-speed drill (HSD) EDM hole drilling machines for producing straight and shaped cooling holes in aero and IGT blades, vanes, segments and other components. The company currently has four different machine sizes offering the EDM process.

TEK4 also offers an EDM drill service is for generating small holes in turbine blades and vanes. STEM drilling is another specialist process available from the company. This process is similarly adept at drilling small holes in aero parts for cooling purposes.

According to TEK4, the company says it understands the importance of making informed decisions. That is why it offers comprehensive machine demonstrations and customised trials. The company’s global headquarters is in Leicestershire, UK.

More information www.tek4.co.uk