INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Precision across the board with Mitsubishi MX900

In a world where precision determines success or failure, Mitsubishi Electric says it is setting new standards in wire EDM with the company’s latest MX900 series. What makes this machine special is not just its accuracy of less than 1 µm – it is the combination of advanced technologies that make this precision possible in the first place.

The heart of the MX900 is its well-thought-out gantry design, where the massive machine bed made of spheroidal cast iron is completely decoupled from all peripheral units. This innovation virtually eliminates all vibrations and thermal influences. The eight-fold mounted linear guides with precisely executed mounting surfaces ensure smoothness and virtually no running resistance.

Tubular direct drive technology operates completely contactless and is therefore wear-free. It converts electrical energy directly into motion – without mechanical intermediate stages. Unlike conventional drives, there is no disruptive cogging torque that could impair precision. Communication takes place via polymer fibre optic cables, enabling 400% faster data transmission. The result: positioning accuracies below ±1 µm over the entire travel path – Mitsubishi Electric provides a 12-year manufacturer‘s warranty on this precision.

The MX900 thinks thermally ahead: even before heat can develop, the machine compensates accordingly. The sophisticated two-column concept combines the physical decoupling of heat sources such as pumps and aggregates with predictive temperature control. This forward-looking strategy is crucial, as thermodynamic processes exhibit a certain inertia – pure reactive adjustment would come too late for the required accuracies.

Mitsubishi’s newly developed nPV (Nano Pulse V-Power) generator works with pulses in the nanosecond range and produces a uniform, controlled spark pattern across the entire erosion path. This enables surface qualities up to Ra 0.04 µm in carbide and below Ra 0.06 µm in steel.

More information www.mitsubishielectric-edm.eu

Carl Hirschmann attends GFMS Technology Forum

Rotary indexing table specialist Carl Hirschmann GmbH says it was thrilled to attend the recent GF Technology Forum 2025, a two-day event for end users at EDM machine manufacturer GF Machining Solutions’ facility in Schorndorf, Germany. Hirschmann’s design manager Eugen Grossmann praised the event, which offered a great opportunity to exchange ideas and explore the potential of new technology.

Participants were able to choose from a total of 54 practical workshop slots at workshop and CAM level, including 31 different topics. In addition to practical modules, break-out stations offered the opportunity to obtain specific information about innovative technologies and engage in direct discussions with +GF+ experts and exhibitors.

“Especially in the current very challenging situation, the continuous improvement of production processes is of crucial importance for competitiveness, because the most efficient way to boost manufacturing is often to optimise the use of existing resources,” says Hirschmann CTO Rainer Harter. “As a partner and co-exhibitor, we were delighted to have a stand on site. In addition, our design manager Eugen presented the advantages of our newly developed FJRD-120 rotary dividing table to the participants in one of the numerous workshop slots.”

Hirschmann sales manager Jürgen Früh adds: “The high level of organisational effort was evident in every detail of the event – from the smooth execution to the first-class catering and the evening event, which provided the participants with an all-round very successful technology forum We’re already looking forward to the 2026 event – full of innovation, team spirit and enthusiasm.”

More information www.carlhirschmann.de

Efficient dust collection with Contura pulse controller

Donaldson Filtration Solutions, a worldwide provider of filtration products and solutions, is launching the Contura pulse controller. This new dust collector control solution has iCue connected technology built in, which Donaldson say strengthens its position as a global leader in filtration solutions.

The Contura Controller is designed to simplify connectivity and help customers improve equipment performance. Embedded iCue technology provides an integrated solution for data tracking, performance optimisation and proactive maintenance.

Donaldson’s iCue connected technology is a monitoring system that collects and analyses data from industrial dust collectors to help facilities operate efficiently. Using integrated sensors and a secure cloud-based platform, the system can help customers track critical performance indicators and provide them with real-time insights via an intuitive online dashboard. With this technology, Donaldson customers can leverage real-time data and analytics to support uptime, maintenance efficiency, and help manage their operations’ critical compliance data.

“Making iCue connectivity standard on our dust collectors through the Contura launch reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric technologies that help users operate efficiently,” says Mauricio Goes, vice-president of industrial air filtration at Donaldson. “We’re excited about how this advancement supports uptime and decision-making across multiple facilities.”

Initially available on select dust collector models in Europe and North America, the Contura marks the first step in a phased roll-out which will extend to additional equipment and regions over time. This launch is a key milestone in Donaldson’s broader strategy to deliver innovative, connected filtration solutions to support evolving customer needs and operational expectations.

More information www.donaldson.com

Accelerating innovation in worm thread grinding

Since its founding in 1984, Lih-Jaan has earned a strong reputation for precision engineering, particularly in the field of building thread and cylindrical grinding machines. With decades of experience and a commitment to quality, the company became a trusted name in its industry. But as manufacturing demands evolved and the complexity of applications increased, Lih-Jaan set its sights on a new challenge: worm thread grinding.

This highly specialised process requires not only technical precision but also a deep understanding of machine control and customisation. To take this next step, Lih-Jaan needed a partner with the expertise and flexibility to support such an ambitious move. That is when it turned to NUM.


What began as an initial conversation around the NUMgrind software platform evolved into a strategic alliance driven by innovation and opportunity. A renewed momentum emerged when Lih-Jaan identified a specific market need, leading to a strengthened co-operation between the two companies. Working hand in hand, they developed a custom solution that combines flexibility, user-friendliness and the ability to support a wide range of worm thread profiles. Despite a few time-related challenges in the final stages, the joint efforts culminated in a successful machine delivery.

The result was a newly developed worm thread grinding machine. At its core: NUM’s Flexium+ 68 CNC system, paired with a version of NUMgrind and worm thread grinding HMI and MDLUX axes. The machine supports five different types of worm threads, including multi-start threads, and allows for both cylindrical and non-circular grinding – all in one set up.

“NUM’s total solution not only expanded our product portfolio but also enabled us to realise our goal of developing a specialized multi-tasking machine,” states Ava Tsai, sales manager at Lih-Jaan.

More information www.num.com

High-Precision Grinding is an Art at GRT-Tech

Passionate grinder Randy Gevers, founder of GRT-Tech, enjoyed years of success in motorcycle racing. However, his success story does not begin with him, but with his father, Antoon Gevers. Anton not only instilled in his son a passion for engines and technology, but also for metalworking, particularly grinding.

After years of working together as grinding machine operators, the Gevers family took the plunge in 2016 – with their father’s early retirement – ​​and went into business for themselves. The first machine Randy purchased was a conventional grinder, with others following quickly. Fittingly, the first customers came from the racing world. Their former employers soon began offering contract manufacturing orders as well.

Today, customers from the aerospace, medical technology, toolmaking, marine and packaging industries have total confidence in GRT-Tech. Antoon often manufactures special parts for motorcycles and vintage cars, which customers entrust to him based on his experience.

Randy quickly realised that machining complex workpieces, such as those used in tool and mould making or medical technology, quickly reached its limits with a conventional grinding machine. So, after moving to the current location in 2018, he purchased a powerful pre-owned Kellenberger Kel-Varia CNC universal cylindrical grinding machine.

Due to the positive experience, another Kellenberger grinding machine quickly found its way to GRT-Tech, a Kellenberger K100 universal internal and external cylindrical grinding machine.

“I’m fascinated by the machine’s high, reliable accuracy,” says Randy. “Added to that are my years of experience, which ultimately makes the difference for the customer.”

More information www.kellenberger.com