THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Mazak declares BIEMH a major success

Strong levels of enquiries and a high visitor turnout have led Yamazaki Mazak and its Spanish representative Intermaher to declare the recent BIEMH trade show in Bilbao a major success.Mazak and Intermaher showcased five machines at the event, including the European-built CV5-500 five-axis machining centre and QTE-300 turning centre, both of which featured turnkey robot machine tending solutions at the exhibition.Stand visitors were particularly interested in the Integrex i-450H, one of the larger models from Mazak’s flagship multi-tasking range that combines turning and B-axis milling in one machine. 

More information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Makino top management visits NCMT

Shotaro Miyazaki, president of Tokyo-based Makino Milling Machine Co, which manufactures machining centres, spark erosion machines and VIPER grinding centres, visited UK and Ireland sales and service agent NCMT in Coventry recently to participate in their joint 60thanniversary celebrations.More than 100 guests, including representatives from the last three generations of NCMT management, sat down to lunch at NCMT’s showroom and technical centre to commemorate various achievements over the years.

The occasion was especially pertinent because Makino wasGerry Gray’s first technology partner, which led directly to the founding of NCMT by Gray in 1964 to sell Makino products exclusively. When the initial machine was imported, it was the first Japanese-built CNC machine tool installation in the UK.

More information www.ncmt.co.uk

Mapal names new chief sales officer

With effect from 1 July 2024, Claudio Gabos is the new chief sales officer of precision tool manufacturer Mapal Group and thus becomes part of the Mapal executive team. He takes over the role from Siegfried Wendel. Joining Mapal in 2015, Gabos has been managing director of the Italian subsidiary since 2017. He was also responsible for strategic projects on a global scope.

“We are delighted that we’ve been able to recruit Claudio Gabos for the position, a trusted colleague who has the ideal qualifications for this role,” says Dr Jochen Kress, president of the Mapal Group. “We’re convinced that he’ll make an important contribution to our further development.”

More information www.mapal.com

Group Rhodes expands in its 200th year

Group Rhodes, a Wakefield-based OEM providing metal forming and composite forming solutions, has significantly expanded its workforce across all four divisions over the past six months to meet the needs of customers. The move includes six new employees for Group Rhodes, four for its Rhodes Interform division, four for BJD Crushers, and two for its Craven Fawcett business. Most of the new appointments are within the company’s manufacturing and machining operations. Group Rhodes has recently announced major new domestic contracts with companies such as Ibstock, Zentia and Cascade Manufacturing.

More www.grouprhodes.co.uk

Industry leaders head aerospace consortium

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and Boeing have formed the Rotor Dynamics Consortium (RDC) in collaboration with some of the biggest names in the aircraft and aerospace engine industries. The RDC will define, drive and standardise rotor dynamics modelling and simulation requirements, with the goal of enabling airframe and aerospace engine manufacturers to overcome the engineering challenges of more sustainable and efficient propulsion systems in a safe way.

The consortium will build on finite element methods embedded throughout design, validation and safety certification workflows to apply next-generation multi-physics simulations. Notably, RDC members will meet to discuss and formulate strategies on the best application of MSC Nastran, considered the most accurate digital alternative to expensive physical testing.

More information www.hexagon.com