THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

December open house at Hurco

Hurco’s annual end-of-year open house exhibition will take place on 3-4 December (08:30-16:30) at its High Wycombe showroom. Lunch is provided, along with refreshments throughout the event. Taking centre-stage this year will be a full display of Hurco’s many five-axis machine configurations.

As many as 20 of Hurco’s technology partners will also have their own stand offering tooling, work holding, CADCAM software, metrology, automation, mist extraction, rotary tables, barfeeds, angle heads, probes and machine tool finance. This gives existing and potential Hurco customers the opportunity to discuss their complete requirements.

More information www.hurco.com

IFR names new president

FANUC Corporation’s chief technical advisor, Takayuki Ito, has been elected as the new president of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), which represents 3000 organisations in over 20 countries. Ito has more than 40 years of experience in the robotics industry and was previously IFR vice president.

“I’m proud to continue the work of my predecessor, Marina Bill, who has been a great ambassador for the world of robotics,” he says. “We are witnessing rapid change in the automation of industrial and service applications around the world. Together with Jane Heffner of Mobile Industrial Robots as the new IFR vice president, I look forward to our mission.”

More information www.ifr.org

Mazak names open house dates

Yamazaki Mazak’s annual UK open house will take place on 3-5 December. themed ‘Team Mazak’, this year’s event will spotlight close customer relationships and how collaboration can enhance productivity and profitability. Attendees will witness first-hand Mazak’s commitment to supporting customers at every stage, including pre-sales, installation, training and post-sales.

The open house will boast a line-up of over 20 machines, all in live-cutting action, and four automation systems. Customers are even promised a sneak peek of the company’s new laser machining area to showcase how automation has improved productivity in Mazak’s own factory.

More information www.bit.ly/4fcVNUh

AFRC announces 100th member

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has welcomed its 100th member with international aerospace specialist ATI Inc joining the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) as a tie-one member. It marks the start of a collaboration in advanced engineering and materials science that will support sustainable air travel.

Based in Dallas, Texas, ATI is a major producer of materials to global aircraft engine manufacturers. The company has over 100 years of experience in creating superalloys that withstand extreme heat, pressure and corrosion. Access to the AFRC’s FutureForge facility will support ATI with the development of next-generation materials and processes.

More information www.nmis.scot

Over 300 at Mills CNC open house

Mills CNC’s recently-held ‘Pushing the Boundaries’ open house saw over 300 visitors attend
the two-day event in Leamington Spa. The 16 machine tools on show included a SMX
2100SB multi-tasking machine, DVF 5000 and DVF 6500 five-axis machining centres, a TT
twin-turret, twin-spindle turning centre with dual Y axes, and a large-capacity VTL.
A number of the machines on view were integrated with Mills’ industrial and collaborative
robot automation systems. Pride of place went to a SYNERGi Premier automated
manufacturing cell and the first showing of a new, multi-level automated pallet change
system. A McLaren Formula 1 car was also on display.
More information www.millscnc.co.uk