Last month’s EMO exhibition in Hanover saw Vollmer present its newly developed VHybrid 360 grinding and erosion machine, which can be used to produce solid-carbide and PCD cutting tools, such as drills, milling cutters and reamers, in a single set-up.

Vollmer’s VHybrid 360 offers a range of automatic settings that enable unmanned production around the clock. With the newly devised Vollmer tool manager, users can manage the automatic switching of up to eight grinding or eroding wheels intuitively.
The VHybrid 360 is based on multi-layer machining, which is implemented through two vertically arranged spindles. Here, Vollmer is using the tried-and-tested technology of its VGrind grinding machine series. The bottom spindle can be used for both grinding and eroding, while the top spindle is reserved exclusively for grinding.
Vollmer’s key erosion component is the VPulse EDM erosion generator, while from a grinding perspective, both spindles are vertically arranged in the pivot point of the C axis. This configuration guarantees high profile accuracy and enables exact grinding and eroding processes. In addition, tool machining times can be reduced thanks to the shorter linear-axis travel distances resulting from the spindle arrangement.
VHybrid 360 can be used to produce different cutter types that are used for machining metals or composites. The machine gives tool manufacturers the flexibility to perform grinding and eroding processes on standard and special tools, regardless of whether the blanks are made of carbide, sintered PCD or brazed diamond tips. Tools with diameters of up to 50 mm, and lengths of up to 360 mm, can be processed.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

Filtermist International Ltd has restructured its UK business operations to ensure it delivers a single-source solution for customers seeking cleaner, safer and more productive work environments.

Following a number of acquisitions over the past three years, and in order to strengthen its market position and improve the turnkey customer experience, Filtermist will merge its current eight businesses into just two: Filtermist International and Filtermist Systems.
The restructured company will operate and manufacture from sites in Telford, Northampton, Wetherby, Dewsbury and Glasgow. In addition to oil filters, the company is also responsible for manufacturing a range of product brands, all of which are being retained, including Dustcheck, Ecogate, Fastclip, Gallito, Kerstar and XS Automation.
For further information www.filtermist.co.uk

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has presented the MTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (AMTC) with an award.

AMTC, which is supported by Lloyds Bank, has been awarded IMechE’s ‘Advanced Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’ accolade. The award was presented at a special ceremony at the IMechE headquarters in Westminster.
Chiefly, the award recognises the role that employers and educators play in encouraging young people into engineering apprenticeships, and supporting them throughout their training. The AMTC willl be taking on a further 200 apprentices in the 2020 intake, who will be trained in a variety of manufacturing disciplines, from basic engineering to using some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies in existence.
For further information https://the-amtc.co.uk/training/

Renishaw apprentice Ryan Harris recently participated in a two-week Erasmus programme in Germany, funded by the EU.

The programme gives Welsh college students first-hand experience of engineering in another country and broadens their knowledge of the industry by showing them different approaches. As part of the Erasmus programme, four students from Coleg Y Cymoedd were selected for work experience at Stadler Anglenbau GmbH, including an all-expenses paid trip to the company’s facility in Altshausen, Baden-Württemberg. Stadler Anglenbau designs and manufactures waste sorting plants and components. Says Harris. “The scheme enabled me to learn from and work with peers who have come through a different education system. I’m really glad that I got to take part in the programme because it opened my eyes to a new industry, a new country and a new approach.”
For further information www.renishaw.com

Those visiting the ITC stand at last month’s EMO 2019 exhibition in Hanover, Germany, were impressed enough with the innovations on show to place significant enquiry and order numbers. ITC was making its first ever appearance at EMO.

Although already boasting an extensive European footprint with distributors on the continent, ITC used the show as a launch pad to grow its pan-European distributor base, a goal that was achieved with a high number of reputable agents and distributors keen to have the UK brand as part of their portfolios.
The company’s latest trochoidal milling innovations proved popular among those from the aerospace, motorsport, mould and die, and general engineering industries.
Notable was the company’s Cupro-coated, harmonic-flute geometry 5021 series of five-flute end mills, as well as the newly developed 5031 series stub-length, square-end tools. From the six-flute trochoidal milling stable, ITC demonstrated its latest 6051 series of square-end or multiple corner radii tools, which were supported by the 6011-F, 6021-F and 6031-F.
Indeed, the milling tools on display included square, ball-nose and radius tools, with a wide array of dimension, geometry and coating choices. Additionally, the variety of chamfering, countersinking, thread milling, drilling and reaming products provided a balanced solution for all industry sectors.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk