Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen (SW), a manufacturer of multi-spindle machining centres for the large-scale production of metal components, will give a world premiere of its new BA 711 Space will take place at the AMB 2022 trade fair in Stuttgart later this month. The new system is of interest for the production of battery housings, vehicles for rail transport or commercial vehicles, as well as for mechanical engineering or the aerospace industry.

With the BA 711 Space, SW has expanded its machine series to include single-station machines without a double swivel beam. Instead of the company’s typical double pivoting support, these systems only have a rotary axis with a clamping bridge. The elimination of the partition wall expands the available space enormously, allowing users to machine significantly larger parts with the same machine footprint.

SW has also broken new ground with regard to changeover flexibility and automation, among other things, by optionally equipping the workpiece carriers with integrated zero-point clamping systems. Three series of these new machining centres are currently available with different equipment variants.

Like the company’s previous machining centres of the BA 7 series, these systems are characterised by their monoblock design, high axis speeds and the high performance of the spindles. Robust ballscrews drive all three main axes. All of this means that the new systems are suitable for the medium and large series production of large-format, complex components.

The BA 711 Space, with a spindle and a workpiece carrier on the swivel bridge, and a working area of 1350 x 1175 x 650 mm, is available without the system taking up more floor space. SW’s sister model, the BA 721 Space, has the same significantly larger Y stroke of 1175 mm and can therefore also process longer components.
For further information www.sw-machines.com

Schuler has acquired Italian mechanical engineering firm Sovema Group as part of its ambition to become a leading systems supplier of battery cell manufacturing solutions for the automotive industry and other sectors. Together with Sovema, Schuler will develop the capabilities needed to equip gigafactories for the mass production of lithium-ion batteries.

Based in Villafranca di Verona, Italy, with further sites in the USA and China, Sovema has made a name for itself in the automotive sector as well as other industries by building appropriate machines for pilot and laboratory projects, accounting for some of the world’s most prominent battery manufacturers in its customer portfolio. Furthermore, Sovema is the globe’s only supplier of automated turnkey plants for the mass production of lead-acid batteries. The Sovema Group employs just over 170 people and most recently reported sales of around €50m.
For further information www.schulergroup.com

German storage and sawing equipment manufacturer Kasto has upgraded a pair of sawing cells at the Dornbirn centre of Austrian steel stockholder and distribution company EHG Stahlzentrum. The company has integrated and automated all parts of the systems, from raw material supply to the handling of containers and pallets of finished goods.

Efficiency in the processing of orders and in logistics is part of the success of EHG’s business model. The company handles about 620,000 orders every year, primarily in small batches of less than 10 items.

Christian Rüf, head of logistics systems and processes, says: “It poses quite a challenge. We’re often under enormous time pressure, as in some cases we only have one to two hours to complete an order.”

To alleviate the problem, EHG utilises advanced storage and processing technology. The Dornbirn site has eight automatic high-bay storage systems, 40 stand-alone automatic bandsaws and circular sawing machines, and two sawing centres integrated with high-bay storage so that they receive material automatically. It is these systems that have been upgraded with robotic handling and sorting.

“Our high-bay storage systems are all from Kasto,” says Rüf. “They include four UniCompact honeycomb systems for the storage of bars, tubes and profiles, as well as another for holding sheet metal. In addition, 27 Kasto automatic saws are in operation in Dornbirn, ranging from production circular saws to heavy-duty block and plate bandsaws.”

In the two automated Kasto sawing centres, all process steps now take place without any operator intervention, from feeding the raw material from the store to sorting and stacking the cut pieces. The ability to change over to a new material quickly allows the efficient processing of small batch sizes.
For further information www.kasto.com

In-Comm Training, which operates three technical academies in Aldridge, Telford and Shrewsbury, has seen a massive surge in the number of companies investing in vocational learning and currently has 201 vacancies available – the most at any time in its 40-year history. This means there are lots of ready-made career opportunities for students receiving their A-level and GCSE grades.

To help ease the pathway to an apprenticeship, In-Comm has introduced a dedicated hotline (01922 457686, option 3) to guide young pupils/students and their families through the different choices and how vocational learning can now lead all the way to a degree without the £100,000 debt associated with going to university. The various pathways include product design, mechatronics, toolmaking, machining, quality and production.
For further information www.in-comm.co.uk

The MTC is opening up its doors to showcase the latest laser technologies at the Laser Matters 2022 conference, which will take place at the organisation’s Coventry facility on 14 September. This free-to-attend event aims at encouraging businesses to explore the very latest laser technologies. Exhibits will include a new industrial-scale robotic cell equipped with a 10 kW fibre laser, a state-of-the-art waterjet-guided laser machine and a powerful 300 W picosecond laser.

MTC technology manager Tian Long See says: “Delegates to the conference will be able to see the latest laser technology advancements, understand how the technology can boost productivity and effectiveness, and meet laser industry leaders and early adopters to discuss the potential for their businesses. This is a great opportunity to explore the world of laser technologies and understand how it can help manufacturing businesses in many ways by speaking to one of our engineers at the event.”
For further information www.bit.ly/3Ab4Amk