The Chiron Group has acquired Greidenweis Maschinenbau, a specialist in automation systems for the automotive industry. As a result, the Chiron portfolio that is offered in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) will now be available with more automotive assembly and automation systems than ever before.

In addition to its development and assembly of machines and systems for laminating, joining and gluing, Greidenweis has positioned itself competently in process and system integration. One example is the fully automated assembly of components for vehicle interiors using several processing stations. The 60-employee company has many years of experience in integrating various technical solutions into automated assembly systems and production lines.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

An agricultural equipment manufacturer has ordered a 6400-tonne capacity press with ServoDirect technology and an energy accumulator to replace a 1989 model machine from Müller Weingarten. At its location in the French town of Châteubriant on the Atlantic coast, Kuhn develops and manufactures, among other things, ploughs and sowing machines. From the very start, Kuhn Huard has had an undeniable competitive advantage thanks to its forging and heat treatment know-how. Since 1989, the company has been using a 5400-tonne capacity machine from Müller Weingarten to produce its parts. The time has now come to have it replaced.

“Our objective is to maintain our competitive advantage over the long term,” says the project team at Kuhn, which consists of Nathalie Bessin, Pierre Yves Porcher and Charles Perrier. “This innovative technology will help us retain our leading position in the market.”

The three quickly came to the conclusion that an investment in a new press would pay off. After 18 months of research, Kuhn has now taken a major step and placed an order with Schuler for the 6400-tonne screw press system.

Screw presses have advanced a lot over the past three decades. Instead of the previously used squirrel cage induction drives, Schuler now utilises servomotors, thereby significantly increasing efficiency. In addition, the controllability of the drive – and thus the precision of the press – has seen enhancements. For instance, the closed water cooling system in combination with a new-generation motor optimises the temperature stability of the drive system, independent of the surrounding conditions.

Further included in the scope of delivery is an energy accumulator, which increases the efficiency of the system even more.

Commissioning is scheduled for mid-2023.

For further information
www.schulergroup.com

Expert Technologies Group shook hands on a deal to acquire a Mazak Quick Turn 350MSY at MACH 2022 earlier this month. The machine is the first Mazak acquired by the group and it went straight from MACH to Expert’s facility in the northwest of England. Expert Technologies Group is a global provider of automation solutions for a variety of sectors, ranging from medical and pharmaceutical through to food and beverage, automotive and aerospace. The group has seven global locations, including three manufacturing facilities in the UK.

Chris Clifton, head of manufacturing at Expert Technologies, says: “Our philosophy is to provide the most advanced manufacturing technologies and it’s important that our own machining capabilities therefore remain at the cutting edge. The machine we selected fits our requirements perfectly, while the combination of machine capability, build quality and ongoing support made the decision even easier.”

For further information
www.mazakeu.co.uk

Cidan Machinery of Sweden has acquired long-bed folding machine producer Thalmann Maschinenbau, based in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. The 50 employees of Thalmann will join the Cidan Machinery Group and remain employed at Frauenfeld. This acquisition marks a major step forward for both companies, creating a sheet metal equipment manufacturer and software developer that integrates all operations from decoiling to folding.

Petter Hjelmqvist, CEO and president of Cidan Machinery, says: “Cidan and Thalmann already share a great history together. Over a period of many years, both companies have established a number one position for long folders in the Americas. With Thalmann now being part of the Cidan group, I am convinced that Cidan will make Thalmann stronger and Thalmann will make Cidan stronger.”

For further information https://cidanmachinery.com

Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has introduced a solid end milling platform which offers an affordable series of cutting tools that demonstrate high performance and reliability in steel, stainless steel and cast iron applications. The new Widia WCE solid-carbide end mills deliver a cost-effective solution to suit small to medium machine shops.

Widia’s WCE platform initially features the new WCE4, a versatile four-flute geometry that offers features such as an asymmetrical pitch and variable helix. The asymmetrical pitch eradicates the harmonic effect of the tool to reduce vibration, enhance swarf evacuation and prolong tool life. Likewise, the variable helix geometry further reduces vibration to permit heavy cutting, while improving surface finish, tool life and overall stability.

WCE4 also introduces a new grade, WU20PE. According to ITC, this versatile grade provides exceptional versatility, giving the new end mills the facility to perform extremely well on steel, stainless steel and cast iron, as well as on high-temperature alloys and hardened materials. The grade’s design features, coupled with the four-flute geometry, deliver an end mill with reliable performance and application versatility, even in demanding operations such as full slotting and heavy cutting scenarios. Widia’s new variable helix end mills are available in diameters from 3 to 20 mm, and are suitable for shoulder milling, slotting, helical milling, ramping, plunge milling and 3D profiling.

The WCE platform includes four-flute square-end and ball-nose end mills with both straight and Weldon shanks available in metric and imperial dimensions. To provide complete flexibility, the new WCE4 series is also available with corner radii and a necked shank, providing engineers with additional reach when machining deep cavities, slots and complex forms. Later in 2022, ITC and Widia will be introducing the new WCE5 five-flute geometry end mills.

For further information
www.itc-ltd.co.uk