THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

New frontiers in composite part manufacture

CGTech, the developer of VERICUT verification, simulation and optimisation software, is announcing a reseller agreement with Bristol-based iCOMAT, pioneer of the first-ever defect-free tape-steering process for composite component production. The special worldwide arrangement will see iCOMAT sell and support a dedicated version of VERICUT VCP/VCS software in support of its patented manufacturing process for composites.

iCOMAT’s industrial cells comprise a proprietary tape-laying head mounted as an end effector to a state-of-the-art six-axis industrial robot arm, all located inside a safety cell. As part of this solution, programming and virtual simulation will come via a special version of VERICUT VCP (VERICUT Composites Programming)/VCS (VERICUT Composites Simulation) software complete with a new interface specifically for iCOMAT’s technology. iCOMAT will be the exclusive reseller of this software worldwide.
For further information www.cgtech.comwww.icomat.co.uk

Ward CNC names head of strategic sales

Following recent enhancements to the company’s sales,after-sales andservice teams, TW Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC) is appointing Phil Hopkins as itshead of strategic sales.
Hopkins started his career as a CNC machinist in the aerospace industry and developed into a production project engineer before moving into sales, where he has enjoyed a highly successful career. His main focus at Ward CNC will be selling and promoting the company’s Soraluce portfolio of machine tools and value-added services into existing markets, as well as identifying potential new applications and customers.
For further information www.wardcnc.com

Ward CNC welcomes partner innovations

UK machine tool supplier Ward CNC is supporting principal partners such as Soraluce (hall 13, stand B30) and Takisawa (hall 17, stand B22) at EMO. As an expert in milling and boring, Soraluce is bringingits automated solutions to the table, with a particular focus on the company’snew ‘Performance Line’ and a new generation of heads. Turning machine specialist Takisawa Japan is using the show to release its new ‘green machinery’, while new models from Takisawa Taiwan include the latestNX-2000economic two-spindle turning centre.

Ward CNC is also announcing new partnerships with Gurutzpe (hall 13, stand B25), a Spanish company that designs and manufactures CNC multi-tasking lathes, and Ronchini Massimo (hall 12, stand A12), an Italian company that produces high-end CNC milling routers for the metalworking industry. “The added value that these companies bring will complement our existing array of machine tools to provide even more choice for customers,” states Ward CNC managing director Simon Whitworth.
For further information www.wardcnc.com

Dugard set for busy EMO exhibition

Engineers from UK machine tool supplier Dugard are on hand at EMO to welcome UK customers to the stands of technology partners that includeHanwha (hall 17, stand B14), Ibarmia (hall 13, stand B44),SMEC (hall 16, stand A10) and Kitamura (hall 14, stand D36). Hanwha is showcasingits new XV20/26 series of sliding-head turning centres that now incorporate a rigid double-hinged B-axis unit and improved Y2 back-tooling unit.Ibarmia is shining the spotlight on it re-vamped T-Series of five-axis universal machining centres, while SMEC is presenting its latest line of machining centres, turning centres and multi-axis machines.
For further information www.dugard.com

SW debuts two new machines

Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SW) is presenting two new products from stand C04 in hall 12: the two-spindle BA W03-22 CNC machining centre and the BA profile, a new machine concept for machining profiles. Furthermore, SW is showing the BA space3, currently its largest model for machining battery housings, and offering insights into current trends in manufacturing such as friction stir welding and giga-casting.

‘Innovate Manufacturing’ is the theme of this year’s EMO, which also captures the essence of SW’s ‘Smart Manufacturing Solutions’ corporate claim. “For us, innovative and smart manufacturing are two sides of the same coin,” says André Harter, head of marketing and business development at SW. “Both allow us to respond individually and efficiently to our customers’ needs.”
For further information www.sw-machines.com