The most important challenges in the manufacturing technology for medical and dental engineering components are ultra-high precision, complex geometry, materials that are difficult to cut and a high level of productivity - for parts with extremely small batch sizes. These requirements can be fulfilled on both cutting and milling centres, depending on the geometry of the parts. The latter can even start with bar material! Milling can also take place on turning centres - and vice-versa. Even (…)

Today’s markets are becoming increasingly competitive, with customers who own machine tools needing to adopt new, more systematic approaches to improve their performance. Concepts such as SMED, lean manufacturing, 5S and 8D are being used more and more widely. The production process is very important, and the choice of machine has a significant impact on numerous parameters that directly influence the operating result of companies using them. (To be discovered comprehensively in a further (…)

This morning Tornos Holding announced officially that the company will propose a new concept/machine for surface treatments. We don’t have any technical information yet… and also no calendar for market introduction. Tornos Holding S.A. is acquiring the patents and know-how for a new machine concept that will enable to surface-treat machined parts. The acquisition responds to a major market need by enabling Tornos Group customers to increase their own share of the value-added chain, shorten (…)

Laser welding of plastic is gaining strongly in importance. LPKF Laser & Electronics AG showcases products from the recently inaugurated clean room: the presentations at MEDTEC Europe are in Hall 8 on Stand 8263. “Laser plastic welding really scores in the medical sector in particular, because the technique is extremely hygienic, particle-free and safe. The rising demand in the consumer goods sector and the automotive industry also confirms the importance of these properties for product (…)

LPKF Laser & Electronics AG expects a growth in business figures for 2010 with turnover most likely up 56 percent. The success of the German-based laser specialist is attributed to its booming export business. LPKF CEO Dr. Ingo Bretthauer (left), Matthias Hu (center, managing director LPKF Tianjin) and Gene Feng, head of the new office in Shanghai. LPKF Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors Dr. Ingo Bretthauer opened two new sales and service branches in Asia in January. LPKF (…)

The program of the MAM continues and again yesterday afternoon high value conferences took places. Prof. J. Rhett Mayor, Assistant Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology (USA) presented the results of their studies on micromachining (just one conference that I decided to highlight). Obviously we all know the cutting edge of inserts or tools, but when we come to machine very small parts, it appears that the cutting edge isn’t that sharp… in fact we cut with a round cutting edge. What (…)

The first morning is even not finished and I can tell you, absents miss a lot of interesting clues in Microproduction. The spectrum is quite wide in equipment for microproduction and this morning there were mainly to conferences targeted to Eurotec. In this post, the first one. About 60 people are reunited in the beautiful venue of Villars-sur-Olon under the MAM flag. Again Micronarc and Mancef have organized a high level event for people interested in today’s and tomorrow’s challenging in (…)

In the field of machine tool, few brands can boast to be universally known, this one clearly can! In Asia, Africa, Europe, Americas and Australia, this brand is synonymous with Swiss quality, precision and reliability. More than 250’000 machines of this manufacturer have been delivered. The other side of the coin? The weight of this past hide a little innovation skills and willingness to propose new and effective solutions to market. To speak of these developments, we met with Mr. Rolf (…)

If you’re going to the PRODEX exhibition that starts next Tuesday, Springmann hopes that your visit will lead you also to its booth located on the ground floor of the main Hall 1.0, booth A 09. More than 20 machines, with several Swiss premières will show you nowaday’s machining and measuring possibilities. The list of exposed products downloadable below (in French), informs you about the various possibilities for which the company offers solutions. Springmann takes advantage of this (…)

A new motorized tool-holder block that allows different types of equipment (to be assembled in counter-operation) is now available for Delta machines. The motorized equipment in counter-operation is an excellent complement to the HF spindles. The tooling arrangement can include a drilling/milling device, an axial spindle or a milling/slotting device (from left to right). HF spindle enable light operations to be carried out that require the tools to rotate at very high speeds. On the (…)