The most significant technological advance in the field of cutting tools since the development of cobalt tungsten carbide is the coated tool. The coatings form diffusion barriers which prevent the interaction between the shavings formed during machining and the cutting material. Among the typical coatings we can mention titanium carbide (TiC), titanium nitride (TiN), chromium nitride (CrN), titanium-aluminium nitride (TiAlN), zirconium nitride (ZrN) and the diamond which are extremely hard (…)

On 1 October 2007 at the public presentation of the 2007-2012 Strategic Plan, Messrs Raymond Stauffer, CEO and Managing Director, and Philippe Maquelin, COO/CFO, indicated that they did not intend to continue in a general management role beyond the spring of 2011. The consequences of that decision, which they have subsequently reaffirmed, entailed a period of reflection and preparation commencing over a year ago, which has now resulted in the following decisions and proposals. Mr Philippe (…)

Delcam has launched the 2011 version of Delcam for SolidWorks, its integrated CAM system for SolidWorks. This new release includes comprehensive options for the programming of turning and mill-turn equipment, alongside the company’s industry-leading technology for drilling and two- through five-axis milling. This expanded range of strategies will allow users to program everything from lathes up to mill-turn equipment, more quickly, more reliably and more easily than with other integrated CAM (…)

Orthotec 2010 just closed its doors in Zürich. This first congress and exhibition about Orthopedics in Switzerland was full and of very high level. Next issue is already planned for September 28 to 29, 2011 in Regensdorf again. Mark Temple Smith, Head of trade shows for Europe and Asia with Canon Communications at the Canon booth where a lot of this year’s exhibitors already signed for 2011. All the world implants manufacturer were there to present and discuss possibilities for the (…)

What is the common point between the first robot controlled by a PC (with Windows 95, as many would say : prehistory), the 4d simulator installed at Walt Disney’s Epcot® Park Florida, a global network of training in robotics and your car? They are all related to the Kuka Roboter company. And if we are far from the 1950s science-fiction stories and their humanoid robots (which are sometimes in revolt), reality is no less surprising. Meeting at Kuka Roboter Switzerland with Ms Meike Stuber, in (…)

Setting accuracy 1μm Ø, max. spindle speed 20’000 r.p.m. With a direct electronic measuring system on the tool carrier and a resolution of 0.001 mm Ø, the precision boring head EWD 2-54 enables diameter corrections with an unmatched accuracy. With one single button for the functions “on” and “reset”, handling is simple and operating errors are practically eliminated. The boring head with CK6 tool connection is designed for ultra precise boring operations in the range from Ø 2 – 54 mm with (…)

H2o optimises VACUDEST® vacuum distillation systems. Rinsing water from surface finishing processes is often low in pH. Prior to feeding this water into conventional vacuum distillation systems it required up to date pH adaption in continuous feed neutralisation systems. DestControl® measures the pH in the distillate and controls set points by feeding caustic soda directly into the heat exchanger of the vacuum distillation system. Thus the continuous feed neutralisation system is not (…)

At Prodex, Walter Dünner SA will be presenting a new ER collet equipped with a positioning device which comes in very useful when changing tools. This innovation, developed in collaboration with Rego-Fix, provides an efficient solution to the recurrent problem of positioning when using an ER collet, and is a great gift to the market from the company Dünner, which is celebrating 75 years of innovation in the service of microtechnology this year. We met Daniel Dünner, director of the third (…)

As demand continues to increase in India’s home market and OEMs look to grow their exports, they face the challenges of raising production and working towards global quality standards. The balance of automation and low labour cost is constantly shifting and using the latest manufacturing technologies effectively is a central part of the plans of joint venture, domestic and foreign carmaker operations. AMS India conference will take place on 6-9 December 2010 at Le Royal Méridien in (…)

Kabelschlepp offers optimal solution after test run of several months under operating conditions. On Hannover Exhibition this year, Kabelschlepp presented solutions with a focus on customer individual solutions. One of these was a powerful, robust and cost effective system required to cover the travel of three axes in a linear robotic system. Kabelschlepp´s Uniflex Advanced 1555 cable carriers, which are especially quiet thanks to an internal noise damping system, convincingly withstood (…)