When we speak about plastic with people coming from the mechanical industry, very often it is considered as poor quality and low importance material. Nevertheless, in every field of activity more and more complex parts are replaced or complemented by plastic. Frontiers between metal and plastic are not that clear and the rise of new material and techniques open a wide new spectrum to designers from every field of activity. A changing world If the world of metal seems quite static in term (...)
The Eurotec Newsletter
Innovation
When plastic meets metal, a third universe appears
Yesterday I had the opportunity to went to André Gueissaz SA, a company that is offering a wide range of services from engineering to molding, plastic injection and mounting of devices. I saw clearly there that there is no closed border between metal and plastic. In fact that’s rather the contrary, the two worlds are collapsing into each other. Plastic is no longer just a cheap product I’ve seen there some parts that are used in medical technology, food, measure and not in throwaway stuff. (...)
Cleaning
Changing together - From Avantec to Inventec
Inventec, one of Europe’s leading Performance Chemicals companies, is the high-tech industries business of the Dehon Group. Becoming Inventec shows the will of the company to go further toward Innovation – To find always the best solution for their customers Intransigence – Never compromise about health and environment preservation International – 10 subsidiaries and 9 production sites "The only thing that doesn’t change is the fact that everything changes" says Patrick Rollet, General Manager. (...)
Machines
Improved quality in laser cutting
Designer and manufacturer of high-end laser machining system for super precision cutting, drilling and welding of micro parts, Swiss Tec helps companies in implementing innovative machining solutions. A new solution is being implemented to drastically reduce the stent cutting process time. Meeting with Eduard Fassbind, CEO of the company. Innovative production « Our commitment is to help companies implementing innovative machining solutions to expand micro-machining capabilities, and (...)
Tooling
Threading and thread milling need accurate tooling
There are many way to produce threads and machining it provides some advantages (depending on the situation). I wanted to know more about that thechnology and went to Xactform in Neuchâtel (Switzerland). Amazingly this company has a unique technology to produce tools and covers the world market without being well known (Have you already heard about it?). Meeting with Claude Alain Ferrière, Head of Marketing. Private label In addition to the sales through dealers, the company also produces a (...)
Machines
Perfect holes 8 times smaller than a hair!
When microtechnolgy goes to micro bores, the results are stunning. I’ve been carrying on my trip to visit companies that have "magic" in the hands to write articles for next issue. This week I had the opportunity to discover MBS (Micro Bore Sizing) with Microcut in Lengnau (Switzerland). Customer and Technology-driven company Microcut Ltd. Is specialized in providing standard and customized machines for processing small bores down to 0.015 mm. The bore size, geometries and surface quality (...)
Trade show
TCT Live & MM Live - Key Focus on Education for the Industry
At the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 20th – 21st October 2009, the TCT Live and MM Live show will have a key focus on Education for the Industry. The shows will boast three seminar theatres covering a wide range of technologies and two auditoriums dedicated to advancing knowledge within the Additive Manufacturing and Micro Manufacturing industries. To share knowledge This year more than ever before, companies are looking to source cutting-edge techniques and gain expert knowledge to help them (...)
Tooling
New VPGT insert
The VPGT insert issued by the ISO range and the different tool holders offered by Bimu deliver superlative machining characteristics as well as a diverse range of possible applications, one example being the ability to machine as a back (tailstock) operation. This entire package comes with a very attractive price tag. Description of the insert The specially designed cutting angles (11° stock removal) and the special swarf breaking feature on both working edges make the VPGT Bimu insert an (...)
Economy
Wow, our planet is really full of magic companies
In order to prepare texts for next issues, I went to do some interviews in high precision companies. First I went to RSM. This factory is located to La Chaux-de-Fonds and manufactures parts for watch industry and medical applications. They are working with about 40 machines, half of these are Almac machines and the other half are from Bumotec. M. Magistrini explained me how he works and he told me that the actual crisis lets him time to implement some projects he wanted to. "That way, when (...)
Machines
“International Best Factory Award 2009”
KASTO adds another trophy to their winning series with the “International Best Factory Award 2009” in the category “Manufacturing Businesses” “If one wants to reach the top, one should follow the success of others.” The management method benchmarking follows this guideline and offers businesses support in taking a good look at the competition as well as oneself – this is the governing principle of the Export Akademie in Reutlingen, which – together with the journal Market and Medium-Sized (...)