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Manufacturing

Mazak showcases machining centre with ‘world’s fastest CNC’

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Mazak has demonstrated a new machining centre which it says has the “world’s fastest CNC”.

Mazak says its Integrex i-400S Multi-Tasking machining centre at the upcoming Autosport Engineering and Southern Manufacturing 2019 exhibitions.

The i-400S features a large 1500mm machining bed with a completely new design offering higher performance machining and greater workpiece capacity than any other multi-tasking machines in its size range. [Read more…] about Mazak showcases machining centre with ‘world’s fastest CNC’

Airbus acquires MTM Robotics

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Airbus has acquired industrial automation company, MTM Robotics, for an undisclosed sum. MTM already partners with Airbus, supplying its robotic hole-drilling system, as reported by Robotics and Automation News previously.

The aerospace colossus says the move “deepens Airbus’ commitment to expanding advanced robotics capabilities within its manufacturing processes”.

The MTM business will retain its current leadership and 40-person staff, as well as its facility in Mukilteo, Washington, near Seattle. [Read more…] about Airbus acquires MTM Robotics

Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

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Boeing has reportedly abandoned the use of some robotic systems that were being used for fuselage work such as drilling and fastening.

According to the Seattle Times, the implementation of the robots “proved painful to set up and (was) error-prone”.

The news website quoted Jason Clark, Boeing vice president of 777/777X operations, who said back in 2015, when the robots were first introduced: “It’s a little tough in the teething. But as we get through it, it will create the rewards necessary for us to compete.” [Read more…] about Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

Bosch and CATL partner to manufacture 48-volt battery cells

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Bosch and Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) have concluded a long-term strategic cooperation agreement.

The partners are going to jointly specify high-performance battery cells. CATL will then design, develop, and manufacture these cells in accordance with Bosch requirements.

The cells are to be used in the 48-volt battery developed by Bosch. [Read more…] about Bosch and CATL partner to manufacture 48-volt battery cells

GM and LG agree $2.3 billion partnership to mass-produce car battery cells

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General Motors and LG Chem have agreed a partnership to mass-produce battery cells for future electric vehicles.

Together, the companies will invest up to a total of $2.3 billion through a new, equally owned joint venture company.

The joint venture will establish a battery cell assembly plant on a greenfield manufacturing site in the Lordstown area of Northeast Ohio that will create more than 1,100 new jobs. [Read more…] about GM and LG agree $2.3 billion partnership to mass-produce car battery cells

Hanwha to supply $300 million of aircraft engine components to GE

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Hanwha Aerospace has signed a $300 million contract to supply cutting-edge aircraft engine components to General Electric, the US conglomerate and one of the leading aircraft engine manufacturers in the world and a top supplier for Boeing.

Hanwha Aerospace will supply GE with 46 types of engine components for GE’s GE9X and LEAP engine.

The GE9X is GE’s most advanced engine and expected to enter commercial production in 2020 while the LEAP is the world’s best-selling aircraft engine. [Read more…] about Hanwha to supply $300 million of aircraft engine components to GE

Velo3D ships seventh Sapphire printer to aerospace production customer

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Velo3D, a manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing systems or 3D printers, has delivered its seventh Sapphire printer to its largest production customer, which has already ordered a total of 12 systems in the past year.

All previously installed systems are in full production creating mission-critical parts for aerospace applications. The balance of the systems will ship before the end of Q1 2020.

The combination of 12 systems and their productivity makes this one of the largest concentrations of metal additive-manufacturing capacity in the world. [Read more…] about Velo3D ships seventh Sapphire printer to aerospace production customer

Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales jump 12 percent

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Worldwide semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted third-quarter 2019 billings of $14.9 billion, a quarter-over-quarter increase of 12 percent but down 6 percent from the third quarter of 2018.

This is according to data collated by SEMI, the global industry association representing the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, reported today.

The data are gathered jointly with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan from more than 80 global equipment companies that provide data on a monthly basis. [Read more…] about Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales jump 12 percent

Siemens further expands portfolio and partnerships for industrialized additive manufacturing

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Siemens is further expanding its portfolio and partnerships for industrialized additive manufacturing (AM).

The engineering giant is exhibiting at Formnext 2019 under the slogan “Thinking industrialized Additive Manufacturing further!”.

Formnext is regarded as the leading global trade fair dedicated to additive manufacturing and all of its upstream and downstream processes. [Read more…] about Siemens further expands portfolio and partnerships for industrialized additive manufacturing

HP expands and enriches its 3D printing ecosystem

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HP has launched a series of new subscriptions and services to help customers “more easily integrate 3D printing into their digital manufacturing strategies”.

HP also unveiled a series of expanded industrial partnerships and is showcasing innovative new applications and use cases with industry leaders such as Siemens, Volkswagen, and many more.

Ramon Pastor, interim president of 3D printing and digital manufacturing, HP, says: “The journey to digital manufacturing requires much more than just technology. [Read more…] about HP expands and enriches its 3D printing ecosystem