ANCA CNC Machines, a global leader in CNC grinding technology, is excited to announce the opening of #ANCATooloftheYear2025. This prestigious competition invites toolmakers from around the world to showcase their outstanding designs, precision and craftsmanship. Participants will compete for an array of prizes, including AUD$10,000 in ANCA products, a trip to ANCA Australia or Thailand, an on-site consultation with ANCA experts and a 12-month ANCA Academy subscription for professional development.

Participants can enter one or both of the following categories: #MadeonANCA for physical tools created using ANCA technology, and Most Innovative Tool Design for virtual tools that showcase cutting-edge creativity.

The winner of #MadeonANCA receives:

• Option 1: AUD$10,000 in ANCA accessories/software + a trip to ANCA Australia or Thailand
• Option 2: An on-site consultation with an ANCA Application Engineer to optimise cycle times and boost productivity

The winner of Most Innovative Tool Design receives:

• A 12-month subscription to ANCA Academy, ANCA’s e-learning platform, for five people

“At ANCA we develop and continuously improve our machines and software. Our customers create incredible products through their skill and innovation in applying ANCA technology. We see #ANCATooloftheYear2025 and the Female Machinist Award as a spotlight on the trailblazers who are applying their knowledge to create something unique in the market. Having celebrated 50 years of innovation last year, we now look firmly ahead to a future driven by bold ideas, precision craftsmanship and talented individuals,” said Patrick Boland, ANCA Co-Founder.

Submissions are open from 26^th May to 31^st July. Winners will be announced at EMO 2025 in Hannover. Enter now at www.anca.com/Tool-of-the-Year

Female Machinist Award 2025: Celebrating women in manufacturing

ANCA’s Female Machinist Award returns in 2025, which recognises the outstanding achievements of women in the tool and cutter grinding industry. This award celebrates the growing role of women in manufacturing and their contribution to advancing the cutting tool industry.

Jennifer Baldus, Managing Director at Spreyer-Werkzeugtechnik GmbH in Limburg and member of the judging panel, said: “For 50 years, Spreyer has stood for precision and high performance in the tool industry. Our success has always been down to committed and talented people –  both men and women. Today, I experience this in my daily dialogue with customers: Women are more in demand in our industry than ever before. The ‘Female Machinist of the Year’ competition puts the spotlight on the outstanding achievements of female precision tool grinders, creates important role models and encourages young talents to make their way in this demanding and fascinating profession.”

Women of all skill levels who are actively using ANCA technology in their work are encouraged to apply. Submissions will be evaluated based on exceptional problem-solving skills to overcome challenges, innovative and effective tool design, and the demonstrated ability to think critically and develop innovative solutions.

The winner of the Female Machinist Award receives:

• A fully funded ticket to attend a major trade show where ANCA is exhibiting
• Exclusive access to ANCA’s leadership, engineers and product experts
• Networking opportunities with industry professionals and access to educational seminars and workshops

Aerospace scientist and eleventh President of India, Abdul Kalam, famously said that “Dreams transform into thoughts, and thoughts result in action.” This philosophy captures the spirit of India’s aerospace sector, which is poised to become the world’s third-largest aviation market by December 2025. But to sustain this momentum, continued progress in component production and supply chain efficiency are essential. Here Sunil Joshi, President of Sales, India, at metal cutting specialist Sandvik Coromant, explores how advanced machining technologies are reinforcing the country’s position in the global aerospace market.

For decades, India’s aerospace industry faced significant challenges that hindered its global competitiveness, from dependence on imported technologies to inefficiencies in manufacturing processes.

However, government-led initiatives such as Make in India and the Production Linked Incentive scheme have significantly transformed this landscape over the past decade. These initiatives have incentivised domestic manufacturing, encouraged foreign direct investment and promoted skill development, resulting in a thriving aerospace ecosystem.

Today, India is home to one of the fastest-growing aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industries, expected to drive MRO advancements across the Asia-Pacific region. What’s more, global original equipment manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus and Rolls-Royce are increasingly sourcing critical components from India, recognising the country as a reliable supply chain partner. There are also signs of indigenous innovation, with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra emerging as key regional aerospace hubs.

To sustain growth and remain globally competitive, India’s aerospace manufacturers must tackle two key challenges: improving supply chain efficiency and enhancing component quality. Adopting advanced machining technologies and digital solutions could play a crucial role in overcoming these obstacles.

Advancing components

Across the aerospace industry, there has been a growing shift toward using advanced materials such as titanium and heat resistant superalloys (HRSAs) for aircraft components. These materials are essential because they reduce overall component weight while maintaining strength, resulting in lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft that lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact

For India, the ability to manufacture aerospace components from these advanced materials is critical to supporting its ambitions of becoming a global aerospace hub. However, these materials present significant machining challenges due to their hardness, heat resistance and propensity for rapid tool wear.

Advanced machine tools are essential for overcoming these challenges and ensuring the production of high-precision, high-quality components.

Turning tools such as Sandvik Coromant’s CoroTurn® 107 and CoroCut® 2 with their wear-resistant S205 and GC1205 grades provide the toughness needed to maintain stability during long machining cycles, reducing tool changes and ensuring consistent performance in demanding environments. This is especially important when machining turbine discs and spools, where maintaining tight tolerances and achieving high-quality surface finishes is critical.

Similarly, milling tools like the CoroMill® Plura HD/HFS, the CoroMill® 316 in GC1745 and GC1710 grades and the CoroMill® MS20 in S30T, S40T and 2040 grades offer the rigidity and chip control required for efficient roughing and finishing of titanium and superalloys. By minimising tool wear and part distortion, these tools enhance machining efficiency and support the production of critical components such as turbine blades, spools and shafts.

While milling is essential for internal features, edge milling plays also crucial in aero frame assembly, where composites must fit precisely to ensure strong bonds and structural integrity. The CoroMill® Plura Router (2P350 series) is designed for this purpose, delivering clean, accurate edges, ensuring reliable bonding, fastening and long-term durability in aero-frame assembly.

Alongside edge milling, drilling is equally important in aero frame assembly, creating the precise holes essential for proper assembly and component alignment. The CoroDrill® 862-GM with veined polycrystalline diamond (PCD) is ideal for drilling HRSAs and composites. The veined PCD structure, with channels within the diamond, improves heat dissipation and wear resistance, maintaing precision and extending tool life.

However, as the aerospace manufacturing ecosystem grows, it is vital that advancements in component production are supported by a strong, resilient supply chain.

 Strengthening supply chains

In February 2025, Huw Morgan, senior vice president of Aerospace Procurement at Rolls-Royce, stated: “India is the best solution to supply chain challenges. Our engine volumes are growing at around 20%, and traditional supply chains can’t support it.” This statement reflects a broader trend in which disruptions in Western supply chains position India as a key partner for aerospace components.

Minimising downtime, extending tool life and maintaining consistent quality is critical to meeting delivery like timelines and controlling costs. Smart machining technologies are proving indispensable in addressing these challenges, offering real-time data and actionable insights that optimise operations and improve production efficiency.

Platforms such as Sandvik Coromant’s CoroPlus® MachiningInsights empower manufacturers by enabling predictive maintenance and process optimisation. With real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, MachiningInsights tracks tool performance, detects potential wear and adjusts machining parameters before disruptions occur. This proactive approach extends tool life and ensures uninterrupted, high-quality production.

Other elements of CoroPlus® can support more efficient aerospace manufacturing. For instance, with ToolGuide, manufacturers receive recommendations on tools and provides cutting data, optimising machining. Furthermore, ToolLibrary provides production engineers, CAM programmers and machine operators with a library of over 900,000 cutting tool items. This capability saves time when choosing the correct cutting tool and preparing tool assemblies, optimising production.

The integration of smart machining solutions strengthens collaboration between OEMs and suppliers by providing transparent, real-time production data, reducing lead times and ensuring that aerospace components meet exacting standards. Such operational agility, coupled with predictive maintenance, can help position India as a trusted supplier of high-quality aerospace components in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

As India continues to advance its aerospace capabilities, transforming ambition into action, as Abdul Kalam envisioned, will be the key to success. Advanced machining technologies are improving supply chain efficiency and the quality of components. This progress not only meets growing global demand but also positions India to exceed international standards, turning its aspirations into reality and strengthening its competitive edge in the global aerospace market.

When visiting the halls of Schubert Fertigungstechnik GmbH, the large number of robots and automation solutions on the machines immediately catches the eye. The company is not a series manufacturer; typical batch sizes range from three to ten units and are sometimes fewer than 100 pieces. ‘We have been working for a long time to get 18 to 22 hours of autonomous machine time. This means we can run the machines around the clock without having to ask our employees to work night shifts,’ explains Jens Grieser, the managing director responsible for the technical division. ‘Ideally, we would make early and late shifts as unnecessary as possible. But we need to ensure the same high level of quality at all times.’

With this in mind, Erhard Strobel, sales engineer at Blum-Novotest, found a receptive audience in Bartholomä with FormControl X. Schubert was very interested in the BLUM software, a client server-based solution for the automated measurement and evaluation of machining processes. Ultimately four variants of a part are manufactured on one machine, with around 60 parts per variant and a cycle time of between 10 and 40 minutes per part – but only if the machines are running at full capacity. This means it is very important to keep an eye on quality, also during unmanned shifts. Thanks to FormControl X, specialists can be sure that all measured values are upheld. The advantage of measurement being performed during the process is that it is clear when a measured value begins to drift. Action can be taken long before the tolerance range is exceeded. It goes without saying that this is especially true for broken tool edges.

FormControl X is a client server-based software solution for the automated measurement and evaluation of machining processes. BLUM developed the software from scratch based on the tried-and-test FormControl software with a particular focus on the automation of measurement processes. A major advantage of the client server architecture is that the data in the FormControl X database can be accessed from multiple workstations or machines. This allows users to easily create complex measuring programs at their office workstations or review the measured values taken during the previous night. The operator can monitor the tolerance fluctuations of all measured values on a laptop near the machine. The display is generally very simple and can be viewed on a PC, laptop or tablet in a standard web browser.

The flexible options that can be used to influence the machine with FormControl X are very interesting: In one case, for instance, the manufacturing process is only stopped when the same deviation is measured on two parts in a row. This rules out the possibility of a chip adhering to the measuring point during the first measurement. ‘For example, it is possible to measure every fifth part. In the event of an outlier, instead of waiting to measure the next five parts, the machine immediately starts measuring again during the next machining process to rule out a chip at the measuring point,’ explains Erhard Strobel. ‘Only then does the program decide, based on the specifications, whether the next part will be machined, whether the machine will interrupt machining or whether it will switch to the production of another part using different tools.’

The Fanuc Robodrill machining centres are mainly used to manufacture components for tool changers for Schubert packaging machines. For instance, these tools can hold boxes into which a robot places chocolates. If a different package size or shape is required, the tool can be changed and the packaging line automatically switched over. Several pneumatically operated pistons with an H7 fit work in parallel in these tool changers. The bore holes in which the pistons run must be made very precisely and have to parallel to each other with the correct diameter. Measuring every part produced is necessary to ensure reliable operation later on. This is because a stoppage in a packaging machine can be extremely expensive, for instance with the chocolate production processes mentioned above: If the packaging line stops, the production of the sweets must also be shut down because the liquid chocolate and other ingredients will solidify and go bad. In addition, the pre-assembly processes at Schubert are synchronised, which means that deliveries must be made at very short notice. So a problem on the machine also affects processes at the parent company, which accounts for around 70 percent of orders. That is why the accuracy of the measurements in the machine was checked continuously during the beta test prior to the purchase of FormControl X – the deviations were in the range of a few thousandths of a millimetre.

The designers of the packaging machines specify dimensions that are crucial for proper functionality and have to be checked during production. The NC programs are then created in Bartholomä, and the measurement subroutines are incorporated at the appropriate points. ‘We work together here: We, the employees working on the machine, are responsible for quality, which is why we decide together with the NC programmers which dimensions are recorded with the BLUM measurement cycles and stored in FormControl X,’ explains Markus Maier, who supervises the RobodrillPlus Big K systems. ‘This also gives us the knowledge we need to understand the measurements and make improvements.’

During the introduction phase of FormControl X, we stayed in very close contact with the BLUM specialists: In addition to the dedicated support of the programmers during beta testing, Schubert was also impressed by the excellent training. Currently, a new part only needs to be programmed every two or three weeks in Bartholomä, but the employees still have a good experience with the software because it is very intuitive. FormControl X also helps them focus more on their actual work. For instance, in the past, time had to be spent in the morning checking the dimensional accuracy of the components manufactured overnight. Now a glance at the screen is all it takes: The graphical display of the FormControl X web client shows whether the tolerances have been upheld. This allows employees to react immediately or continue production straight away.

All dimensions with tolerances of less than a tenth of a millimetre are now measured automatically, as are shape and position tolerances. These are important because many parts are machined in two clamping operations, which means the position of the second machining process depends on the surfaces produced in the first clamping operation. This is another reason why FormControl X brings major improvements to everyday work processes: ‘The software takes care of the measuring tasks for me because they are automated. This means I can concentrate more on my actual work,’ reports Markus Maier. ‘Working on the machine is also more relaxed because the process is transparent and we always know where we are in terms of quality – that’s very reassuring. What’s more, I no longer have to work in shifts since I can finish my work during normal hours – that’s a huge advantage for me!’

The number of employees at Schubert Fertigungstechnik who are being ‘freed’ from shift work could rise soon: Thanks to the positive experiences at the Fanuc centres, there are plans to use FormControl X on many other machines with the aim of increasing productivity. After all, BLUM software is an important part of the automation of machining processes and is playing a decisive role in achieving a very high level of automation in Bartholomä.

FormControl X has proven its worth and entrenched itself at Schubert Fertigungstechnik: ‘For each production batch, the first and last measurement logs are printed out and filed, and apart from that, all measurements are available in the FormControl database. ‘This is useful for assessing the tool service life,‘ summarises Jens Grieser. ’And it’s also reassuring for me to be able to see where we are in terms of quality at any time. Of course, the machines and the range of parts have to be just right so we can get the most out of the software – and that’s the case for us.’

Cutting tool specialist Sandvik Coromant has launched the CoroMill® Plura barrel, a new family of optimised solid end mills designed specifically for profiling applications. This new solution provides high process security, significant productivity gains and cycle time reductions of up to 90%, making it particularly suitable for the aerospace industry and other high-demand sectors.

Marking a unique addition to a comprehensive range of end mill solutions for ISO S profiling applications, including CoroMill® Plura ball nose, CoroMill® Plura lollipop and CoroMill® Plura conical ball nose, CoroMill® Plura barrel offers a new machining principal for profiling tools. Several key features make it the ideal complement to the range, such as a unique one-radius barrel form with up to six optimized flutes.

The CoroMill® Plura barrel offers substantial advantages over traditional ball nose machining strategies by utilising an increased contact radius. This design enables up to a 90% reduction in cycle times by increasing the step-over, which not only enhances machining efficiency by significantly increasing the surface removal rate (SRR) but also ensures exceptional surface quality.

The optimised barrel design results in a reduced cusp height between passes, leading to superior surface finishes and lower surface roughness. Despite generating higher forces, the stability and process reliability of barrel end mills make them an ideal choice for achieving precise finishes in demanding profiling applications.

“CoroMill® Plura barrel excels in applications requiring precision and superior surface quality,” said Liam Haglington, Product Manager for Solid Carbide Milling Tools at Sandvik Coromant. “Its large cutting edge radius enables increased step-over and reduced cycle times, boosting productivity during high-volume material removal. The large barrel radius makes it ideal for machining large, complex contours and 3D shapes, while minimising scalloping for shallow depths of cut.

“This tool is particularly suited to demanding applications like aerospace, where components such as engine blisks involve complex geometries and challenging materials. It also enhances profiling in other high-demand sectors like medical, oil and gas and power generation.”

The tool is available with Sandvik Coromant internally developed material-specific grades, including T2CH for titanium alloys and R2AH for heat-resistant superalloys (HRSA), both delivered by Sandvik Coromant’s Zertivo® 2.0 PVD coating for improved durability and wear resistance. For customers with specific size and diameter requirements, the tool can be customised through Sandvik Coromant’s Tailor Made® service, while the CoroPlus® Tool Guide platform can further aid application needs with expert tooling advice.

“Results achieved thus far demonstrate the tool’s reliability and productivity,” added Haglington. “For a customer machining an inconel engine blisk, a machining strategy with CoroMill® Plura barrel resulted in a cycle-time reduction of greater than 40%. Here, reaching 88 minutes of operation, a 50% increase in tool life was achieved compared to the customer’s existing solution. In another case, this time with a titanium blisk, a customer saved over 90 minutes of machining time when using this product over a competitor’s conical ball nose solution.”

In line with its commitment to sustainability, Sandvik Coromant also offers a comprehensive recycling program for worn-out carbide tools, including CoroMill® Plura barrel and other advanced milling solutions. This service allows customers to return used tools for responsible recycling, reducing industrial waste and conserving critical materials like tungsten and cobalt. By participating, manufacturers not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also benefit from a more resource-efficient and cost-effective production process.

For the Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots and automation systems, the year 2024 is closing with a considerable fall of almost all economic indicators. The year 2025 will not be bright, but however, a weak trend reversal is expected.

This, in brief, is what was illustrated by Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Italian machine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers’ association, during the usual year-end press conference.

Based on the preliminary data prepared by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, in 2024, production stood at 6,745 million euro, showing an 11.4% drop over the previous year.

The downturn was exclusively due to the sharp contraction of deliveries by manufacturers on the domestic market, which did not exceed 2,255 million euro, i.e. 33.5% less than in 2023 and which were held back by the low investment propensity of Italian users.

The measure of this weakness is expressed by the figure of household  consumption, which collapsed by 34.8% to 3,795 million euro. This trend also impacted the performance of imports, which fell by 36.5% to 1,540 million euro.

The performance of Italian manufacturers on the foreign market was different, as highlighted by the figure of exports, which grew by 6,3% versus 2023, to 4,490 million euro, new record value never achieved before.

According to UCIMU processing of the data from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT), in the period January-August 2024 (latest available data), the main destination markets for the Italian sector offering of machine tools only were the United States (419 million euro, +17.8%), Germany (243 million euro, +12.3%), China (138 million euro, -15.3%), India (132 million euro, +100%), France (125 million euro, -9.3%).

The export/production figure went up to 66.6%.

For 2025, the expected results should include a return to a positive range, but with very moderate increases. In particular, according to the forecasts compiled by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU, production should increase again in 2025, attaining 6,940 million euro (+2.9% versus 2024).

This outcome should be due to the positive performance of exports – likely to remain stationary (+0.3%) versus 2024 at 4,505 million euro (new record) – as well as to the moderate recovery of deliveries by Italian manufacturers, which should grow to 2,435 million euro (+8% compared to 2024), driven by the revival of domestic demand.

Italian consumption of machine tools, robots and automation should increase to 4,070 million euro, corresponding to 7.2% more than in 2024. Imports should  also benefit from the (weak) recovery in domestic demand, as shown by the forecast figure indicating a 6.2% growth to 1,635 million euro.

The export/production ratio  should decrease slightly to 64.9%.

Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU, commented: “After the summer, it became clear that 2024 would be “a completely lost year” for the Italian machine tool industry, which however tried (unsuccessfully) to save the final outcome through overseas activity. This was the situation and nevertheless, our Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre had to further revise downwards the estimates submitted in September, a sign of the difficulty our companies are facing”.

“Once again, the year that is closing highlights the ability of Italian manufacturers to orient their business rapidly towards the most dynamic areas in the world, starting with the United States, where we have been doing well for many years now. However, looking beyond, the fear that the new US administration may decide to implement a new tariff policy on goods related to our production puts us on alert and forces us to carefully consider our internationalisation activities”.

“Over the last few months, Oficina Italiana de Promotiòn Mexico was established as  a special desk to support Italian member companies of UCIMU and Amaplast, in their knowledge and penetration of the relevant market, also for the Central and North American area”.

“After all, – continued Riccardo Rosa – the big problem for (Italian) manufacturers remains the domestic market which, after consuming at an unprecedented pace, is struggling to restart, also due to the long waiting time for the final adjustments and simplification of Transition 5.0, announced by the Government authorities in November, but not yet made effective”.

“If it is true that the pace in the 2021-2022 period was not sustainable beyond a certain time limit, it is also true that now the value of the Italian market has sharply decreased, returning to the 2016 levels. Too little, I would say. Because of this, important actions and measures are needed”.

“Transition 5.0 is surely a great opportunity, because it prompts companies to think about a new and necessary approach to a proper use of resources, energy saving and sustainable production, as required by the European directives. Enterprises believe in the potential of this instrument, but corrective measures have to be implemented as soon as possible. Otherwise, once again, the opportunity risks remaining only on paper”.

“We particularly appreciate the idea of substituting the obligation of energy-saving  certification for the possibility of combining the new purchase with the replacement of obsolete machinery, (whose depreciation has been completed for at least 24 months). This would mean that a new machine could be purchased under 5.0, if the purchase were related to the replacement of a machine that were at least 7 years old. But we also appreciate the increased tax rates, the possibility of cumulating the measure with incentives for the SEZs (Special Economic Zones) or other incentives financed with non-domestic resources and the extension of the measure to the first four months of 2026”.

“If these adjustments are actually included in the Budget Law, demand should certainly restart to the benefit of the entire manufacturing industry in Italy, which needs to innovate in order to maintain a competitive product offering, also in line with the sustainability directives defined by the European Union”.

“With regard to the Green Deal – added Riccardo Rosa – we cannot but note the position of the European Union, which intends to proceed with the electric transition plan for endothermic engines, with the time frame and procedures currently established: this is severely testing the manufacturing industry in the old continent”.

“What we are currently witnessing, with the closure of some automotive factories and the layoff of thousands of workers, including those in related industries and activities, risks triggering a domino effect that could bring a serious social problem for most of the countries in the area, starting with Italy. We absolutely cannot allow this and thus, I think, it is necessary for all representative bodies of the industrial world to make their voices heard, before it is really too late. This is a game involving entrepreneurs, managers, workers and government institutions for the common interest of defending the industry, which is the basis of the economic system in Italy and Europe”.

“The manufacturing system is an essential element for the well-being of society. For this reason, – concluded Riccardo Rosa – to the government authorities, we reiterate the need to reason, from the beginning of the year, on a new industrial policy programme that may accompany and support the development of enterprises from 2026 onwards”.

2023 has been another positive year for the Italian manufacturing industry of machine tools, robots, and automation systems, which has achieved a new production record, thus extending the favourable trend that should also be confirmed in 2024.

This is in short what was outlined by Barbara Colombo, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Italian machine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers’ association, during the usual year-end press conference.

Based on the preliminary year’s data processed by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, in 2023 production reached 7,560 million euro, marking a 3.8% increase over the previous year.

The result was driven by the good performance of exports, which grew by 10.3% to 3,825 million euro. The export/production figure went up again, attaining 50.6%.

On the foreign front, according to UCIMU processing of the data from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT), in the period January-August 2023 (latest available data), the main destination markets for the Italian product offering of the sector were the United States (356 million euro, +26.7%), Germany (217 million euro, +8.8%), China (163 million euro, +34%), France (138 million euro, +32.1%) and Poland (128 million euro, +14.7%).

 On the other hand, the deliveries by Italian manufacturers in the domestic market decreased slightly to 3,735 million euro, 2% less than in 2022.

Deliveries and imports – the latter down by 4.5% to 2,385 million euro – were affected by the decrease, however slight, in consumption, which dropped by 3% to 6,120 million euro.

For 2024, Italian machine tool, robot and automation manufacturers expect a consolidation of the results achieved in recent years: production should be driven by foreign demand, whereas a moderate reduction should be recorded in domestic consumption.

In particular, according to the forecasts carried out by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU, in 2024, production should grow to 7,595 million euro (+0.5% compared to 2023), thanks to the rise in exports, which should stand at 4,070 million euro (+6.4%).

Deliveries by manufacturers to the domestic market should not exceed 3,525 million euro (-5.6%), in line with the drop in domestic consumption, which should reach 5,780 million euro (-5.6%).

Imports should also be affected by the reduced demand for investments in Italy, falling by 5.5% to 2,255 million euro.

The export/production figure should rise again, standing at 53.6%.

Barbara Colombo, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, commented: “Although there are clear signs of a slowdown, the 2023 of Italian manufacturers is closing with a positive sign; the “Made in Italy” production of the sector grew again, setting a new record thanks to the good results obtained by Italian enterprises abroad”.

“All this means that, once again, our enterprises have been able to redirect their product offering towards areas where demand is more dynamic, i.e. foreign markets. Recession risk averted in the United States, considering the geo-political instability we are facing today, Italian companies are principally engaged in covering traditional markets: in addition to the USA, that of EU countries, where, amongst other things, we hope for the recovery of Germany, which has always been a first-rate partner for the Italian mechanical industry”.

“In this connection – pointed out Barbara Colombo – we have recently submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation an operational plan for the two-year period 2024-2025 regarding activities between the Italian and German machine tool industries, aimed at strengthening the cooperation relations between the two world-leading industrial systems in this field”.

Mutual visits to production facilities in both countries, organisation of incoming activities for delegations of German end users visiting Italian enterprises and trade fairs in Italy, organisation of an Italian Machine Tool Forum in Germany to foster and encourage a mutual knowledge of leading manufacturers and users in both countries, as well as market analyses: these are some of the initiatives that make up this programme. Based on past experience – continued the president – and considering the value of the intervention, we think that this programme should be carried out according to a public-private cooperation model, also for economic purposes. Alongside the trade associations of the respective countries, on the Italian side, in addition to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in our opinion, Sace, Simest, CDP and ICE-Italian Trade Agency should intervene as well.”.

“In parallel with this, our commitment continues in the most geographically distant and culturally different markets, for which UCIMU has launched important initiatives to support the internationalisation activities of enterprises. Among these, two business networks. The first one is ITC in India, which has been working for eleven years now and which gathered over one hundred participants among trade operators of the sector, end users, institutions and journalists during the last annual Conference, in Pune last November. The second one is the newly established network IMT in Vietnam, launched last September and created with the aim of supporting the penetration of the network companies into the country that represents the gateway to the whole South-East Asian region”.

“On the Italian front – stated President Barbara Colombo – the willingness to invest shown by Italian investors has certainly dropped in 2023. After years of more than exponential growth, the reduction registered this year and that expected for next year however seem acceptable. It is actually a gradual return to normal values after the exceptionality of the previous two years. We collect fewer orders than in the past, but the market is not at a standstill: on the contrary, the Italian market remains one of the most important ones. The Italian manufacturing industry is willing to continue with the digital transition process, which is in full deployment, but everyone is waiting to see what incentives will be available starting from the next few months”.

“For this reason – continued Barbara Colombo – we appreciate the work carried out by our government authorities who obtained the green light by the European Commission to finance, with Repower EU, the Transition Plan 5.0, focusing on the combination of green and digital transformations to support the development of the manufacturing industry according to energy-saving criteria, while also considering the fundamental issue of education and training. Now we wait to see the implementation of the measures that will bring this plan into effect”.

“At the same time – concluded the president of UCIMU – we call on the Government to refine the measures 4.0 in order to extend their use to an ever-wider range of companies. The idea is to free up larger resources for small-scale investments, which are logically the preserve of smaller companies that have generally been, and still are, more reluctant to undertake the digital transition. We are aware that there are scarce economic resources and consider it useful for this purpose to raise the tax credit rate of the first bracket, now set at 20%, while lowering the maximum value of the eligible investment currently set at 2.5 million euro”.

“The pace of change has never been this fast, yet it will never be this slow again.”
This popular quote is often brought up when speaking about today’s fast-paced technological development. Industry 4.0 is paving the way for manufacturing transformation with ground-breaking innovations, which in turn bring opportunities to develop workshops and aim for higher revenues. However, investing in new technology is not the only way to optimise a machine tool setup. In the first of a new article series from Sandvik Coromant, Blasius Reschreiter, global manager of machine tool solutions at the metal cutting organisation, explains how tool shop owners can make the most out of their machines through improved equipment utilisation, quick change tooling, and modular solutions.

In light of recent technological advances, investing in forefront technologies can at first hand appear like a given strategy to conduct a successful business. However, markets are fluctuating. To continually strive for the latest, most high-tech solutions might not be the natural way to go forward in uncertain times. The ability to adapt production to current and future demands in a flexible way is crucial for surviving in today’s economy. Here, we take a closer look at flexible approaches to workshop machinery.

Make the most out of your machine tool set-up Machine tool and cutting tool development is rapidly progressing. However, this can involve considerable investments, requiring time, capital and somewhat secure predictions for future demands. If the market situation and business forecasts are unsure, major investments might not be an option.

When your primary goal is to stay in cost reduction mode and to handle a temporary market downturn, a key consideration should be to investigate your current workshop, to make use of existing machines and existing capacity and, preferably, without dramatically increasing overhead costs.

Another consideration is productivity. Often, we put our focus on achieving maximum metal cutting efficiency. Metal removal rate is one way of measuring efficiency when producing parts. However, what can be an even more important aspect to consider is machine utilization. In an average machine shop, only 50% of a machine’s in-use time is used for machining. Breakdowns, changeovers and maintenance consume the remaining 50%.

Machine utilisation in focus
Increasing machine utilisation is a cost-effective way to boost productivity and make use of the capacity already available. This should be measured as a percentage of the time that the machine is actually producing components. Pushing up active machining time by only a few percentage points makes a big difference.

Increased machine utilisation can be attained by working actively with typical time killers often appearing in a common workshop related to these areas: batch set-up, measuring the component in the machine, tool setting, coolant pipe setting, changing worn tools, chip removal around tools and workpieces or blocked conveyors and component change-over.

Two key approaches to overcome this type of challenge are to work with quick-change tooling and modular systems. By applying quick change and modular solutions, machine utilisation can be greatly increased

Quick change tooling solutions

A quick-change solution can reduce time spent on measuring, set-up and tool change, allowing for drastically improved machine utilization. Through coolant delivery helps to further maximize productivity. There are several benefits with quick change that support keeping the green light on, including reducing batch change-over time. Changing time from one style of tool to another is dramatically reduced using quick change. Up to ten minutes can be saved in one typical turning operation.

Increase the number of tool positions with double tool holders can also help. Turning centres with driven tool holders often have limited space. Using double clamping units allows either sister tooling or an increased variety of tools, thereby reducing the tool change requirement for a wider range of components. Double clamping units can be used when the machine has Y-axis, half turret or sub-spindle.

There’s also potential to reduce downtime when changing worn-out tools. Every time a solid carbide tool with a driven tool holder is changed the tool offset needs to be re-calibrated. With indexable mills and drills, multiple inserts need to be changed. Using sister tool and changing the cutter outside the machine is much quicker. For static tool holders, being able to remove the tool ensures improved maintenance of the tool, correct mounting and no unexpected stops due to needs for spare part purchases.

Eliminating coolant pipe setting can also prove to be a time-saving exercise. When operators are setting the coolant pipe direction, it normally takes two to three attempts to get it right. Poor chip control often then knocks the pipe which means that setting is quite a regular occurrence.

Lastly is improving the speed of production start-up. By eliminating the “first-test component” or “measuring cuts”, scrap is reduced and the production rate increases. Over the course of a year, the use of quick change will result in significantly higher component production and reduced scrap.

Besides from a significant increase in machine utilization, quick change also brings many benefits for the operator, such as user-friendliness and a more ergonomic working environment. For example, changing tools outside the machine reduces accidents, errors and searching for dropped parts.

Turn flexible, go modular
Another strategy for keeping your machines running is modular solutions. A modular system offers a large variety of tool assemblies with different characteristics, decreasing the need for costly, customised tools with long delivery times. Modular tooling helps to avoid spending on separate tools for each machine,
component and feature.

The benefits that modular tooling systems bring are flexibility, reduced tool inventory and multiple tooling combinations, all contributing to increased machine utilization. The ability to maintain continuous production for a long period provides the flexibility needed to make your workshop better equipped to handle changing market conditions.

Four applications where modularity has proven to be extra valuable include reaching difficult to access features, stability in vibration prone operations, small or varying production and extra clearance when machining large components.

While it is certainly true that the “pace of change has never been this fast”, various strategic approaches emerge to ensure adaptability and bolster financial gains in a continuously evolving market landscape. Enhancing machine utilisation, reducing changeover time and investigation into modular systems all contribute significantly to increasing the flexibility of machine shops. In our upcoming article, we will thoroughly explore the effects of investing in new technologies. This will help shed light on how these investments can improve efficiency and open up new opportunities for workshops. Stay tuned!

Abhijeet Group, a renowned manufacturer specialising in high-quality moulds and moulded parts, recently inaugurated the relocation of its plant, which is situated in the vibrant hub of Chaken, Pune. This upgraded facility spans over 60,000 square feet, marking a monumental advancement in the realm of moulded part manufacturing. Abhijeet Plastics continues its legacy by offering an impressive suite of services, from design and development to the meticulous manufacturing of moulded components, serving a wide array of industries with a primary focus on both the automotive and non-automotive sectors. What sets Abhijeet Plastics apart is not just its advanced technology but also its steadfast dedication to ensuring ‘CUSTOMER’S TOTAL SATISFACTION.’ Leveraging their extensive experience and profound industry knowledge in the tooling and moulding sector, Abhijeet Group has further strengthened its position as a trusted and dependable partner within the industry.

The inauguration ceremony witnessed esteemed dignitaries Mr. Senthur Pandian, Senior Vice President (Electric Vehicle), and Mr. Rahul Chemburkar, Sr. General Manager, Strategic Sourcing, at Mahindra and Mahindra, inaugurating the facility. The traditional lamp-lighting ceremony by our Managing Director, Mr. Naresh Raut, and guests marked the auspicious beginning.
During the event, a comprehensive tour showcased a spectrum of injection moulding machinery, ranging from 450 tonnes to 2700 tonnes, and blow moulding machinery, ranging from 10 litres to 150 litres capacity, highlighting high-quality moulded component manufacturing.

CEO Mr. Jaymurugan presented an insightful audio-visual on Abhijeet Group’s journey, emphasising the organisation’s ethos: “past as a foundation, present as a masterpiece, and future poised for brilliance.” He articulated the group’s ambitious goal of doubling its capacity within the next four years, reiterating their commitment to challenges and customer-centricity under the tagline “progress at work.”

Director Mr. Nikhil Raut outlined future initiatives, including innovative wrapping technology in the automobile industry, the establishment of a Research and Development Centre in Banner Pune by January, the new moulding facility at Nashik, and the expansion of the toolroom at Naigaon, solidifying the company’s status as a comprehensive supplier for the automotive and non-automotive sectors.

Director Mr. Abhijeet Raut Worm expressed gratitude towards dignitaries and guests, underlining the plant’s dedication to customers. He extended appreciation to the team members and workers for their diligence, acknowledging customers as pivotal pillars in the Abhijeet Group’s journey. Pledging continuous improvement and exceeding customer expectations, the group aims to foster deeper customer relationships by comprehending their unique needs and providing optimal solutions for mutual success.

In his address, Mr. Senthur Pandian commended Abhijeet Group’s commitment to customer satisfaction and its integral role as a reliable partner, especially within Mahindra’s electric vehicle segment.

Mr. Rahul Chemburkar expressed Mahindra’s appreciation for Abhijeet’s contribution, lauding the team’s diligence and entrepreneurial spirit. He emphasised that the new Chakan facility epitomizes Abhijeet Group’s unwavering commitment to excellence, precision, and innovation.

The event concluded with Mr. Naresh Raut felicitating the guests, followed by expressions of gratitude from Abhijeet Group to all attendees and the dedicated team whose relentless efforts materialized this vision.