For precise positioning tasks in precision fabrication and automation, PI (Physik Instrumente) now offers the M-417 stage with a repeatability of 0.5 µm over a 500 mm travel range. The drive of the M-417 comprises an efficient ActiveDrive DC motor with integrated 24 V amplifier that acts on the ball screw. Thanks to this structure, the stage achieves a velocity of 100 mm/s and is at the same time designed for high duty cycles. The recirculating ball bearings allow for a very high guiding (…)

More innovation, more companies and more products. With a total of 1314 exhibiting companies from 27 countries (12% more than at the last event), leading international brands, new sectors, almost 800 high-performance machines, 300 innovations and technical seminars, the 28th International Machine-Tool Exhibition is set to be a big event, with big solutions, for doing big business. Encouraged by signs of recovery in the domestic market, machine-tool companies will be making a strong show at (…)

Two key factors for surface technology; now as a standard feature - thanks to intelligence. The new Sonopower Digital 3S is Weber Ultrasonics’ response to stricter requirements in the field of surface technology in terms of both process stability and profitability. The 3 kW ultrasonic generator has a whole host of innovative features and a control system based on a 32-bit processor architecture that lends it intelligence. This intelligence enables it to automatically make numerous (…)

Visitors to the Siams trade show in Moutier certainly noticed the new Alfatool factory located on the Rue Industrielle, a few blocks away from the exhibition park. And if they were impressed by the quality that emerges from the building, what would say the lucky ones who had the opportunity to visit it? Meeting with Mr. Yvan Pratillo, the head of this dynamic SME specialised in the manufacture of cylindrical microtools (complete interview in our next issue). The company, which this year (…)

The continuous optimisation of manufacturing processes for mechanical components is one of the key success factors of the Swiss watchmaking industry. While traditional machining and stamping processes will continue to play an important role, emerging technologies such as laser machining, 3D printing and plasma etching are pushing the current limits to new heights of quality and performance. In order to capture this outstanding potential, Richemont and EPFL are creating an academic chair in (…)

In the high-end watchmaking subcontracting sector, the constraints imposed on workpieces are very strict in terms of size, geometry and appearance, bringing tough challenges for manufacturers. For many years, Cyberis has ridden this wave, with the company undergoing constant growth. It has also bought more than 20 production machines over the last two years, and plans to purchase several machines in the next few months. Interview in Bassecourt with Mr. Muriset, the young director of this (…)

Hurni Engineering, the watchmaking CAD specialist in French-speaking Switzerland will celebrate its 30th anniversary at EPHJ 2014 in Geneva from June 17 to 20, 2014. The company was founded in 1984, when the Swiss mechanical watchmaking overcame the quartz crisis and began to integrate computer technology in its manufacturing process. CAD to the service of watchmakers Based in La Chaux-de-Fonds and renowned for its knowledge of the watchmaking specialties, the company has contributed to (…)

Delcam has added a range of enhancements to its Delcam Electrode integrated solution for the design, machining and inspection of electrodes, and has extended the range of EDM equipment supported by the software. The system has also benefitted from a number of new options introduced into Delcam’s PowerShape design software which provides the CAD element of the overall solution, in particular, the new option to merge fragmented faces into a single, continuous surface and so produce cleaner, (…)

Despite its simple appearance, the SwissNano offers outstanding machining options and is the most flexible machine on the market. The machine owes its flexibility to a large range of options, but also to a good deal of ingenuity. Let’s see a few ones The machine’s 6-axis kinematics offers numerical settings in all dimensions. All users find that the counter spindle, with its 3 linear axes, is very comfortable to use. In addition to the counter spindle, the second platten can house tools (…)

An all-new machine concept developed for cleaning parts with aqueous media is presented by Dürr Ecoclean at this year’s parts2clean from June 24 - 26. Key features of the innovative EcoCWave include its universal application capability, ranging from coarse to fine cleaning, plus minimized space requirements. Equipped to optimize cleaning quality while cutting per-unit costs, the new all-round talent from Filderstadt also sets new standards in terms of visual appearance. The media used in (…)