German machine tool show

The first event at this new location demonstrated the wisdom of the move, with the initial AMB at the new Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre breaking records, with more than 85,000 visitors attending versus 2006's 48,000 – a 78 per cent increase. The number of exhibitors also rose significantly, from 805 to over 1,200. Even in the middle of June, around 1,100 exhibitors had already registered and more than 90 per cent of the hall space was occupied for this year's event. By the time the trade fair starts in September, it is expected that there will be, once again, around 1,200 exhibitors from approximately 26 countries. More than 75,000 visitors from 60 countries are expected to attend. The show comes at a time when market conditions are improving. According to the show organisers, Messe Stuttgart, there have been noticeable signs of recovery since the start of this year in the market for tooling and machine tools. After experiencing a 34 per cent fall in turnover in 2009, according to German trade body VDMA, the precision tool industry saw an increase of 23.8 per cent in incoming orders for metalcutting tools in the first quarter of 2010, compared to the same period the previous year. Incoming orders for production, measuring and testing tools rose in the same quarter by 31.3 per cent and by an overall 8.6 per cent for chucking tools. According to the German machine tool trade body, VDW, there was a 30 per cent fall in demand for machine tools in 2009. In the first quarter of this year, the incoming orders for machine tools rose by 43 per cent, compared to the same quarter in 2009. FAMILIAR NAMES, NEW MACHINES Looking at some of the familiar names at the show, and Star Micronics (01332 864455) will be launching three new multi-axis mill-turning centres, all of them world premieres. Until now a manufacturer sliding-head lathes, the company will introduce its first fixed-headstock bar automatic – the SG-42. Intended for the manufacture of complex components up to 42 mm diameter, the 6-axis machine is driven by an 11 kW main spindle motor and features C-axis on both main and counter spindles as standard. The 5 kW power of the driven tool motor enables both heavy duty milling and drilling operations to be carried out at either spindle. In addition, the SB-20C, the latest model in the SB range of sliding-headstock lathes, will be launched. The 20 mm bar machine replaces the SB-16E, in common with which it offers 35 m/min rapids to give short non-cutting times. Image: Star's'SB-20C is the latest model in the SB range of sliding-headstock lathes With additional power to the driven tools, the machine is an ideal early-entry machine, capable of manufacturing components of medium complexity. Intended for manufacturing complex medical, aerospace and automotive components, the SF-25 is a compact, 25 mm capacity sliding-head machine. It is equipped with a 10-station turret and an additional tool spindle, complete with 24-station automatic tool changer. The tool spindle is capable of accepting Capto C3 tooling and is driven by a 5.5 kW/20,000 rpm motor, supporting reduced cycle times when producing complex mill-turned components. Hurco (01494 442222), too, will be unveiling new machines. For mill-turning complex components in a single set-up, it will launch the TMX8MYS. The 8 inch capacity machine with 64 mm bar capacity is the first of the manufacturer's lathes to be equipped with driven tooling, Y-axis and counter spindle with 0.001° C-axis control. The new machine has increased travels, giving a maximum cutting diameter of 345 mm and a cutting length of up to 533 mm. Faster acceleration and deceleration have been provided to minimise idle times. An increase in main spindle power to 27 kW (peak) allows 307 Nm of torque to be generated at 833 rpm. Live cutters with 7 kW peak power and capable of 5,000 rpm may be fitted in each of the 12 VDI tool positions in the servo-driven turret. Station-to-station turret index time is 0.3 sec. The easy-to-program WinMax control is fitted. Image: Hurco's first machine with Y-axis, 0.0001° sub-spindle and driven tools will be launched at AMB First published i Machinery, September 2010