EMO Milan 2021: meet ‘The Magic World of Metalworking’

Promoted by CECIMO, the European Association of Machine Tool Industries, and organised by the operational structures of Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre, the Italian machine tool, robot and automation systems manufacturers' association, EMO Milan 2021, with its slogan ‘The Magic World of Metalworking’ will take place at fieramilano Rho from 4-9 October.

Metal forming and metalcutting machine tools, production systems, enabling technologies, robots and automation, solutions for interconnected and digital factories and additive manufacturing will be among the products and solutions spotlighted at the exhibition. And from a visitor perspective, EMO is an exhibition for decision makers – 81% of visitors to be precise are either totally or partially involved in making purchasing decisions.

In terms of exhibitors, 32 countries will be represented – with the lion’s share being from Italy, Germany, Taiwan, Spain, Japan, Switzerland, China and Korea. This figure is rising all the time as COVID vaccinations being rolled out across the world.

Luigi Galdabini, EMO Milan 2021 general commissioner stated: “The expectations of the sector operators are very high – which is testament to the firm intention by the manufacturing world to return to normality. Indeed, a large number of exhibitor applications have already been received and we expect numbers to increase in the following weeks and months.”

According to Oxford Economics forecasts, 2021 is set to bring about a marked recovery in machine tool consumption worldwide with sales predicated to hit €62.7 billion (Asia €35 billion +16.2%; Europe €16 billion +13.3%; Americas €11 billion +14.5%), continuing into 2022-2023.

Locally, the Italian Government has set-up special fiscal incentives which consist of tax credit up to 50%, for Italian companies investing in new machine tools, robots, automation systems and digital technologies in 2021 and 2022. “This is a great business opportunity for exhibitors from all over the world,” Mr Galdabini enthused.

Capitalising on renewed confidence in terms of travelling and attending public events, EMO Milan 2021 will be complemented by a number of side initiatives to make the most of the exhibitors’ presence in Milan during the event week.

Among these initiatives, EMO Digital will have a particular relevance: a display and demonstration area dedicated to illustrate the potential of digital technologies for the manufacturing world. The Start-up area will highlight the role of fledgling companies in driving innovation throughout the industry.

A dedicated Speaker Corner will also be set-up in one of the exhibition halls where a programme of conferences and discussions on topical subjects will take place.

CECIMO, the European Association of Machine Tool Industries has entrusted the organisation of EMO Milan 2021 to Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre, the Italian machine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers' association which has extensive experience gained from the organisation of previous EMO events in 1979, 1987, 1995, 2003, 2009, 2015 and the Bi-Mu exhibition.

CECIMO has already released plans regarding future EMO events. Hannover, Germany will host the show in 2023 and in 2025 and then the exhibition will return to Milan in 2027.

EMO Milan
www.emo-milan.com

Exhibitors at EMO Milan

See below a selection of some of the exhibitors at this year's exhibition in Milan.

Advanced Grinding Solutions at EMO

A number of the machine tool manufacturers represented in the UK and in Eire by Coventry-based Advanced Grinding Solutions will be present at EMO Milan.

Switzerland-based Rollomatic, on stand D26 in hall 2, is a highly successful manufacturer of multi-axis CNC tool grinding machines. Rollomatics are ideal for the production grinding of rotary cutting tools of all kinds and for non-round tools such as punches. A three year unlimited hours parts and labour warranty comes as standard on all new Rollomatic machines.  

Rollomatic GrindSmart machines, available with a sixth axis, excel at producing cutting tools of up to 20mm in diameter whereas ShapeSmart models are ideally suited to the high performance cylindrical infeed grinding of cutting tool blanks such as drills, form tools, reamers, end mills, and punches.

On stand E30 in hall 3, Tschudin AG will showcase its range of centreless grinding machines with the highlight being the Cube 350 with a newly developed integrated collaborative robot. The 3-axis machine occupies a small footprint and was specially developed for processing small workpieces with a diameter of up to 20mm.

Comat, the Italian manufacturer of high quality filtration systems will be exhibiting its latest C-120 EVO filter unit on its stand E31 in hall 2. The systems are ideal for the filtration of any type of contaminant (carbide, HSS, medical steels, ceramics, and brass etc) and are now widely fitted to Rollomatic tool grinding machines as well as many others.

Platit – a leading manufacturer of advanced coating machines based on plasma generating PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) technology – is in hall 4 on stand E02. From its headquarters near Solothurn in Switzerland, Platit operates on a global basis and has supplied more than 550 coating installations worldwide into nearly 40 different countries.

Also exhibiting at EMO is GPA Innova which manufactures DLyte polishing machines. These revolutionary machines benefit from a dry, non-abrasive electro polishing process that does not use any liquid as the electrolyte. The highlight at EMO will be the new DLyte Desktop machine.

Advanced Grinding Solutions will have staff present at EMO to welcome customers from the UK and Eire. To pre-arrange a meeting, call 02476 22 66 11 or visit the website.

Advanced Grinding Solutions
www.advancedgrindingsolutions.co.uk

Dugard new machines at EMO

At the forthcoming EMO exhibition, the principal partners of Dugard Machine Tools will be introducing a host of new machine tools that will be available from Dugard this autumn. The new arrivals include highly productive sliding head turning centres from Hanwha, robust turning centres from SMEC and multi-axis high-end machining centres from Kitamura.

For manufacturers of turned parts, Hanwha will be demonstrating the capabilities of its new Hanwha XDI26 and XDI32 sliding head turning centres. Available from Dugard, the new machines provide turning capacities of 26mm and 32mm diameter respectively.

The three-path 9-axis independent opposite gang tool machines demonstrate high levels of productivity and flexibility for all small turned part machining applications. The compact production centres are supplied with a Fanuc 31iB CNC control, seven turning tools plus four front and seven rear ER16M tools as well as a multitude of cross drill and B-axis tools for optimum flexibility.

For the turning of larger parts, SMEC will be introducing the new PL2000 and NS2100 turning centres. The PL2000 series is a 6 or 8-inch chuck machine with a 45° slant bed with torque tubing for heavy-duty machining.

Available in several variants, the PL2000 offers a swing over bed of 570mm with a machining length up to 307mm and a through bore capacity of 61 or 76mm depending upon the chosen variant. With a powerful 11/18.5kW spindle motor and up to 12 tool positions on a turret, the machine is a compact and powerful workhorse that will improve productivity and performance for any turned part manufacturer. 

From Dugard’s high-end machining portfolio, Kitamura will be introducing no fewer than four new machines including the new Mycenter M-2XV, M-3XV, M-4XV and the compact 5-axis 3XVT series of vertical machining centres.

Dugard
www.dugard.com

Dynamic HPC milling with the Horn DS system

Horn will launch its expanded DS range of solid carbide end mills with new, high performance geometry.

The system has been designed for use in HPC (high-performance cutting) milling of high strength steels at high material removal rates. It particularly excels in dynamic roughing applications as well as in standard roughing cycles. Different helix angles create an irregular tooth pitch, making operation exceptionally smooth.

The tools’ optimised face geometry reduces the cutting pressure during linear or circular ramping. Improved chip spaces ensure optimal process reliability during chip formation and removal. The system also demonstrates good performance during finishing. Smooth operation means that high surface quality can be achieved during side milling, for example.

HPC milling of high strength steels at elevated rates of metal removal places significant demands on the tools. New carbide substrates and new tool coating technologies make this process feasible. Horn relies on the ES3P grade with a HiPIMS coating for its milling cutters.

High power impulse magnetron sputtering technology offers several advantages and new possibilities when it comes to coating precision tools. It enables the formation of coatings that are dense and compact, as well as hard and tough.

The coatings have a homogeneous structure and exhibit a uniform coating thickness, even on complex tool geometries. They also demonstrate good layer adhesion, ensuring cutting edge stability. Thanks to its high temperature resistance, the coating serves as a heat shield and reduces the amount of heat transferred to the carbide.

Horn Cutting Tools
www.phorn.co.uk

Productivity, profitability and planet drive Mazak focus for EMO

Yamazaki Mazak is heading to this year’s EMO with 12 machines complemented by a range of automation and technology solutions that promise to deliver the three key customer benefits of productivity, profitability and environmentally-aware manufacturing operations.

The Mazak stand will showcase a host of new machines, including integrated automation solutions, vertical machining centres and the most recent additions to the Integrex i-H series. Under its theme of ‘Discover More’, the company will display two world debuts at the show and another machine being exhibited for the first time in Europe.

In addition, Mazak will reveal its latest CNC technology, Mazatrol SmoothEz, featuring a 15 inch touchscreen and an intuitive operating system to deliver increased efficiency through faster setup, programming and operation for those with limited NC programming experience.

One of the key themes will be automation with over half of the products showcased with integrated automation. Environmentally-aware manufacturing will also be a key focus with technologies such as energy dashboards and digital services helping customers to measure energy utilisation and CO₂ impact.

Mazak will also exhibit the latest in virtual machining with the next generation of Mazatrol SmoothAi and digital twin technology that can deliver machine and engineering data directly to those who need it supporting production plans and business decisions.

For those that are unable to attend the show in Milan this year, Mazak will make available a digital experience where customers can discover all the latest and new technologies.

Sign up for Mazak’s digital experience at https://emo.mazakeu.com/

Yamazaki Mazak
www.mazakeu.co.uk

New workholding products including for automated production

At EMO, Roemheld will launch a new, modular, sensor-based system that digitalises zero-point clamping by enabling digital recording of its status.

Stark.intelligence enables data on workpiece loading and unloading to be integrated directly into an automated manufacturing process. Information is also provided on the condition of the clamping equipment to facilitate its scheduled maintenance. It can be combined with various Stark zero-point clamping systems and may be retrofitted easily to machine tables and quick-release fixture plates.

Another introduction at the show will be a range of compact bore clamps with a large clamping range for five-sided machining. The devices hold internally, exerting force both radially outwards and downwards against a support surface.

A third innovation will be a compact flat lever clamp designed for use on fixtures in machine tools with low pressure hydraulics between 70 and 120 bar. It complements the successful Roemheld series rated at up to 250 bar.

Roemheld will also show two models from its large range of machine vices. Most flexible is the Hilma VarioLine, which is used vertically or horizontally and may be quickly adapted to different workpiece sizes due to magnetically-secured, quick-change jaws that can be exchanged in a single action.

The other vice will be the Hilma MC-P, intended for securing parts during 5-axis machining and able to grip on just 3mm of stock.

Roemheld UK
www.roemheld.co.uk