Other articles that may interest you
AUMA Italiana, a national and international point of reference for electric actuation solutions for industrial valves, will participate in the sixth edition of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit , scheduled to take place at the Bergamo Fair from 19 to 21 May 2026. IVS is now much more than a trade show: it's the place where the entire industrial valve and flow control supply chain meets to discuss ongoing transformations, from new energy scenarios to plant digitalization. In this context, AUMA Italiana confirms its presence to actively contribute to the dialogue between valve manufacturers, EPCs, and end users, placing application experience and technological vision at the center. During the three-day Summit, AUMA will have its own exhibition space to meet with customers and partners and present electric actuation solutions designed to make systems more reliable, efficient, and future-proof . These technologies go beyond valve actuation to integrate advanced diagnostics, communication, and maintenance support features, simplifying the daily work of those managing complex systems. The key themes at IVS 2026, from artificial intelligence to applications for hydrogen, renewables, CCUS, and nuclear power, reflect a rapidly evolving industry. It is precisely in this context that electric actuation is taking on an increasingly strategic role, becoming a key element in ensuring operational safety, service continuity, and intelligent process control. AUMA Italiana will bring to the trade fair its expertise, developed over decades of field applications, in sectors where precision and reliability are not an option but a necessity. "IVS is a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the entire industry community," comments Andrea Villa , Managing Director of AUMA Italiana. "Being present means listening, sharing experiences, and contributing to the development of solutions that increasingly meet the industry's real needs." With a global presence and a strong focus on research and development, AUMA continues to invest in technologies that can drive the evolution of the valve industry, supporting customers and partners on a journey of concrete innovation, long-term reliability, and a focus on sustainability. AUMA awaits you at IVS - Industrial Valve Summit 2026, Hall A - Stand 32 , to meet, exchange ideas and discuss the future of industrial valve automation.
Productivity and process stability engineering in cast iron processing. With the global manufacturing industry under increasing pressure from volatile raw materials and concentrated supply chains, many machining operations are reevaluating how critical tool materials are used in their processes. Tungsten-based carbide remains indispensable in a wide range of applications. However, its dependence on tungsten—a strategically sensitive raw material—is forcing manufacturers to reexamine where this material offers the greatest value and where alternative materials can provide tangible technical advantages. Thanks to its extensive experience in ceramic materials engineering and application development, NTK improves the performance of cutting tools in the most demanding environments. In cast iron machining, these ceramic grades represent one of the most durable solutions for high-temperature applications. Where ceramics offer a technical advantage Machining cast iron generates extremely high temperatures at the cutting edge, especially during dry machining and at high cutting speeds. Under these conditions, aluminum oxide and silicon nitride ceramics maintain hardness and wear resistance beyond the limits of conventional carbide. In stable operations dominated by thermal loads, ceramics allow: higher cutting speeds reduced cycle times uniform abrasive wear in cast iron reliable performance in dry machining These advantages are based on the principles of materials science and are confirmed in production environments where thermal resistance determines tool life. Strategic distribution of cutting materials Ceramics are not destined to replace carbide in all operations. Carbide continues to excel in operations with severe interruptions in cut, low-rigidity setups, and applications requiring maximum edge toughness. The opportunity lies in identifying operations where thermal loads predominate over mechanical shocks. Under these conditions, ceramic grades can offer significant productivity improvements, while carbide remains the ideal solution when toughness is crucial. This targeted approach improves overall process efficiency and reduces dependence on a single cutting material. NTK ceramic solutions for cast iron processing The NTK ceramic range has been specifically developed for the machining of cast iron: SP9 - Coated silicon nitride grade for roughing to finishing operations on grey and ductile iron SX6 - High toughness silicon nitride ceramic for demanding roughing on gray cast iron, even on surfaces with fusion crust HC1 / HW2 - Aluminum oxide ceramics optimized for high-speed finishing of gray cast iron These grades are widely used in the automotive, heavy machinery, pump and valve components, and industrial casting manufacturing industries. Real-world production cases demonstrate significant increases in cutting speeds and productivity in components such as wheel hubs and structural casings, where ceramic grades have successfully replaced carbide in selected operations. Efficiency in large-scale production Higher cutting speeds reduce machining time per component and improve spindle efficiency in high-volume production. In many cast iron machining applications, ceramic tools can operate dry, reducing or eliminating the use of coolant. In addition to the productivity benefits, this approach reduces energy consumption per part and reduces the need for cutting fluid management and disposal, contributing to more resource-efficient production. Engineering the process The adoption of ceramic tools in cast iron processing is not a simple replacement, but an intelligent application. Aligning tool material properties with the predominant stresses of each operation—thermal or mechanical—allows for the development of a more targeted, performance-oriented machining strategy. When applied under the correct conditions, advanced NTK ceramic grades increase productivity while maintaining process stability in the most demanding cast iron machining operations. About NTK Cutting Tools NTK Cutting Tools, a member of the IMC Group, is a global supplier of advanced cutting tool solutions for the metalworking industry. The company is recognized for its expertise in ceramic tools for high-temperature machining and as a specialist in micromachining and Swiss-type machining applications, where precision and process stability are crucial. With a wide range of cutting tool solutions, NTK helps manufacturers increase productivity, ensure process stability, and improve resource efficiency in highly demanding industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, and general engineering.
The Makino a500iR, equipped with a brand-new 60 kW spindle at 24,000 rpm, was presented at EMO 2025 in Hannover. This spindle ensures extremely short cycle times in the machining of aluminum aerostructures and in the most complex applications in the semiconductor industry. Designed for precision, speed and reliability This latest addition to the Makino horizontal machining center range was designed to meet the growing demand for high-performance 5-axis simultaneous machining. Engineered for precision, speed, and proven reliability, this cutting-edge machine combines robust design with intelligent features to deliver exceptional results on a wide range of materials and applications. The a500iR was developed for the ultra-efficient machining of small and medium-sized complex components, particularly for aerospace applications. It accommodates 500 x 500 mm pallets and offers axis travels of 900 mm (X), 750 mm (Y), and 800 mm (Z). The machine's exceptional machinability is due, among other things, to its undercut capability with 290° rotation (-110° to +180°) on the B-axis and continuous 360° rotation on the C-axis. Outstanding features • Superior Cutting Performance : Spindle options meet a wide range of machining needs, ensuring superior cutting performance for a wide range of applications: - Standard spindle: 14,000 rpm, HSK-A63 interface, motor power 63/30 kW (S3 15%ED/S1), torque 303/120 Nm (S3 15%ED/S1). - Optional spindles: 24,000 rpm with HSK-A63 interface and 60 kW motor power. • Machining Capability : The a500iR enables stable, high-speed 5-axis machining: - B-axis: rotation from -110° to +180°; C-axis: continuous 360° rotation - Rapid feed rates up to 60,000 mm/min (linear), 16,000 degrees per minute (B-axis) and 36,000 degrees per minute (C-axis) - Maximum workpiece dimensions: ø 900 mm, height 600 mm and up to 400 kg • Chip and Coolant Management : The a500iR features an efficient chip and coolant management system with a central chip evacuation tank, multiple cooling systems (through the spindle, nozzles, cascade in the work area and C-axis) and a GI cut-off function to prevent chip wrap and tool wear during hole machining. • Tool Management : The a500iR boasts advanced tool management features, such as: - Standard 90-tool ring-type Automatic Tool Changer (ATC) and optional matrix-type ATC for up to 313 tools - Broken Tool Detection Sensor (BTS) via camera - Coolant recovery system to avoid excess coolant during tool changes • Ergonomic operability : Designed for ease of use and efficient ergonomic operability, the a500iR features a horizontal configuration with vertical grip pallets, easy access for loading and unloading (pallet height 1,100 mm) and hydraulic/pneumatic pass-through pallet locking in automated operations. • Specifications : The a500iR has a footprint of 3,540 x 5,981 mm, is 2,989 mm high, weighs 16,000 kg and can be optionally equipped with oil mist collectors, coolant temperature control, 3D tool compensation and other useful features.
Industriale.it certification