INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Gleason buys Intra Group

Gleason Corporation has acquired 100% of the shares of the Intra Group of companies with its headquarters in Westland, Michigan. Intra offers a broad range of custom measurement technology, including single-flank gear testing equipment, and is a supplier of precision gears and components to many of the world’s leading aerospace and defence companies.

The acquisition includes the entities of: Intra Corporation and Intra Technical Services LLC in Westland, Michigan; Intra Limited in Hitchin, UK; Intra Aerospace LLC in Rancho Cucamonga, California; and affiliated sales and service companies.

More information www.gleason.com

René Güntner named new CFO at Mapal

René Güntner is the new chief financial officer (CFO) of the Mapal Group. In his role, Güntner assumes responsibility for the areas of financial accounting, controlling, purchasing and facility management. He says: “I see myself as financial officer as well as sparring partner for all areas of the company. Open dialogue and cross-divisional collaboration are key success factors.” In his previous role, Güntner was executive vice president of finance at Mapal Group. He succeeds Matthias Cöster, who has left the company by mutual agreement.

More information www.mapal.com

Thales and Hexagon Formalise Partnership

Thales and Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division have signed a strategic five-year framework agreement, formalising Hexagon’s role as a key technology partner to support Thales’ operational performance and quality assurance across the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. 

The agreement appoints Hexagon as Thales’ strategic supplier of metrology equipment, software, services and maintenance for all of the company’s divisions within the EMEA region. The agreement was signed in person during the Paris Air Show 2025 by Didier Perrigault, global expenses procurement director at Thales, and Stephen Chadwick, president EMEA at Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division.

More information www.hexagon.com

XYZ Tackles Europe’s Skills Shortage

XYZ Machine Tools extends its help in tackling the skills shortage far beyond UK shores. A good example is the Czech Republic, home of Rexim spol, an XYZ distributor for 15 years. Many of Rexim’s machine installations have been into training and technical schools. Indeed, two recent installations have been for large numbers of machines to provide a foundation for skills training within the Czech Republic.

To help modernise the secondary technical school and business academy in Uhersky Brod, Rexim supplied six XYZ SLV manual mills and four 1550 VS manual lathes. Another regional Vocational School benefitting from XYZ machines is SOS Frydek Mistek following the purchase of 12 XYZ 2000 manual mills, 12 1330 Trainer lathes, six RMX 2500 CNC bed mills, six RLX 1630 CNC lathes, a 660 HD Vertical machining centre and a CT65 turning centre.

More information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Magnet rings enhance exoskeleton accessibility

Hutchinson is announcing its collaboration with Wandercraft, a pioneer in medical robotics, on an innovative project aimed at making exoskeletons more accessible to the general public. As an expert in the development and manufacture of angle and speed measurement solutions for magnetic encoders, Hutchinson is contributing to the success of this initiative by integrating compact Nonius magnet rings for precise and immediate angular control.

The Atalante X autonomous walking exoskeleton, a key tool for healthcare professionals, is dedicated to rehabilitation in medical centres. A new platform for personal use is currently being developed to enable a major advance in autonomy for private individuals.

Wandercraft is working on optimising its robot and standardising its components to make the product accessible to as many people as possible.

The engineer-to-engineer approach of Hutchinson and Wandercraft teams has enabled the development of a tailor-made system adapted to the architecture of the new robot. Each of the robot’s joints is equipped with a sensor featuring Nonius magnetic targets designed and manufactured by Hutchinson, enabling instant and absolute angular control. As soon as the robot is activated, the position of each axis is known before any movement is triggered.

Hutchinson’s compact magnet rings enable the creation of leaner, lighter exoskeletons. The cost of the system, including a Hutchinson magnet ring and the iC-Haus chip, is said to be cheaper than a traditional encapsulated sensor solution.

ʺMobility is part of Hutchinson’s DNA,” says Laurent Khouri, industry market leader at Hutchinson in Segré-En-Anjou Bleu, France. “Today, we’re proud to be part of a pioneering human adventure that will enable people to regain their freedom of movement.”

More information www.bit.ly/44q0ib5