Multi-million expansion at Doncasters

Precision castings specialist Doncasters has commissioned a new fully automated shell line at its Groton facility in Connecticut, USA, a key advancement in the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy. The $13m capital investment expands the Groton site’s operational footprint by 17,000 ft² and introduces next-generation automation and environmental control systems. Equipped with three high-precision six-axis robots and the IC-Crystal Shell Management System for process management, the new line significantly enhances production capacity, part quality and operational reliability.

More information www.doncasters.com

Prima Power Expands Italy Plant

Earlier this month, Prima Power inaugurated the expansion of its Cologna Veneta (VR) plant, a centre of excellence for sheet metal bending solutions. The facility offers over 50% more production capacity thanks to an additional 2500 m² and a 150 kW photovoltaic system, enabling sustainable growth.

Prima Power’s expanded VR plant has a new service building with an academy hall area for training, additional offices and renewed functional spaces, enhancing employee wellbeing.

Global production at the company also see a boost: the expansion completes the renewal project of Prima Power sites worldwide, making them more efficient, sustainable and fully integrated.

More information www.primapower.com

QA industry highlights in a nutshell

A new event format, ‘QA Expert Days’, will kick off a new event rhythm for Control, the international trade fair for quality assurance, in 2026. In future, the trade fair will take place in odd-numbered years – next time on 27-30 April 2027. In even-numbered years, the industry will gather for the two-day QA Expert Days. The debut of the two-day congress event, which presents specialist knowledge and industry innovations in a compact format, will take place on 20-21 May 2026. This exclusive meeting of experts will be a high-calibre and concentrated meeting among sector decision-makers.

More information www.bit.ly/44FRXzZ

Precision at its strongest with WFL M70 MillTurn

The new M70 MillTurn, the latest addition to the WFL product family, is suitable for applications which require both productivity and precision. It offers working lengths up to 8000 mm and a swing diameter up to 850 mm. In addition, WFL says the new M70 MillTurn offers optimal stability and geometry for precise, reliable machining thanks to high pull-in forces at the tool interface, as well as a range of additional options for productive deep-hole drilling processes and special technologies. With the capability to machine workpieces weighing up to 5000 kg, the MillTurn is suited to heavy-duty applications.

The M70 MillTurn features the familiar, reliable disc tool magazine or chain magazine offering up to 200 tool stations and capacity for tools weighing up to 35 kg with a maximum length of 900 mm. In addition to automatic tool changes, the set-up process can also take place in parallel to the machining time, which allows the magazine to be tooled for different orders without any loss of time. Two magazine variants are available for heavy special tools weighing up to 200 kg each.

According to WFL, the M70 also features reliable main and milling spindle drives, delivering precision and advantageous versatility for different customer needs.

Specially developed tools which have been designed to work seamlessly with the MillTurn enable the precision machining of complex workpieces. As hard to access machining areas often require the use of long special tools, the use of robust prismatic clamp holders means that boring bars, solid drills and angular heads can be attached to the turning-boring-milling unit in a highly stable manner.

More information www.wfl.at

Okuma plans numerous premieres at EMO 2025

With 960 m² of efficiency and precision, Okuma Europe says it will transform EMO 2025 (Hanover, Germany, 22-26 September) into a showroom with live machining demonstrations that include European and world premieres.

Okuma customers will already be familiar with the LB4000 EX III horizontal lathe, but they will now have the opportunity to experience its full configuration versatility for the first time at EMO 2025. During the trade fair, the machine will be exhibited with milling tools, an additional Y axis and an optional sub-spindle. The latter enables automatic workpiece transfer and complete machining within one machine.

Among the 13 machines that Okuma will present at EMO are several enhanced classics, each demonstrating its advantages in any production environment. These include the Multus U3000 multi-tasking machine, which can perform complex machining operations with precision. This is made possible by flexible five-axis machining on the main and sub-spindles, a large workspace, and a tool magazine that accommodates up to 120 tools. A second turret also reduces cycle times and increases productivity.

Various processes will be demonstrated live on the machine at the booth, including friction stir welding. This technology enables the seamless joining of components, increasing flexibility and productivity by eliminating the need for external processes.

Efficient automation is also a key factor in the success of one of Okuma’s best sellers. The company says its LB3000 EX III is considered one of the most advanced horizontal lathes for the precise machining of individual parts and small to medium-sized batches. The machine’s built-in Armroid automation solution, with an extended gripping range, boosts its productivity even further.

More information https://promo.okuma.eu/emo/