contentseditorial Spanish technology 4 52 Sharpening our at the EMO 26 18 38 46 48 REPORTS competitive edge through growth: our biggest challenge : With the slogan “Intelligence in Production”, the EMO marks out the territory where companies now need to move. Putting 56 61 TECHNICAL ARTICLES 64 Technological revolution and industrial research 10 vitalizing the metalworking industry 22 Beating records for exports The multi-application tap 30 Waterjet & HD plasma together in TCI Cutting's Combi series Technology, serious work and common sense, Matrinox ingredients that allow it to continue to thrive Gamor reinforces its brand image in Europe at the EMO Threading with carbide thread milling cutters, solutions to reduce the production costs in the automotive components sector Advanced technology for enlarging holes: synthesis of processes, cost reduction INTERVIEWS ONA twin heads EDM machine boasts the efficiency of ILMA Plastica Interview with Xabier Ortueta, managing director of AFM, and José Ignacio Torrecillas, chairman of AFM Interview with Andrés Sánchez de Apellániz, Secretary General of Confemetal Interview with Juan José Peirón, Manager of Meco nova àgora, s.l. Amadeu Vives, 20-22 • 08750 Molins de Rei (Barcelona) Tel.936802027•Fax936802031 Delegación Madrid Av. Sur del Aeropuerto de Barajas, 38 Centro de Negocios Eisenhower, edificio 4, planta 2, local 4 • 28042 Madrid Tel. 91 329 14 31 comercial@interempresas.net • www.interempresas.net redaccion_metal@interempresas.net Suscripciones A través de internet: www.interempresas.net/suscripciones Por correo electrónico: suscripciones@interempresas.net Por teléfono: 936 802 027 Solicitado control: D.L. B-30686-2012 / ISSN 2014-8305 intelligence at the forefront of production is a clear declaration of intent by the organisers, although the slogan itself very probably refers to current intelligent machinery functions, Spanish metalworking companies know only too well what we mean when we talk about the link between production and intelligence. With the long, exhausting crisis that is blighting the Spanish economy, only those who have learnt to face up to the challenges of competing intelligently are able to forge ahead. Metalworking companies and their suppliers, which include machine tool manufacturers, are learning to cope with an unforgiving internal market and the tough rules for competition in the international sector. In the face of enormous pressure on costs, plus exceptionally tough requirements for efficiency and minimised environmental impact, production operations will have to be maximally cost- effective in the future as well. Production experts from all over the world are seeking answers to these challenges, which is why they are looking forward with keen anticipation to the EMO Hannover 2013. Spanish technology is on show in Hannover with 69 stands; machine tool manufacturers seeking sales in foreign markets that cannot be absorbed at home. Over 90% of Spanish-made machine tools are destined for export, a figure that can be explained in several ways. Admittedly, it does highlight the weakness of the Spanish market, but it places something else at the top of the list, the capacity of manufacturers to develop a fully established product for highly specific, high volume applications. A look at the international situation puts the figures into context. In the past 20 years, international machine tool consumption has risen by 70 per cent. More than half of the world’s production output of machine tools is exported. From Europe alone comes one machine in two, delivered to more than 70 different countries. Spain is playing in this league, with machines that are widely known, recognised and fully established in the marketplace. But in this context, technology is not a term solely for use with machine tools. Consumers of this type of machinery are also developing highly innovative technologies for their production processes. Spanish visitors to the EMO 2011 took ninth place in a list headed by India. Everyone, manufacturers and users, are part of an industry that is going through hard times, but which has enough skills, experience and technology to compete internationally. Spanish technology will make its mark at this year’s EMO. Its background, quality, market position and sales drive guarantee it. /3