The Italian machine tools, robots and automation manufacturing industry recorded production of 4,196 million euros in 2010, an increase of 2.5% from 2009, while exports, consumption and deliveries to its domestic market amounted to 2,604 million euros, 2,467 million euros and 1,592 million euros, up 3%, 5.7% and 1.7% year-on-year respectively, according to a brief financial statement from UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the association of Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots and automation.This financial statement was presented by Giancarlo Losma, President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE on the occasion of the annual general meeting on June 27.The data produced by the Studies Department of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE also indicated that the recovery that began in 2010 would be stepped up in 2011.According to the forecasts, in 2011, production of the Italian machine tools, robots and automation manufacturing industry will rise to 4,955 million euros, an increase of 18.1% compared with the previous year.The positive result was mainly due to the performance of exports which, with an increase of 22.3%, will amount to 3,185 million euros.In the first three months of this year in particular, the main destination areas were: China, up 13.8% compared to the same period in the previous year; Germany, up 115.6%; USA, up 123.4%; India, up 58.9%; Brazil, up 125.7%; France, down 14.7%; Turkey, up 110.5%; Poland, up 96.3%; Russia, down 52.5%; and Switzerland, up 42.7%. Thanks to the marked increase, Germany and China absorbed the same amount of Italian exports, which was 13.9%.As regards the domestic market, in 2011 consumption is expected to grow by 11.7%, to reach 2,755 million euros, with the recovery of deliveries by manufacturers trailing behind to amount to a value of 1,770 million euros, 11.2% more than in the previous year.”Despite the framework of general improvement, manufacturers’ fears remain high because of the weakness of the domestic market which has only recovered a small share of the ground lost during the crisis,” remarked Mr Losma.”Unwillingness of domestic demand has urged manufacturers to intensify their activities on foreign markets, even in the most far-off markets

A “Call for Papers” has been issued for the 2012 International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials, PowderMet2012. Organised and sponsored by the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) in cooperation with APMI International, the

At the EMO Hannover 2011 exhibition taking place in Hannover, Germany, from September 19-24, Renishaw will highlight a range of process control solutions that help tackle the increasing drive to lean manufacturing, from new technologies for pre-process machine calibration, to on-line and off-line post-process measurement. A new range of additive manufacturing technologies and the latest incremental and absolute encoder systems will also be on show.For visitors to EMO Hannover sourcing off-line measurement systems, Equator is a radical new alternative to traditional dedicated gauging, filling a gap in the market never before addressed, Renishaw says

Sintering is a PM process step that does not always receive the attention that it deserves, considering its key role in determining the microstructure, mechanical properties and dimensional control in the final product. It was therefore encouraging that the programme of MPIF’s PowderMet 2011 conference, held in San Francisco on 18-21 May, contained a session that focused on sintering furnace control and optimisation. Dr David Whittaker reviews two papers from this session for ipmd.net.

SKF wins a long-term contract from Bombardier Aerospace to supply over 40 different rod assemblies and titanium bearings for Bombardier’s all new CSeries aircraft.The CSeries aircraft, which is optimized for the single-aisle 100 to 149 market, will enter service in 2013.The contract covers rods for flight control systems, door rods, and hydraulic rack and landing gear bearings. The products will be manufactured at SKF Aerospace’s North American and European factories. Initial deliveries will be taking place later this year.SKF Aerospace has been a partner to Bombardier Aerospace on a number of other aircraft programs since the 1980s.

Recent events such as the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico or the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan should challenge current thinking around developing risk management plans.

Hose and Tubing: New Directory Offers Hoses & Tubes For Virtually Every Application Hoses, tubing and assemblies made from various metals and plastics now offered on ForeignTRADEX Elk Grove, California – Now that the 4th of July has passed by and the U.S.

A revised booklet containing a selection of Powder Metallurgy Component Case Studies has been launched by the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA). Available to download from the EPMA’s website The free 20-page booklet contains recent case studies on a range of component parts made using the Powder Metallurgy process and the advantages it provides.

OVERLAND PARK, KAN: Compass Minerals has signed a memorandum of understanding with Goderich, Ontario and the Goderich Port Management Corporation for a plan to expand and enhance the town’s port. “Together we’ve developed a public-private vision to bring new businesses, jobs and opportunities to the Goderich community while providing Sifto with additional storage capacity, particularly during the winter months,” said Rowland Howe, Compass Minerals’ director of corporate engineering, strategic projects and Canada country executive

The die and mold industry in Suzhou city in the southeast of Jiangsu province in Eastern China has evolved to become an emerging industry in the city following substantial developments in the past decade or so.As reported, at present, there are more than 2,000 factories and more than 100,000 people in the city engaging themselves in the die and mold industry, which produces more than RMB7 billion per year in terms of output value. One-tenth of the people working for the industry are engineers and technical people.According to experts’ analysis, the Suzhou die and mold industry has developed with three new characteristics:1. There are a vast number of die and mold companies, which are also developing very fast.