“Survive and thrive in the extremes” theme showcases Victrex’s strength in harnessing innovation with investment to develop advanced polymer solutions for future challenges.
As Victrex celebrates the invention of PEEK polymer 40 years ago, the company was at OTC 2019 in Houston to emphasise how it has developed its polymers to final parts product range. James Simmonite, Director Energy at Victrex comments, “In PEEK´s 40th anniversary year, we can take a look back and see just how Victrex’s PEEK innovation has changed sectors, such as Energy and how Victrex has transformed into a global material, technology and solutions provider. ‘Power to progress polymers’ could be our mantra today.” Today´s remarkable list of VICTREX PAEK and PEEK-based innovations covers polymers, films, fibres, pipes, composite and gear solutions. In addition, strategic investments and development partnerships with leading companies, such as Magma Global Ltd. in the energy industry, are further propelling the industry and company.

In the oil and gas sector for example, Magma´s m-pipe® technology serves as one of the prime examples of utilizing an invention such as VICTREX™ PEEK thermoplastic composite to innovate. This subsea pipeline solution has been designed to reduce exploration and production costs and risks for demanding risers, jumpers, flowlines and downlines applications. At the end of 2016, Victrex invested a minority interest in Magma to further facilitate its adoption. Outstanding properties make m-pipe a cost-effective alternative to traditional steel and non-bonded flexible pipe. It requires minimal maintenance and, since it is not subject to corrosion, has a longer lifetime than steel.

Sealing solutions: Designed to improve efficiency and service life
Victrex recently launched a new cryogenics polymer, VICTREX CT 200. Specifically designed for dynamic sealing applications. This series exhibits improved sealing over a wider range of temperatures, compared to commonly-used materials such as PCTFE. It does so at low temperatures because of its greater ductility, and at high temperatures due to its superior creep resistance.

VICTREX CT polymers have also been shown to maintain better dimensional stability, with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than incumbent material. The higher thermal conductivity of these Victrex polymers enables a fast response to temperature changes, ensuring the material is always engaged with the counter-surface. In addition, laboratory testing indicates that they may require less torque to actuate since they have a lower static and dynamic coefficient of friction compared to PCTFE. This results in less wear, higher performance and a potential for cost savings.

Seal rings, thrust washers, bushings and bearings made of PEEK are also used in many applications where they must withstand extremely high pressures, high temperatures, aggressive chemicals, and corrosive environments and consequently help to improve service life and reliability to eliminate costly downtimes. A case in point is thrust bearing pads for pumps; even after more than three years of operation, there is only minimal wear due to the tribological wear properties of VICTREX PEEK. In addition, power loss was reduced by up to 30%.
Proactive investments in the future open the door to further innovations including 3d printing
Continued improvement in application performance to accelerate innovation is an integral part of strategy and success at Victrex. Proactive investment in the development of next-generation thermoplastic solutions have, for example, resulted in:
– The completion of a multi-million world class ‘Polymer Innovation Centre’ in November 2017 to address materials innovation as well as different aspects of polymer R&D;
– The acquisition of Kleiss Gears (2015) and the fibre manufacturer Zyex (2017);
– A joint venture called TxV Aero Composites (2017) to manufacture Aerospace parts;
– UD Tape Composites Manufacturing
– Investments in PtFS (Production to Functional Specification), an innovative tooling design and processing technology from Surface Generation (2019);
– Minority share in Bond High Performance 3D Technology (2019) to help customers with an accelerated route to market for 3D printed PAEK* parts, building on the inherent strength of existing Victrex´s polymers and setting the path to produce functional, high strength parts which contribute to maximising performance of components.

High-performance VICTREX PEEK polymer supports multiple requirements
The inert properties of the versatile PAEK polymers are one main reason for their success. This family of polymers is ideally suited to extreme and demanding environments. While alternative materials can meet specific needs, PEEKs are located at the top of the polymer pyramid and can support multiple requirements. Their properties include light weight, high strength, and high resistance to wear, high temperatures, fatigue and aggressive chemicals. Together, these outstanding properties contribute to enhanced fuel efficiency, extended part life, greater comfort (smooth operation, less noise), more design freedom and greater cost efficiency. A second important reason is that Victrex strategically focuses on this particular family of PAEK HPPs, and is committed to innovation, success and delivering total solutions to customers.

In the first quarter of 2019, the UCIMU index of machine tool orders showed an 8.5% decrease compared with the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index was 127.7 (base 100 in 2015). The overall outcome was due to the reduction registered in the collection of orders, both in the domestic and in the foreign markets.

In particular, foreign orders highlighted an 8.2% drop versus the period January-March 2018. The absolute value of the index stood at 124.3.

Even on the domestic front, the Italian machine tool manufacturers registered a downturn in the order collection, down by 9.8%,
compared with the first quarter of 2018. The absolute value of the index was 129.1.

Massimo Carboniero, President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: “The outcome of the first quarter leads to a careful consideration, because now, in addition to the evident, reduced order collection in the domestic market, started in the first quarter of 2018, there is also a decrease in the orders collected abroad”.

“With reference to the domestic market, the order downturn is not surprising after the exploit in 2017. We expected such reduction and, by observing the results of 2018 and of this first part of 2019, we can affirm that the values are back to the typical levels of the Italian market”.

“This said, however we should consider that the manufacturing industry in our country still needs to invest in new production machinery and technologies. Therefore, it is necessary that the Government authorities confirm the technicalities concerning the reinstatement of Super-Depreciation, as presented in the Growth Decree”.

“Actually, for the SMEs, Super-Depreciation represents the simplest instrument to foster the replacement and upgrade of industrial machinery. For this reason, it matches well with Hyper-Depreciation, which, on the other hand, supports and encourages the spread of innovation with regard to the digital aspect”.

“Some years ago, the Italian manufacturing industry, as well as the whole country, started a progressive process of renewal and transformation, aimed at improving the competitiveness of Made in Italy product offering. It would be risky to interrupt this path halfway, also and mostly considering the employment situation”.

“Italy needs to strengthen and increase the value of its manufacturing production, safeguarding its enterprises, its know-how and employment. To do this, we need tools that may incentivise investments in technology. Only in this way, by adding innovation to innovation, we will strengthen our leadership in those fields that are often “niche sectors”, where our product offering is significantly preferred to that of our competitors”.

“Abroad, the data collection regarding our index – added the president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE – shows a slowdown. The atmosphere of political instability, the concurrence with the European Elections, the stagnation of some markets, such as Germany, and of some sectors of destination that are particularly relevant for Italian machine tools, such as the automotive, as well as the protectionist closure of some important markets, make the activity of Italian manufacturers abroad certainly less easy”.

“For this reason, we ask the Government authorities to consider an increase in tax incentives for the Italian enterprises that take part in leading sector exhibitions held in non-EU countries. Actually, the participation in trade shows, especially in far-way countries, represents the best marketing tool for a SME. Indeed, over 50 Italian companies exhibited their technologies at the most important exhibition organised in China that took place in the middle of April. Their goal was to take advantage of the demand of local users and of neighbouring countries, which is certainly among the most dynamic ones in the international scenario”.

“But all this is not enough – concluded President Carboniero –. Therefore, within the internationalisation activity of 2019, UCIMU, together with the Ministry of Economic Development, Embassies, ICE-Italian Trade Agency and the national sector associations, organised a series of bilateral forums in Russia, India and China, conceived to encourage the dialogue between the countries involved in each forum and concerning their respective economic-political-institutional country system and their industrial systems”.

The Supervisory Board of SLM Solutions Group AG has announced new appointments and nominations to its leadership ranks, while a capital injection of €13 million will continue to fund growth and development projects.
After the announcement in late 2018 that Uwe Bögershausen would not extend his contract beyond June 2019, the Supervisory Board of SLM Solutions resolved last week on appointing a new CEO to complete its Executive Board. Meddah Hadjar will join the company effective May 1, 2019 as CEO. Meddah Hadjar brings a wealth of international experience in product management, additive manufacturing and engineering, having served in key leadership roles within the aviation, oil & gas and power & energy business units at General Electric, to which SLM Solutions has sold many of its selective laser melting systems.
Hans-Joachim Ihde, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, believes that Meddah Hadjar’s broad international experience makes him the ideal candidate to lead SLM Solutions. “We are very happy to have signed Mr. Hadjar to bring the company back on its growth track.”
Furthermore, three current members of the Supervisory Board have announced their retirement or stated that they will not stand for reelection in June: Peter Grosch, Lars Becker and Bernd Hackmann. Michael Mertin, Magnus René and Thomas Schweppe have been recommended to join as new Supervisory Board members. They will complement and strengthen the Supervisory Board by bringing additional experience in additive manufacturing, industrial manufacturing and capital markets to SLM Solutions. Michael Mertin was former CEO of Jenoptik, Magnus René was former CEO of ARCAM and Thomas Schweppe is Managing Director of 7Square and former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. “We thank Peter Grosch, Lars Becker and Bernd Hackmann for their services and are encouraged by the fresh perspectives and unique experiences that the candidates Michael Mertin, Magnus René and Thomas Schweppe will bring to SLM Solutions,” Hans-Joachim Ihde stated.
Moreover, the fresh injection of proceeds from the capital increase will bolster the company’s funding for further growth and R&D projects. Elliott, SLM’s largest shareholder, together with ENA Investment Capital, emphasized their commitment to the company and its future prospects with a total investment of approximately €13 million to allow the company to further focus on growth. Franck Tuil, senior portfolio manager at Elliott, stated, “The commitment of additional capital is based on our belief in SLM’s technological leadership in the additive manufacturing industry and its strong customer base. We look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with the Company and are confident the newly appointed CEO and a strengthened Supervisory Board can successfully position SLM to realise its significant potential, delivering compelling value to all of SLM’s stakeholders.”

Prima Power has signed an agreement with Gasparini for the distribution of products in the Gasparini range with Prima Power brand and colors. Thanks to this collaboration Prima Power expands the range of its press brakes, combining the models of the servo-electric eP series, produced in the Prima Power plant of Cologna Veneta (VR), with the new family of hydraulic bending presses hP, ten medium format models – large covering a range from 270 to 650 tons. At the base of the agreement there is a real industrial project, valid at a global level, which foresees that the hP press brakes are not only marketed but also assisted by the Prima Power network.

The two technologies, electrical and hydraulic, have advantages and complementary uses. EP servo-electric bending presses are ideal for processing sheet metal with medium-low thicknesses. Powerful and flexible, the hP series products cover the highest tonnage range of applications. Hydraulic press brakes are ideal for the agricultural and earth-moving sector, characterized by high-thickness components, and thus become complementary to high-power and large-format laser machines dedicated to this sector, considered strategic by Prima Power. The hydraulic bending presses, the 10 kW fiber laser for 2D machines and the new Laser Sharp of size 2060 are designed for customers who need particularly flexible products in terms of materials, thicknesses and sheet metal sizes to be processed.

The hP series is the perfect combination of the strength and versatility of hydraulic technology and the energy savings and sustainability of the ECO package. The Adaptive Crowning and Reflex system also make this press brake the most precise machine in its category.
The Adaptive Crowning and the Reflex system make it possible to compensate for deformations of the structure, which are inevitable during the bending process, thanks to sensors and control systems that allow constant angles to be maintained on each material and thickness.

The DSP laser safety system protects the operator from the danger of crushing between the upper and lower tool. It represents the evolution of the safety of the bending press and allows a reduction in the duration of the bending cycle.

The hP series can be connected in tandem or integrated into automated lines or robot cells. Furthermore, the performance of the hP press brakes can be further increased thanks to the possibility of configuring the machine according to the customer’s production requirements. The front supports, the folding guide for large or very heavy sheets, the digital wireless gauge for the automatic correction of the bending parameters, the fold-squash table that increases productivity and facilitates operations, the Laser Check, which measures the ‘bend angle and automatically corrects it using a laser beam and a video camera, are some of the main options available.

To further increase energy efficiency and environmental compatibility, the hP series can be equipped with the innovative ECO system: the motor is controlled by an inverter that manages speed and power. In this way flow and pressure in the hydraulic circuit are optimized according to the actual bending requirements.

AutoPol bending software is the solution for the most demanding programming tasks. It is an easy to use and effective tool for off-line programming of Prima Power hP series machines. The sophisticated bending simulation allows to study the feasibility of the pieces to be executed, check the bending sequence and directly produce the machine program.

Like all Prima Power products, HP press brakes are also Industry 4.0 and feature a number of software solutions such as Data Logger and Tulus Reporting View, for monitoring and reporting on production and system performance, or as a Production Manager, for communication with the customer’s ERP and the creation of work lists.

Orders received by the German machine tool industry in the first quarter of 2019 were 21 per cent down on the same period last year. Orders from Germany fell by 10 per cent whereas those from abroad were down by 27 per cent.
“These dips are due not least to the extremely buoyant first half of 2018,” said Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director of the VDW (Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken – German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), Frankfurt am Main, commenting on the result. This base effect is expected to decrease significantly in the second half of 2019.
“Nevertheless, the cooling of the global economy is now finally impacting on the German machine tool industry, too,” Schäfer continued. Domestic business, long a counterweight to the decline in foreign orders, has lost a great deal of momentum. The only bright spot is the euro zone, which is now much more stable and saw only a 3 per cent downturn. However, it can only stabilise the loss from the non-euro zone to a marginal extent.
The causes of the downturn are easily identified: politically motivated disruptions to world trade which affect the emerging markets, weak growth in China, structural weaknesses in the automotive industry (the largest client market), and the slump in the semiconductor industry. “In 2018, the international automotive industry halved its capital spending to less than 4 per cent compared with the previous year, and it is likely to plan an even lower figure for 2019,” explained Schäfer.
Machine tool order levels are below those of sales for the first time again since mid-2014. Sales increased by 6 per cent in the first three months of 2019. “Many companies are currently relying on their order backlog from the previous boom,” said Schäfer. The excessive delivery times are shortening again. This makes procurement more flexible again for customers and reduces plant production throughput times for manufacturers. Capacity utilisation In April of this year was at 86.5 per cent and thus below last year’s average.
“The VDW nevertheless expects production to grow by 1 per cent in 2019,” emphasised Schäfer from the VDW. On the other hand, he is expecting demand to pick up in the second half of the year. The order backlog should also provide sustenance for some time to come.