Metalworking News - November 2022 - Editor's Comment - Getting back to normal

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

Metalworking News, November 2022, reflects on the return of industry exhibitions after the pandemic, emphasizing how on-site visits drive continuous improvement through information exchange and valuable networking. The Editor highlights renewed face-to-face engagement at Electra Mining and points to innovations focused on cost, sustainability, digital networking, simple machines, and resource efficiency. It also discusses supply-chain disruption from COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine and considers reshoring as a response.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages80

Reading Time3 h 22 min

AccessFree to download

Editor’s Comment

Getting back to normal

METALWORKING NEWS November 2022 2 4 6 46 56 60 70 Editor’s Comment | Viewpoint | | --- | | Industry News | | Capacity enhancing strategies in a tight labour market; How Trumpf is making sheetmetal fabrication simpler; Somta Tools appointed agent for Korloy; New player in simulation software solutions arena; Tysica Laser takes delivery of 12kW Bodor fibre laser; Ultrafab; WD Hearn Machine Tools appointed agents for Glorystar; Steel Report; JHPE Precision Engineering; Flexilube develop multi-functional hydraulic, slideway and gearbox lubricant; Electra Mining Africa; Simteq Engineering; High-tech Ford frame line; Former Highveld Steel structural mill revived; Babcock Gibela; Damen Shipyards Cape Town celebrates
Shopfront Focus | | Hydstar Engineering; TAC General Engineering
Better Production | | Looking for the optimum tool: Iscar; Pferd Abrasives
International News | | JIMTOF 2022; World Robotics Report; VW Group shows faith in Fanuc; Nikon to acquire SLM Solutions; Taiwan machine tool manufacturers fear pessimistic market; Blaser’s high-speed videos analyse machining processes in fine detail; IMS Software, ModuleWorks, Mastercam collaborate on G-Code simulation; Fraunhofer IWS
Product Review | Sandvik expands milling products with new CoroMill MF80; United Grinding’s Studer S131r; Iscar’s pre-thread hole drills; DN Solutions bridge-type VMC; TaeguTec’s threading line; Hurco unveils the VM15Di 3-axis CNC mill; Cut longer with Kennametal’s KCK20 and KCKP1 indexable milling grades; VSHAPER 500 PRO 3D printer launched; Hypertherm; Kitamura Mycenter; Gühring; The new Robo2Go MAX from DMG MORI METALWORKING NEWS V 21.5 November 2022 1 EDITOR’S COMMENT | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Getting back to normal | | | | In September 2022 the Electra Mining
exhibition was held after not been able
to take place since 2018, because of the pandemic. I have always been a great advent of attending exhibitions wherever possible as they are great source of information and the networking opportunities are endless. Whether the exhibition represents the source of new equipment or new ideas, attending the show contributes to “continuous improvement” efforts on your behalf.
Some exhibitions that I have attended, just walking the aisles and studying the exhibits can
be an education in itself. I always encourage fellow South African visitors that have attended the same exhibition at the same time as me, to make time todo this because too often you can get caught at one stand as the company salesman tries to ‘lock’ you in.
Wandering is not effective as a sole strategy, but it works well as an aid or augment to your known plans. In addition to what you know you want to see, make time for what you will want to see that you do not know about yet. The best way to do this is once you have determined how much time you need to visit the companies you know you want to see, add another halfday. That is, an open half-day just to walk slowly, look around and see what catches your eye. It is amazing what you see and it allows you to engage with representatives that you would not normally have access to. All manner of thoughts, ideas and discussions evolve from these unplanned meetings and is always very rewarding for both parties.
Electra Mining was no different except that it took place not long after the world had been through a very difficult period. The buzz and the eagerness to engage was very evident. People looked grateful for the fact that they were able to escape the confinements of Zoom or Teams meetings and actually experience the face to face contact again. Or should I say being human again. There is also evidence that people and companies have not been idle during lock-down and isolation times. Many innovations have been developed in the past few years, with a focus on cost, sustainability, digital networking, simple machines and resource efficiency. While digitalisation and Industry
4.0 wer

FAQs

Why did the Editor emphasize attending exhibitions again in September 2022?

Because Electra Mining returned after a gap since 2018, providing a rich source of information and networking opportunities that were limited during Zoom/Teams periods.

What innovations and technology trends does the Editor note since lockdowns?

Many innovations were developed around cost control, sustainability, digital networking, simpler machines, and resource efficiency, with Industry 4.0 reaching factories of smaller and medium-sized companies.

What major challenge did the Editor identify for operations after the pandemic?

Disruptions to the supply chain reduced global resilience, increasing fulfillment and operations costs due to multi-country disruptions.

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Callum