This week in metalworking: February 24 – February 28

Hello again. Here’s our round-up of all the stories making news this week in the world of metalworking. 

Also, if you want to keep up to date with all the other metalworking news we’ve got going on, you can follow us on Twitter @CdnMetalworking, like us on Facebook, or find us on Google+ or our LinkedIn page. Thanks for reading!

Now to the stories. Check back every week to see what’s piqued our interest… or left us scratching our head:

Here's a really good look at the new prototype machine that DMG Mori has got, that handles both machining and additive manufacturing. Well worth a read if you want to learn more about the technology. [ETMM Online] A while ago we covered the concept of the two technologies and their ability to co-exist... look like they might do just that. 

Taiwan's machine tool exports dropped in January, mostly due to lower orders from China. [Focus Taiwan]

Germany's rubber and plastics industries are expected to see big growth in the coming years. [ETMM Online]

A look at the integration of automation in machine tools. [ETMM Online]

Not particularly related to metalworking, but it still caught my eye regardless: American flags now must be made from materials entirely sourced from the United States... So are we still doing NAFTA, errr... no? My guess is Mexico could really undercut the cost of those American-made flags if they wanted to. [Industry Week]

A look at splitting parts with parts in Autodesk Inventor. [Design Engineering]

China's demand for steel and iron ore could be heading for a downturn. [Sydney Morning Herald]

Pratt and Whitney Canada have signed a big new maintenance deal for helicopter engines. [Canadian Manufacturing]

Airbus is following the lead of GE and other aerospace manufacturers by jumping in on the 3D printing movement. [Composites World]

Take a look inside GE's 3D printing headquarters. [Industry Week]

Just how green is 3D printing? There's some faulty (or at least absent) logic in some of these points, but there's no doubt 3D printing will 'green' manufacturing to some degree. [Greener Ideal]

And speaking of green and 3D printing. The industry could lead to some greener aircraft by lightening their parts. [Industry Week]

The University of Pittsburgh has been given a grant to look into the capabilities of producing lattice structures using additive manufacturing. [Metal Powder]

If you missed the last edition of the metalworking round-up you can find it here: This week in metalworking: January 27  – January 31