DHL Express orders all-electric cargo planes

German logistics services provider DHL Express has ordered 12 all-electric Alice eCargo planes from Washington State-based Eviation. DHL plans to build several zero-emission Alice feeder networks in the U.S., most likely starting in California. Eviation officials expect to deliver the Alice electric aircraft to DHL Express in 2024.

Designed to be configured for cargo or passengers, Alice will carry 2,600 lb (1,250kg), have a maximum range of 440nm (815km), and operate in environments currently served by piston and turbine aircraft. Alice requires 30 minutes or less to charge per flight hour and can be charged during loading and unloading. The aircraft is on track for its first flight later this year.

Appointments

Horizontal machining centers specialist Niigata Machine Techno USA Inc. appointed William S. Gore national sales manager. Gore brings a wealth of technical knowledge and experience in manufacturing and engineered manufacturing solutions, as well as extensive sales development expertise.

Emuge-Franken N.A., a manufacturer of high-performance taps, thread mills, drills, end mills, clamping devices, and other rotary tools, promoted Scott Lowe to National Sales Manager for the U.S. and Canada. Prior to joining Emuge, Lowe worked at Kennametal, Guhring, and as a machinist at General Electric

Lantek USA, North American subsidiary of Lantek Sheet Metal Solutions S.L., appointed Anupam Chakraborty to direct its sales and business development efforts in North America. Chakraborty’s experience at Metamation and Trumpf brings in-depth knowledge of sheet metal software and machine tools to Lantek.

Weldaloy Specialty Forgings, which supplies government and private space and aviation programs worldwide, named Dr. Ramachandra Canumalla vice president and CTO. Canumalla has more than 36 years of metallurgical engineering experience.

Sandvik to acquire Mastercam developer CNC Software

Sandvik Group is acquiring Tolland, Connecticut-based CNC Software Inc., the company behind Mastercam Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. CNC Software will join the Design & Planning Automation division within Sandvik Manufacturing and Machining Solutions.

Mastercam software suite has an installed base of around 270,000 licenses/ users, a strong market reseller network, and partnerships with leading machine makers and tooling companies.

“This is in line with our strategic focus to grow in the digital manufacturing space, with special attention on industrial software close to component manufacturing,” says Stefan Widing, Sandvik president and CEO.

Combining the strengths of Mastercam with Sandvik’s offering and machining know-how is expected to be important in automating customers’ end-to-end manufacturing processes.