GENERAL NEWS
Vaccination progress impacts global economic growth
According to analyst IHS Markit , global economic expansion is being led by the United States , mainland China and Europe .
“ In 2021 and 2022 , economic growth will be linked to COVID-19 vaccination progress . Countries with low vaccination rates face increased risks from the Delta variant of the virus , adding to the urgency of stepping up international vaccination campaigns . In countries that can safely reopen , the resilience of spending on services will deliver robust economic growth ,” said the analyst .
Outlooks in advanced countries with high vaccination rates remain bright , but nearterm prospects in emerging and developing countries with low vaccination rates are murkier . World real GDP has fully recovered from the harsh 9 % contraction in the first two quarters of 2020 , reaching a new peak in the second quarter of 2021 .
“ Economic growth will strengthen in the second half of 2021 , led by consumer resilience in Europe and sustained dynamism in the United States . However , COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia-Pacific and Africa will constrain production and exports , prolonging global supply chain disruptions ,” explained the analyst .
“ After a 3.5 % decline in 2020 , global real GDP is projected to expand 5.8 % in 2021 and 4.7 % in 2022 owing to support from a staggered reopening of regional economies as the pandemic subsides . Growth will settle to 3.2 % in 2023 as pent-up demands are satisfied and fiscal and monetary stimuli are withdrawn . The global growth forecast is revised down by 0.2 percentage point in 2021 , when less robust prospects for Asia-Pacific and the United States are partially offset by brighter outlooks for Europe and Latin America . The 2021 setback to world output growth will be fully recoupled in 2022-23 ,” it added .
The IHS Markit surveys of purchasing managers are showing a new buoyancy in service sectors , along with steady growth in manufacturing . In June , four of the five fastest-growing sectors were services : tourism and recreation , telecommunications , industrial services and healthcare services .
“ Leading indicators signal a brisk pick-up in economic activity across western Europe as consumer-facing services benefit from a major easing of COVID-19 restrictions . Consumer spending was hit hard by lockdowns but will now be the driving force in the recovery .
Improving labour markets and household savings accumulated during the pandemic will support pent-up demand for services and nonessential goods . Surging eurozone business confidence also signals a revival in equipment investment , while construction investment continues to outperform . After a 6.6 % decline in 2020 , eurozone real GDP is projected to increase 5.0 % in 2021 , 4.4 % in 2022 and 2.1 % in 2023 ,” said the analyst .
The World Bank estimates that the pandemic will send 160 million people into poverty by the end of 2021 . IHS Markit analysts project that 2021 unemployment rates will rise to 10.6 % in developing countries and 8.0 % in emerging markets ( while falling to 5.9 % in advanced countries ). Progress in reducing unemployment will begin in 2022 as vaccinations increase and the pandemic subsides . In many of these countries , income losses are exacerbated by high consumer price inflation . The combination of rising inflation , currency depreciation and capital flight has forced many emerging and developing countries to tighten monetary policies before achieving sustainable economic recoveries . n
Lasers cutting blanks for the Smart Press Shop
At the beginning of June , Porsche and Schuler started operation of a fully connected press shop in East German Halle ( Saale ). As well as a servo press line with an output of up to 20 strokes per minute , the Smart Press Shop also features a new Laser Blanking Line 2.18 equipped with two cutting heads for processing strip material with a width of up to 1,880mm .
“ Blanking lines with lasers do not require expensive and heavy blanking dies , which is why they are particularly suitable for the production of new parts or small batch sizes with frequent product changes . The continuously moving coil material is processed into blanks at high cutting speeds . Thanks to tooling-free scrap separation , high output can be achieved . Transport of sensitive materials , such as aluminium , can also be made ,” the companies told ISMR .
“ The Laser Blanking Line is the ideal solution for the Smart Press Shop in Halle , which focuses on the production of aluminium outer skin parts in small batch sizes . By recording various measured values of the system , as well as the coil material , and by smart marking of the blank , the line which supplies the blanks for the servo press line forms the point of departure for a ‘ Track and Trace ’ system ,” they continued .
Schuler offers customised technology in all areas of forming – from the networked press to press shop planning . Its product line also includes automation and software solutions , dies , process expertise and service for the metalworking industry . Founded in 1839 with headquarters in Göppingen , Germany , Schuler AG has about 5,000 employees at production sites in Europe , China and America , as well as service companies in more than 40 countries . The company is part of the international technology group , ANDRITZ . n
The laser blanking line supplies the blanks for the servo press line in the Smart Press Shop with an output of 20 strokes per minute .
. smartpress . shop
6 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR September 2021