Month: April 2018

MACH 2018 started in spectacular fashion for OPEN MIND Technologies with the CAM specialist selling three seats of hyperMILL CAM software from its stand H17-620 in the first couple of days. Located at the entrance to Hall 17, the prime position yielded an unprecedented level of enquiries and three sales in quick succession.

Two of the seats were sold to prestigious subcontract manufacturers whilst a third seat was sold to Iver based Newmax Precision. The Buckinghamshire aerospace and defense manufacturer is taking delivery of its first 5-axis machining centre in July, a Matsuura MX330. Realising its existing CAM software will not deliver the 5-axis machining strategies to drive the Matsuura, Newmax Precision Director Mr Adrian Bundy visited MACH to buy a seat of 5-axis CAM software.

Newmax first viewed OPEN MIND’s hyperMILL package on MTDCNC and conversations with its local supply chain persuaded the company to invest in hyperMILL. Following a demonstration at MACH 2018, Newmax was impressed by features in hyperMILL that enable the subcontractor to program parts and import job lists and functions to subsequent components. Additionally, the intuitive features within hyperMILL persuaded the 5-axis newcomer to select the leading package.

MACH 2018 has proven a resounding success for metrology innovators Measurement Solutions with the company selling several Metrascan 3D Inspection Systems throughout the week, as well as a host of other 3D scanning, measurement and inspection technology. Four Metrascan units have been sold to major UK automotive OEM’s and a leading F1 team.

Lead generation at MACH was extraordinarily high for Measurement Solutions and the Metrascan certainly proved a crowd pleaser among show visitors. However, the high-end inspection equipment isn’t exclusive to high-end OEMs and F1 teams; as Area Sales Manager, Mr Deryck Lamb says: “We sold one Metrascan 3D Inspection System with a Handyprobe portable CMM to Stevenage Sheet Metal, a subcontract automotive sheet metal manufacturer. The six figure order was placed on the fourth day of the show to significantly improve component quality and conformity to Stevenage Sheet Metal’s impeccable standards.”

The 50 employee Hertfordshire manufacturer has facilities that include CAD Design Services, CNC bending & punching, laser cutting, painting and powder coating, shearing, graining and welding. Stevenage Sheet Metal showed an interest in scanning technology two years ago. However, the Metrascan 3D technology has only been available in the UK for the last 18 months; and as soon as the Letchworth company seen the Metrascan at Chasestead, a supply chain partner, a decision to investigate further was made. Stevenage Sheet Metal visited MACH, received a demonstration and the decision was instantly made. If you have a metrology requirement, please contact Measurement Solutions for expert advice that is backed by industry leading technology.

New compact Doosan vertical machining centre showcased by Mills CNC at MACH 2018 proves to be a real crowd pleaser.

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machines tools in the UK and Ireland, has launched the new compact Doosan DNM 4000 vertical machining centre into the market. The machine was one of 16 Doosan machines exhibited by Mills at the recent MACH 2018 exhibition in April.

Doosan’s range of DNM vertical machining centres have, ever since their introduction, been best-sellers in the UK and Ireland as well as across the world – and their popularity shows no sign of abating.

The arrival of this latest edition to the DNM range available with Fanuc or Siemens controls will be of obvious interest to component manufacturers looking for a high-productivity, versatile and cost-competitive 3-axis vertical machining centre solution.

The new DNM 4000 machines have a small footprint but still provide manufacturers with good and flexible machining capacity i.e. 520mm (Y-axis); 400mm (Y-axis) and 480mm (Z-axis) travels. The machines can also accommodate workpieces up to 400kg in weight and have a 650mm x 400mm table.

The machines are equipped with powerful 18.5kW/12,000rpm BT 40 direct-coupled spindles (117N-m) with a innovative spindle cooling system that ensures high accuracies and repeatability’s, and improved tool life. They also feature, as standard, the rigid Big Plus face and taper tooling interface for improved machining performance and boast impressive 48m/min rapid rates on their X-, Y- and Z-axes that helps reduce non-cutting time and improve cycle times.

DNM 4000 machines are equipped with Roller LM guideways which deliver smooth and precise linear motion, increased rigidity and higher load capacity. They also feature a side-arm CAM configured ATC with 20 tools as standard with a 1.3 second tool-to-tool changeover time.

Despite their small footprint and a total machine width of just 1650mm, the DNM 4000 machines have excellent access (660mm) to their machining area provided by two-doors which helps make workpiece load/unload and job set-up operations easier and quicker to perform. (NB: Machines of a similar size often feature just one door).

The machines also feature an improved chip evacuation system, and an efficient and eco-friendly grease lubrication system that reduces maintenance costs.

Says Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s Technical Director:

“Versatile, productive, easy to use and delivering outstanding machining performance  – the new DNM 4000 has it all.

“The new DNM 4000 machine series launched in the UK at MACH will be available to UK and Irish customers later in the year.

A Black Country manufacturer has signaled its intentions for future growth by placing a major order at MACH 2018 today.

Clamason Industries, which produces precision metal components and assemblies, announced a £1m total project investment with Bruderer UK to secure its largest ever press that will be used to target up to £6m of new orders.

The specialist supplier to the automotive, medical and building products sectors will install the 300 ton ZANI Motion Master press in June and is hoping that the speed and additional bed size will unlock larger pressings and stampings opportunities.

It comes after a successful two-year period for the Kingswinford-based firm, with a MBO in 2016 proving the catalyst for 10% year-on-year growth, 20 new jobs and a predicted £30m turnover across its operations in the UK and Slovakia in 2018.

“We have worked with Bruderer UK for more than 20 years and have been extremely impressed with the quality of the machines it provides and the service/maintenance packages it delivers,” explained Ian Davies, Sales Director at Clamason Industries.

“A number of conversations with potential customers had identified the need for a larger and faster press than the ones we already possessed, so we decided that MACH 2018 was the perfect opportunity to place the order.”

He continued: “ZANI presses are renowned for their durability and performance and the 300 ton Motion Master press gives us the ability to achieve over 80 strokes per minute and take on much larger and complex components. We have also opted for the turnkey solution, which includes a state-of-the-art servo feeder and decoiling line.”

The order from Clamason Industries delivers a perfect birthday present for Bruderer, which celebrates 50 year of business in the UK in 2018 and 75 years in its native home of Switzerland.

It marks a major period of growth that will see the firm, who has bases in Luton and the Black Country, smash £5m for the first time in its history and recruit a further three skilled sales and service engineers.

UK MD Adrian Haller signed the agreement at MACH 2018: “We knew we were close to a deal, but never expected to secure it at the event, so this is an extra special birthday present for us.

“We listened to the technical team at Clamason and, through our understanding of the business and its objectives, we put together a turnkey package that not only met its requirements, but actually surpassed them.

“Installation and full training will be completed in June and the press will be operational for new orders in July. We have been the exclusive UK agent for ZANI for four years now and the machine’s popularity in this country is definitely on the rise.”

Rising Stars

Bruderer UK also used its appearance at MACH 2018 to launch its ‘Rising Stars of Engineering’ competition, which is open to all engineers or manufacturing professionals under the age of 30.

Designed to support the ‘Year of Engineering’, the initiative is inviting initial written nominations, with the shortlisted nominees asked to produce their own video detailing why they should win and the outstanding achievements they’ve made over the course of the year.

Three winners will be announced in December and will be taken on to a two-day trip to Bruderer’s world class manufacturing facilities in Frasnacht in Switzerland, where they will tour the factory, meet engineering experts and enjoy a celebration dinner.

Adrian concluded: “Our recent growth has created its own issues and we are struggling to find young people that will join our team. Rather than bemoan our bad luck, we wanted to take measures into our own hands and believe this competition – along with our continued support of local technical academies – will help raise engineering’s profile as a great career choice.

“We now want companies to step forward and take part. Let’s recognise the young talent in our industry in the hope it will encourage more people to choose this profession.”

Bruderer UK is on Stand H20-330 at MACH, providing live demonstrations of its BSTA 510-125B2 press, fitted with BPG22 planetary gearbox and state-of-the-art BSV300 servo feeder.

Sector accounts for 23% of the UK’s GDP and 5 million more jobs than widely reported

Manufacturing accounts for nearly a quarter of the economy and more than 7.4 million jobs depend on it according to new research commissioned by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA).

For the first time ever, the study by world leading economics consultancy Oxford Economics has taken into account the full impact of the UK’s manufacturing economy, including the indirect effect of increasingly complex supply chains and the induced effect of the spending that manufacturers wages create in the economy.

The figures show that the sector is responsible for 23% of UK GDP, well over double the figure that is routinely quoted and is responsible for 5 million more jobs than often thought.

“This report clearly demonstrates that anyone who says that manufacturing doesn’t matter much to the UK’s economy is badly mistaken,” explained James Selka, CEO of the MTA.

“The figures that people often quote setting manufacturing alongside the service sector miss the point that a huge part of the service sector – from logistics, to research, to catering – serves manufacturing. The impact is felt far outside factory gates in offices, laboratories, shops and warehouses right across the country. For every £1 million the manufacturing sector contributes to GDP itself, it creates another £1.5 million elsewhere in the UK economy and for every direct job within the sector, another 1.8 are supported elsewhere in the UK economy”

He continued: “Manufacturing creates a wealth that is irreplaceable and we need to make sure that Government policies promote and grow it.”

As well as the headline figures on the impact of the sector there are fascinating insights into the true impact of manufacturing.

The MTA Report includes statistics around industry’s contribution to the UK’s export performance (48% of exports are manufactured goods) and R&D investment, with manufacturers accounting for nearly 70% of the total spend.

It also reveals that manufacturing productivity is £67,000 per year (higher than the UK average of £56,700) and that the median wage in industry is £27,400 – meaning that on average manufacturing workers take home 19% more than other workers.

“There is an opportunity, through the Industrial Strategy, to increase productivity levels further still and to help the UK economy grow and boost our exports by encouraging manufacturing investment to take advantage of new technologies such as Big Data, AI and Additive Manufacturing,” added James.

The True Impact of Manufacturing was launched today at the opening of MACH 2018, the UK’s largest industrial trade exhibition.

More than 75,000 delegates are expected to visit the NEC in Birmingham over the course of the next five days and they will see the latest technology from over 500 exhibitors.

Everything from the latest design software and industrial 3D printers to robots that can work safely alongside humans will be on display at the event, which will also feature its largest ever Education and Development Zone to attract students and promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

MACH 2018 will be opened this year by Sir Ben Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history with medals won at five consecutive games.

He will be providing an insight into the growing importance of design and manufacturing in competitive sport.

For further information, please visit www.mta.org.uk. To request a copy of the report, Thomas Lane –tlane@mta.org.uk  – 07735450951

Due to the continued expansion of the VERICUT user base for both CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation, and growing use of the VERICUT Composites Applications Suite for advanced non-metallic materials, CGTech recently announced it is expanding and restructuring its UK operation.

From May 2018, the company will segregate the UK into three distinct areas, with a dedicated sales engineer supporting existing and potential customers within each. The South and West of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Eire remains under Scott Ravenscroft, while two new Sales Engineers will cover the rest of the country. Ian Llewellyn will be based in the Midlands and Tim Mitchell will cover North of England and Scotland.

Managing Director, Tony Shrewsbury, says: “The appointment of these two new Sales Engineering is testament to the positive growth plans of CGTech in the UK, and their engineering experience and close contacts within in the various industry sectors will benefit the business. Further appointments will be announced soon about the expansion of our technical support team to bolster this key service.”

With a background that initially started in production engineering and manufacturing with Renishaw, Tim Mitchell has extensive sales experience gained with the British metrology and innovation leader, as well as machine tool sales with DMG-Mori and measurement and inspection equipment with Nikon Metrology. Having started as a machinist and toolmaker with renowned plastic injection moulding tool specialist Mason Pinder, Ian Llewellyn subsequently cut his CAD/CAM teeth providing technical support and software demonstrations for NC Graphics before moving into sales. When the Machining Strategist business was acquired by Vero Software in 2002 he took on the portfolio of CAD/CAM products offered by the company alongside the Machining Strategist CAM solution.

Both John Reed and Rob Lightfoot will retire from the company just after the MACH 2018 exhibition, with each having well over 20 years of service with CGTech. “It has been a pleasure and a privilege working with John and Rob,” states Tony Shrewsbury. “Their enthusiasm for the capabilities of VERICUT and passion for UK manufacturing helped establish CGTech’s position as the leading independent CNC verification software. Everyone within the company wish them a long and happy retirement, and I am sure our sentiments are reflected by all who know them.”

With the opening of MACH 2018 just one week away. The exhibition will be officially opened (on 9th April) by the most successful sailor in Olympic history, Sir Ben Ainslie. The organisers of the exhibition the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) have released details of the opening ceremony.

The official opening will take place on the concourse between Halls 19 and 20 at 10am and will feature Sir Ben Ainsile, MTA CEO James Selka and MTA President Geoff Bryant. This will be followed by Sir Ben having a tour of the exhibition and giving a key note speech at midday in the MACH 2018 seminar theatre.

Sir Ben Ainslie, said: “I am very much looking forward to opening MACH 2018 and seeing all the technology on show at the UK’s largest advanced engineering showcase. When preparing for the Americas Cup it is as much about a technology race as it is about the people in the boat, I am sure MACH 2018 will provide much inspiration for Land Rover BAR, as we prepare to challenge again in 2021.”

James Selka, MTA CEO said: “Having Sir Ben open MACH 2018 will kick the week off in the right way. There is a real buzz about advanced engineering being produced within the UK and Land Rover BAR team have exemplify this on a global stage.”

MACH 2018 takes place between 9th – 13th April and visitors can register for their Entrance Pass and Fast Track Entry Pack now, via the MACH exhibition website at www.machexhibition.com.

Giving manufacturers complete control and increased speed over their machining operations will be on the agenda when Hyfore heads to MACH 2018.

The UK’s leading workholding specialist will be displaying the latest technology from eight global specialists on Stand H20-185, including advancements in vices, clamp jaws, high speed tooling holders and roller drive rotary tables.

It will also be strengthening its relationship as the sole UK distributor of Midaco by showcasing a small pallet receiver, which demonstrates what the pallet changers could look like on a machining table.

“Industry today – at all levels of the supply chain – are looking to get the most out of their machines, whether that is speed, accuracy or capacity,” explained Gary Dickenson, Managing Director of Hyfore.

“One of the ways they can do that is improving the workholding and making sure the part is held in a way that offers the optimum manufacturing efficiency and improves the life of the machine tool.”

He continued: “This is why MACH is such an important show for us and one where we will demonstrate possible solutions and have experts on hand that can talk though bespoke fixturing and some of the other technology that may help.

“We are the only UK supplier of products from major brands, such as Spreitzer, Matrix, Acrow, Hardinge, Buck, Midaco, Sankyo, UCAM and Kosmek. There will be plenty to talk about at the show.”

Hyfore has spent more than 30 years working with customers on designing and manufacturing workholding at its Coventry facility, with its expertise used by firms supplying precision parts to the aerospace, automotive, commercial vehicle and medical sectors.

In recent years, it has been slowly developing its e-commerce facility to amassing more than 100,000 standard workholding products that can be used with CNC machining centres sold across the world.

www.hyfore.shop has seen a 20% surge in orders over the last twelve months and stocks off-the-shelf vices, collets, gauges and chucks, not to mention specialist parts such as 4th and 5th axis tables.

Rob Beckett, Workholding Product Manager at Hyfore, concluded: “Our work in bespoke workholding gives us a great insight into what customers need and how quickly they require it. This has been fed into the evolution of Hyfore.Shop, with an easy to use website, great search engine to find things quickly and next day delivery available in the UK.”

For further information, please visitwww.hyfore.com / www.hyfore.shop or follow @hyfore on twitter.

As part of the new brand launch at MACH 2018, Colchester Machine Tool Solutions have launched the NEW range of Colchester Typhoon CNC Turning Centres.  Colchester Machine Tool Solutions will be demonstrating both linear and box-way Typhoon models at the show.

The NEW Typhoon series introduces Colchester’s next generation in CNC turning, following on from the highly successful Tornado range.  The Typhoon range offers exceptional cutting performance and highly accurate component finish at every stage of your operation.

Colchester offers new Typhoon models as a choice of either quick, low-friction linear (L series), or heavy-duty, box way (B series) turning centres, all available with variations of 2-axis, c-axis, subspindle and Y-axis functions in a range of bar capacities to suit all turning applications.

All Typhoon CNC Turning Centres are fitted with the latest Fanuc Oi-TF control system with Manual Guide i and are all manufactured with a one-piece cast iron base with a 30° slant-bed design, giving a low centre of gravity and a better ergonomic design, maximising precise cutting, regardless of your component complexity.

The new Typhoon models come packed with a huge amount of options for customers to get the best out of any of their complex machine tool requirements.

Paul Rushworth, sales director of Colchester Machine Tool Solutions said “We have looked long and hard at our next generation of turning centres and the Typhoon range gives us everything and more.  Come and see for yourself and see the demonstrations at MACH 2018, we look forward to seeing you there.”

With just three weeks to go before the UK’s premier manufacturing technologies showcase kicks off, the MACH 2018 team have announced their full plans for Education and Development Zone.

The Education and Development Zone will serve as a base for student visitors, as well as housing some exciting cutting edge educational projects. Over 3500 students attended MACH 2016 and the organisers are hoping for an equally as successful show this year.

Students and their teachers can register to receive free guided tours of the MACH 2018 site, which will be led by apprentices from MTA member companies, enabling students to gain an in-depth insight into the industry. In a change to previous years, parents and guardians are also welcome to register their children (over the age of 11) as visitors and come along to see for themselves the future of manufacturing.

In the Education and Development Zone there will be an opportunity for young people to take part in exciting hands-on activities: Build your own drone; coding a robot to navigate a driverless car; designing and programming robots; immersive virtual reality environments and the chance to programme and use some of the latest machine tools.

There’s a special focus on encouraging girls into engineering at this year’s MACH including Siemen’s inspirational See Women show (13 April) and a People like Me sessions run by national charity Women in Science and Engineering.

James Selka CEO of Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) said “Education and Development is a massive part of what MACH 2018 is about. We know that Engineering faces a huge skills gap and in order to bridge that we need to attract new talent into the industry. We also know that manufacturing suffers from an image problem. The state of the art technology on display at MACH provides an opportunity to excite and enthuse young people and the E&D Zone can help educate them about the reality of modern manufacturing and the careers that are available for them within it.”

To register, and join the thousands of people attending the UK’s premier manufacturing technologies event this April, just follow this link.