Plating service for 3D-printed parts

Proto Labs has extended its in-house 3D-printing capabilities with the inclusion of specialist plating services for plastic parts built using stereolithography or SLS.

Components are plated with materials that include copper, nickel and chromium. Daniel Cohn, general manager of Proto Labs, Germany, says: “We have become increasingly aware of the significant enhancements plating makes to the capabilities of the resultant part, hence our move to offer these services in-house. Now, with plating technology and operational expertise, we support product testing and project progression even further.”
For further information www.protolabs.co.uk

SABB selected for Sharing in Growth

Engineering specialist Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows (SABB) plans to deliver future growth after being selected for Sharing in Growth (SiG), the government-backed supply chain competitiveness programme.

The Cheshire-based company, having produced steady growth in recent times, will work with SiG to achieve significant expansion over the next five years by investing in skills, productivity and business development. As part of the programme, SABB went through a robust 12-week business diagnostic to establish suitability. The company’s key customers include Airbus, Embraer, Bell Helicopters, GKN and Rolls Royce.
For further information www.sig-uk.org/apply

Composites technology centre inaugurated

A key milestone was marked recently at a Yorkshire manufacturing centre, which from 2019 will start producing carbon-fibre tubs for McLaren Automotive, the British creator of luxury sports cars and supercars. The £50m McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) is nearing completion at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham and is the result of an ongoing partnership between McLaren Autotmotive and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

After a launch at the AMRC’s Factory 2050, McLaren Automotive chief executive Mike Flewitt was on-hand to illuminate the famous marque’s sign in the new manufacturing centre. The recently unveiled McLaren Senna road car then performed a series of expertly choreographed ‘doughnuts’ to leave a trail of fresh Pirelli tyre rubber on the new centre’s floor to ‘christen’ it – McLaren style.
For further information www.cars.mclaren.com

Foundry divisions merge

Thomas Dudley Ltd has merged both of its West Midlands foundries into one seamlessly integrated business.

Named Thomas Dudley Foundry Ltd, the new business encompasses the company’s existing facilities in and around Dudley. Mick Cramphorn, foundry director, said: “We celebrate two new milestones today as we formally join the Duport foundry and Thomas Dudley castings foundry. The integration can provide a complete solution to produce complex cast iron components up to 120 kg in weight. We now have unrivalled expertise in design and development, combining a team of engineering specialists who hold a vast amount of experience across a broad range of sectors.”
Following the merger, the company says that all processes are now aligned to streamline the manufacture of castings and further enhance quality, offering a reliable and extremely cost-effective source of supply, for any given requirement.
For further information www.thomasdudleyfoundry.co.uk

600 UK names northern sales manager

600 UK has appointed Chris Smith as its new area sales manager for the north of England, selling both Colchester and Harrison lathes, as well as Clausing mills, drills, saws and grinders.

Smith was apprentice trained in mechanical engineering at TS Harrison & Sons before moving into a wide variety of machine-tool sales roles over the past 30 years. Paul Rushworth, 600 UK sales director says: “Chris’ wealth of experience in the machine-tool industry and vast knowledge of Colchester and Harrison lathes further enhances our continued commitment to expanding our UK sales, applications and service network of direct and distribution selling.”
For further information www.600uk.com