Tech centre

Tewkesbury-based cutting-tool manufacturer Quickgrind has announced the opening of its new technical centre and training facility.

The centre has a seminar theatre and training room that can accommodate over 30 people. In addition, the facility offers two meeting rooms and workstations for programming CAM strategies and toolpaths. On the shop floor, a new Romi D1000 vertical machining centre has been installed for conducting customer trials and demonstrations. The Romi D1000 incorporates a 10,000 rpm BT40 spindle that is driven by a 22.4 kW motor and a Fanuc CNC.
For further information www.quickgrind.com

M-CNC invests £2.75m in machine tools

Following the expansion of space at Bridgwater-based M-CNC, the company has committed £2.75m to purchasing eight DMG Mori machine tools and automation.

The machines will provide M-CNC with the ability to cut large five-axis parts up to 2.5 m long and 750 mm diameter. A rapid response cell will be created for a 10-day turnaround of orders. This latest investment keeps the company on track to triple in size since its launch in 2011. M-CNC already employs 17 people with four apprentices. The company is also investing in Edgecam CADCAM software, and Javelin ERP and MRP software.
For further information www.m-cnc.co.uk

New appointment at Fuchs Lubricants

Alex Holmes has been appointed head of industrial product management at Fuchs Lubricants. Holmes is now responsible for all of the products in Fuchs’ industrial portfolio, as well as studying the market potential for new products.

He has a Masters degree in chemistry from Durham University and previously worked in a similar role at Lubrizol. Fuchs has an extensive industrial catalogue that includes oils and lubricants for the metalworking industry. Richard Rogers, head of industrial specialities, says: “Alex has in-depth experience and we are confident he can help us push forward with our industrial offering.”
For further information www.fuchs.com/uk

MAN creates 125 jobs after record year

An industrial collective is casting aside the shadows of Brexit by recording its best ever year, with a £10m increase in sales, paving the way for 125 new jobs. The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which comprises eight subcontract manufacturers and an engineering design agency, has taken full advantage of the positive exchange rate and a desire to utilise British innovation to win contracts across the automotive, aerospace, electronics, renewables and medical sectors.

All nine firms have experienced growth over the past 12 months and benefitted from sharing best practice, purchasing power and working together to target new clusters. The expansion now means that MAN employs a 1000-strong combined workforce across 15 factories and boasts an order book that is fast approaching £90m, with 40% sent overseas.
For further information www.man-group.co.uk

Wind tower manufacturing line installed

Spanish wind-tower manufacturer, GRI Renewable Industries, has installed an automated PEMA production line for offshore wind turbine towers.

The line includes seven PEMA extra heavy-duty column and booms, one PEMA double-head welding platform, 32 pairs of heavy PEMA roller beds (up to 350,000 kg and 10 m diameter), four PEMA assembly lines, a plate joining station, and milling machines for longitudinal and circular joints. The ethos of the line is that all crucial processes, such as welding, milling and materials handling, are fully integrated to constitute efficient workflow and high quality.
For further information www.pemamek.com