Alloy Wire helps ventilator producers

Wire manufactured in the West Midlands is helping support the UK’s unprecedented drive to build more ventilators.

Alloy Wire International has been commissioned to supply more than 5 km of material that will be used to produce crucial parts for life-saving equipment deployed by the new Nightingale Hospital in London. The company, which holds more than 200 tonnes of EU/DFARS compliant stock at any one time, put its ‘Emergency Manufacturing Service’ (EMS) into action to meet the urgent requirements of a spring maker that, as part of the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium, is assisting in the ramp-up of Smiths and Penlon ‘Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator Systems’.
For further information www.alloywire.com

Machining need becomes opportunity

Techgrave, which provides bespoke industrial engraving and tool making to a diverse range of customers, has invested heavily in CNC engraving, laser, reverse engineering, CADCAM and, most recently, its tool-room capabilities.

The latest investment has seen the arrival of an XYZ MiniMill 560 HD vertical machining centre, an XYZ SLX355 ProTurn lathe, an XYZ KMX 1500 turret mill and an XYZ surface grinder from XYZ Machine Tools.
“The XYZ machines give us total control over manufacture of die and press-tool blanks, collars, and die holders, along with the knowledge that we can guarantee 100% conformity across our entire manufacturing process,” says co-founder Dillon Evitts. “When we budgeted for the machines, we were happy that producing our own work would cover their costs, so had no desire to fill any spare capacity. However, as word got out, we began to receive inquiries from existing customers for tool-room work.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Babcock to build 10,000 ventilators

Defence industry specialist Babcock is set to manufacture 10,000 ventilators to help deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

The plan comes shortly after after Dyson said it had received a government order for 10,000 ventilators. Babcock’s statement said: “We responded quickly to the UK’s Ventilator Challenge and we are proud to have been awarded a contract to manufacture 10,000 Zephyr Plus ventilators – subject to regulatory approvals – a product being developed in collaboration with an established major international supplier of critical care ventilators.”
For further information www.babcockinternational.com

Partridge Ventilation selects Amada

Redruth-based Partridge Ventilation, a specialist in high-end kitchen ventilation systems, has installed an automated Amada laser cutting machine in order to take its business to the next level. Replacing a plasma cutter, the Amada machine has made a vast difference to throughput rates.

With three generations of the Partridge family designing and installing kitchen ventilation systems, the company possesses a wealth of knowledge that vastly exceeds its competitors.
With its mind made up, Partridge Ventilation duly acquired a pre-owned and fully refurbished Amada LC-3015F1 laser cutter with MPF automation system.
“In short, our business is growing, which is why we decided to upgrade our sheet metal production capabilities,” states one of the company’s project managers, Oliver Partridge. “We were running machines such as a guillotine and a plasma cutter. Although satisfactory in terms of output, we knew that an injection of the latest technology would provide a springboard for our business.”
Partridge Ventilation reviewed various potential suppliers of profiling technologies over a period of 12-18 months, leaving no stone unturned.
“We examined the market thoroughly and found Amada to be on another level,” says Partridge. “In particular, the Amada care package was superior to others, while the cut edge produced by our Amada laser is far better than our previous plasma-cutting method. Plasma cutting produced burrs – that we would have to remove – which are simply not present with laser cutting.”
With the automated Amada LC-3015F1 now in place, standard parts such as tops and filter banks are profiled in advance and stored flat, ready to bend whenever necessary. As a result, lead times are minimised, which in turn keeps customers happy.
For further information www.amada.co.uk

Virtual robot meetings now available

Universal Robots is strengthening its commitment to customers during these unpredictable times by introducing free online meetings with expert consultants.

Businesses can now request consultations with local experts from anywhere in the world. Universal Robots believes that even in the most difficult times, businesses should have access to the tools needed to secure improved output and maximised productivity. The company is also launching a series of on-demand webinars, encompassing topics such as machine tending and welding.
For further information www.universal-robots.com