Project to identify CO2 coolant benefits

Derbyshire-based Nuclear Energy Components (NEC) is starting work with the Nuclear AMRC to develop environmentally-friendly machining techniques which will reduce the cost, lead time and risk associated with high-value nuclear components.

The project is funded by the UK government’s Nuclear Innovation Programme, and is part of the £40m investment in advanced nuclear technologies announced in July. The new year-long project, called ‘Process Improvement Through CO2 Cooling’ (PITCO2C), will develop the technology to take it closer to production for 316L stainless steel components.
For further information www.nuclearamrc.co.uk

Saw parts keep business going

On a recent Saturday, HE&M Saw received an SOS of sorts from Pioneer IWS in Dalton, Ohio.

The gearbox on the company’s 22-year-old Twister bandsaw required replacement to continue manufacturing COVID-19 related hospital field cots. HE&M no longer manufactures the Twister, so it would seem that having a gearbox in stock would be a long shot. However, as HE&M Saw prioritises being able to service all of its saw models, the company maintains a large inventory of replacement parts for older and discontinued machines, including a certain gearbox.
As a result, HE&M Saw answered its customer’s request bright and early Monday morning and shipped the gearbox same-day.
“The overnight delivery of a new gearbox for our 22-year-old Twister bandsaw was critical to the production flow of manufacturing thousands of field hospital cots in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Eddie Wengerd, general manager of Pioneer IWS.
Pioneer Equipment, like HE&M Saw, is an American-owned company with more than 40 years of manufacturing history. Core business focuses on the manufacture of farming equipment such as ploughs and carriage gears, but has also evolved into industrial workflow solutions and custom steel fabrication.
When the COVID-19 outbreak struck close to home – two of the Wengerd brothers had to quarantine after exposure at a trade show – the company decided to help in the nation’s counter-offensive.
Pioneer re-tooled its manufacturing facility in two weeks to mass produce the cots; around 100 can now be manufactured every hour.
For further information www.hemsaw.com

Lenox launches Armor VP bandsaw blade

Lenox continues to advance its range of industrial products with the introduction of the new Armor VP bandsaw blade.

The Armor VP is pitched at customers seeking high cutting rates and long blade life across a wide range of materials. Target users include steel service centres and metal manufacturers within the aerospace, oil and gas, and defence industries.
Armor blades by Lenox were first introduced to the market in 2005, and the company has continued to make enhancements to the product line over the years, the latest of which is the Armor VP.
A major feature of the blade is its state-of-the-art coating technology – an enhanced AlTiN formulation that protects the teeth from heat, allowing for faster cutting rates and increased productivity compared with non-coated carbide blades. In addition, an advanced grade of carbide that is honed with Honex technology limits tooth wear, enabling long blade life.
“The Armor VP bandsaw blade is already performing extremely well with our customers, allowing them to increase their productivity,” confirms Dan Fernandes, senior product manager. “At Lenox we’re committed to understanding the needs of our customers and designing innovative tools that help them to be more efficient in their everyday tasks.”
For further information www.lenoxtools.com

£10m of opportunities

A new manufacturing cluster has been established to target more than £10m of electrification opportunities over the next 12 months.

Brandauer, C-MAC SMT and PP Control & Automation – all members of the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN) – have come together to offer a single-source supply-chain solution for electric motors, drivetrain components, battery cells, casings and housings, transfer laminations, PCB assemblies, and wider infrastructure services.
The trio has also enlisted the expertise of industrial automation specialist Balluff to drive the opportunity. This joined-up approach is already reaping dividends by helping the new cluster secure in excess of £3m of off-highway automotive contracts and an order for an upwind turbine system from FuturEnergy.
For further information www.man-group.co.uk