Funding helps Brandauer motor forward

A Midlands-based precision stamping specialist is set to play a significant role in the development of cleaner mobility solutions. Tech company Saietta has selected Brandauer to be part of a new consortium that has won an Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) grant to fast-track production on new electric propulsion motors for use in vehicles from scooters to buses.

Axial Flux Traction technology is said to mark a step-change in how the sector can make electric vehicles go faster for longer. Production specialists at the Birmingham-based firm will use their thin-gauge stamping and progression tool-making expertise to produce busbars and laminations for use in the state-of-the-art motors.

A nomination has secured £500,000 of R&D funding for Brandauer, with the potential to generate up to £1m of new sales in the first 12 months following project completion and more revenue to follow as manufacturing volumes increase.

“Providing cleaner transport is a major global opportunity for the UK and we are delighted to be part of the Saietta consortium to help bring important new technologies to market,” explains Rowan Crozier CEO of Brandauer. “We are heavily involved in providing specialist busbars and laminates to a number of clients in the electrification field, and this latest project will give us the perfect platform to use our ‘manufacturing to microns’ expertise to make a major difference in supporting the development of greener vehicles.”

The APC research contract will enable Saietta to ramp up production capacity to 150,000 motors per annum and trigger the hiring of 150-250 highly skilled engineers in the first round of recruitment.

For further information
www.brandauer.co.uk

Machine tool advice from AMRC

Cornwall-based Flann Microwave, a manufacturer of precision components for satellite and Earth-based communication systems, has been helped to de-risk and explore options for a new machine tool thanks to support from engineers at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC. A machine tool trade study and zero-point fixturing recommendations were supplied to Flann Microwave at the end of the project, with recommendations for desirable machines and appropriate fixtures. Feasibility studies are now taking place between Flann Microwave and some of the machine tool OEMs suggested by the AMRC.

For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Presses for roller bearing cages

One of the main business areas of NKC Manufacturing Sweden in Gothenburg is the production of pressed, stamped and machine moulded products for industrial companies. To help with this activity the company recently invested in a new, fully automatic press line from AP&T to replace old machines. But the relationship between the companies stretches back much further.

“Our first AP&T machines were installed in the mid-1980s when we were part of SKF,” says Charles Wallin, project manager of process development at NKC Manufacturing Sweden. “Since then, the equipment has been regularly expanded and updated, while service, maintenance and repairs have been made by AP&T on an ongoing basis.”

The fully automated production process includes a number of operations, such as blank feeding, drawing, cutting, washing, spinning, unloading and stacking.

“We supplied a 630 tonne press, two SpeedFeeders, a high-speed destacker, grippers, protection guards and a control system,” says Kristian Broberg, sales manager of the deal on the AP&T side. “It was vital to integrate our equipment with the existing punching press, lathe and other machinery used in the complete line so they would continue to have uninterrupted, efficient flow.”

The installation was completed on time and the equipment has been in operation ever since. To ensure high reliability in the long-term, NKC chose to enter a service and maintenance agreement with AP&T.

“Our collaboration with AP&T, not least with their project managers, has been very smooth,” says Wallin. “The fact that they can supply complete solutions and take responsibility from start to finish is an enormous advantage.”

For further information
www.aptgroup.com

Besten to import HACO machines

Besten Machines BV has taken over the import rights of HACO BV and is now the importer of the complete HACO range for the Netherlands. The company’s experienced and motivated staff will assist the Dutch market with all questions and needs regarding modern sheet metal working solutions, including press brakes, guillotine shears, CNC punching machines, and plasma and fibre laser cutting machines. With this transfer, Besten Machines will also be responsible for the service of HACO machines within Dutch borders.

For further information
www.bestenmachines.nl

New chief executive at IMechE

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has appointed Dr Alice Bunn as its new chief executive. She will take up the role in July following the retirement of Dr Colin Brown.

Since 2018, Bunn has been international director at the UK Space Agency, responsible for increasing the UK’s global influence in science, security and trade through space. She is also head of the UK delegation to the European Space Agency, and sits on the board of directors at the US Space Foundation and on the World Economic Forum’s future council on space technology.

For further information
www.imeche.org