Manufacturing hits 10-year high

The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI was revised higher to 58.9 in March 2021, from an initial estimate of 57.9 and above February’s 55.1. This revision points to the steepest month of expansion in factory activity since February 2011, underpinned by stronger demand from both domestic and international markets, the vaccine roll-out and loosening of lockdown restrictions. Manufacturing output grew at its quickest pace since last November and new business climbed at its second-fastest pace for over three years. Furthermore, jobs growth hit a seven-year high.

For further information www.markiteconomics.com

Machining diversity with Delta laser

Inside the compact footprint of the Winbro Delta laser machine is a spacious work area that offers X, Y and Z-axis travels of 1500, 750 and 1000 mm, supporting the continuous C-axis rotary table and ±140° B axis. Now, this next-generation technology is available from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) after it became a technical partner of Winbro Technologies Group.

The latest Winbro Delta laser machining system can be applied to a multitude of applications that include percussion drilling, drilling on the fly, five-axis high-speed cutting, welding, 2D and 3D shaped-hole machining via ablation, ceramic coating removal via ablation, and aerospace cladding for repair or overhaul. The flexibility of the Winbro Delta laser machining system makes it possible to combine these processes in a single machine by using dual laser sources.

Inside the compact footprint of the Winbro Delta laser machine is a spacious work area that offers X, Y and Z-axis travels of 1500, 750 and 1000 mm, supporting the continuous C-axis rotary table and ±140° B axis. The Delta machine is capable of a linear and rotary accuracy of 0.015 mm and 15 arc/sec, with repeatability of 0.010 mm and 10 arc/sec.

Within the Delta platform is a raft of technology advancements, such as component scanning and mapping, focus control, a patented six-point probing system, breakthrough detection, crash protection, tool-tip interpolation, a quick-change nozzle system, and a selection of nozzle assemblies.
Winbro can integrate Delta with different types of YAG and CO2 Lasers and, in particular, a range of fibre lasers – the choice of which is dependent upon the application. Control is via a Heidenhain iTNC640 CNC.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Promotion at Eclipse Magnetics

Eclipse Magnetics, part of the Spear and Jackson Group, has promoted senior sales manager, Dave Smith, to the position of sales director. Smith joined the Spear and Jackson Group in 2017 as key account and country manager at fellow group company, Bowers, before gaining promotion to UK sales manager in 2019. He went on to join Eclipse Magnetics in 2020 as senior sales manager. With over 20 years of sales experience, both in the UK and overseas, Smith brings a strong technical background to the role, as well as proven people and budget management skills.

For further information www.eclipsemagnetics.com

Asset finance underpins investment

Close Brothers Asset Finance has arranged a bespoke CBILS (Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme) hire-purchase agreement for Savcon Engineering to fund the acquisition of the firm’s second Mazak 6 kW fibre laser processing machine.

Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Savcon Engineering specialises in CNC machining, presswork and large-scale fabrication, including various components for the agricultural industry, vehicle suspension parts, and high-precision components for the electronic industry, among others.

Andrew Maude, area sales manager for Close Brothers Asset Finance’s engineering division, says: “Emerging from lockdown, Savcon Engineering’s order book has increased rapidly as customer projects started moving again, but with their existing Mazak laser running round the clock, they understood that to keep up with demand they would need to outsource, costing an estimated £30,000 per month.

“The flexible nature of CBILS meant we could offer a 0% deposit deal, allowing Savcon Engineering to keep their cash flow intact, freeing up cash to buy the materials required and cope with order book growth,” he adds.

Rob Stone, CEO of Savcon Engineering, says: “This was a significant investment for us, but it’s one we needed if we were going to continue growing the business and keep up with demand. We’re really pleased with the flexible way that Close Brothers Asset Finance structured the package, comprehending the importance of keeping cash flow unaffected. This partnership approach is something we truly value; they clearly understood what we wanted to do and worked out a deal that suited our needs.”

For further information
www.closeassetfinance.co.uk

Two-machine investment

Stonehouse, Gloucestershire-based de Havilland Engineering Group is complementing its subcontract fabrication services by investing in new component machining capacity. Two new Hurco machine tools have arrived recently: a TM10i two-axis lathe with an 81 mm spindle bore and a Hydrafeed MSV80 bar magazine; and a VM20i three-axis vertical machining centre with a 1016 x 508 x 508 mm working volume. Both machines have a Windows-based control with Max 5 conversational programming software.

Lewis Chandler, lead operator of the machines, says: “The capacity of the machines is large considering their small footprint, while the price point for what they are giving us has worked out really well. Furthermore, the conversational programming is very easy to use: it asks you what you want, you type in the figures and it draws it up for you automatically.”

For further information
www.hurco.co.uk