Manufacturing confidence grows

Confidence among SME manufacturers is at its highest level for two years according to the latest Manufacturing Barometer, carried out by SWMAS (the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service) and the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP). Out of nearly 300 firms questioned, some 58% indicate that they are planning to boost investment over the next six months.

This quarter’s Barometer took an in-depth look at how manufacturing SMEs are recovering from the pandemic and, encouragingly, 48% of respondents now expect to return to, or exceed, their pre-Covid-19 position within three months. Notably, SME manufacturers experienced a positive quarter’s trade between January and March, with 46% reporting an increase in sales, compared to 31% in the previous barometer.

For further information www.swmas.co.uk

Index enters AM arena

Machine-tool manufacturer Index has acquired the majority of shares in One Click Metal GmbH from Trumpf. The investment provides One Click Metal with additional know-how and capital to continue its growth trajectory in the promising entry-level segment for 3D printers. Trumpf remains involved as a co-partner and strategic partner and will accompany further development in close co-operation with Index.

With around 20 employees, One Click Metal develops holistic solutions in the field of 3D metal printing for small and medium component sizes. The start-up was successfully spun-out by Trumpf employees in April 2019 as part of the ‘Trumpf Entrepreneurship’ programme and is based in Tamm near Ludwigsburg.

For further information www.index-werke.de

A ‘pallet-able’ wildlife solution

Yamazaki Mazak has partnered with local environmental organisation, Worcester Environmental Group (WEG), to recycle its leftover wooden packaging into houses and feeders for local wildlife. Mazak began donating wooden pallets from its European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester to WEG following the group’s inception in June 2020.

The volunteer-run organisation has since recycled the wood into bird boxes, bat boxes, hedgehog houses and feeding stations that are now in use throughout Worcestershire to promote biodiversity and support the development and sustenance of local wildlife. In a fitting culmination of the process, Mazak has also taken delivery of 10 bird boxes that will be located throughout the manufacturer’s outdoor recreational and relaxation areas. WEG is currently selling a variety of bird boxes for a small donation.

For further information
www.theweg.org.uk

Next big thing in small part machining

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has introduced a new range of 10” chuck Lynx lathes with integrated Y axes. There are two models in the series: the Lynx 2600Y (with Y axis) and Lynx 2600SY (with Y axis and sub-spindle).

Both models share many of the technology features and performance attributes of the 6/8”chuck Lynx 2100 series of lathes first introduced by Mills in the UK and Ireland a couple of years ago, but provide small component manufacturers with larger turning diameters (380 mm), longer turning lengths (610 mm) and more powerful spindle capabilities (18.5 kW/3500 rpm).

The spindles, with their rigid and low-vibration design and build (i.e. spindle housing, bed, feed shaft) ensure high accuracy, repeatability and surface finish, even during heavy-duty and continuous cutting operations, reports Mills. A base-mounted turret (BMT) design and configuration further improves rigidity.

Both machines are driven-tool models (5,000 rpm milling capability). Additional features of the latest Lynx lathes include: 105 mm Y-axis capability (±52.5mm); 30 m/min rapids in the X and Z axes; high-rigidity roller LM guideways; a programmable tailstock (Lynx 2600Y model); a 4500 rpm sub-spindle (Lynx 2600SY model); an eco-friendly grease lubrication system; and an on-board tool setter that facilitates automatic (in-process) tool measurement.

The lathes are supplied with the new Fanuc 0i-TF Plus control, which features a user-friendly iHMI system with an intuitive 15” touchscreen. iHMI enables users to enjoy quick and complete control over all machine operations – planning, machining, maintenance – as well as the ability to monitor performance and respond to changing situations and demands.

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

Boost for battery cell inspection

One of the world’s leading battery technology companies, Envision AESC, has invested in a Baty Venture Plus vision system from Bowers Group to boost the non-contact inspection of battery cells. Based in Sunderland, Envision AESC manufactures lithium-Ion battery cells, modules and packs as it works towards solving the challenges for a sustainable future.

Routinely inspecting parts such as EV (electric vehicle) battery modules and cells, Envision AESC prides itself on delivering the highest quality. Prior to the purchase of the Baty Venture Plus, the team at Envision AESC found that its measurement studies were both time-consuming and complicated.

Choosing the Baty vision system was the natural choice for Envision AESC, due to its ease of use and adaptability. The Venture Plus offers a large measurement range, with its bridge-type construction made from aluminium, resulting in low inertia and low thermal mass.

Chris Woodhams, QA engineer at Envision AESC, says: “The ease-of-use in measuring, programming and generating inspection reports, and the flexibility of combining the benefits of a vision system with a traditional touch-probe CMM, ensures the Baty Venture is a valuable tool in both routine and non-routine inspections.”

Being non-contact, the vision system allows the inspection of live battery cells without any risk of electrical contact.

“Our Baty Venture Plus has reduced the amount of time and complexity to conduct measurement studies, freeing up resources in other areas and allowing routine inspections to be standardised for true data comparison analysis,” concludes Woodhams.

For further information
www.bowersgroup.co.uk