Tool of the Year

Anca’s annual ‘Tool of the Year’ competition is back with the 2021 winners announced live at EMO Milano on 4-9 October. Last year, industry welcomed the opportunity to show off its skills with almost 30 entries received from across the world, subsequently seen by more than 80,000 admirers generating over 200,000 engagements on social media. Patrick Boland, Anca co-founder, says: “Now in its fourth year, Anca Tool of the Year has gained significant coverage, raising the profile of cutting tools and those companies who make them. I encourage all tool grinding shops to enter and be recognised on a global stage.”

For further information
https://is.gd/gevopi

MTA announces TDI Challenge winner

The Manufacturing Technologies Association’s Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge competition for secondary school entrepreneurial STEM students has once again showcased the skills and imagination of the UK’s young engineers. This year, first place went to Ella Freeman from Henrietta Barnett School in London with her recyclable modular mobility aid for those needing support or rehabilitation. The device benefits users because it is three products in one; easily transforming from a walking frame into crutches or a walking stick, depending on user needs and how they may change over time.

For further information www.mta.org.uk/tdi

Metalite moulds automated future

Injection mould tool specialist, Swindon-based Metalite Engineering, has recently added to its plant list with the arrival of a Quaser five-axis UX500C machining centre and a 10-pallet Erowa Robot Easy 250 pallet loading system. Supplied and integrated by the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), the new investment is adding significant capacity to Metalite with its unmanned machining capability.

The UX500 is primarily for medical sector work, although Metalite is also highly regarded for its ability to serve the aerospace, automotive, Formula One, food packaging and horticultural industries. In total, the machine has 60 tools and a 15,000 Maxia spindle with a face and taper dual-contact system. Additionally, the UX500C has rigid knuckle-type axis rotation to provide full machining access around the component. Metalite needs this flexibility and precision as it is making parts that extend from small medical components with 5 µm tolerances, up to large tool steel die parts. For this reason there is a crane on the automation system to load larger billets.

ETG’s Steve Brown says: “The partnership between Quaser and Erowa goes a lot deeper than what is here in the UK. Both companies have a technical partnership and that is rolled through to us at ETG. So, we are the distributor for Quaser machines, and we have great support from REM Systems that supply the Erowa system. When we enter into a package together, we can tailor the solution to meet the needs of the customer.”

The success of this installation has already seen Metalite order a second system that will be applied to a three-axis vertical machining centre, where the robot loading system will incorporate four pallets.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Machine mover celebrates 30 years

IES, a global provider of machine moving services, logistics and project management in high technology industries, is celebrating its 30th year of operations. Founded in 1991 by a small team, IES now employs over 70 skilled staff at its 30,000 sq ft facility in Bristol. Since its inception, IES has continued to grow year-on-year, ending its 2020/21 financial year positively despite a turbulent 12 months for all.

Evolving alongside technology trends, IES specialises in the decommissioning, relocation and recommissioning of complex equipment and production lines, as well as complete factory moves. IES also re-engineers, maintains and upgrades machinery in the UK and worldwide, and is a provider of compliance assessment and testing for CE Marking, UKCA Marking and low-voltage electromagnetic compatibility, along with Machinery Directive work.

For further information
www.ies.co.uk

More awareness of airborne particulates

In a survey carried out by the Safety and Health Engineering Partnership (SHEP), 84% of respondents stated that the pandemic has made them more aware of how virus, bacteria and other particles transmit through the air, with 70% advising that Covid-19 has made them more mindful of the dangers of airborne particles.

“What is worrying is the fact that 27% of responses said that their employer does not provide training on how to use control measures, while 21% admitted that their local exhaust ventilation [LEV] systems are tested by a competent person less than once every 14 months,” says SHEP chairman Chris Buxton, CEO of the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA). “Providing controls is a great start, but if operatives do not understand how to use them, they may have little impact. LEV is widely regarded as the most effective control for airborne particles and COSHH regulations require a minimum testing frequency of 14 months, which means that many UK manufacturers are potentially still not adhering to this requirement.”

For further information www.shepuk.co.uk.