Saietta sets up in Sunderland

Saietta Group Plc, a specialist in advanced e-mobility powertrains, has accelerated its growth plans by taking on a manufacturing facility in Sunderland, the former base of ZF Automotive UK Ltd. The company will grow its production of electric motors at the 86,000 sq ft Sunderland plant to a capacity of 100,000 units per annum. Saietta has purchased a total of four motor production lines and an electronic circuit board production line, and a considerable amount of this equipment can be repurposed to meet the needs of Saietta’s customers going forward. The company will offer roles to former ZF personnel.

For further information
www.saiettagroup.com

New tooling ranges arrive in UK

Rainford Precision is introducing two new brands to the UK: 6C Tools AG and BSQ Tech GmbH.

Unlike many other products on the market, micro-tools from 6C Tools are manufactured by laser ablation, a process that is particularly gentle for material removal compared with grinding or spark erosion. This method of manufacture avoids damage and significantly increases the wear resistance of 6C Tools, creating a potential 5-10 times tool life increase.

The 6C product catalogue covers several drilling, milling and threading tools, as well as tailored tools manufactured from PCD and PCBN. Designed specifically for machining challenging materials such as tungsten carbide and zirconium, the standard 6C portfolio introduces PCD drills, PCD end mills, PCD chamfer tools, PCD ball-nose mills and ball-nosed polishing tools, as well as a range of PCD thread mills.

The ability to machine such difficult materials with impressive tool life and productivity characteristics makes the 6C range suitable for manufacturers in the medical, electronics and jewellery industries, to name but a few.

For engineers looking to improve their productivity when machining aluminium, aluminium alloys, copper, brass, plastics, PEEK and all other non-ferrous metals, Rainford can now offer the SwissCeraMill series from BSQ Tech, which the company says can increase tool life from 5 to 25 times and improve productivity by 400% compared with conventional carbide cutting tools.

Manufactured from high-tech ceramic zirconium oxide with a micro-grain structure, SwissCeraMill end mills are available in square-end, corner-radius and ball-nose designations, along with special-purpose tools to suit the diverse needs of industry.

For further information
www.rainfordprecision.com

Vargus launches threading products

Vargus Tooling has launched its new series of MACH Supersonic Threading products, which incorporates a complete range of thread turning tools and thread milling products.

The patent-pending turning range features a comprehensive range of MACH TT external inserts and corresponding MACH TT tool holders. MACH TT external turning inserts cater for the complete threading spectrum. Each of the respective thread geometries incorporates an improved rake featuring a reinforced geometry which creates a strong insert design with a high resistance that permits cutting at higher speeds while simultaneously reducing the number of passes required, says Vargus.

Adding to this geometry is the new Vargus VK8 insert grade that combines an AlTiN and TiN PVD coating to give durability and performance on materials that range from steel and stainless, cast iron and non-ferrous materials, through to heat-resistant alloys and hardened steels.

Complementing the thread turning range is the new MACH TM thread milling range. Like the thread turning range, the MACH TM thread milling line is available in a complete range of thread geometries to cater for the demands of any machine shop. The solid-carbide thread mills incorporate an improved edge design with a reinforced geometry to allow cutting under high loads. In addition, a large core diameter increases the stability and strength of the MACH TM series to enable higher speed and feed rates.

Further enhancing the ability to cut at high feed rates is a design feature that includes a fourth flute to improve cutting performance and evacuate the swarf at speed. Assisting this tool design in removing chips from the work zone is a through-coolant facility that flushes swarf from the cutting edge.

For further information
www.vargusuk.co.uk

Voith buys all shares in Voith Hydro

Voith has completed the acquisition of the remaining shares in Voith Hydro from its former partner Siemens Energy. The completion of this transaction makes the Voith Group the sole owner of the Voith Hydro Group Division, previously operated as a joint venture. The two parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction. Says Dr Toralf Haag, CEO of the Voith Group: “We are extremely pleased to have completed the acquisition as planned. With this move, we are continuing to pursue our strategy of strengthening the company’s core business in the field of sustainable technologies.”

For further information www.voith.com

Work begins on Nuclear AMRC Midlands

Work is underway on the new home for Nuclear AMRC Midlands, a transformative £15m nuclear research facility at Infinity Park Derby. The 4300 sq m research centre will advance manufacturing capabilities for sustainable energy using a range of pioneering technologies. With energy prices at record levels, Nuclear AMRC Midlands will help guide manufacturers through the energy transition and facilitate growth in a carbon-neutral economy. The Nuclear AMRC Midlands facility is scheduled for completion by early 2023, and will work with companies of all sizes to help them win contracts in carbon-neutral supply chains.

For further information www.namrc.co.uk