Tata Steel UK on path to net zero

At last month’s UK Metal Expo exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC, Tata Steel committed its Port Talbot site in Wales to becoming accredited to ‘ResponsibleSteel’. The company is also set to adopt Science Based Targets with respect to its programme of emission reductions and net-zero aspirations. Tata Steel’s chief commercial officer, Anil Jhanji, announced the move during his keynote speech. He said: “These commitments to ResponsibleSteel and SBTi are a clear statement to the world and to our customers that we mean business. It will include decarbonising every aspect of our business.”
For further information www.tatasteeleurope.com

National Robotarium opens with major announcement

The National Robotarium, which opened at the end of last month, has announced a major engineering and research collaboration with multi-billion dollar company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The pioneering £22.4m centre for robotics and AI is the largest and most advanced of its kind in the UK. It will collaborate with TCS on applied engineering and joint research across multiple disciplines including soft robotics, field robotics, cobots and tele-operations. Utilising expertise from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, the collaboration will lead to the creation of innovative solutions to global challenges.
For further information www.bit.ly/3rectDh

Manufacturer expands machining capacity

WES Engineering Solutions, based in Redruth, has invested over £420,000 in a new Matsuura top of the range CNC milling machine as a consequence of new market growth. James Gazzard, group commercial director says: “We forecast 43% growth across the group for 2022/23 and this latest investment is in direct response to customer demand. The new Matsuura CNC H-Plus 300 enables us to double our lights-out running capabilities, halve our run times, and significantly enhance our commercial and production efficiencies. We’re also looking forward to expanding with at least a further three new apprentices this year.”
For further information www.wesltd.com

Multi-million investment at Doncasters

Doncasters, a manufacturer of precision alloy components, has invested £7.2m to extend Doncasters Precision Castings – Deritend in Droitwich Spa, UK. The extension will deliver great benefits to the business, including improved parts flow and safety, reduced environmental impact and lead times, and an increased overall capacity that allows the business to invest in advanced technology and local talent.

Until now, Doncasters operated two sites in Droitwich, two miles apart, with different processes taking place at each. Now, the two teams will reunite, improving operations, energy efficiencies and working lives for staff. Over 340 employees will work in the new state-of-the-art facility, with future employment opportunities available for people in the Worcestershire region and beyond.
For further information www.doncasters.com

Blast cabinet improves process speed and part finish

ActOn Finishing recently supplied a sand-blasting machine to Special EFX, a designer and manufacturer of bespoke awards and trophies for clients in UK and worldwide. To produce the matt, brushed, polished or a satin finishes, the company was using a sand blaster in-house. However Special EFX wanted to update its finishing equipment as it needed a blasting machine with a pressure fan that would provide more constant flow.

After contacting different suppliers on the market, the company decided to work with ActOn Finishing. Tony Darby, production manager at Stratford-upon-Avon based Special EFX, states: “ActOn’s customer service was very helpful, very friendly; they showed us around their facility in Coventry and that’s where we made the decision to invest with them. We had spoken to other suppliers as well, but ActOn seemed like people we wanted to work with.”

Further to carrying out trials, ActOn decided that the best option to achieve a matt sand-blasted finish prior to anodising was the ECO MP pressure-blast cabinet. This sand-blasting machine is a compact system built to achieve a rapid and efficient finish. Moreover, ActOn says that ECO blasting systems allow users to minimise their investment while enjoying the benefits of a good-quality blasting solution.

The speed at which Special EFX can now blast its parts has increased, while component finish has improved and the results are repeatable.

“The aftercare was also very good,” states Darby. “Any problems we had, they are at the other end of the phone. I would recommend ActOn due to the professionalism of their team, the quality of the cabinets they provide, and for the friendliness and helpfulness they provide during the purchase process.”
For further information www.acton-finishing.co.uk