Student success in robotics

The winners of the 2023 WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition, held in conjunction with FANUC UK, were announcedat an awards ceremony in Manchester last month. Representing the best of the UK’s rising robotics talent, Hannah Currie and Peter O’Neill from Northern Regional College in Northern Ireland beat over 50 talented young apprentices and students to take gold at the national finals, which were held over three days at FANUC’s UK headquarters in Coventry. The duo now have the chance to represent Team UK at the WorldSkills International Industrial Robotics competition in 2024.
For further information www.bit.ly/484XXBj

GrindingHub will be bigger and more international

Five months before the event opens, it is already clear that the next GrindingHub will be bigger and more international. Some 375 companies from 28 countries have already secured a place at the trade fair for grinding technology, which will take place on 14-17 May 2024 in Stuttgart.

The increase in exhibitors from Asia is particularly impressive. The organiser has received just under 50 registrations so far. The first GrindingHub was still suffering from the after-effects of the pandemic, whereas freedom of travel today allows companies from all over the world to make their way to Stuttgart. This is particularly evident among the Chinese: the number of exhibitors from China has grown from four to 32. China is currently the largest national producer and largest market for grinding technology.

As another trend, more abrasives manufacturers will be represented in 2024 than at the launch event, for instance. The broad range on show – including everything from grinding machines themselves to appropriate software tools, process peripherals and measuring and testing systems – raises the appeal of the trade fair for users of grinding technology.

Martin Büsch, head of marketing for central Europe at Saint-Gobain Abrasives, says: “As far as we’re concerned, GrindingHub has established itself as the leading trade fair for grinding technology within a very short space of time. We therefore see it as an excellent and useful opportunity to engage with our customers, potential interested parties and top-class experts.”

Markus Heering, executive director at the VDW, adds: “The VDW will begin the layout planning shortly. We are delighted about having to open a fourth hall thanks to the increase in the number of exhibitors.”
For further information www.grindinghub.de

C&C Fabrications boosts deburring capabilities

C&C Fabrications, a Yorkshire-based steel fabrication specialist and recipient of the Business of the Year 2023 award, has invested in a Loewer SwingGrinder deburring andedge-rounding machine. The new machine is the latest addition in an ongoing series of investments as the company continues to adapt to ongoing growth. Speed, precision and efficiency will all receive a boost from the Loewer SwingGrinder.

The Loewer SwingGrinder represents a significant advancement in metalworking technology, enabling C&C Fabrications to deliver top-tier solutions across a wide array of sectors, including warehousing and logistics, retail, commercial, industrial, and general engineering at an even more impressive rate, reports the company.

This latest investment from C&C is yet more evidence of its commitment to excellence and innovation as the new SwingGrinder provides the business with an array of advantages. These include a user-friendly design, increased versatility, and a safer and cleaner workspace.

Chris Wallage, owner and managing director, says: “This new investment will play a vital role in enhancing our product quality and workforce efficiency, and enables the future expansion of C&C Fabrications. We’ve made a series of investments in cutting-edge machinery to ensure the delivery of first-rate products and services to our clients, and see C&C remain at the forefront of our industry for years to come. As we continues to redefine steel fabrication, this strategic investment showcases our ongoing dedication to innovation and excellence.”
For further information www.candcfabricationsltd.co.uk

Nakamura extends next-level machining

Following hot on the heels of the new Nakamura-Tome SC-200II machine that recently launched as an evolution beyond its predecessor, the SC-200, Nakamura is now introducing the new SC-200IIL. This latest iteration is available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

The SC-200IIL turning centre inherits many of the main specifications of the SC-200II and its concept of ‘next-level machining’. However, the SC-200IIL expands the distance between centres, evolving into a machine capable of producing long workpieces. This development allows users to select the R-side specifications from the sub-spindle or NT tailstock units. While the SC200II has a maximum turning diameter of 390mm and a 510mm distance between spindles, the new SC-200IIL increases this distance to 715mm between centres, with 800mm between spindles.

Like the SC-200II multi-tasking lathe, the SC-200IIL provides a powerful and stable machining platform under challenging conditions. Despite the machine being in the 8” chuck size class, it has a swing over the bed of 620mm diameter, providing a large machining area for a small footprint machine.This configuration also enables the machine to accommodate a 10” chuck if required. The output of the spindle motor is now to 15/11kW, with the option of an 18.5/15kW motor.

Similar to the SC-200II, the SC-200IIL has high acceleration rates that enable the operator to machine larger parts and expand the scope and variety of components considerably.

Nakamura-Tome CEO Shogo Nakamura says: “Since this machine is capable of processing large billets and bars that would normally require a machine one size larger, the SC-200IIL has arrived to deliver favourable changes to factory floors.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Life on Mars?

A European mission to explore life on Mars has received a major boost after a UK firm was awarded more than £10m to replace Russian components in the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover.The rover, built by Airbus in Stevenage as part of a European Space Agency programme, was due to launch in 2022 before collaboration with Russia’s space agency was cancelled following the illegal invasion of Ukraine.Now, the UK Space Agency will provide an additional £10.7m to a UK team to replace a Russian-made instrument on the Rosalind Franklin rover, with the aim of launching to Mars in 2028.
For further information www.gov.uk