NASCAR names official 3D printing partner

Stratasys has become the official 3D printing partner of NASCAR. 3D printing technology from Stratasys will now see use for the design and production of parts and tools across NASCAR. The official partnership cements Stratasys’ role as a technology provider for NASCAR, with a new 3D printing lab set to open at the NASCAR R&D Centre in Concord, North Carolina. The facility features multiple Stratasys technologies, including F370, 450mc and F900 FDM printers and a NEO800 SL printer to support research and development, parts production, and tooling for NASCAR’s three national series.

More information www.stratasys.com

BAE cuts first steel for HMS Sheffield

The first steel has been cut for the UK’s newest warship, HMS Sheffield, at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow. 27-year-old apprentice fabricator burner, Michael Miller, carried out the ceremonial act. It marked the official start of construction on the fifth of eight ‘city class’ vessels and is a significant milestone for the programme and British shipbuilding as a whole.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, attended the ceremony alongside a range of senior dignitaries from the UK Government, armed forces and industrial partners. All eight Type 26 frigates will be built on the Clyde, with the work sustaining nearly 2000 jobs in Scotland and 4000 jobs across the wider UK maritime supply chain for decades to come.

More information www.baesystems.com

First digital-specific event for Kuka

Following the recent establishment of its digital division, Kuka presented its portfolio at the company’s first software and digital event under the motto ‘Kuka digital: powering your business’ at its headquarters in Augsburg. The company, known for its industrial robots, is focusing increasingly on the consistent and seamless digitalisation of industrial landscapes.

At the event, Kuka’s development and technology centre was transformed into a discussion platform for software, digitalisation and AI. In workshops, panel discussions and keynote speeches, customers and partners discussed current challenges in the economy and solutions for driving end-to-end digitalisation. An expo area provided insights into Kuka’s software and digital offer for the entire production lifecycle.

More information www.kuka.com/en-gb/kuka-digital

40 years of workplace safety innovation

Halifax-based A-SAFE, a specialist in workplace efficiency and safety solutions, is celebrating four decades at the forefront of industrial safety and efficiency. The company’s journey epitomises a great British manufacturing success story, from its roots as a visionary family business to its evolution into a global operation. Under the leadership of brothers James and Luke Smith, A-SAFE has expanded from a team of 20 to a global workforce of 750, with a presence in over 65 countries. The company’s commitment to innovation continues with its latest Industry 4.0 advancements.

More information www.asafe.com

London press launch for MACH 2026

Located next to Somerset House on the banks of the River Thames, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) provided the backdrop for the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) to launch MACH 2026. The next edition of the UK’s largest exhibition for machine tools and manufacturing technologies will take place on 20-24 April 2026 at the Birmingham NEC, where 30,000+ attendees are expected.

More than 65% of the show’s floorplan is already taken, 16 months ahead of the event. The key theme for the 2026 edition will be unprecedented support from key industry associations such as Make UK, the MMMA, GTMA, BTMA, PTMA, Automate UK, Composites UK, BPF, BFPA, HVMC, and the Catapult Centres. Among key speakers at the press launch was Professor Rab Scott (pictured) of the IET’s Digital Futures Policy Centre.

More information www.machexhibition.com