Free Download of Software-Defined Automation

Flexxbotics, an autonomous manufacturing platform specialist, has released its software-defined automation as a free download, providing direct access to industrial-grade automation technology for advanced manufacturing operations worldwide. The download delivers a powerful and extensible production-ready run-time environment, low-code HMI, developer’s studio, and complete API for smart factory interoperability and orchestration.

Flexxbotics’ free download is not a trial or evaluation version. It includes the SDA run-time, Studio and API with no time limits, capacity restrictions or disabled capabilities.

More information https://flexxbotics.com/download/

Manufacturing Initiative to Support Fusion Energy

A new UK research initiative will explore new methods to manufacture materials for extreme environments, starting with those used in fusion machines. The project, called DIADEM (Design of Interfaces for Additively Engineered Metamaterials), is led by researchers at the Centre for Additive Manufacturing at the University of Nottingham in partnership with the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

The initiative is funded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s Adventurous Manufacturing programme, and supported by partners that include Rolls-Royce, the MTC and Aerosint. DIADEM will initially focus on a key fusion technology challenge – how to process two fundamentally different materials – tungsten and copper – simultaneously, to manufacture parts for use in future fusion power plants.

More information www.bit.ly/4a2hsOs

Xtrac Kicks off 2026 with £1m Investment

As part of Xtrac’s continuous improvement philosophy, the specialist in transmission technology has confirmed a £1m investment in the three new machines at its Thatcham headquarters in the UK: a Sodick EDM machine, a DMG Mori CNC turning centre and a Behringer bandsaw. Together, this trio of arrivals will further improve Xtrac’s ability to deliver high-precision gearing solutions to the highest quality.

Xtrac also remains committed to staying at the cutting edge of gear design and manufacture by investing in the upgrade of existing equipment to take advantage in developments in technology and software. In December, the company’s Klingelnberg P40 gear inspection machine was upgraded to deploy the latest closed-loop bevel manufacture process and technology suite.

More information www.xtrac.com

Hands-on 3D Printing Showcase

Made Smarter is putting 3D printing in the spotlight at an event designed to help manufacturers understand how 3D printing can deliver real-world impact for their business. Made Smarter – Discovering Additive Manufacturing, taking place on 28 January 2026, will bring together SME manufacturers, technology experts and academic specialists at the University of Lancashire’s Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) in Preston.

The agenda of the half-day event blends real business case studies, expert insight and hands-on demonstrations, giving manufacturers the opportunity to see additive manufacturing in action, ask questions and explore whether the technology could play a role in their own digital journey. It forms part of Made Smarter’s Digital Champions Network, a peer-to-peer forum for manufacturers at all stages of digital adoption.

More information www.bit.ly/49sTDzj

New Lynx lathe investment improves turnaround times

Mills CNC has recently supplied RCF Bolt & Nut, part of the TGM Industrial Group and a manufacturer of industrial fasteners, with a new compact, high-precision CNC lathe. The machine, a FANUC-controlled 8” chuck Lynx 2100LB manufactured by DN Solutions, is now operational at the company’s 40,000 ft² production and machine shop facility in Wednesbury, West Midlands. The machine is already proving pivotal in helping improve productivity and process efficiencies by reducing production bottlenecks and, as a result, improving turnaround times.

Says managing director Adrian Garrett: “We’re on a strong growth trajectory and demand for our standard and bespoke solutions has been growing exponentially over the past few years. While this is good news, it was putting pressure on our in-house machining resources. We needed additional capacity, and we needed it fast.”

RCF Bolt & Nut’s positive experience with a previous Lynx 220LM lathe led the company to contact Mills CNC in the summer of 2025 to discuss its immediate machining requirements.

“We were introduced to the Lynx 2100LB and could see that its technical capacity and capabilities fitted the bill perfectly,” says Garrett.

Since installation, the Lynx 2100LB has been put through its paces machining ‘near net shape’ forged bolt and nut blanks made from a range of different materials. Machining operations include internal and external single-point threading, boring, reaming, rigid tapping, chamfering and parting off.

Concludes Garrett: “The new Lynx 2100LB is a fast, accurate and flexible machine. Its acquisition is evidence of our continuous improvement programme in action, and we’re aiming to continue upgrading our machine shop in the months to come.”

More information www.millscnc.co.uk