UltraTEC Takes Centre Stage at Medical Technology Ireland

UltraTEC, part of the Vollmer Group, exhibited at Medical Technology Ireland at the end of last month, bringing ultrasonic deburring and precision tool grinding technology for medical device manufacturers to the Galway Racecourse. 

Billed as one of Europe’s largest and fastest-growing medical device design and manufacturing shows, Medical Technology Ireland offered UltraTEC and Vollmer the opportunity to showcase their respective technologies.  

UltraTEC presented its ultrasonic deburring technology, including the A25S system. This uses water rather than chemicals to deburr components, removing burrs by generating cavitation with an ultrasonic horn oscillating 20,000 times per second. As the process applies no heat or chemicals and can be fully validated, it is particularly suited to medical applications, where sharp, burr-free edges and a documented, repeatable process are essential. The system already handles features such as cross-holes as small as 0.1 mm in diameter that are difficult to reach using conventional deburring methods. 

Alongside ultraTEC’s deburring technology, the stand showcased Vollmer’s VGrind Infinity Linear rotary tool grinding technology, which is rapidly establishing itself with medical tool manufacturers worldwide. Vollmer’s steady rest, which supports both the cutting flutes and the tool tip, is designed specifically to eliminate deflection and the resulting run-out, a factor that, left unchecked, can generate excess heat and reduce the accuracy of a surgeon’s hand tool in use. 

The VGrind Infinity Linear adds automated, in-process run-out compensation through its NUMROTO control software, probing and laser tool inspection for automatically recalibrating to correct for any deviation. With the HP170 or HC4 automated loading systems, the machine can run unmanned and switch between batches of different tool types without operator intervention. 

More information www.vollmer-group.com/en-uk 

Defence Surge Exposes Gaps in Specialist Engineering Supply Chain

Engineering specialist BEP Surface Technologies is seeing a new wave of defence-related enquiries and RFQs for specialist grinding and hard chrome plating, highlighting vulnerabilities in the UK engineering supply chain as the government increases defence spending with SMEs. 

Andrew McClusky (pictured), managing director of BEP Surface Technologies, says: “We’re seeing a marked increase in defence enquiries. Defence manufacturers need specialist capabilities, but the supplier base they have relied upon has reduced. Capacity cannot simply be recreated when demand suddenly increases.” 

BEP’s experience echoes research it conducted earlier this year, which found that the number of independent electroplating businesses in the UK had fallen from 80 in 2015 to 67 in 2025 – a decline of more than 16%. At least seven of those remaining were already insolvent or winding down when the research was conducted. 

“When we published that research, our concern was that the UK was steadily losing specialist surface engineering capacity,” explains McClusky. “The enquiries we’re now receiving from defence reinforce why that matters. Grinding, plating and other specialist processes may sit several tiers down a supply chain, but they can be critical to manufacturing, refurbishing and maintaining high-value components.” 

McClusky believes increased defence expenditure represents a significant opportunity for British SMEs, but warns that scaling capacity will require investment in machinery and skills. 

“For an SME, increasing capacity requires considerable investment before the work is delivered. You need equipment, people and technical expertise, but also confidence in the long-term pipeline to justify that investment. Greater visibility of future defence demand would allow businesses to make those decisions earlier.” 

The MOD’s SME Action Plan, published in July 2026, aims to improve SME access to defence opportunities and increase supply-chain resilience. For 2027/28, the MOD is targeting £2bn in direct SME spend and £5.5bn indirectly through its supply chain. 

“The opportunity for British manufacturing is significant,” concludes McClusky. “Success should be measured not simply by how much defence expenditure reaches SMEs, but by whether it leaves Britain with more engineering capability, skilled people and stronger domestic supply chains.” 

More information www.bep-st.com 

UK Steel DG

UK Steel has appointed of Peter Brennan as its new director-general, taking over the leadership of the trade association at a pivotal moment for the UK steel industry. Brennan succeeds Gareth Stace, who steps down after 12 years as director-general but will remain with UK Steel as an adviser for a short transition period before leaving the organisation. Having worked at the heart of UK Steel’s policy and advocacy work, Brennan brings extensive knowledge of the industry and the challenges and opportunities facing UK steelmakers.  

More information www.uksteel.org 

IPercept Raises $16.5m Funds to Redefine CNC Service 

Stockholm-based IPercept has raised a $16.5m to redefine CNC-specialised industrial service in Europe and the USA. The round was co-led by Isogon Ventures and 2150. The company’s existing investors – Luminar Ventures, RunwayFBU, J12 Ventures and AI.Fund – all participated. IPercept’s patented plug-and-play MRI for CNC machines unlocks scalable data, so operators can now see inside critical machinery at a component-level like never before. It essentially enables CNC machine tools to report their own mechanical condition. With this funding, IPercept will scale its operations, grow partnerships and extend its data platform. 

More information www.ipercept.io 

Nasmyth Secures Air Inlet Manifold Contract for Coolbrook

Nasmyth has been awarded the first Air Inlet Manifold contract by Coolbrook for its pioneering RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) technology, marking an important new programme for Nasmyth within the industrial and energy sectors. The contract follows several months of close collaboration between the two companies and will see Nasmyth produce a key element of the RDH system. It provides Nasmyth with an opportunity to apply its established precision engineering, fabrication and extensive manufacturing expertise to this fast-growing multi-million pound market. 

More information www.nasmyth.com