RAeS Team Gold winner

The team behind Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan has been awarded a Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Team Gold Medal for its contribution to the advancement of aerospace engineering.

With its 3.556 m fan diameter, UltraFan is the world’s largest demonstrator aero engine, containing a suite of scalable new technologies that deliver greater fuel efficiency. By enabling lower emissions and advancing sustainable practices, UltraFan contributes significantly to the aerospace industry’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The demonstrator was successfully tested using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

More information www.rolls-royce.com

Casting accolade for Magna Cosma

A Telford-based automotive specialist, which has seen domestic and global sales rise significantly, has been named as the ‘Best of British Casting Company’ at the recent UK Cast Metals Industry Awards organised by the Cast Metals Federation (CMF). Magna Cosma Casting UK defied uncertainty in the sector to post one of the best years in its history, impressing judges with the way it has developed a high-pressure die casting digital twin.

The company’s approach has seen it boost the workforce by 40% – critical in supporting the production of large structural body and chassis castings. There were also major accolades for Kent’s Maybrey Precision Castings and the Black Country’s Newby Foundries (joint Component of the Year winners), with Goodwin Steel Castings claiming the Innovation title.

More information www.castmetalsfederation.com

Sellafield calls for applications

Applications are now open for the 2025 apprenticeship scheme at Sellafield Ltd. With both apprenticeships and degree schemes available covering a wide range of disciplines from mechanical engineering to nuclear operations, opportunities are offered in both Cumbria and Warrington.

Sellafield says the positions provide first-class training supported by on-the-job learning, ensuring apprentices are well-equipped for their future careers. All apprentices have the chance to pursue a qualification relevant to their chosen field by studying with selected high-level training providers across the country. The duration of each programme varies from 2 to 4 years. There is no upper age limit for applicants.

More information www.bit.ly/4faPkIr

Princess Royal visits Saunders Valves

Earlier this month, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Crane Company’s new facility at Saunders Valves – its specialist diaphragm valve manufacturer in Cwmbran. Operating in the town since 1939, Saunders is a pioneer in diaphragm valve technology.

Guided by Saunders’ operations director Dafydd Lewis, HRH The Princess Royal toured the new 9290 m² facility’s assembly lines. She also met long-standing members of the workforce, some with more than 40 years of experience who bring their expertise and dedication to this specialist work.

More information www.cranecpe.com 

DMG Mori redefines its three-axis machines

With the new DMV series, DMG Mori says it is combining the strengths of earlier three-axis machining centres with innovations that meet increasingly demanding requirements in manufacturing. The development of the DMV 60 and DMV 110 aligns closely with the company’s Machining Transformation (MX), one of DMG Mori’s four pillars to support future manufacturing – the other three being Process Integration, Automation and Green Transformation (GX).

As three-axis machines, the two DMV models occupy an important position in numerous industries, including mould and die, medical, automotive and aerospace. In these industrial fields, productive machining of the most common materials, from aluminium and stainless steel to titanium alloys, is crucial. The travel paths of the DMV 110 are 1100 x 600 x 510 mm (DMV 60: 600 x 600 x 510 mm), while the table can support workpieces loads up to 1700 kg (DMV 60: 1000 kg).

A range of spindles is available, starting from 12,000 rpm, through a 15,000 rpm high-torque spindle, ending at a SpeedMaster offering 20,000 rpm – all with Big Plus interface. A combination of spindle with high dynamic and rapid traverse speeds of 42 m/min results in high-performance cutting, states DMG Mori.

Direct drive transmission in the X and Y axes – and direct measuring systems in the linear axes – ensure high positioning accuracy and machining precision. The same applies to the temperature compensation system and the resulting thermal stability.

Both machines are available as standard with 30-pocket tool magazine, which can be extended to 60 or even 120 stations. The large number of tools enables the use of sister tools or loading for a high variety of parts, contributing to the flexibility of DMV machines and significantly reducing non-productive times.

More information www.dmgmori.com