MTC chief executive to head M2R

MTC chief executive Dr Clive Hickman has been appointed to head a new body aimed at leading the resurgence of manufacturing industry in the Midlands.

The Midlands’ Manufacturing Resilience Commission, to be known as M2R, will review the Midlands’ manufacturing landscape post-COVID, contribute to the creation of a wider Midlands’ manufacturing strategy, and develop recommendations to help build the region’s manufacturing resilience and its subsequent economic impact. Contributions will be invited from senior industry, academia and government representatives.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Sharing machining knowledge

Sandvik Coromant has launched online application training to share knowledge and best practices for metal-cutting operations.

The eight-part programme has been released online and is accessible via the Sandvik Coromant website. Embarking on the programme, customers will develop theoretical and application-based knowledge in turning, milling, drilling and threading for both indexable and solid-carbide tools.
Communicated through pre-recorded presentations, the online training courses will provide customers with insights into the best practice strategies for machining. The programme includes specialist topic areas such as solid-carbide tools for drilling, milling and tapping, which is led by expert, Ben Lodge, solid round tools product specialist for north Europe at Sandvik Coromant. During the sessions, customers will learn the fundamentals for successful metal cutting, including the importance of process control and developing the correct machine set up.
A module on indexable drilling is led by Mikael Carlsson, indexable drilling and boring specialist for north Europe. Here, learners will develop an understanding of the vital process considerations for drilling deep holes and how to optimise chip formation for different drills and workpiece materials. A separate module on indexable milling is hosted by Barry Cahoon, indexable milling specialist for north Europe.
Lee Kendall, turning product specialist for north Europe, delivers modules on parting and grooving, thread turning and general turning, where learners can expect to develop new knowledge of different insert geometries and grades.
Each training module is approximately 30-minutes in length. As pre-recorded courses, the modules can be viewed at any time, allowing customers to complete the programme at their own pace.
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com

Plastic welding

In Europe, Telsonic is adding vibration friction welders from Korean manufacturer Daeyoung to its portfolio of plastic bonding technologies.

The business relationship already enjoyed by the two companies in the North American market (US, Canada, Mexico) will now be extended to Europe, Russia and North Africa. To this end, the Telsonic GmbH centre of excellence in Germany has been expanded to assist users on-site with support and technical service, from design to tool manufacturing.
For further information www.telsonic.com

3D printing partnership

Heraeus Amloy and Trumpf have started working together on the 3D printing of amorphous metals.

Their goal is to establish the printing of amorphous parts as a standard production method on the shop floor by improving process and cost efficiencies. Amorphous metals are twice as strong as steel, yet significantly lighter and more elastic. These materials exhibit isotropic behaviour, which means their properties remain identical, regardless of the direction in which the 3D printer builds up the workpiece. Heraeus has optimised its amorphous alloys for 3D printing and tailored them for use with Trumpf’s TruPrint systems.
For further information www.heraeus.com

Funding boost for Brandauer

A Birmingham-based metal pressings and stamping specialist has secured funding to help it develop a solution for easing global shortages of PPE.

Brandauer is one of the first companies in the country to be awarded Innovate UK-backing through the ‘COVID-19 Business-Led Innovation in Response to Global Disruption’ competition, and is now setting its sights on increasing its capacity to produce more than 100 million nose clips for use in face masks every year.
The company will use the £50,000 grant to develop its ‘Quick Clip Tool’ modular tooling that will add a quick changeover capability to a progression tool, something that has never been offered to the PPE marketplace before. This innovation means the clips can be developed and manufactured in multiple materials, such as steel or aluminium, and can be produced in various widths, thicknesses and lengths. The project will take about five months to complete and will allow Brandauer to increase supply to existing customers and open up production capacity to other clients.
For further information www.brandauer.co.uk