Turbine days

Over 160 people attended the sixth edition of Starrag’s Turbine Technology Days, which showcased developments to further improve the efficiency of machining turbine blades, blisks and engine casings, including: a flexible manufacturing system featuring 11 Starrag NB 151 machines for automated blisk manufacture; a tool-changing angle head – a joint development with Benz – where a single head with HSK-B63 interface can replace the use of multiple angle heads; and the adaptive roughing of turbine blades, to eliminate ‘air cuts’, by using in-machine probing in conjunction with Starrag’s RCS programming routines.

For further information www.starrag.com

3D printing award winners named

Altair and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) have announced the winners of the 6th annual Altair Enlighten Award at the 2018 CAR Management Briefing Seminars (MBS) in Traverse City, Michigan.

BMW Group claimed the Module category with the first 3D-printed metal component used in a production series vehicle, which captured a 44% component weight saving on the 2018 BMW i8 Roadster. Asahi Kasei’s lightweight pedal bracket for the Mazda MX-5 was among those taking top honours in the Enabling Technology category.
For further information www.altairenlighten.com/award

Promotion at Master Fluid Solutions

Master Fluid Solutions has appointed its technical sales manager Peter Blenkinsop to the newly created post of director of sales – Europe.

Based at the Master Fluid Solutions headquarters in Needham Market, UK, Blenkinsop is now responsible for the performance of the domestic sales team and the company’s distributor network throughout mainland Europe. Blenkinsop says: “Our European customer base has grown substantially in the past year and we remain committed to providing the best resources to ensure manufacturers have the best metalworking fluids for the job.”
For further information www.masterfluidsolutions.com

Sodick Europe HQ set for UK

Continuing sales success has spurred EDM distributor Sodick Europe to create a new, architect-designed HQ in the Midlands.

The facility, located with easy access to the M40 and the wider Midlands motorway network, is due to open in mid-2019, and will be the central focus for the company’s chain of dealerships across Europe.
Sodick Europe, established 15 years ago as the European Division of Japanese corporation Sodick Co, now has a turnover of £45m, with 17 distributors serving more than 35 countries.
The new 45,000 sq ft HQ underscores the UK’s position as the heart of Sodick’s European organisation, and will act as the operational centre for sales, service and market support. Initially, 50 staff will be employed, with plans to triple that number within a couple of years
For further information www.sodick.org

Mazak announces major apprentice intake

Yamazaki Mazak UK has reaffirmed its commitment to the next generation of engineers by taking on 18 new apprentices in 2018.

The most recent intake of apprentices will start working at Mazak’s European Headquarters in Worcester next month, and will join the existing 48 apprentices who are currently training with the company. Since 2011, Mazak has successfully trained 109 apprentices, and the September intake will take this figure to 127.
The 18 apprentices who have been accepted on the 2018 training programme will be assigned to various departments, including production and business support. Five apprentices will be undertaking machining-related roles, three will be working in the sheet-metal department, six in mechanical roles, three in electrical, and one will join the Mazak’s Spindle Service Centre.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk