Training survey

The success of the Apprenticeship Levy is splitting manufacturing opinion according to a new survey. The In-Comm Training Barometer revealed that just 55% of manufacturers believe it is working. Of the 71 respondents, just over a fifth said they had taken on apprentices as a result of the Levy – a small number, but still an increase in the face of an annual decline in the number of apprenticeships commencing over the past 12 months. The results are due to be presented to Anne Milton, Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, during a special delegation to Westminster involving 50 employers and apprentices.
For further information www.in-comm.co.uk

Predator distributor for UK market

The CNC Training Academy, the independently-operated training division of Mills CNC, has announced that it has become the principal distributor of Predator machine monitoring and shop-floor control technology software systems and solutions in the UK and Ireland.

The distributor agreement signed with US-based Predator Software Inc will see the CNC Training Academy provide Predator hardware, software, systems training, and aftersales service and support. Predator software is designed to deliver shop-floor automation, machine monitoring and networking solutions.
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk/training

Metrology software events announced

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has announced plans to take its annual PC-DMIS metrology software seminars to a wider range of locations this year.

The company will host the events at six venues in England and Ireland, beginning in Bristol on 24 April. The free training sessions for holders of Hexagon’s PC-DMIS software maintenance agreements (SMAs) will include presentations by application engineers on topics such as understanding constructions. Seminars will also be held in Towcester on 23 May and Telford on 12 September. Additional sessions will take place in northeast England on 10 October and at two locations in Ireland (TBC).
For further information www.hexagonmi.com

3D printing goes live on XYZ website

XYZ Machine Tools has created a separate page on its website dedicated to HP Muliti Jet Fusion 3D printers, for which the company is an official reseller.

Visitors to the page can see a range of videos that highlight the potential created by the technology. In addition, there is information on the materials that can be used in developing parts using HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing system and SmartStream 3D build manager and command centre software. With build speeds up to 4500 cm3 per hour, HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers are capable of delivering 30 million drops per second across each inch of working area.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com/3d-printing

Rod mill equipment contract

Jianlong Beiman Special Steel Co Ltd, based in Qiqihar, China, has awarded SMS Group a contract to supply core equipment for a high-speed wire-rod mill. The centrepiece of the mill, which has an annual capacity of 500,000 tons, is a 10-stand wire rod finishing block. To comply with the metallurgical requirements of the finished products, the wire-rod mill has been designed for low-temperature rolling.

Saarstahl AG

In addition to the wire-rod finishing block, the scope of supply includes two cantilevered roughing stands, a group of shears upstream of the block, and a loop-laying head including pinch-roll unit. What’s more, SMS group is supplying the design for the LCC (loop cooling conveyor) with three-fan technology, as well as the coil-handling system. Commissioning will take place in spring 2019.
For further information www.sms-group.com