Aqueous washer replaces solvents

Derbyshire-based Paul Fabrications, a Unitech Aerospace company, has dispensed with the solvent cleaning of nuclear components, replacing the process with a Turbex Pro 550 aqueous ultrasonic cleaning system.

The four-stage line is devoted to washing and drying all the nuclear components that support and hold stainless steel tubes containing uranium fuel pellets in the core of advanced gas reactors. All of these components were previously processed in a trichloroethylene closed system at the company’s Castle Donington manufacturing site.
For further information www.turbex.co.uk

Industry 4.0 guidance platform

Drive and control specialist Bosch Rexroth is launching an intuitive guidance system to help UK manufacturers network their assembly lines in preparation for Industry 4.0.

Available in March 2018, the modular system, known as ActiveAssist, operates alongside a production worker to streamline the assembly process and minimise errors. ActiveAssist guides the worker through each assembly stage using clear, visual instructions delivered through a projector, a pick-to-light system highlighting which components are needed, virtual surfaces, and data glasses (such as Google Glass).
For further information www.boschrexroth.com

International 3D metrology workshop series

On 8 March 2018, GOM UK will host a ‘3D Metrology for Casting and Foundry Processes’ workshop in Coventry. The event is part of an international workshop series, taking place over 42 locations from Asia to America, between January and April 2018. The global GOM network established the series of events to transfer process-related insights and knowledge to design engineers, pattern, die and mould makers, as well as specialists from quality assurance and production.

The free workshop is an industrial meeting platform for exchanging knowledge and sharing experiences. In 29 different countries, GOM and selected speakers will show how full-field surface measurements guarantee faster first article inspection and targeted tool correction, thereby reducing production lead times. For production-related quality control, both the measurements and entire evaluation process can be automated. In addition, GOM will introduce the latest developments in 3D metrology systems and inspection software.
For further information www.gom-workshop.com

Key sales appointment at XYZ

XYZ Machine Tools has recruited Graham Cherry to the newly created role of premium product sales manager, where the prime focus for his machine tool sales experience will be on the recently introduced XYZ UMC-5X gantry-style five-axis machining centre and other premium products as they are added to the XYZ range. Cherry’s background includes 10 years of shop-floor experience, including an apprenticeship, backed up by 29 years in sales,
25 of which were in the machine-tool industry, working for leading industry names.

“My time on the shop floor, followed by four years in cutting-tool sales gave me the knowledge to make the progression to machine-tool sales, where I developed into a specialist in the sales of premium, multi-axis, precision machine tools,” says Cherry. “The opportunity to join XYZ as it moves further into the premium sector with the UMC-5X is one that I’m relishing, and one that I see being very successful.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Honorary award for Renishaw founder

Sir David McMurtry, an engineer, inventor and founder of the multi-national company Renishaw, which has long-standing links with the University of Huddersfield, has received an ‘Honorary Doctorate of the University’ for services to design and innovation. After receiving his award, Sir David paid tribute to the quality of the academic staff and students, stating: “This university has played a great part in the development of scientific measurement in this country. Not many universities have taken on this challenge.”

For further information www.renishaw.com