Subcontracting proves resilient

After a slack final quarter in 2017, the subcontract manufacturing market seems to be shrugging off concerns about Brexit. The value of the UK contract and subcontract market rose by nearly 11% in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the final quarter of 2016, according to the latest Qimtek Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) figures. Machining proved particularly strong in the first quarter of 2017 – up 15% on Q4 2016. It was down by 8% though compared with a particularly strong period for machining in the first three months of 2016. Fabrication more than held its own, up 13% on the previous quarter and 19% on the equivalent quarter last year.
For further information
www.qimtek.co.uk

Get up to Speed with Yamazaki Mazak

Yamazaki Mazak is taking part in the 2017 Get Up to Speed (GUTS) Engineering and Manufacturing event at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham, on 26 April. The event, which is in its seventh year, is aimed at profiling the opportunities available to young people in the north of England who are keen on exploring a future career in engineering or manufacturing. Mazak, which runs an extensive apprenticeship programme from its European headquarters in Worcester, will also be exhibiting at the event.
A team of engineers will be on hand to provide visitors with insight into the world of advanced
CNC metalcutting.
For further information www.getuptospeed.org.uk www.mazakeu.co.uk

Successful dealer days at FAT-Haco

Last month, FAT Haco welcomed its dealers to Wrocław, Poland for the company’s annual ‘Dealer Days’, where more than 40 visitors from around the world were able to see the latest machine innovations and a number of interesting presentations. The machines on display ranged from the smallest CNC slant bed FTM165 with barfeed, through all types of flat-bed TUR MN and heavy-duty TUR 3MN turning machines, up to the FTM1000 x 7500 five-axis turn-mill centre.
Live cutting demonstrations also formed an important part of the event. For example, the company showed the hard turning of a steel roller (65 HRc) on a TUR 3MN lathe. On another machine, FAT Haco presented the machining of a long-lead screw with the use of special follow rest. Further demonstrations included geometric tests and movement of the axes on the FTM1000 turn-mill centre.
For further information
www.haco.com
www.kingsland.com

WST Stein to showcase stock at ReTEC

WST Stein Werkzeugmaschinen, will use ReTEC to shine the spotlight on a number of high-quality pre-owned machines that it currently has in stock. Visitors to stand D40 in hall 5 will be able to see machines that include a 2012 Doosan Puma 2600Y CNC turning centre with Y-axis capability (pictured). This Fanuc 0i-TD controlled machine offers a turning diameter of 255 mm and turning length of 760 mm. Also on the stand will be a Ziersch&Baltrusch URS 750 universal cylindrical grinding machine with a 245 mm grinding diameter capacity and 750 mm grinding length.
Established for over 25 years, WST Stein specialises in the import and export of new and used CNC and manual machinery. The company has stock space of around 10,000 sq m and 80T crane capacity at its headquarters in St Ingbert, Germany. Full quality management and expert machine packaging are assured, says the company. Customers are also welcome to inspect machines at WST Stein’s site before delivery.
For further information www.wst-stein.com

Wide cross-section of exhibitors

Exhibitors at ReTEC will present used machinery from various sectors of industry and provide individual advice for a successful and worthwhile investment. Companies like Kuka, Gläsener + Schmidt, Netstal with KraussMaffei and Joseph Vögele, not forgetting many others, make ReTEC an attractive platform for the purchase of preowned machinery. Kuka, for example, offers used robots in various categories, as well as nearly-new display robots and factory-reconditioned robots. At ReTEC, the company is presenting its entire range of services for used robots, from partial to full overhauls.
For further information
www.retec-fair.com