Makino reports significant growth in Europe

Japanese machine tool manufacturer Makino says that orders from Europe were up by more than 70% in the last financial year, with major contributions from the aerospace and industrial components sectors. Particularly positive developments were seen in France, Italy, Spain and Poland. At a recent Makino press conference in Germany, the company reported global consolidated turnover of ¥153.6m, down 5.1% compared with the last financial year. Although in Japan the group suffered from a decline in turnover of 7.9%, record positive levels were achieved in all other regions (Americas up 10.3%, Europe up 8.5% and Asia – excluding Japan – up 4.2%).
For further information www.makino.co.jp

£2m orders at Trumpf open house

The annual Trumpf UK open house proved itself to be a real success in more ways than one. For instance, not only did the three-day event attract more than 200 people through its doors, but orders in excess of £2m were secured. Arguably the star of the show at this year’s event was the TruMatic 1000 Fibre, an entry-level combination machine. Featuring a compact footprint, this combination laser machine can be equipped with functionality that punches holes, bends flanges and forms threads.

Elsewhere at the open house, the high end of Trumpf’s laser-cutting capability was on show. For instance, the company’s flagship TruLaser 5030 Fibre with 8 kW resonator was being put through its full range of capabilities, including cutting stainless steel up to 40 mm thick. Open house visitors were also introduced to the new Trumpf touchdown nozzles on the TruLaser 5030, which can reduce gas consumption by up to 70%, while doubling processing speeds, says the company.
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com

Wallwork transitions to AS9100 Rev D

Aerospace heat treatment and hard coatings specialist, Wallwork Cambridge, has just received its AS9100 Rev D certificate and in so doing become one the first few dozen UK companies to make the transition. All companies working within the aerospace sector must be in compliance with the revision by September 2018. Works manager Andy Fox says: “Preparing for the transition has been a massive effort by all the team, and especially by quality manager Adam Yates who joined us in Cambridge from the Bury site just six months before the audit.”

Site director, Simeon Collins, adds: “Aerospace orders are rising and it is vital that we continue to meet the necessarily stringent quality standards of the industry. Revision D includes additional requirements for product risk systems, traceability and mitigating counterfeit parts. Interestingly, it also extends into ethical sourcing and business context, taking it beyond quality and day-to-day management.”
For further information www.wallworkht.co.uk

Machine buying rush at XYZ open house

XYZ Machine Tools’ recent Sheffield
open house saw 23 orders received for
new machines.
“The response from customers at this event was brilliant,” says the company’s managing director Nigel Atherton. “This success is backed by continuing good levels of business across our range of machines from a wide variety of customers. Hopefully, this confidence among machine tool buyers and the UK manufacturing sector in general remains for the foreseeable future. We are also seeing strong sales from across Europe, with
record numbers being generated.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Euro growth fuels €4m investment

Rapid prototyping specialist Proto Labs is reporting its largest European infrastructure investment since the UK business was established in 2005. The company has financed investment of around €4m on new manufacturing technology and facility renovations, primarily in Telford, UK, but also at its other locations across Europe.

During June and July 2017, Proto Labs confirmed a large-scale purchase of Haas CNC machines and Arburg injection-moulding machines. The new Haas machines will be configured for either mould making or component machining, with both of these services growing at a rapid pace. Including the new machines, Proto Labs UK’s inventory now totals 130 CNC machining and 57 injection-moulding machines. Since 2015, the business has supported annual growth in excess of 20% in manufacturing and engineering, sales and administrative functions.
For further information www.protolabs.co.uk