Making way for UK’s largest open-die forge

Demolition has started at Sheffield Forgemasters to facilitate construction of the UK’s largest open-die forging line.Parts of the site north of Brightside Lane are undergoing controlled demolition to create space for a 13,000 tonne forge, which will house a new 12,700 sq m structure adjacent to the Sheffield to Meadowhall train line.Sections of disused forge and foundry buildings that date from the Victorian era, will make way for the new facility, creating one of the most efficient open-die forging operations in Europe and the largest within the UK.

According to the company, the whole project is working to the best environmental standards, so all spoil from the site will be graded and recycled as far as is possible. Estimates suggest that the multi-million pound project will see completion of the foundations by 2025.The new facility will service defence and commercial work in sectors such as civil nuclear power.
For further information www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

60 start-ups from 12 nations at EMO

The EMO 2023 exhibition in Hanover, Germany (18-23 September) will once again feature a large start-up area on Stand E34 in Hall 9, presented jointly by EMO organiser the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) and the VDMA Start-up Machine. “Start-ups bring a breath of fresh air to well-established industrial sectors because they often function as pioneers and trendsetters in their field of business,” says Stephanie Simon, who is responsible for the project at the VDW. “That’s why established exhibitors are often more than interested in talking to young companies.”
Forfurther information www.emo-hannover.de/startups

Four machines in one week

In just one week, Rochdale-based PTG Holroyd secured orders for four of the company’s EX series CNC helical rotor milling machines from two German-based screw compressormanufacturers. The machines will despatch in 2024.Two of the machines, both 3EX-R models (for helical parts of up to 350mm in diameter), are destined for a leading producer of screw compressors for refrigeration applications. The other two EX rotor milling machines, a 3EX-R and a 4EX-BL model (for milling parts of up to 420 mm in diameter and Roots-type blowers) will see service at a specialist in screw compressors andblowers.
For further information www.holroyd.com

Toolmaker upgrades capabilities with Mazak VMC

Toolmaker SJ Dimmock has upgraded its manufacturing capabilities with the purchase of the company’s first UK-made Yamazaki Mazak VCN 530C vertical machining centre.The family-owned firm, based in Dunstable, was set up in 1985, since building a reputation for manufacturing high-specification injection moulding tools for the aerospace, medical, food and drink, automotive, and Formula One industries.

Company director Jamie Dimmock says: “Following the retirement of one of our long-serving employees, I found myself in the position of having three machines that I’d need to train myself to operate. As they were older machines, I thought it would be more effective to sell the machines to finance a new, larger vertical machining centre.After a lot of careful consideration and time spent evaluating the performance of comparable machines, I chose the VCN 530C vertical machining centre from Mazak. Each day that goes by confirms it was a fantastic decision.”

The VCN 530C is a high productivity vertical machining centre made at Mazak’s European manufacturing facility in Worcester. Equipped with a 40-taper spindle, Mazak says the machine excels at delivering high-speed machining with maximum stability and rigidity thanks to its heavy-duty casting.

Typically, SJ Dimmock is working to exceptionally tight tolerances of ±0.005 mm to meet the surface finish requirements of its customers. Here,Dimmock says the VCN has transformed the company’s machining operations. “We’ve replaced three machines with one and vastly improved the surface quality of the moulds, while reducing the volume of second operation work. The processing speeds are exceptional with the Mazak, which has not only helped with the quality of work, but has also doubled our capacity.”
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Perfect 10 for MACH Machine Tools

MACH Machine Tools, a supplier of CNC and manual machine tools to UK, Irish and European component manufacturers, and part of the Vigilance Group, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in September.Over the past decade, the Bristol-based company’s product portfolio has increased and improved significantly, and its range of CNC machines today focuses exclusively on the DynaPath control. MACH Machine Tools is now looking forward to the next 10 years, starting off with MACH 2024 in April where the company will be introducing a new range of 6”, 8’ and10” chuck slant-bed DynaPath-controlled lathes.
For further information www.machmt.co.uk