Former chair of Ford of Britain to lead MTC

The Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has appointed Dr Graham Hoare OBE to succeed Dr Clive Hickman OBE as its new CEO. Dr Hoare brings more than 35 years of top-level industrial and commercial experience to the role.Dr Hoare is a former Chair of Ford of Britain, having spent two decades with the carmaker in a variety of senior roles. In 2018, he was awarded an OBE for services to the UK motor industry.More recently, Dr Hoare briefly acted as interim CEO of Britishvolt, appointed to secure the future of the business, which was recently acquired by Recharge Industries.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Filtration in demand for AM post-processing

As demand for additive manufacturing processes continues to grow, BOFA’s filtration technology is now in demand to support the post-processing environment. Post-processing in the world of 3D printing is an important step in the production chain and is vital to transforming the commercial potential of additive manufacturing into high-quality finished products.

Luke Ziolkowski, international business development manager at BOFA International,says: “Post-processing is a catch-all term and means different things to different manufacturers, but the ultimate aim is the same: to create a product ready for market. This typically includes curing, polishing, deburring, mechanical cleaning or air blasting, all of which emit particles or gases that require BOFA filtration to help maintain a healthy working environment and contribute to a high-quality end product.”

BOFA is responding to demand with a number of 3D-print filtration systems that are suitable for post-processing environments. These include the FumeCAB enclosure technology which is suited to stereolithography systems,extractingoff-gassing from the print. FumeCAB can also help with off-gassing from washing stations and contribute to filtration for most other post-processing applications.

BOFA’s 3D PrintPRO 4 has recently been enhanced to support fused deposition modelling, stereolithography, digital light processing and material jetting. PrintPRO 4 can manage multi-unit operations thanks to a high-capacity filtration system, while delivering optimal temperature control. Effective airflow management contributes to an odourless workplace environment.

Finally, AD Oracle iQ is a fume extraction system for laser marking, coding engraving and AM laser sintering applications. The iQ2 intelligent operating system offers extended on-board data logs and real-time system condition visualisation. iQ2 also supports a colour touchscreen user interface, smart alarm configuration and system upgrades.
For further information www.bofainternational.com

Renishaw and British Cycling renew partnership

After their work developing a highly successful track bike for the Tokyo Olympics, Renishaw and the Great Britain Cycling Team have extended their partnership. As an official supplier to the team, Renishaw will use its expertise in additive manufacturing to create lightweight, complex parts for an upgraded track bike design, which aims to reduce drag and improve overall speeds for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Stephen Park, performance director for British Cycling, says: “We have a fantastic relationship with the team at Renishaw. They’ve been integral in helping create what we believe is the fastest track cycling bike in the world and one which we are now refining towards Paris. The partnership allows us to create world-leading parts, so we can optimise our bike for each individual rider, which is unlike anything we’ve been able to do in the past.”
For further information www.renishaw.com/am

Become a tool process engineer

The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre has become the first provider of its kind to deliver a degree apprenticeship for the level six tool process design engineer standard, developed to meet the direct needs of the members of the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM). The new apprenticeship, which sees a BEng in Manufacturing Technology delivered as part of the offer, is the result of collaboration between the AMRC Training Centre and the CBM, addressing the skills requirements for toolmakers, which are in extremely short supply.
For further information www.bit.ly/3ZB3JWR

Amada enhances mid-range press brake market

With thousands of HF-type press brakes installed throughout Europe, Amada is bringing higher accuracyto its mid-range line-up for the first timewith the company’s new auto-crowning device. Previously only available on high-end press brakes such as the Amada HG, the new HRB Auto Crowning mid-range model responds directly to customer demand.

The HRB Auto Crowning press brake features a new system, compensating for deflections in the upper and lower beam after the application of pressure. There is also an extended open height of 520mm and stroke of 250mm for all standard-stroke models. The new auto crowning device is CNC controlled through the AMNC 3i control in conjunction with the DigiPro digital protractor device, making it suitable even for non-skilled operators.

Amada’s auto-crowning device brings many advantages to customers who need higher accuracy, in addition to a stable and reliable bending process. Production of kitchen equipment, furniture, electronics and assembly components are just some examples of parts that can benefit from these new features.

The HRB Auto Crowning machine can also be equipped with an optional automatic sliding foot pedal. When a program has several bending stations along the beam, there is no longer any need to keep moving the foot pedal manually. It is not uncommon for some press brake operators to move the foot pedal 100 times a day, which over a year equates to a lot of wasted time. Amada’s sliding foot pedal allows automatic movement, boosting productivity.

The machine is available through a wide range of sizes, from 50 tonnes/2 m up to 220 tonnes/4 m, including the long-stroke versions, which increase the open height from 520 to 620mm.
For further information www.amada.eu