World’s first all-electric jet engine

Scottish start-up Mako Aerospace, based in Dunfermline, has teamed up with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by the University of Strathclyde, to manufacture the world’s first all-electric jet engine, which could double the range of electric aircraft compared to current hybrid models. Headed by University of Strathclyde graduates Kieran Duncan and Pia Saelen, Mako is on a mission to realise aircraft electrification using a lighter and more efficient electric jet engine that aims to reduce fuel costs by 70% compared with a traditional turboprop engine.

NMIS engineers are involved in wide-ranging research exploring how the technology could play a significant role in achieving a fully electrical commercial flight. The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) is providing engineering and manufacturing expertise while also introducing potential supply chain partners from across its network with a view to eventually manufacturing the engines in Scotland.
For further information www.nmis.scot

LVD to showcase smart factory cell

LVD will focus on smart manufacturing by showcasing interconnected sheet metal fabrication processes at EuroBLECH 2022 (25-28 October, Hanover, Germany). On Stand F104 in Hall 12, visitors will see the LVD theme of ‘Shaping Flows’. On display will be a smart factory cell, as well as the latest laser cutting, bending, combination equipment, software and automation, demonstrating flexible solutions to enable a smarter production environment.

The cost-effective smart cell brings to life a smart factory driven by cost-efficient machinery comprised of the LVD YSD LaserONE laser cutting machine, a basic, no-frills fibre laser, LVD Dyna-Cell robotic bending cell for small- to medium-sized parts, and CADMAN software.

According to LVD, Dyna-Cell offers bending automation at a fraction of the cost of traditional robotic bending systems. Designed to keep cost per part low, LVD says that Dyna-Cell costs less than two stand-alone press brakes. It is easy to program the cell, fully offline, in 20 minutes or less, with 10 minutes of program preparation, 10 minutes of tool set-up and first part production.

Also on the stand will be LVD’s Ulti-Form robotic bending system, which handles small batch and long production runs with equal efficiency, delivering high productivity and consistent bending accuracy. Ulti-Form offers a fast ‘art to part’ process, reports the company. CADMAN-B software automatically calculates the optimal bend program and imports bending data to the robot software CADMAN-SIM – no robot teaching is required. SIM automatically calculates gripper positions, generating the fastest collision-free path for the robot, and relays the information back to B, enabling the operator to work with a single program.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

Brammer Buck & Hickman becomes Rubix

Brammer Buck & Hickman is changing its name to Rubix. The company has been part of the Rubix Group since 2018 and the name change marks a significant moment in its development. The name ‘Rubix’ signifies problem-solving, and more specifically, the creative and human approach that the business adopts to tackle customer challenges. Customers will begin to see the Rubix name and brand appear across all branches and customer Insite locations across the UK, as well as at its technical competency centres, and the national distribution centre in Wolverhampton.
For further information https://uk.rubix.com

Hybrid aerospace innovation event

Seco Tools UK and its technical partners will host the company’s first hybrid (physical and virtual) Inspiration Through Innovation (ITI) event on 28 September. The event will focus on the aerospace manufacturing segment, with machining demonstrations, a seminar programme and networking opportunities.

The event’s interactive sessions will be presented to a live audience and streamed live via the event website. In addition, all recorded sessions will be available on demand after the event for every registrant. Attendees gain valuable insights and learning from the ITI events, which demonstrate the value of collaboration in the pursuit of innovation – this time, specifically in aerospace manufacturing. Seco and its technical partners will host an ITI event focused on automotive manufacturing in Germany in November.
For further information https://event.secotools.com/aeroiti2022

33rd IMTS exhibition

The 33rd edition of IMTS, North America’s premier manufacturing technology show, will take place next week at McCormick Place, Chicago. The last show, in 2018, hosted the highest number of exhibiting companies ever (2563) and was the largest in both number of registrations (129,415) and square feet of exhibition space (1,424, 232). IMTS is held every even-numbered year and attracts buyers and sellers from 117 countries. This year, visitors can experience more than 15,000 new machining technologies, and find processes that will help solve manufacturing challenges and improve efficiency.
For further information www.moduleworks.com