Supply chain accelerator

Digital Catapult has announced its first International Supply Chain Accelerator, which the organisation says is set to transform global supply chains through the application of deep-tech solutions. Two initiatives are unveiled: the first focused on seamless trade across borders and the second on product carbon footprint measurement, with a view to improving global supply chain resilience and advancing international industrial sustainability. The International Supply Chain Accelerator will enable participating technology pioneers to scale faster and strengthen supply chains across key economic sectors. 

More information www.bit.ly/47kyIfd

Sumitomo invests in EEW Offshore Wind

Sumitomo Corporation last month reached an investment and business operation participation agreement with EEW Offshore Wind EU Holding, a Germany-based manufacturer of monopiles – large diameter steel pipes for the foundation of bottom-fixed offshore wind power generation. Completion is scheduled for the end of December 2024, subject to various legal and regulatory requirements. EEW’s strength is its mass production system enabled by sophisticated technology to bend steel plates over 100mm thick and advanced high-quality welding technology.

More information www.sumitomocorp.com

£500k manufacturing support programme

SME manufacturers in Warwickshire are being urged to take advantage of a £500,000 business support initiative that will help them boost sales, create jobs and improve productivity.The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme has already supported over 80 local companies to unlock barriers to growth through one-on-one coaching, consultancy, free workshops and signposting to other schemes.Southam-based Trident Hydraulics is among those already benefiting, accessing strategic advice to execute a growth plan that will help it move from £1.1m to £1.6m over the course of the next 12 months.

More informationwww.warwickshire-mgp.co.uk

CAMIO 2024 promotes safety and productivity

British CMM manufacturer LK Metrology has released the latest version of its measurement, programming, simulation, analysis and reporting software. CAMIO 2024 features upgraded performance in several key areas to enhance safety, increase productivity in the quality control department and shorten the leadtime from component production to completion of inspection.

‘Clearance box’ is a new path planning aid that simplifies and speeds programming by automatically adding clearance moves to prevent the sensor, whether a tactile probe or laser scanner, colliding with the workpiece when moving between measured features or during head repositioning. Working alongside this feature is ‘auto sensor selection’, which raises the efficiency of an inspection program by minimising the total number of probe positions required to measure a part without the programmer having to work out the optimum sequence.

To enhance the user experience, displayed CAD features automatically become semi-transparent, allowing easy access to the drag-and-drop tools when configuring the measurement strategy. A further improvement is a new design of manual measurement window incorporating large counter displays to make each contact more noticeable when manually measuring features. This is particularly advantageous when operating CAMIO remotely or at a distance from the PC screen, such as when inspecting large workpieces.

Finally, a new stand-alone utility enables users to copy settings from one CMM running CAMIO 2024 to another. This capability is useful to users with multiple CMM installations, whether in the same location or spread across different sites, where settings require duplication to harmonise quality processes. Copying CAMIO settings also creates a valuable back-up for data security.

More information www.lkmetrology.com

Strategic realignment at FFG

Machine tool manufacturer, the Fair Friend Group (FFG), has initiated a comprehensive strategic realignment to address the current global challenges in the machine tool industry and strengthen its competitive position. As part of this transformation, FFG has appointed Dr Sebastian Schöning as its new CEO.

Schöning, who holds a PhD in mechanical engineering, brings over 20 years of professional and management experience. Since 2021, he has served as the group’s COO and as the CEO of MAG IAS GmbH. In his new role, Schöning will spearhead global strategy development and lead the group’s operations. He will have support from Rong-Rong Liu, who has been appointed CFO and will be responsible for overseeing the group’s financial management.

More information https://ffg-ea.com