10 apprentice placements

Photochemical etching specialist Precision Micro has announced that it will recruit the largest-ever number of local school leavers to its apprenticeship scheme this autumn. Located in Birmingham, with a 44,000 sq ft manufacturing plant, Precision Micro will take on 10 new apprentices this year, more than trebling the number of available apprenticeship placements from its typical annual intake. The four-year placements are open to students between 16 and 21, and will provide successful applicants with a holistic experience across all of its business departments.

For further information
www.bit.ly/3MFHadi

Trusted and agile: perfect fit with Amada

Sudbury-based Daro Manufacturing Services, part of Daro Group, has recently installed its second Amada HFE3i press brake. Daro Manufacturing Service’s robust British design, development, fabrication and product assembly services are based on strong foundations of many decades of expertise. Being part of Daro Group, the company benefits from the wider support of the group’s central resources, such as strategic planning, sales and marketing, financial planning and management, and ongoing investment. So, when it came to updating its fabrication facilities, Daro knew what it needed and turned to Amada.

In 2018, the company installed a heavy tonnage Amada HFE3i-1703 eight-axis press brake. However, continued growth meant that extra capacity was needed to keep up with demand; again Amada was the first port of call.

“This is the second investment that Daro has made with Amada,” says head of sales Stuart Clarke. “Our first purchase was a 170 tonne, 3 m press brake to expand our heavy fabrication. Basing our decision on Amada’s reputation and the product’s attributes of durability and reliability has proven to be sound. Therefore, when it came to replacing the press brake for our lighter gauge sheet metal facility, we knew we were in good hands.

“Adding additional Amada plant gives us greater efficiencies and flexibility with staffing,” he adds. “The CNC control and quick-release clamping feature has not only helped us to achieve faster and more cost-effective production methods, it also reflects our commitment to continuous improvement.”

For further information
www.amada.eu

More Citizen sales managers

Due to unprecedented growth in the sales of Cincom sliding-head and Miyano fixed-head turning centres, which has doubled Citizen Machinery UK’s turnover since 2016, the company has increased the number of its area sales managers from five to six. Consequently, two promotions have been made within the existing business. Simon Fitzpatrick will serve Ireland, Scotland and territories in the north of England, while James Taylor will look after the southwest. At the same time, Tony Nolloth has been appointed UK & Ireland sales manager to coordinate the activities of all sales territories.

For further information
www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

The importance of software

Labour shortages are a real issue in the metal fabrication sector, with manufacturers looking at the latest bending software solutions to make it easier for a new generation of employees to enter the industry. Additionally, software for metal bending machines can lead to faster production times, greater efficiency and increased profits.

Software from RAS Systems, which is available in the UK from Press & Shear, allows visualisation of the end product before the materials need removal from the shelf. RAS software is designed and optimised for each machine and allows for 2D/3D models and images for the parts operators are looking to create. This allows them to save money, time and valuable resources, all while improving accuracy.

For instance, RAS software for its Multibend-Center and ProfileCenter allows for the import of a CAD file with the part model. The software analyses the file and automatically generates a 3D model. For DXF files, the programmer has to add to the bend angle. Spring-back compensation angles are listed in the materials table. The software programs the parts automatically with a single click of the mouse.

Software for the RAS XXL-Center and XL-Center lets users draw a part on their office PC in 2D or 3D. The software can then provide a 2D or 3D detailed simulation of how the part will be created. Notably, the user can specify the colour side and view the profile from any perspective, or he or she can enter flange dimensions and angles on the machine control and watch how the profile arises on the monitor.

RAS software for Turbo2plus and UpDownCenter-2 lets users draw a profile on the monitor and add flanges to the 3D profile. CAD files with the part geometry can be imported, with the software analysing this file and automatically generating a 3D model.

For further information
www.ras-online.de

Strong MACH for Kerf Developments

The return to the MACH exhibition last month proved to be a resounding success for plasma and oxy-fuel cutting machine specialist Kerf Developments, which witnessed record enquiry levels and even recorded two machine orders. Sales director Craig Walsh says: “Visitor numbers were consistently high throughout the week and of a good standard. There were certainly manufacturers looking to invest in the latest productivity tools and this resulted in two machine sales at the show with many more manufacturers planning to place orders in the coming weeks.”

For further information
www.kerfdevelopments.com