AI initiative boosts 250 Scottish manufacturers

A £2.2mproject led by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has so far supported 90 organisations and upskilled 250 people in the exploration of how data science and artificial intelligence (AI) can boost productivity, efficiency and competitiveness across Scotland’s manufacturing sector.

The Data-Driven Design and Manufacturing Colab (D3M Colab), delivered by NMIS, is helping to close the gap between manufacturing and digital technologies by giving engineers the confidence and practical skills to apply data-driven methods within their own businesses. Through hands-on projects and tailored training, participating companies are learning how data can solve real-world industrial challenges, from improving production processes and quality control to enhancing equipment reliability.

More information www.nmis.scot

Mitutoyo delegation visits strategic partner

Mitutoyo Japan’s headquarters and its main distribution partners visited Sariki (part of Grupo Unceta) in Spain recently to celebrate their long-standing strategic alliance in Europe. Around 65 visitors from Japan, including the senior management of Mitutoyo Corporation, visited Sariki in Elgoibar, Guipúzcoa, as part of a high-level event that demonstrated the strategic importance of Grupo Unceta for Mitutoyo.

Mitutoyo says Sariki’s state-of-the-art solution centre is unique in terms of its two-fold strategic role. The facility operates as a dimensional metrology outsourcing centre for companies in many different sectors. And at the same time it is a showroom, where customers can validate Mitutoyo’s solutions on their own parts before committing to investing in equipment.

More information www.mitutoyo.eu

Charmilles laser wins Green Impact Award 2025

United Machining, through its laser brand Charmilles, won the Green Impact Award at this year’s CECIMO Machine Tools Innovation (MTI) event for its LASER S 500U laser texturing machine. The award recognises the machine’s sustainable and innovative 3D shaping technology, which delivers improved accuracy, repeatability, efficiency and reliability, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and eliminating the use of consumables in micro-machining applications. The annual MTI Awards celebrate global excellence in machine tool innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

More information www.gfms.com

Mazak open house draws over 500 visitors

Over 500 manufacturing professionals visited Yamazaki Mazak’s open house in Worcester last month as the machine tool builder recorded strong interest in its latest UK-made models, such as the Integrex j-200 NEO multi-tasking turn-mill machine and the next-generation CV5 five-axis machining centre. The three-day event included over 19 live-cutting demonstrations. Visitors were also invited to take part in dedicated ‘Technology Tours’.

Alan Mucklow, UK managing director, said: “My key takeaway is that there’s strong appetite for investment and that manufacturers are ready to turn to technology as they seek higher productivity. This sentiment has been backed up by a high level of post-event interest, especially in our UK-made machines. This feedback vindicates our strategic decision to enhance further the capability and range of models manufactured here in Worcester.”

More information www.mazak.com

New small diameter boring bars from Mitsubishi Materials

Mitsubishi Materials has launched a new range of small boring bars for Swiss type automatic lathes. Notably, the whole series is available in both solid carbide and steel. The inclusion of both types provides a choice for end users and offers the benefits of deeper boring capability due to the extra rigidity of the carbide type. Additionally, not all components need an extra-deep-hole carbide shank, therefore the cost-effective steel type is also available in all types.

The length of the tools is compatible with Swiss-type automatic lathes, an important criteria, especially where workspace is at a premium. This ready-made-to-length feature negates the costly and time consuming process of cutting the shanks of standard tools to a shorter length to prevent interference.

A comprehensive selection of hard steel bars has recently been introduced to the range. The hard steel body is effective in preventing damage and wear caused by chip evacuation. Hard steel types are available in diameters ranging from 4 to 10 mm diameter for the 7° SCLC, STUC, SDUC, SDQC and SWUC types of holder, and for SCLP and STUP 11° types.

A vast range of different carbide bar diameters, ranging from 4 to 32 mm diameter with a minimum pre-boring diameter of 5 to 34 mm are also available for the 7° SCLC, STUC, SDUC,

SDQC and SWUC types of holder, and for SCLP and STUP 11° types.

Finally, the steel bars range from 12 to 32 mm diameter with a minimum pre-boring diameter of 14 to 40 mm. Again. these are available in the 7° SCLC, STUC, SDUC, SDQC and SWUC types of holder, and for SCLP and STUP 11° types.

More information www.mmc-carbide.com