Bruderer presses on with Telford facility

A manufacturer of high-speed presses will open a 48,000 sq ft new factory and showroom in Telford next year.Switzerland-headquartered Bruderer has reinforced its 55-year commitment to the UK by announcing a significant investment in a dedicated site on Hortonwood, just a stone’s throw away from the home of the industrial revolution.

Construction work on the bespoke facility will start this month and see the creation of a dedicated competence centre capable of servicing new and pre-owned machines, and restoring legacy presses. There will also be a modern showroom that provides visitors with first-hand insight into new models, ancillary equipment and turnkey solutions.The move will see the firm relocate its existing facility from Luton to Shropshire over the course of the coming nine months.
For further information www.bruderer.co.uk

Free national manufacturing directory available

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult is making it easier for domestic manufacturers to connect with a new free-to-use UK Supply Chain Directory.Launched by the HVM Catapult as part of the Made Smarter Innovation/Digital Supply Chain Hub, the directory brings together hundreds of thousands of businesses across UK industry in one easy-to-search online resource. Businesses are also able to claim their company profile within the new UK Supply Chain Directory, allowing them to showcase key information and help attract new customers and suppliers.
For further information www.uksupplychaindirectory.com

Sodick introduces VN series wire EDM

For manufacturers that demand the epitome of precision, component quality and production efficiency, Sodick Europe says it has introduced its new VN series of linear motor-driven wire EDM machines. Presented as a high-quality enhanced range of standard EDM machines, the new arrival offers the added advantage of reduced power consumption and operational costs.

Available in two variants, the new VN400Q and the VN600Q can deliver a 20% decrease in power consumption when compared with standard models. With up to 70% of wire EDM energy consumption used by the dielectric treatment system, the Sodick VN series overcomes this issue with a new fluid control circuit that reduces the energy needed to drive the dielectric processing pump. Utilising an inverter to control the vertical flushing flow rate during machiningdelivers a 20% reduction in power consumption during machine standby.

As well as reducing power consumption, the newly developed energy-saving pump is integrated into the dielectric tank and, along with the LN3W/LP3W power supply unit, the Sodick VN series significantly improves nozzle flushing performance to amplify open cutting speeds by up to 15%. In addition, an intelligent monitoring circuit oversees the vertical flushing flow rate to provide further optimisation of the pump drive energy for flushing.

Also contributing to the efficiency of the Sodick VN series is the linear motor drive system with linear scales. Providing precise high-speed axis motion that is wear-free, it is possible to maintain extremely responsive speed, precision and repeatability for years to come. This performance sees a further enhancement with the latest K-SMC motion controller that governs axis movements and tracks spark-gap adjustments.
For further information www.sodi-tech.co.uk

SMEs form Resolve Engineered Solutions

A collaboration of four Cumbrian SMEs is embarking on a pioneering venture to establish ‘Resolve Engineered Solutions’.The joint venture brings together the expertise of Forth, React Engineering, PAR Systems and Cumbria Operations and Maintenance Service Ltd (COMS) to deliver end-to-end engineering services. It marks a significant step change in how the nuclear industry can access high-value capabilities. The four founding companiesenjoy recognition for their high-quality offerings and strengths. Through this collaboration, they will provide a holistic and efficient approach to tackling complex engineering challenges.
For further information www.resolve-engineered-solutions.com

AE set for SAMPE build competition final

The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) will host the final of its building competition at Advanced Engineering, which takes place on 1 and 2 November at the NEC, Birmingham. The contest aims to provide a practical composite engineering challenge through Young Engineers and Students (YES), where the entrants will be challenged to create a suitable structure and display it at the show.

This year, each team must apply their composites knowledge and creativity to design and construct a bridge capable of spanning a 1 m gap while resisting simple weights. The winner will be the bridge that meets specified guidelines and withstands the greatest load before failure. All teams will receive a sustainable composite material kit supplied by sponsors, ensuring equal terms for all participants.
For further information www.advancedengineeringuk.com