Report shows apprenticeships remain strong

Investment in apprenticeships has remained resilient in the face of the pandemic according to a new report released last week. In-Comm Training’s third annual ‘Training Barometer’ revealed that 67% of companies had taken on apprentices during the past 12 months, while a staggering 97% kept all their learners on despite the pressures of the pandemic. This confidence extends into the future, with more than two thirds of businesses (70%) committing to taking on an apprentice over the next year (up from 47% in 2021), and 69% giving employees the opportunity to progress learning all the way to an HNC or Degree.

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Chiron Group buys automation specialist

The Chiron Group has acquired Greidenweis Maschinenbau, a specialist in automation systems for the automotive industry. As a result, the Chiron portfolio that is offered in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) will now be available with more automotive assembly and automation systems than ever before.

In addition to its development and assembly of machines and systems for laminating, joining and gluing, Greidenweis has positioned itself competently in process and system integration. One example is the fully automated assembly of components for vehicle interiors using several processing stations. The 60-employee company has many years of experience in integrating various technical solutions into automated assembly systems and production lines.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Kuhn orders screw press

An agricultural equipment manufacturer has ordered a 6400-tonne capacity press with ServoDirect technology and an energy accumulator to replace a 1989 model machine from Müller Weingarten. At its location in the French town of Châteubriant on the Atlantic coast, Kuhn develops and manufactures, among other things, ploughs and sowing machines. From the very start, Kuhn Huard has had an undeniable competitive advantage thanks to its forging and heat treatment know-how. Since 1989, the company has been using a 5400-tonne capacity machine from Müller Weingarten to produce its parts. The time has now come to have it replaced.

“Our objective is to maintain our competitive advantage over the long term,” says the project team at Kuhn, which consists of Nathalie Bessin, Pierre Yves Porcher and Charles Perrier. “This innovative technology will help us retain our leading position in the market.”

The three quickly came to the conclusion that an investment in a new press would pay off. After 18 months of research, Kuhn has now taken a major step and placed an order with Schuler for the 6400-tonne screw press system.

Screw presses have advanced a lot over the past three decades. Instead of the previously used squirrel cage induction drives, Schuler now utilises servomotors, thereby significantly increasing efficiency. In addition, the controllability of the drive – and thus the precision of the press – has seen enhancements. For instance, the closed water cooling system in combination with a new-generation motor optimises the temperature stability of the drive system, independent of the surrounding conditions.

Further included in the scope of delivery is an energy accumulator, which increases the efficiency of the system even more.

Commissioning is scheduled for mid-2023.

For further information
www.schulergroup.com

Quick Turn deal signed at MACH

Expert Technologies Group shook hands on a deal to acquire a Mazak Quick Turn 350MSY at MACH 2022 earlier this month. The machine is the first Mazak acquired by the group and it went straight from MACH to Expert’s facility in the northwest of England. Expert Technologies Group is a global provider of automation solutions for a variety of sectors, ranging from medical and pharmaceutical through to food and beverage, automotive and aerospace. The group has seven global locations, including three manufacturing facilities in the UK.

Chris Clifton, head of manufacturing at Expert Technologies, says: “Our philosophy is to provide the most advanced manufacturing technologies and it’s important that our own machining capabilities therefore remain at the cutting edge. The machine we selected fits our requirements perfectly, while the combination of machine capability, build quality and ongoing support made the decision even easier.”

For further information
www.mazakeu.co.uk

Dugard takes orders at MACH

The MACH 2022 exhibition earlier this month proved a resounding success for Dugard with the company winning several orders and taking an unprecedented number of enquiries at the show. With four new machine tools on its stand, Dugard showed the breadth and diversity of its technology.

Sales director Colin Thomson says: “We had representatives from Hanwha, Kitamura, Ibarmia and SMEC on the stand to support our team throughout the week. Both our UK sales team and our technical partners from overseas had some very constructive conversations that resulted in several machine sales. We fully expect to generate several additional sales in the months to come. No level of marketing activity can exceed the anticipation and buzz that MACH creates in the sector. It was great to be back and we are already planning a larger stand for the MACH 2024 exhibition.”

For further information
www.dugard.com