PTC launches Arena to mitigate supply chain risks

PTC has announced the release of its Arena product lifecycle management (PLM) and quality management system (QMS) solution that will provide manufacturing and product developers with greater supply chain security.

Arena Supply Chain Intelligence continuously checks for emerging risks from evolving economic conditions and eliminates the need for disconnected supply chain tools by embedding real-time, AI-driven component monitoring and risk mitigation insight directly into product development workflows.

These capabilities transform how product development teams manage component issues throughout the entire product lifecycle within the existing PLM environment. Companies can use Arena SCI to monitor components continuously across bills of materials to identify emerging and changing supply chain conditions.

When risks are detected, the platform provides visibility, suggests alternative components based on technical compatibility and enables teams to make more informed sourcing decisions earlier in the product development process – helping prevent future sourcing interruptions before they impact production.

“By delivering supply chain intelligence directly where design decisions are made in a cloud-native environment, Arena Supply Chain Intelligence simplifies collaboration between design teams and suppliers and supports more proactive component sourcing decisions,” says David Katzman, PTC’s general manager of Arena and Onshape. “Supply chain collaboration has been one of Arena’s core strengths for years, and our investment in SCI adds a new dimension for our customers as they prioritise resiliency. We expect to enhance SCI with even more features in future releases, including more AI-driven functionality powered by Arena AI.”

PTC says Arena’s cloud-native PLM and QMS solutions are the trusted source for product development, quality management and multi-tiered supply chain collaboration at nearly 1500 global manufacturers.

More information www.bit.ly/484cTTg

CADCAM delivers major productivity gains for Nova  

Nova Laboratories’ investment in BobCAD-CAM software and associated programmer training from Mills CNC’s Training Academy, is improving the productivity and process efficiencies of its in-house machine shop. Now, high-precision components used in the company’s pharmaceutical processing and production machinery and equipment, both for its own licensed products and its contract manufacturing operations, are being machined faster, more accurately and more cost-efficiently.

To get the most from its CNC machine tools, and to fully exploit their capabilities and potential, particularly with regard to the new Puma 2100Y multi-tasking turning centre, it became clear that investment in a powerful and flexible CADCAM package was required.

Explains machinist Steven Potter: “We had already invested in CAM software to create programs for the DNM 500 but needed something different and more bespoke for the Puma 2100Y.”

Potter researched the market and drew up a checklist detailing the specific CADCAM attributes and features required.

“Although we’d heard of BobCAD-CAM, we didn’t really know much about it, so we contacted Darren Clarke, BobCAD-CAM product manager at the Mills CNC Training Academy. We liked what we saw in a presentation and, because the Academy is a licenced UK reseller of the software, staff there could also deliver on-site BobCAD-CAM training to get us up and running.”

Based on the strengths of the BobCAD-CAM system itself, its affordability and the support provided by the CNC Training Academy, Nova Laboratories made the decision to invest in BobCAD-CAM software – and hasn’t looked back since -driving major productivity gains across its operations.

More information www.millcnc.co.uk

Matsuura Open House

Matsuura UK will launch new products at its annual open house on 4-6 November 2025. Taking place at the company’s newly expanded and refurbished facility in Leicestershire, the event will see the unveiling of two new automated multi-pallet five-axis machining centres: the MAM72-70V PC6 and MX-520T PC7. The company’s Additive Manufacturing Centre will also unveil the latest in metal 3D printing, the HP Metal Jet, while also on show will be the Muratec line of fully automated CNC lathes. Lunch will be served daily by Matsuura UK’s friends at Oregano Pizza.

More information www.bit.ly/4m5c0gH

£10bn UK warships deal

Billions of pounds will be pumped into the UK economy following Norway’s decision to select British warships for its Armed Forces, securing thousands of jobs in Britain for years to come. The UK, in its biggest ever warship export deal by value, will supply Norway with Type 26 frigates designed for anti-submarine warfare in the deal, which is worth £10bn. The deal will support 4000 jobs across the UK supply chain until well into the 2030s, including more than 2000 at BAE Systems’ Glasgow shipyards. The programme is also expected to support 432 business, including 222 SMEs across the UK. 

More information www.gov.uk

Bowers & Jones demonstrate green credentials

Bowers & Jones has achieved ISO 14001 accreditation, which is presented to organisations with effective management systems and processes in place to reduce their environmental footprint. Bowers & Jones managing director Jane Sommerville says: “Serving customers for 70 years, we recognise our duty to minimise our environmental impact while continuing to deliver the high-quality roll tooling and rolling mill products our customers depend on. This certification demonstrates the environmental management systems we have implemented and reflects our dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices.”

More information www.bowersjones.com