New date for SteelFab

SteelFab, a leading exhibition for the metalworking, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industries, will now take place in June 2021 rather than its scheduled January date. The show will open its doors on 7-10 June at the Expo Centre Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The decision is described by the organiser as difficult yet responsible, and in the best interests of all participants. Moving the event to June will also provide sufficient time for the industry to adapt, restore balance and regain confidence in exhibiting, visiting and travelling.

As the Middle East’s major showcase for machinery, technology and equipment, SteelFab will provide a platform for around 300 exhibitors across 26,000 sq m of floor space. Some 6500 trade visitors are likely to attend from approximately 70 countries. Special focus areas at the 17th edition of the show will include welding and cutting, machine tools, pipe and tube machinery, and wear-resistance/hard-facing solutions.

For further information www.steelfabme.com

Set-style carbide-tipped bandsaw blade

Lenox, a specialist in carbide cutting performance, is introducing Gen-Tech, a new set-style carbide-tipped bandsaw blade for general purpose cutting. Through innovative design and cutting technology, Gen-Tech offers versatility, long blade life and a low cost per cut, reports the company. Gen-Tech is made at the company’s East Longmeadow, MA manufacturing facility.

Says Daniel Fernandes, senior product manager – industrial bandsaw blades: “Designed for versatility, Gen-Tech cuts a wide variety of materials, shapes and sizes. Manufacturing industries set to take of advantage of Gen-Tech will include aerospace, defence and energy, with applications in carbon steels, bearing steels, mould steels, alloy steels, tool steels and stainless, as well as titanium and nickel-based alloys. Featuring a wide kerf set-style tooth structure, Gen-Tech helps to prevent pinching in these high-stress, hard-to-cut materials.

“An advanced grade of carbide that is honed using Honex technology, contributes to Gen-Tech’s long blade life by limiting chipping and therefore enabling productivity,” he continues. “In addition, the back edge of the blade can utilise Wave Tech, which is designed for improved cutting efficiency by breaking through work-hardened layers.”

Finally, Gen-Tech offers an affordable price point to enable the transition from bi-metal to carbide bandsaw blades.

“New Gen-Tech carbide bandsaw blades provide versatility, long blade life and a low cost per cut,” confirms Fernandes. “Designed with end users in mind, these new blades deliver the performance and durability that tough industrial metal-cutting applications demand.”

For further information
www.lenoxtools.com

Bison reveals best-selling machines

Bison Machinery says that its two best-selling machines are, perhaps unsurprisingly, bandsaws, which feature in nearly every fabrication workshop. The company’s top-selling saws are easily the Bianco 280 M and 420 MS models, between them accounting for 60% of saw sales by volume.

Both of these machines are precision European-built models with a modern cast bow design produced to exacting standards. Bison regularly has customers coming back to update Bianco saws that were installed in the 1990s and 2000s. And even these part-exchange machines – after a refurbishment – will give further service to a company seeking a low-cost cutting solution.

As well as the 280 M pull-down and 420 MS automatic down-feed models, Bianco manufactures a full range of solutions from manual, through semi-automatic, to fully automatic mitring machines.

The Bianco 280 M pull-down bandsaw is pitched as ideal for those looking to graduate from noisy chop saws as they are accurate, easy to use and quiet cutting. With high capacity for the footprint, an easy pull-down action and inherent safety features, the 280 M mitres up to 60° with a positive stop at 0° and 45° for quick mitres and a scale for any angle between. A sturdy 27 mm blade width and carbide blade guides ensure accurate, perpendicular cuts every time within the life of the blade.

For those running out of capacity on a smaller machine or needing something to cope with a range of materials up to mid-size box and tube, along with smaller beams, the 420 MS is Bison’s recommendation. With all the precision-build features of the 280 M, the 420 MS sees the addition of a valved down-feed cylinder to control saw-frame descent.

For further information
www.bisonmachinery.co.uk

Smart Factory Innovation Hubs

The University of Sheffield’s AMRC will host two new Smart Factory Innovation Hubs as part of a pilot scheme to accelerate growth in the manufacturing sector through better use of digital technologies. Smart Factory Innovation Hubs are being led by the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and Made Smarter, which together constitute the UK’s manufacturing digitalisation movement. The project will see HVM Catapult’s network, which includes the AMRC and Nuclear AMRC, offer companies the opportunity to reduce the risk of implementing new digital manufacturing solutions within their businesses.

For further information www.hvm.catapult.org.uk/innovation-hubs

Virtual service support from Saws UK

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns have affected businesses in every industry. While some suffer more than others, almost all companies operating in the UK have had to adapt in order to serve their client base and survive in these difficult times.

Like many innovative and forward-thinking businesses, Saws UK has found ways to continue manufacturing, selling and supporting during lockdown periods. One of the company’s latest innovations is virtual service support. Allowing Saws UK to give customers the assistance they need, while keeping staff and clients safe, this offer is helping the company maintain its high standards of customer service during lockdown.

While Saws UK says that precise engineering and high quality standards are synonymous with its machines, they still require regular maintenance in order to keep them in top condition. Occasionally, when something goes wrong, machines may need repairs or servicing.

Virtual service support from Saws UK takes the form of online video tutorials. Designed to be easy to follow, the videos help a customer diagnose issues and rectify problems. There are already a number of support videos online at the Saws UK website that cover common repair and maintenance issues with some of the company’s most popular models. If the issue is not covered by one of the videos, Saws UK is inviting customers to get in touch, after which it will try and create a video that addresses the problem.

Alternatively, customers can call Saws UK team, which will talk through the steps needed to get the saw up and running. In many cases, this virtual support will help to reduce the cost of servicing and repairs.

For further information
www.sawsuk.com