A digital manufacturer of prototypes and low-volume production parts is using its 3D printing, CNC machining and injection moulding expertise to support the frontline fight against COVID-19. Protolabs, which employs over 450 people at its European headquarters in Telford, has played a key role in supporting Italian engineers in the conversion of ‘Easybreath’ snorkelling equipment into ventilator masks. KODAK Digital Still Camera
The 3D-printed ‘Charlotte’ valves are being rapidly produced and shipped direct to its customer Isinnova, which is producing kits that can be used to create a non-invasive ventilator mask that will help save lives. The company is also urgently working with a multiplexed molecular diagnostics specialist to produce a series of plastic cassettes that will help house a critical medical solution used in testing for COVID-19.
For further information www.protolabs.co.uk
Accujet, a small engineering company that specialises in profiling and fabrication, is becoming the go-to business for artists, sculptors and designers. Based in Upton, near Poole, Accujet has created art installations and sculptures that are on prominent display around the country. Well-known artists, including Luke Jerram, Tom Hiscocks and Stuart Semple, take their concepts to the team at Accujet, which turns them into reality. Ken Battrick, centre with an image of Salvador Dali, and some of his team of engineers
The company was set up 10 years ago by Ken Battrick, who had no idea that within a decade, a third of his growing business would be in the art and design sector. “I sold my house and bought a waterjet cutting machine; it was 2009 and the country was in recession,” he says. “I envisaged working as a subcontractor for other engineering firms and that’s how we started.”
The first art commission for Accujet then arrived from Dorset-based maze maker Adrian Fisher, and from then onwards the company’s reputation grew and it started to take on other art-related work – often at very short notice.
“I bought a second waterjet machine and hired another engineer who has experience in graphic design and 3D modelling,” says Battrick. “Later, we invested in our own laser-cutting machine and fabrication department.”
The company is now a team of seven and has taken over three units on the Upton Industrial Estate.
“Our art side of things is something we want to develop further,” says Battrick. “In engineering, you never really see the end product, but with art I can go and see a piece of work that we have made for an artist and be proud of it. Artists choose to work with us because we are able to understand their concepts and designs, and show enthusiasm for their work.”
For further information www.accujet.co.uk
Fabrication and CNC machining subcontractor Inishowen Engineering has increased the size of its production facility in County Donegal.
The move follows an €11m investment in a new 160,000 sq ft factory that opened on a 7-acre site in Drumfries, in early 2019. As part of the expansion programme, which started in April 2017, an extra €19m has been spent on machine tools, a pair of robotic welding stations, and finishing equipment, including shot blasting booths.
As well as the replacement of a CNC tube bender and a plasma cutting machine with more modern plant, and the purchase of another large machining centre, further machines introduced include a 12 x 2 m capacity, 6 kW flat-bed fibre laser cutter that arrived in 2018. This machine joined two 4 x 2 m capacity models of similar power installed in 2015 and 2017. All are BySprint Fiber models supplied by Bystronic UK.
The two smaller fibre laser cutting machines in Drumfries replaced models with 6 kW CO2 power sources, installed in 2007 and 2010. Michael McKinney, owner and managing director of Inishowen Engineering, reports that the former technology is five times as productive when processing 2 mm mild steel, cutting at 40 m/min. The advantage declines somewhat as sheet thickness increases – up to 12 mm is regularly cut – but the sheer speed of the fibre machines across all gauges only serves to underline the need for efficient, automated delivery of material to the point of cutting.
McKinney says: “The BySprint Fibers not only cut significantly faster, but cost less to service and run as there are no optics or need for assist gas, and electricity consumption is much lower. Moreover, greater reliability means we are confident in leaving the machines to run unattended overnight.”
For further information www.bystronic.co.uk
A specialist in prototyping and low-volume production for a host of high-end automotive OEM and tier-one manufacturers has invested in a new TruLaser 1030 Fiber from Trumpf, the first machine of its type to be installed in the UK.
The TruLaser 1030 Fiber has enabled Essex-based ASE Design & Development Ltd to bring in-house its previously outsourced requirements for 2D aluminium and stainless steel components, which it was not able to cut cost effectively on its ageing CO2 laser cutter from another supplier.
“Our previous CO2 laser was getting older, more inefficient and slower,” states director Andrew Easter. “Such was its performance that we were sending our 2D aluminium and stainless steel parts to third-party subcontractors.”
Frustrated with the situation, the company decided to research the market for a suitable alternative. As ASE already had a TruLaser Cell 3000 3D laser cutter, which had been successful at producing a host of five-axis components since its installation in 2017, Trumpf proved the supplier of preference.
“We did look at a new flat-bed laser from our previous supplier, but the TruLaser 1030 fiber was clearly the better machine,” says Easter.
Work at ASE typically falls within the 0.5 to 4 mm thickness range, usually from aluminium, stainless steel and mild steel. Grilles, bracketry and pressings are among the common types of components produced, typically in low-volume production quantities.
“Since installing the TruLaser 1030 fiber we have stopped putting our laser cutting out to subcontractors, which is a significant saving,” explains Easter. “What’s more, we are making major savings against our previous machine in terms of running costs, as we operate with compressed air as the assist gas where possible, particularly when cutting aluminium.”
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com
A major training provider has developed a new way of making sure apprentices are able to continue their learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. HK Technologies / In-Comm
In-Comm Training, which operates three technical academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, will be delivering all courses via a virtual platform, ensuring its 750 learners still have access to industry-experienced trainers and assessors when they need them most. The ambition is to make it ‘business as usual’ where the firm can, with individuals able to complete tasks online using Google Classrooms or Microsoft Teams.
For further information https://in-comm.co.uk/
