£90m to fire up UK aerospace

Around 1400 jobs across the UK will be secured thanks to nearly £90m of investment in aerospace manufacturing. The government/industry funding for five major projects through the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme aims to improve manufacturing within the aerospace sector, developing technology to make production lines quicker, more efficient and more cost-effective.

Minister for Business Paul Scully said: “This multi-million-pound cash injection will safeguard vital jobs and support the aerospace sector as it builds back stronger after the pandemic. Manufacturing is at the very heart of UK industry, and innovative processes will ensure that the country is at the forefront of global efforts as we develop technology that can power a green aviation revolution.”

For further information
www.gov.uk

Okamato is ‘go to’ grinder

Rotherham-based Go Tools Ltd has recently invested in two Okamoto ACC450AV precision surface and profile grinding machines from DF Precision Machinery, Okamoto’s UK distributor.

Technical director Steven Barrowcliff says: “To help prove the ACC450AV’s capabilities, I witnessed a demonstration of the machine performing a range of demanding grinding tasks. The grinder confirmed its suitability for our needs, and we were happy to place an order for two machines.

“After installation and operator training, the new Okamoto machines soon began to make a significant contribution to our surface and profile grinding work,” continues Barrowcliff. “In addition to high precision and surface finish, their ease of use and speed has resulted in the machines becoming popular with our grinding staff.

“High-standards of surface and profile grinding are critical to the quality of the tools that we manufacture, and these attributes are exactly what our Okamoto machines deliver. As we’ve been so impressed with our new Okamoto grinders, to help satisfy ever growing demand for our tools, we’re now planning to install two additional ACC450AV machines.”

The Okamoto ACC450AV precision surface and profile grinding machine, as purchased by Go Tools, provides a length capacity of 450 mm across travel of 170 mm, while the maximum grinding height between the machine’s table and grinding wheel is 357.5 mm. Standard equipment includes a micro cross-feeder that allows fast and simple change over from 0.02 to 0.001 mm graduations. A high-visibility cross-feed digital readout enables easy monitoring of all manual adjustments.

Okamoto’s variable speed wheel provides simple variable speed control of the grinding wheel, enabling it to match the material and surface-finish requirements of each workpiece.

For further information
www.dfpmach.com

New catalogues reflect greater choice

Two new catalogues are now available from XYZ Machine Tools, one covering milling/machining centres, the other featuring its turning range. The move to split the catalogues arrives from the growth in machine numbers now available from XYZ, along with a recognition that while some customers have requirements for milling and turning capability, many simply want one or the other.

XYZ’s new catalogues complement the detailed machine specifications available online and the support provided by the company’s nationwide team of area sales managers, along with its network of technical centres and showrooms for machine demonstrations and training. All of these factors means customers can easily access the information they need about any of the machines in the XYZ range to make an informed purchasing decision.

For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.co.uk

Machines & Controls selects KEB

KEB Automation has supplied a variety of drives and control equipment to a UK-based machine builder for use on special-purpose cutting machines for stone tiles and roof slates. KEB delivered a complete solution from a single source and provided engineering support all the way through the machine design and build process.

Based in Bridgnorth, Machines & Controls Ltd is a small, privately-owned business that designs and manufactures special-purpose machines. Managing director Alex Wilson says: “In 2018, we received an order for a stone façade cutting machine. The machine is a five-axis CNC saw that cuts stone tiles and cladding for buildings. Around the same time, we also received an order from another customer: for a pair of special-purpose cutting machines for roof slates.”

Both types of machine required a range of drives and control equipment and so Wilson conducted a thorough supplier evaluation. “In the end, I chose KEB Automation as they were able to provide all the drives, controllers, gear motors and HMIs from a single source, and were willing to provide engineering support through the machine design and build phases, which you don’t always get from other suppliers.

“On both machine projects, I was particularly impressed with KEB in terms of their technical capabilities and engineering support,” continues Wilson. “They’ve been very helpful and have always responded promptly when I’ve needed support on resolving any issues. I look forward to working with KEB on future machine projects.”

For further information
www.keb.co.uk

Fabricator benefits from Bianco bandsaw

A Bianco bandsaw and HSW steelworker from Selmach Machinery is providing multiple benefits for Next Generation Fabrications, based in Portsmouth.

Next Generation Fabrications specialises in steelwork, producing marine fabrication, domestic steel products – including gates, railings and balustrades – and architectural projects. The company has recently taken possession of a Bianco 420 MS bandsaw and a Morgan Rushworth HSW hydraulic steelworker from Selmach, and is in the process of buying a pair of rollers for the business.

“With the saw, we were just replacing our existing one with a bigger and better model,” explains Rob McDuff, director of Next Generation Fabrications. “However, with the steelworker – I’ve always wanted one, so when they offered me a really good deal on the two, I just went for it. The way I see it: it’s a good investment in your business.

“The majority of what we make is staircases, balustrades, structural beams – and even though we’re cutting ferrous and non-ferrous metals – the saw does it all,” adds McDuff. “In terms of machine selection, we just went for what Selmach recommended. I don’t know too much about it, so I trusted what they were saying we needed.

“The machines have saved us time and money, and I would say that they’re definitely worth the investment.”

McDuff is also impressed with the aftercare and service provided by Selmach.

“When the saw was delivered we had a small problem as I couldn’t figure something out, but Selmach went through everything and it’s fine now. They are there if you need their help and I would certainly recommend using Selmach.”

For further information
www.selmach.com