First apprentice at Hainbuch

Work-holding specialist Hainbuch UK, which is based in Cannock, has taken on its first ever apprentice: Jacob Machin from South Staffs College.

Following completion of his BTECH Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Engineering, Machin joins Hainbuch UK as an apprentice technical sales engineer.
“Similar to many companies in the engineering sector we recognised a need for succession planning in our workforce,” says Hainbuch UK’s managing director Nick Peter. “Our technical sales engineers are required to have a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of technical information in order to suggest the right product and application to customers, as well as solve complex problems. As a result, we required a young person who already had a grounding in the general principles of engineering in whom we could invest our time and energy into developing the required knowledge and skills for a long-term successful career with the company.”
For further information www.hainbuch.com

AFRC makes move into space industry

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) is making its way into the space industry, working with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) and TWI Ltd to bring the manufacture of space propellant tanks back to the UK.

In a two-year collaboration funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), the AFRC is using its expertise in forming and forging to advise Airbus DS on advanced manufacturing methods for the tanks.
Ways to make the design more efficient and economical will be explored, chiefly by producing the initial component at as near to net-shape as possible, substantially reducing machining time and the waste of expensive metals such as titanium. Formerly produced in the UK, Airbus DS currently purchases its fuel tanks from Germany or the US. Key to the project is bringing production back to the UK and sharing outputs with the wider supply chain.
For further information www.strath.ac.uk/research

Expansion at Angloco

The UK’s oldest manufacturer of firefighting vehicles – based in Batley – is readying itself for the biggest recruitment drive in its 54-year history, as the team prepares for its largest ever period of growth.

Established in 1965, firefighting and rescue vehicle specialist Angloco has already doubled production levels in the past 18 months, with 2017-18 turnover of £13m looking set to rocket to £25m by the end of 2020. But with the uplift showing no sign of slowing, the 90-strong team now needs at least another 12 employees by December 2019, with more vacancies undoubtedly on the horizon for the following year.
For further information www.angloco.co.uk

Parting-off system available from Floyd

The Evocut-Line parting system has been introduced to the UK market by Floyd Automatic Tooling. This parting and grooving product from Switzerland-based Applitec incorporates a compact design, simplified insert changeovers and compatibility with platen-type tooling configurations. According to Floyd Automatic, the system is suited to use in compact work envelopes, such as those found in sliding-head turning centres.

Evocut-Line is available with the H series monobloc tool holder, the H Jet series with integrated through-coolant supply, and the HK, HK-RS, HUK and HM designation of parting-off blades. Applitec’s Evocut HK series is a generic parting-off blade, whereas the HK-RS incorporates a recess for sub-spindle access. HUK blades have been designed for upside-down parting, while the HM is a short-length, modular-blade system.
The H-series and H Jet series tool holders are available with 10, 12, 16 and 20 mm square shanks to accommodate everything from compact tool platens in sliding-head turning centres, through to more robust fixed-head machine tooling platforms.
Applitec’s Evocut-Line is offered in four insert widths of 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 mm that are capable of machining up to a maximum 44 mm depth of cut. These ET15, ET20, ET30 and ET40 designations are available with Applitec’s U, J, T and A-style geometries that are said to improve speeds, feeds, material removal flow and surface finishes, while catering to the specific characteristics of various material types, including stainless steel, carbon and alloy steel, titanium, aluminium alloy, copper, bronze, and plastics.
The respective insert dimensions and geometries are available with no fewer than six grades, which include PVD and CVD-coated inserts, as well as uncoated grades for non-ferrous materials. An option is available for high-pressure coolant delivery.
For further information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Reseller agreements

Dreambird says that three new Hexagon Production Software resellers were acquired to represent the solutions in Russia and Central Asia. During the current quarter of 2019, reseller agreements were signed with Finval, Glanol and Alcor.

Dreambird is constantly working towards expanding its reseller network, looking to increase Hexagon Production Software’s presence in CIS markets and inform users about the benefits and possibilities of the products for manufacturing.
For further information www.dreambird.eu