EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Hands-on 3D Printing Showcase

Made Smarter is putting 3D printing in the spotlight at an event designed to help manufacturers understand how 3D printing can deliver real-world impact for their business. Made Smarter – Discovering Additive Manufacturing, taking place on 28 January 2026, will bring together SME manufacturers, technology experts and academic specialists at the University of Lancashire’s Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) in Preston.

The agenda of the half-day event blends real business case studies, expert insight and hands-on demonstrations, giving manufacturers the opportunity to see additive manufacturing in action, ask questions and explore whether the technology could play a role in their own digital journey. It forms part of Made Smarter’s Digital Champions Network, a peer-to-peer forum for manufacturers at all stages of digital adoption.

More information www.bit.ly/49sTDzj

Kids Invent Stuff launching permanent exhibition

Kids Invent Stuff is establishing a new permanent interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) exhibition at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park Resort in Rotherham. Opening to the public in spring/summer 2026, the project is partly funded by Innovate UK, alongside strategic investment from Enginuity, which joins as a lead partner supporting the educational, skills development and industry focused impact of the exhibition. The move transitions the YouTube platform of Kids Invent Stuff into a permanent, physical visitor attraction, showcasing inventions by children aged 4 to 11.

More information www.kidsinventstuff.com

Combining MES with trusted cloud infrastructure

A partnership is launching that combines Critical Manufacturing’s advanced Manufacturing Execution System (MES) expertise with Canonical’s trusted cloud infrastructure technologies. Together, the companies will help manufacturers move towards cloud-native platforms that scale smoothly and meet industrial security expectations. Says Mark Lewis, VP of application services at Canonical: “By validating Critical Manufacturing MES on Canonical Kubernetes, we’re creating a foundation for manufacturers seeking secure, scalable deployment options across cloud, hybrid or on-premises environments.”

More information www.criticalmanufacturing.com

Made Smarter architect Alain Dilworth awarded MBE

Alain Dilworth, one of the original architects of the Made Smarter adoption programme, has been awarded an MBE for services to business growth and digitalisation in the King’s New Year Honours List. Dilworth has played a pivotal role in shaping and delivering Made Smarter since its inception in 2018, helping manufacturing SMEs adopt digital technologies, strengthen leadership capability and improve productivity. “This was completely unexpected and a lovely surprise, and I would like to thank His Majesty for bestowing this honour upon me,” he said.

More information www.madesmarter.uk

AME acquisition grows Mastercam global footprint

CADCAM software provider Mastercam (part of the Sandvik Group) has completed a strategic acquisition to strengthen its market presence across Sweden and Norway. The company has acquired Advanced Mechanical Engineering AB (AME) in Sweden. Serving as a trusted Mastercam channel partner in Sweden and Norway for over 30 years, AME delivers comprehensive CADCAM solutions and technical support to manufacturers. Following the acquisition, AME will be known as Mastercam Sverige, reinforcing Mastercam’s commitment to localised support and service.

More information www.mastercam.com