EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

New frontiers in composite part manufacture

CGTech, the developer of VERICUT verification, simulation and optimisation software, is announcing a reseller agreement with Bristol-based iCOMAT, pioneer of the first-ever defect-free tape-steering process for composite component production. The special worldwide arrangement will see iCOMAT sell and support a dedicated version of VERICUT VCP/VCS software in support of its patented manufacturing process for composites.

iCOMAT’s industrial cells comprise a proprietary tape-laying head mounted as an end effector to a state-of-the-art six-axis industrial robot arm, all located inside a safety cell. As part of this solution, programming and virtual simulation will come via a special version of VERICUT VCP (VERICUT Composites Programming)/VCS (VERICUT Composites Simulation) software complete with a new interface specifically for iCOMAT’s technology. iCOMAT will be the exclusive reseller of this software worldwide.
For further information www.cgtech.comwww.icomat.co.uk

Clearing sets student on path with F1 team

A Coventry University student is gearing up for a dream graduate position in Formula 1 after finding the perfect course through clearing.Titus Takyi Adarkwa, 22, will soon be playing a key role as part of former F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s team, having secured a graduate position in the quality department at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.

“I’ll be checking over the engines for Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s Formula One cars, ensuring there are no defects,” says Adarkwa.“I will also be involved in examining the power units and seeing how they can be improved. It feels a bit daunting to be part of a team that has the drivers’ lives in its hands.There’s a lot of pressure, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

It’s been quite a journey for Adarkwa, who back in 2019 was facing some difficult choices after just missing out on the grades he needed to take up two university offers.Despite the setback, he set about looking for alternative courses, eventually finding his way to a clearing open day at Coventry University. The rest, as they say, is history.

“I’d been doing a bit of research on different universities and knew from attending Warwick previously that there was another university close by that lots of people were visiting, so I decided to take a look at Coventry’s clearing open day,” he says.

During his studies at Coventry, Adarkwa founded the university’s Manufacturing Society and, as president, organised a special live taskmaster event at the Ellen Terry building.
Coventry University’s established links with Mercedes helped put Adarkwa in the frame for the graduate position.
For further informationwww.bit.ly/3LrzI7x

Digital switch will boost Omnitool production

Irvine-based Omnitool – a family-run precision engineering business working in the oil and gas, renewables and nuclear sectors – is boosting its production capacity and plans to expand into new markets, create new jobs and cut emissions following the introduction of new digital tools and expertise.With £188,000 funding support from Innovate UK, Omnitool is working with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) to develop the skills required to implement its digital upgrade. The business hopes that the move will see machine idle time cut in half and production capacity increased by 10%.
For further information www.bit.ly/44R55PL

Ward CNC names head of strategic sales

Following recent enhancements to the company’s sales,after-sales andservice teams, TW Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC) is appointing Phil Hopkins as itshead of strategic sales.
Hopkins started his career as a CNC machinist in the aerospace industry and developed into a production project engineer before moving into sales, where he has enjoyed a highly successful career. His main focus at Ward CNC will be selling and promoting the company’s Soraluce portfolio of machine tools and value-added services into existing markets, as well as identifying potential new applications and customers.
For further information www.wardcnc.com

SteelBuy hits £1m sales

SteelBuy, an easy-to-use online marketplace where businesses can buy and sell metals quickly and securely, has recorded over 300 transactions and £1m+ sales in revenue since it launched at the start of the year.Users from across the UK are leveraging the technology to achieve faster and more efficient deals for their mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium, with all the logistics and invoicing managed through the encrypted platform.Within seconds,sellers can post their material with product specifications, test certificates and price per tonne ready for consideration by potential buyers. All transactions are anonymous.
For further information www.steel-buy.com