EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Laser processes with AI intelligence

Machine tool manufacturer Trumpf and machine learning (ML) specialist SiMa.ai have
entered a strategic partnership for lasers with AI. Together, the companies are developing
AI chips and software to improve welding, cutting, marking and 3D printing processes. The
technology will drive more efficient laser applications that accelerate the production of
electric cars, for example.
Edge ML applications that run completely on SiMa.ai’s machine learning SoC (system on
chip) are said to see a tenfold increase in performance and energy efficiency, bringing higher
fidelity intelligence to ML use cases extending from computer vision to generative AI. At
Trumpf, approximately 90 worldwide are working on AI, primarily in product development.
More information www.trumpf.com

Offshore Wind Partnership

The National Composites Centre (NCC), Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) and Vestas have
established a strategic technology research partnership to anchor the UK’s future wind
industry. This enhanced, sustained collaboration will accelerate turbine blade technology
development necessary to propel the UK’s clean energy superpower ambitions and enable
supply chain resilience. The UK Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan estimates the
domestic economic opportunity for the sector to be worth up to £92bn by 2040. Key to
maximising market potential is advanced product and technology development.

More information www.nccuk.com

AMRC Training Centre Reaches Milestone

‘The premier league of engineering apprentice training’, ‘enabling enhanced productivity in
manufacturing’ and ‘an apprenticeship scheme worth every penny’ is what employers and
apprentices said about the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre as it celebrated a
decade of delivering apprenticeships and skills. The AMRC Training Centre brought together
apprentices, alumni, hard-working colleagues, key stakeholders and valued businesses to an
event highlighting the milestone. To date, the AMRC Training Centre has recruited more
than 2200 apprentices and worked with circa 400 different businesses.
More information www.amrctraining.co.uk

UK tube train production

Following an investment of up to €230m, Siemens Mobility is opening a UKtrain manufacturing facility as part of the company’s new Goole Rail Village on a site which spans 67 acres, the size of 35 football pitches. London Underground’s new Piccadilly Line trains will be assembled at the factory before they start entering passenger service from 2025. Overall, Siemens Mobility’s investment in the region will create up to 700 new jobs and an additional 1700 supply chain opportunities by 2030. The company is also investing up to €50m in a new facility (also in Goole) to assemble and overhaul train bogies. More information www.bit.ly/3Yo3fWF

Refurbished Tech Centre

Cutting and profiling technology specialist Kerf Developments hosted a successful open house at its Rochdale headquarters last month to celebrate the opening of its new technical and demonstration centre. The fully refurbished facility is where engineers can investigate the company’s complete range of profile cutting solutions, including fibrelaser, oxy-fuel, plasma and waterjet technologies. Expert advice and the ability to offer a full suite of technologies enables Kerf to determine the ‘best-fit’ solution based on customer requirements. Four new machines are permanently in-situ at the refurbished facility.

More information www.kerfdevelopments.com