EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Hexagon invests $100m in Divergent

Hexagon AB, a specialist in digital-reality solutions combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies, has invested$100m in Divergent Technologies Inc, a pioneer of green manufacturing technologies with the first modular digital factory for the automotive industry.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Torrance, California, Divergent transforms car manufacturers into agile, design-driven organisations free from capex constraints. A tier-one supplier, its proprietary end-to-end solution is widely applicable to any structure-based, discrete manufacturing process and has already proven to meet the most demanding automotive and aerospace applications. The company holds over 500 patents.
For further information www.hexagon.com

Loop Technology becomes AMRC member

Automation and robotics specialist Loop Technology has become a member of the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), following collaborations on a number of key automation technology projects.Loop Technology specialises in industrial automation technology and undertakes projects aimed at high-value manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, automotive and renewable energy, aligning with the AMRC’s key strategic research areas.Over the past six years, Loop Technology has worked with the AMRC on various R&D programmes.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Sheffield Forgemasters partners WaldrichSiegen

Sheffield Forgemasters has signed a long-term partnership with machine tool supplier WaldrichSiegen for lifetime support of its proposed new machining facility.WaldrichSiegen will deliver a 10-year, through-life and production-support contract, plus the design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of 17 new machine tools to create highly accurate, complex machinedshapes from ultra-large steel castings and forgings. McDowell Machine Tools represents WaldrichSiegen in the UK.

The machining line will sit in a proposed new building at the company’s Brightside Lane site, and includes a series of large-scale, five-axis vertical turning lathesthat form part of a recapitalisation investment of up to £400mover 10 years. Scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2028, the machine line-up comprises: seven heavy-duty VTLs with 5-8m tables; three gantry mills with 6-16m turning capability; three RAM hydrostatic boring mills; three heavy-duty horizontal lathes with 24-27 m beds; and one gantry bandsaw.
For further information www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

Mills CNC reports strong sales growth

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions’ and Zayer machine tools in the UK and Ireland, and a supplier of industrial and collaborative robot automation, has reported that 2022, from both a sales performance and market share perspective, was another great year for the company. In fact, with final figures pending, it looks increasingly likely that it could be the best in the company’s history.

Says Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO:“We started 2022 strongly on the back of what was already a buoyant last quarter of 2021 – and maintained momentum throughout the year, especially with many component manufacturers taking advantage of the Government’s Super-Deduction tax scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. This helped to generate significant new business for us at the start, and throughout 2022.”
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Manufacturing output surges, reveals survey

UK manufacturers have seen output surge three times faster than orders in the last quarter, with business confidence indicators also starting to show the first signs of a more stable economic backdrop after years of global and domestic uncertainty. The findings come in the Q4 Manufacturing Outlooksurvey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO. According to Make UK, it is extremely rare for output to surge faster than orders to this degree. It last occurred when companies were stockpiling ahead of a potential ‘no deal’Brexit at the end of 2019. The survey gauged the responses of 303 companies.
For further information www.bit.ly/3NolK7e