EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

60th anniversary for metal-forming expert

Take equal parts engineering, entrepreneurship and business acumen. Then add the ability to anticipate market needs to complete the recipe for long-term success. For AP&T, an expert in metal and fibre forming solutions, this recipe has been working for 60 years, transforming three small workshops in the Swedish countryside into a global player. It all began with the founding of tool manufacturer VIBAB andpress manufacturer Lagan Press in 1964. TranemoHydraulmaskiner was formed in 1970. In 1989, the three firms merged as AP&T (Automation, Presses & Tooling) and set their sights on the international market.

More information www.aptgroup.com

Amada hosts sector-first event

Amada held a successful exhibition for the apprentices of its customers in a showcase dedicated to the education of future engineers. Believed to be the first event of its type in the sheet metal sector, the exhibition took place at the company’s UK Technical Centre in Kidderminster earlier this month. Hosting the event were Amada’s own apprentices, engaging on an equal footing with the apprentices of customers.

The informative, educational exhibition proved a complete success, with a total of 85 visiting apprentices in attendance. One company brought all 10 of its apprentices, three of which only started two days before the event.The structure of the exhibition provided visitors with the opportunity to attend technical presentations, watch machine demonstrations and participate in a Q&A session.

More information www.amada.eu

UK launch event for Optimizer

Vericut Optimizer is a new software solution that maximises the potential of CNC machining programs. While Optimizer is similar to Vericut’s existing Force module, the big difference is Optimizer’s stand-alone configuration. Machine shops do not require Vericut to take advantage of this major machining advance. The official launch will take place on 3 October (10:00-14:00) at the headquarters of Grob Machine Tools UK in Stratford-upon-Avon.

At the exclusive ‘lunch and learn’ event, Vericut is partnering with Grob UK and Seco Tools to demonstrate how Optimizer elevates machining performance and minimises costs. According to Vericut,its new Optimizer solution slashes machining cycle times and delivers up to 100% more tool life. It also captures detailed performance data.

More information https://bit.ly/3Xqk1Cz

UK metals sector makes call for minister

The metals sector has made an overwhelming call for a ‘Minister for Manufacturing’ to back its vital role in supporting jobs and the UK economy.More than 62% of companies who took part in the ‘State of the Metals Industry’ annual report called on the Government to introduce a dedicated political power to represent their interests in Whitehall, with more than half throwing their considerable weight behind the introduction of the elusive ‘Industrial Strategy’. Further findings reveal 68% of metals companies feel they are recruiting from a limited talent pool, while 58% find it difficult to attract new workers.

More information www.ukmetalscouncil.org

Around 80,000 expected at MAKTEK

The eight edition of MAKTEK Eurasia,a major international exhibition for metal-cuttingmachine Tools, metal-forming machinery, tooling,metrology, CADCAM software and many other manufacturing technologies will take place on 30 September to 5 October 2024. Taking place at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Centre in Istanbul, the show will provide access to the latest technologies, innovations, industry trends and co-operation opportunities.

The previous edition of this biennial exhibition in 2022 saw 1000 exhibitor span 14 halls across 120,000 m² of floor space. In total, nearly 80,000 visitors were in attendance. According to an organiser survey, nearly 62% attended the show to see new innovations, while almost 49% visited to make contact with new suppliers.

More information www.maktekfuari.com/en