EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

WEC Group acquires Laser Profiles Ltd

WEC Group, the UK’s largest fabrication and contract manufacturing company, is acquiring Laser Profiles Ltd, a laser cutting specialist based near Bournemouth. Laser Profiles boasts an array of cutting-edge technology that includes an automated Trumpf fibre laser cutter for flat sheet and an Adige fibre laser cutter for tube. The company’s capabilities also extend to precision sheet metal fabrication and welding.

By joining forces with WEC Group, which already has 25 laser cutting machines, 23 press brakes, three waterjet cutters, high-definition plasma cutting machines, over 40 CNC machine tools, 13 robotic welding cells, and in-house powder coating and wet painting capabilities, Laser Profiles will gain access to enhanced technological resources and a much broader market reach.
More information www.wec-group.com

Mazak engineer wins drag bike race

A Yamazaki Mazak engineer made waves at Northampton’s Santa Pod Racers Club (SPRC)
drag bike racing circuit, securing first place in her fourth race of the season. Jas Cordelle, a
technical support engineer at Mazak, has progressed through the junior leagues, moving up
to the 850 class in 2022. Now in her third season at this level, Cordelle and her engineering
team have made further bike modifications to provide the power needed to compete at the
top. With a personal best of 7.26 seconds over a quarter of a mile, reaching a top speed of
178 mph, these changes are already starting to pay dividends.
More information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Heller UK celebrates 50th anniversary

Redditch-based Heller Machine Tools Ltd, a wholly owned daughter company of German
machine tool manufacturer Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH, is celebrating its 50th
anniversary this year. Both the parent company and the UK and Ireland subsidiary build
four- and five-axis horizontal machining centres. The UK site is a global competence centre
for turnkey projects and innovative manufacturing solutions.

Heller began its UK operations in 1974. Seven years later, a bespoke factory was built in
Redditch, with the company relocating in 1997 to a nearby facility capable of assembling
more than 200 machines per year. This assembly capability has since been extended to over
300 machines. Today, more than 150 employees work at the facility, which has seen
investment of more than £2m in recent years.
More information www.heller.biz

Immersive technology 

The next generation of engineering professionals are now training using the latest immersive technology following a £3m investment at Coventry University. The university’s College of Engineering Environment and Science has installed a Powerwall, which uses 3D immersive technology to help students better understand their mechanical designs and projects. It allows them to display and interact directly with a design on screen, zooming in to see it from all angles. This capability helps to expedite the development of prototypes and form a focal point for collaborative design sessions and discussions.

More information www.bit.ly/46PuSKw

RK partners with DCM

RK International Machine Tools has a new partnership with DCM Tech, a US-based grinding machine specialist. The collaboration will bring DCM Tech’s surface grinding machines to the UK and Irish markets, enhancing RK International’s capabilities and offerings. DCM Tech is known for its IG series surface grinders featuring user-friendly interface, variable speed spindle and table control, automatic down feed, automatic part detection, and closed-loop coolant filtration. “RK International’s extensive experience and commitment to customer satisfaction align perfectly with our values,” says DCM Tech’s president Jennifer Rutz.

More information www.rk-int.com