EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

TIMTOS 2023 draws to close

TIMTOS 2023 concluded earlier this month, attracting over 45,000 visitors, including nearly 6000 international visitors from more than 100 countries. The online exhibition will continue to run until 6April and has already reached 7000 visitors from nearly 15 countries.This year’s TIMTOS was hailed as a tremendous success by major exhibitors such as FFG, Goodway, Takisawa, Heidenhain, HIWIN and Keyarrow. “Far beyond our expectations”; “we’ve taken enough orders at TIMTOS to keep the whole year busy”; and “TIMTOS 2023 is even more dynamic than pre-pandemic times”, they said.
For further information www.timtos.com.tw

ABB expandsrobotfactory

ABB is strengthening its commitment to one of its largest customer markets – the US – with construction starting on the expansion of its existing North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The project is expected to be complete in November 2023 and represents an investment of $20m, leading to the creation of 72 highly skilled new jobs.Close to 90% of robots delivered to customers in the US, Canada, Mexico and South America will soon be made at Auburn Hills. The plant utilises flexible, modular production cells that are digitally connected and networked.
For further information www.abb.com/robotics

AMRC helps caravan company embrace digital

A luxury touring caravan manufacturer from St Asaph is rolling forward thanks to the benefits of a digital transformation project.The Fifth Wheel Company is one of a number of Denbighshire businesses to benefit from R&D collaborations designed to boost digital support. Engineers from AMRC Cymru, part of the wider University of Sheffield AMRC innovation and research cluster, are collaborating with Denbighshire County Council as part of the digital transformation project. The focus of the work will centre on improving product development and manufacturing processes through smart technologies.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Trumpf to expand smart factory

Trumpf Group will add 55,800 sq ft to its production building for the manufacture of laser cutting, bending and welding machinery at Farmington, Connecticut. The project is part of ongoing recovery efforts related to damage sustained after an aircraft crashed into the production building in September of 2021. Trumpf will invest an estimated $40m into the project, which will include a smart factory that demonstrates advanced automated and connected precision sheet metal production. Completion is expected in May 2024.

“North America remains our most important business market outside of our domestic market in Germany,” says Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, CEO of the Trumpf Group. “This project is an important step toward the next generation of manufacturing for Trumpf and our customers across the United States.”
For further information www.trumpf.com

Museum exhibit features MTC apprentices

Two MTC Training apprentices feature in a permanent exhibit at London’s Science Museum that aims to promote STEM (science, technology and mathematics) subjects to youngsters. ‘Technology Makes it Happen’, features a video of MTC Training apprentices Kieran Bullivant and Evadney Enock, who have recently completed their advanced manufacturing apprenticeships. In the video, the pair talk about their training and the opportunities that have opened up to them as a result. The exhibition is scheduled to remain in place at the Science Museum for at least 10 years.
For further information www.the-mtc.org