EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

IPercept Raises $16.5m Funds to Redefine CNC Service 

Stockholm-based IPercept has raised a $16.5m to redefine CNC-specialised industrial service in Europe and the USA. The round was co-led by Isogon Ventures and 2150. The company’s existing investors – Luminar Ventures, RunwayFBU, J12 Ventures and AI.Fund – all participated. IPercept’s patented plug-and-play MRI for CNC machines unlocks scalable data, so operators can now see inside critical machinery at a component-level like never before. It essentially enables CNC machine tools to report their own mechanical condition. With this funding, IPercept will scale its operations, grow partnerships and extend its data platform. 

More information www.ipercept.io 

Nasmyth Secures Air Inlet Manifold Contract for Coolbrook

Nasmyth has been awarded the first Air Inlet Manifold contract by Coolbrook for its pioneering RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) technology, marking an important new programme for Nasmyth within the industrial and energy sectors. The contract follows several months of close collaboration between the two companies and will see Nasmyth produce a key element of the RDH system. It provides Nasmyth with an opportunity to apply its established precision engineering, fabrication and extensive manufacturing expertise to this fast-growing multi-million pound market. 

More information www.nasmyth.com 

Made Smarter Teams Up With Toyota

Made Smarter South East, the Government-backed technology adoption programme, has teamed up with the Toyota Lean Management Centre (TLMC) to bring manufacturing and continuous improvement expertise directly to SME factory floors. Together the organisations have developed a two-day programme tailored to SMEs, helping manufacturers improve processes, eliminate waste and boost productivity before investing in new technology. 

The programme was successfully piloted in Buckinghamshire, bringing together 14 manufacturers hosted at Ercol in Princes Risborough factory. Day one combined expert-led workshops and practical exercises with a factory tour, while day two took the learning directly into selected businesses. 

More information www.tinyurl.com/4zxthect 

Rolls-Royce Invests £300m in UK Facilities

Rolls-Royce is making a landmark £300m investment in its manufacturing and engineering facilities across the UK. The investment reinforces the company’s commitment to the UK’s manufacturing ecosystem, laying the groundwork for further growth across its global civil aerospace and defence businesses. The funding includes £140m for its Derby plant, £90m for Bristol, £43m for Inchinnan, £19m for Rotherham and £5m for Ansty.  

Rolls-Royce has invested more than £3bn in the UK since the start of its transformation programme in 2023. Across the country, the company has been investing in R&D and cutting-edge engineering programmes, alongside upgrading its facilities. This new investment will ensure Rolls-Royce’s UK infrastructure can meet manufacturing demand and support the development of future aerospace programmes.  

More information www.rolls-royce.com 

Hexagon Completes Acquisition of ZG Technology

Metrology solutions provider Hexagon has acquired the remaining 49% of Wuhan ZG Automation Technology (ZG Technology), bringing its ownership of the Wuhan-based 3D scanning specialist to 100%. Hexagon acquired a 51% majority stake in August 2021 and has consolidated ZG within its Manufacturing Intelligence business area since that time. Founded in 2014, ZG develops handheld 3D scanning technology, with a portfolio developed in-house and supported by its own software copyrights and patents. Its scanners are used for quality inspection, reverse engineering and the digitisation of complex parts. 

More information www.hexagon.com