EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Nano Dimension to buy Desktop Metal

Nano Dimension Ltdand Desktop Metal Inc have entered into an agreement under which the former will acquire all outstanding shares of the latter in an all-cash transaction. Ric Fulop, Desktop Metal’s co-founder and CEO, says: “We’re excited to bring together our pioneering, complementary product portfolios that will further enhance our ability to serve customers in high-growth industries with a more complete offering of digital manufacturing technologies. We look forward to working with Nano to join two great companies and their devoted teams that can serve our stakeholders to the maximum extent.”More information www.desktopmetal.com

Mazak declares BIEMH a major success

Strong levels of enquiries and a high visitor turnout have led Yamazaki Mazak and its Spanish representative Intermaher to declare the recent BIEMH trade show in Bilbao a major success.Mazak and Intermaher showcased five machines at the event, including the European-built CV5-500 five-axis machining centre and QTE-300 turning centre, both of which featured turnkey robot machine tending solutions at the exhibition.Stand visitors were particularly interested in the Integrex i-450H, one of the larger models from Mazak’s flagship multi-tasking range that combines turning and B-axis milling in one machine. 

More information www.mazakeu.co.uk

First 3D-printed defect-free tungsten parts

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee used electron-beam additive manufacturing to 3D-print the first defect-free tungsten parts with complex geometries. The accomplishment could have positive implications for clean-energy technologies such as fusion energy. 

In its pure form, tungsten is brittle at room temperature and shatterseasily. To counter this issue, ORNL researchers developed an electron-beam 3D-printer to deposit tungsten, layer by layer, into precise 3D shapes. The technology uses a magnetically directed stream of particles in a high-vacuum enclosure to melt and bind powder into a solidmetal object. The vacuum environment reduces foreign material contamination and residual stress formation.

More information www.ornl.gov

Global recertification for composites firm

Velocity Composites has been recertified for the AS9100D and AS9120B quality management standards across all three of its manufacturing sites in the UK and US. Matt Archer, chief commercial and compliance officer at Velocity Composites, says: “The continued certification reinforces our commitment to striving for zero defects and sustaining an exceptional service for our customers.”

Velocity Composites manufactures carbon fibre and ancillary material kits for use in the aerospace and associated industries. The company manages the end-to-end raw material supply chain and reduces the amount of material required by customers, as well as the associated waste.

More information www.velocity-composites.com

Automotive technician scoopsapprentice award

A young apprentice who thrives on ‘proving the doubters wrong’ has been named as the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year for the West Midlands.Magna Cosma Casting’s Marcelina Hrynkiewicz beat more than 120 peers to secure the honour in front of over 400 people at the In-Comm Training Awards in Birmingham.Judges praised her dedication and commitment to achieving personal and technical growth, as well as her natural leadership. Backed by main sponsor the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), the ceremony also sawEpson UK engineer Alexandru Paunescu achieve Most Improved Learner of the Year.

More informationwww.in-comm.co.uk