EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Starrag at MENE 2024

At the Manufacturing & Engineering North East (MENE) exhibition in Newcastle, Starrag will present a host of new technologies, many of which have not been seen previously in the UK. On 28 November on Stand 55, innovations from the Switzerland-headquartered machine tool manufacturer will include the new Dörries VT 28 vertical turning centre. Capable of machining components up to 17 tonnes with a maximum diameter of 2.8 m and a height of 2.65 m, the Dörries VT 28 is a multi-functional, high-precision and flexible vertical turning centre for everything from rough to finish machining in a single operation.

More information www.starrag.com

Unison offers Mackma tube benders

Unison Ltd, the inventor of all-electric tube manipulation, is now offering mandrel-free (empty bending) rotary draw tube and pipe bending machines from Mackma of Italy, alongside its own product range. “We recognise that not every company requires the absolute ‘minimal ovality’ or speed of production that mandrel bending provides,” explains joint managing director Alan Pickering. “For that reason, earlier this year we set about choosing a manufacturer of high-quality mandrel-free tube benders that we would be happy to represent through our UK and USA divisions, and our global agent network.”

More information www.unisonltd.com

Major casting process investment

Bridgnorth Aluminium has kickstarted a major investment drive in new technology as part of a long-term growth plan targeting new markets. The company, which employs more than 330 people, has seen sales increase by 33% in 2024 and is currently recruiting for another 10 roles. Bridgnorth Aluminium manufactures aluminium coils for use in lithographic printing plates, pharma and household foils for packaging, and battery foil stocks for electrification. The £1.6m investment will see the arrival of new molten metal filtration equipment required prior to the casting process.

More information https://bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk/

Autonomous process control white paper

Flexxbotics, a company delivering digital solutions for robot-driven manufacturing, is publishing a new white paper titled ‘Autonomous Process Control (APC) using Robots and Automated Inspection in Manufacturing’. The paper identifies the methodology and related technologies required for APC in the context of smart factory production robotics, a pivotal technology for achieving autonomous manufacturing. The paper also explains how improved non-conformance capture can reduce defects by over 30%, increase production yields between 25 and 45%, and reduce the cost of quality by 20% or more.

More information https://flexxboticsinc.com/1apcpr

AFRC announces 100th member

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has welcomed its 100th member with international aerospace specialist ATI Inc joining the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) as a tie-one member. It marks the start of a collaboration in advanced engineering and materials science that will support sustainable air travel.

Based in Dallas, Texas, ATI is a major producer of materials to global aircraft engine manufacturers. The company has over 100 years of experience in creating superalloys that withstand extreme heat, pressure and corrosion. Access to the AFRC’s FutureForge facility will support ATI with the development of next-generation materials and processes.

More information www.nmis.scot