EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

College Invests in CNC Machines

Following its successful tender submission, MACH Machine Tools has fulfilled a contract to supply Gateshead College with four new CNC machine tools equipped with the DynaPath control. This latest machine tool investment is an integral part of a wider strategic modernisation and refurbishment programme, implemented by Gateshead College, to upgrade the machining capacity and capabilities of its engineering workshop.

The machines comprise a MACH MDS 900-4T toolroom mill, a MACH MDS 845-8T three-axis vertical machining centre, a MACH MDL 1600 flat-bed lathe with driven tooling and a recently-launched MACH MDS 202 slant-bed lathe. All four have been installed in a purpose-built, CNC-designated area within the revamped engineering workshop facility.More information www.machmt.co.uk

New deal will bring Medusa to life

A UK provider of robotic additive manufacturing systems has signed a new ‘outsourcing’ deal that will bring a world-first to market next year. In a match made in the southwest, Rapid Fusion and Applied Automation have expanded a two-year business partnership by agreeing to work in tandem to productionise Medusa – a UK-built large format hybrid 3D printer. It will see engineering teams from the two companies join forces to turn the ‘prototype’ into a machine ready for shop-floor use, with interest already coming from companies involved in the automotive, aerospace, medical and renewables sectors.

More information www.rapidfusion.co.uk

Toyota to build GR Corolla in UK

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) will begin production of the Toyota GR Corolla at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) from 2026. Preparations have been underway since 2024, when the team at TMUK and key suppliers were first informed about the project. Details related to the markets of sale, volumes and investment levels will be confirmed at a later date.

“We’re proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has been selected as the first overseas Toyota plant to produce GR vehicles in securing this expansion project for TGR worldwide,” says Yoshihiro Nakata, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe. “We really appreciate the historical support and recognition of the UK and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a ‘Best In Town’ company.” 

More information www.toyotauk.com

ZeroAvia Lands in Scotland  

ZeroAvia is set to build a major manufacturing facility for the production of its hydrogen-electric powertrains at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, close to Glasgow Airport in Renfrewshire. The ZeroAvia Hydrogen Centre of Excellence will support the company in a range of manufacturing operations relating to powertrain production and testing, and will also be the company’s primary location for the production of high-temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks and supporting systems. With nearly 3000 engine and component pre-orders agreed – corresponding to over $10bn in future revenue – ZeroAvia is advancing its production operations to meet demand.  

More information www.zeroavia.com

Custom lasers

Two manufacturers of laser technology, Trotec Laser and eurolaser, are combining their strengths by entering a sales partnership. The aim of this co-operation is to offer customers even more targeted advice and to provide optimally tailored system solutions based on the long-standing market experience of both companies. Trotec Laser and eurolaser have decades of expertise in the field of CO₂ laser processing. While Trotec impresses with a broad portfolio of systems for engraving, marking and cutting in small and medium formats, eurolaser specialises in large-format, precise cutting of non-metallic materials.

More information www.eurolaser.com