The Rolls-Royce Precision Machining Facility in Derby is using a new UMC-5X five-axis machining centre from XYZ Machine Tools to bring in-house the manufacture of fixtures for intermediate-pressure turbine blades.Tool-room managerThomas McAllister says: “We chose the UMC-5X for its price-performance metrics and use it extensively for 3+2 machining. It providesus with accuracies of 10 µm.”

He continues: “The machining process requires compound angles and we typically braze supporting pads on each fixture, machining these to suit the individual blade. For the UMC-5X we specified: a Blum tool setter and RMP 600 Renishaw probe; the kinematics option on the control; and the linear roller system for the best area of contact and fastest axis travel. We manufacture about 40 complex fixtures each year. The UMC-5X will pay for itself in less than 12 months.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman is planning to increase production rates and repatriate aircraft production to its historic home in Bembridge, Isle of Wight. The move is a major change for the British SME, which has been manufacturing its aircraft in Eastern Europe since the late 1960s.Britten-Norman will invest in new jigs and tooling to create two additional production lines, andintroduce new sustainable energy initiatives.

In the coming months, the company will embark on a recruitment campaign, further boosting job creation in the UK’s Solent Local Enterprise Partnership area. The focus will include aircraft fitters and technicians, production engineering and supply chain roles. In addition, the expansion will create new traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities on the Isle of Wight and in south Hampshire.
For further information www.britten-norman.com

As the GM Group prepares for the official opening of its new facility in Oldham, the company has laid a further marker of its ambitious growth intentions with the appointment of a new regional sales manager. Joining the GM Group to drive sales of the Victor CNC range of machine tools, Mathew Bates is now regional sales manager for the northwest of England and Wales. Bates is a seasoned engineer with more than 30 years of industry experience.

GM Group director Nicola Howard says: “The Victor brand of machine tools is renowned for its build quality, performance, longevity and a diversity that caters for all applications, industry sectors and machine shops. We’re confident that Mathew will apply his industry expertise and build upon our already impressive market penetration in the area.”
For further information www.gm-cnc.com

One of the UK’s most successful industrial business support programmes comes to an end this month after helping the manufacturing sector to create or safeguard 12,435 jobs since 2016.The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), designed and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, will see funding from the European Regional Development Fund end and is now urging the Government and local authorities to ensure the quick placement of tailored advice for manufacturing SMEs.

MGP’s final report revealed that over 95% of companies surveyed expected their business to grow in the next five years after receiving support from the programme, with 63% identifying the development of new products as a key area. In addition, 63% said they had already seen an increase in turnover, while 52% cited improved productivity as the main outcome of support received.
For further information www.oxfordinnovationadvice.co.uk