Paignton-based CSS (Casting Support Systems) Group is having a year to remember with a visit to Buckingham Palace to collect a Queen’s Award for Enterprise and relocation to a purpose-built 60,000 sq ft factory. The relocation will see each of the three group company’s sharing the available space, with the toolmaking side of the business being the stand-out area for development.

With recent investment in new machining technology, the move involved relocating six machining centres from XYZ Machine Tools. CSS managing director James Head estimated that it would take three days per machine to complete the move. However, a concerted effort from XYZ’s machine movers and service engineers saw all six machines back in production, including laser calibration to within 6 µm/m, within seven days. Says Head: “It was an incredible effort by everyone concerned and, as a result of the prompt and efficient service, what we are now calling ‘XYZ alley’ was back machining parts in very quick time.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

The 18th edition of SteelFab (Sharjah, 9-12 January) will be the largest showcase of its kind in the region with the presence of leading global manufacturers. SteelFab will also feature a two-day conference where prominent industry names will present new technology and discuss the changing nature of the steel fabrication sector. The previous in January 2022 hosted more than 150 exhibitors, succeeding in attracting 6000 trade visitors from 42 countries.

Sultan Shattaf, sales and marketing director at Expo Centre Sharjah, says: “The primary demand drivers for the fabrication industry are core industries such as construction and oil and gas, but new and emerging sectors like aerospace and automotive are also triggering growth. Besides, advancements in the field of robotics and automation tools are emerging as another factor for the expansion of the metal fabrication market.”
For further information www.steelfabme.com

Stratasys, a specialist in polymer 3D printing solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the additive manufacturing materials business of Covestro AG. The acquisition will include: R&D facilities and activities; sales teams across Europe, the US and China; a portfolio of approximately 60 additive manufacturing materials; and an extensive IP portfolio comprised of hundreds of patents and patents pending. The purchase price is approximately €43m, plus additional inventory, less certain liabilities.

Covestro has been a key part of Stratasys’ third-party materials ecosystem, and the acquisition will benefit customers using multiple Stratasys 3D printing platforms, including its Origin P3, Neo stereolithography and H350 printers. Stratasys is already a distributor of Covestro’s Somos resins and they are already available for Neo and Origin One 3D printers.
For further information www.stratasys.com

With the industrial sector playing a key role in the biggest growth of the UAE economy in over a decade, there is a strong build-up for the region’s premier metalworking, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry. Besides economic growth and policy decisions, new industry developments too have put the spotlight on SteelFab, the region’s premier trade event, which has been anchoring the growth of the metalworking industry for the past two decades. Preparations are already underway and bookings and enquiries have started for the 18th edition of SteelFab, taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah on 9-12 January 2023.

According to UAE Central Bank’s Quarterly Economic Review 2022, the UAE economy grew by 8.2% in the first three months of this year and there is a high probability of stronger growth due to increased oil production and a government pledge to double the size of the manufacturing industry. Government initiatives and its move to continue investment in the industrial sector have already started bearing fruit, with more than 200 new factories going live last year alone.
For further information www.steelfabme.com