Robo-Tend, the mobile machine-tool automation system from XYZ Machine Tools, will have its official customer launch at two events this month.

The first will be at the company’s headquarters in Burlescombe, Devon on 10 September, and be followed by a similar event at XYZ’s Nuneaton facility on 12 September. Key to Robot-Tend is said to be its ease of use and affordability. Robo-Tend can be used with any of XYZ’s Siemens controlled machining centres or turning centres, and can be relocated within the factory to wherever needed. The cost of Robo-Tend is calculated from just £2 per hour
Both events commence at 09:00 with coffee and bacon rolls, followed by an introduction to Robo-Tend from Nigel Atherton, managing director of XYZ Machine Tools, and Paul Stout, managing director of Adelphi Automation. A demonstration of Robo-Tend and a Q&A session will also take place. Space is limited at both events, so it is recommended to
book a place in advance.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Work-holding specialist Hainbuch UK, which is based in Cannock, has taken on its first ever apprentice: Jacob Machin from South Staffs College.

Following completion of his BTECH Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Engineering, Machin joins Hainbuch UK as an apprentice technical sales engineer.
“Similar to many companies in the engineering sector we recognised a need for succession planning in our workforce,” says Hainbuch UK’s managing director Nick Peter. “Our technical sales engineers are required to have a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of technical information in order to suggest the right product and application to customers, as well as solve complex problems. As a result, we required a young person who already had a grounding in the general principles of engineering in whom we could invest our time and energy into developing the required knowledge and skills for a long-term successful career with the company.”
For further information www.hainbuch.com

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry is to hold a free event aimed at helping business leaders make the right decisions when it comes to automating their factories.

The ‘Open Lab’ robotics and automation networking forum at the MTC on 18 September is designed for decision makers and end users who appreciate the need for robotics and automation, but are unsure of the best equipment to use, how to integrate it into their production lines, or how to measure the benefits.
End users, technology providers and suppliers are invited to the event, held under the auspices of the European-funded ROBOTT-NET project, of which the MTC is a partner. It is the fifth in a series of such events at the MTC. Anyone interested in registering for the event can do so via the web address below.
For further information www.the-mtc.org/openlab

In its 20th year of participation at the Formula Student (FS) competition, Brunel University London’s race team was supported by Renishaw.

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) expertise was contributed by Renishaw engineers to help Brunel Racing create a manifold part for the team’s BR-XX car, which was used to compete at FS-UK in Silverstone and FS-ATA in Italy, both in July.
Matthew Crouch, a mechanical engineering student and one of the managers of the Brunel Racing team, says: “Renishaw’s expertise and advice on how to design a part for the additive manufacturing process was invaluable. To design for AM, both overhangs could not be more than 55° from the vertical axis, and each part required smooth transitions of cross sectional thickness. AM proved itself to be a much more suitable manufacturing method than a traditional approach. The final part performs better in the car due to its increased strength, and we also had the benefit of reduced post processing.”
For further information www.renishaw.com

The 14th edition of UMEX, Asia’s largest expo for pre-owned machinery, is set to take place on 20-22 September at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India.

At last year’s event, some 468 exhibitors and 11,346 visitors (from 16 countries) attended, which set new standards in terms of footfall, as well as serious enquiries and business generation. The 2019 show is timely as India’s manufacturing sector recently recorded its strongest growth in three months, with PMI rising to 52.7.
UMEX has always been well connected to the European market through partnerships since its inception. For instance, the event is organised in co-operation with MTI, the leading magazine and website for used machinery and associated equipment. UMEX is thought to be the only event of its kind in Asia which focuses specifically on pre-owned industrial machinery, and this year will be co-located with five other exhibitions centring on different industry segments, helping to draw even more visitors to the venue.
For further information www.umexonline.com