Editor’s Pick

Keynote speakers announced

Advanced Engineering 2018, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham this week (31 October to 1 November), has announced keynote speakers including Jaguar Land Rover, Atkins, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the Aerospace Technology Institute, the Department for International Trade, BARA and Siemens.

This year, the show comprises six co-located zones: Aerospace Engineering; Composites Engineering; Automotive Engineering; Performance Metals; Connected Manufacturing; and Nuclear Engineering. Each zone will have a range of speakers talking about current topics, such as big data, Industry 4.0, space, Brexit, aircraft of the future, electrification and robotics.
Alison Willis, industrial divisional director at Easyfairs, organiser of Advanced Engineering, says: “We are delighted to announce our speakers for the 10th year of the show and are excited to hear their take on the challenges and successes of the industry over the past year. Our expert speakers and industry keynotes will stimulate lively discussions with insightful presentations.”
For further information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

A&M EDM showcases engineering

Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, recently visited precision engineering company A&M EDM in Smethwick, West Midlands to understand what drives growth and the issues facing a manufacturing SME.

The Business Secretary met some of A&M’s current and recent apprentices, speaking to individuals about their motivation to take up an apprenticeship, the work they undertake and the skills they are developing by working with experienced engineers. All of A&M’s apprentices study for academic engineering qualifications at Dudley College.
Mark Wingfield, managing director of A&M EDM, said: “We had an informed discussion with the Business Secretary on how the Industrial Strategy can accelerate West Midlands manufacturing and A&M’s initiative to develop its own apprentices.”
Added Clark: “The Industrial Strategy for the West Midlands will harness its distinctive strengths to unlock greater growth and earning power across the region’s cities and towns.”
A&M showcased engines and components manufactured for aerospace and automotive customers. In addition, Clark saw a new high-speed CNC machining centre and handheld alloy analyser in action; these were part funded by a Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) grant to create new manufacturing jobs.
The Business Secretary discussed the practical implementation of the Industrial Strategy with senior representatives of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Black Country LEP, Dudley College and the EEF.
A&M has grown from a two man start-up in 2002, to 67 staff and sales of over £6m in 2018. This has been achieved using EDM and CNC machining to design and manufacture precision components and tooling for a range of UK and international customers.
For further information www.amedm.co.uk

Grinding advances on show at AMB

The latest Kellenberger 100 concept cylindrical grinding machine featured alongside two Hardinge Super Precision turning and turn/grinding CNC centres on the Hardinge Inc stand at the recent AMB 2018 exhibition in Stuttgart.

Since its introduction in 2017, the Kellenberger 100 concept has been well received. While adopting a modular design, the machine makes use of technology from Kellenberger’s Vista and Vita machine ranges, the Tschudin T25, and the Jones & Shipman Ultramat CNC and Ultragrind 1000.
In terms of functionality, the 100 concept delivers a range of configuration options. Modular construction based on a common platform is designed to reduce machine build time yet accommodate numerous ‘standard’ options with an attractive price/performance ratio for the end user.
Three important features distinguish the new 100 machine series. First, a collision-free, compact wheel-head solution with integral motor spindles and a reinforced casing for larger wheel diameters when internal grinding. There is a choice of 10 wheel-head variations to ensure the optimal machine configuration based on the components to be processed.
Secondly, the enhancement of performance parameters. A higher grinding wheel drive power increases productivity while the newly designed Z guideway produces higher profile precision from the C axis, again enhancing precision when non-circular grinding.
Finally, the service-friendly machine concept. Kellenberger’s service teams were involved in the design and optimisation of the machine. This factor impacts on faster maintenance and service operations while optimum accessibility of maintenance-intensive components is assured.
Kellenberger machines feature the latest Fanuc 31i CNC controls with 19″ touch-screen guidance system on an operator friendly, intuitive touch-screen panel. An option is the newly designed cycle programming or workpiece-related graphic programming.
For further information www.jonesshipman.com

F1 team extends DMG Mori partnership

Formula One team Aston Martin Red Bull Racing has extended its innovation partnership with machine tool builder DMG Mori.

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The relationship between the pair has been in place since 2004, with DMG Mori becoming an ‘Innovation Partner’ in 2012. By the end of 2018 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s Milton Keynes manufacturing facility will feature 19 DMG Mori machines, with the addition of a DMU 40 eVo linear and a DMU 60 eVo linear this year.
The five-axis capability of the DMG Mori machines plays a crucial role in the efficient and accurate milling necessary to meet the demands of Formula One competition.
For further information www.dmgmori.com

Full metalworking solution at METALEX Vietnam

The 2018 edition of METALEX Vietnam is set to get underway in Ho Chi Minh City on 11-13 October.

Staged at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC), some 12,565 visitors attended last year’s show. METALEX Vietnam 2018 is where the manufacturing and supporting industries annually converge to discover effective metalworking solutions, product launches, critical business intelligence and collaborative partnerships for business growth in the emerging market of Vietnam. Some 500 brands of manufacturing technologies are expected to be displayed by exhibitors from 25 countries.
METALEX Vietnam will be co-located with NEPCOM Vietnam 2018. NEPCON Vietnam is ready to deliver a platform for electronics technology providers to meet the right buyers and engage in face-to-face business discussions on a large scale. As Vietnam’s only annual exhibition that focuses on SMT technology and electronic components, NEPCON Vietnam 2018 will attract industrialists and subcontractors in the target industry to come together and drive Vietnam’s electronics sector forward.
For further information www.metalexvietnam.com