Machine Shop Tops Out At Sheffield Forgemasters

Sheffield Forgemasters has marked an important milestone in the development of its 30,000 m² new machine shop with a topping out ceremony for the installation of the final steel roof beam. Attendees were invited to sign their names on the final roof beam before Sheffield Forgemasters’ longest serving machinist, Paul Haxton, and first year apprentice, Joe Garrett, were invited to tighten the ‘golden bolt’ to hold the beam in place.   

Gareth Barker, COO at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “Our new facility means we can bring together our years of expertise and investment in state-of-the-art machine tools to deliver incredible accuracies and improve our ability to innovate, making Sheffield Forgemasters more competitive on the world stage. For many of our machinists, this was the first time they had visited the new site, which will eventually be their new workplace.”

More information www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

Mitutoyo Helps Gnosjö Achieve Competitive Gain

Gnosjö Automatsvarvning, a family-owned manufacturer of precision turned parts in Småland, Sweden, has relied on Mitutoyo metrology solutions for more than three decades to support its demanding production environment. Founded in 1974, the company manufactures components for a wide range of industries, including automotive, with over half of its output exported worldwide.

“We machine bar from 4 to 80 mm diameter in batch sizes ranging from 50 to several million parts,” says CEO Linda Fransson.

The company purchased its first Mitutoyo measuring machine in 1992 and has continued investing in the latest metrology technologies. Today, its inspection equipment ranges from callipers and micrometres to advanced CMMs, contour measuring systems, surface roughness instruments and MeasurLink statistical process control software.

“Our operators carry out the verification because they know both the machines and the parts best, so ease of use and reliability are essential,” explains Fransson. “We’ve tried other suppliers over the years, but Mitutoyo consistently delivers the quality and complete solution we need.”

Among the company’s most important assets are two identical LEGEX CMMs from Mitutoyo, capable of measuring to an accuracy of 0.45 μm. Maintaining duplicate systems ensures production continues uninterrupted should one machine require service.

Inspection data is captured and stored through MeasurLink, allowing real-time monitoring of tool wear and production trends while ensuring every component is verified using a standardised measurement programme.

Close technical support is another key advantage, with Mitutoyo’s local office just 30 minutes away, providing rapid on-site assistance when required.

Looking ahead, Gnosjö Automatsvarvning plans to further modernise its inspection capabilities.

“We only see opportunities for our future cooperation,” concludes Fransson. “Our next step is faster verification supported by AI to make even smarter production decisions.”More information www.mitutoyo.eu

Six Manufacturers Join Bostin’ Hall Of Fame

Six manufacturing specialists are among the latest organisations to gain admittance into the Bostin’ Black Country Business ‘Hall of Fame’. A&M EDM, Alucast, Mercia Lifting Gear, Sherwood Stainless Steel, TC Morris and Zaun are representing the industrial heritage of the region as part of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s campaign designed to change perceptions and unpick the area’s hidden strengths. “Our latest intake of Bostin’ companies takes us to 42, with the region’s manufacturing expertise front and centre of the new alumni,” explains Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.More information www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/bostin

Key Appointment At QA Weld Tech

Express Engineering Group has appointed Neil Pentland as general manager and site director of its Teesside-based specialist welding and fabrication business, QA Weld Tech. Pentland will lead QA Weld Tech’s Middlesbrough site, with responsibility for overseeing complex fabrication projects, strengthening customer relationships and continued business development.

He will work closely with the established team and the wider Express Engineering Group to maintain quality, enhance project delivery and support long-term growth. Pentland will be supported by an experienced senior management team, including: Stewart Geary, operations manager; John Wilson, production manager; Adam Stockport, project delivery manager; Peter Blakey, quality manager; and Peter Harrison, senior welding engineer.More information www.qaweldtech.com

Hub For Large-Scale Robotic Additive Manufacturing

Designtech, Caracol and LAMÁQUINA are joining forces to establish Milan’s first permanent hub for robotic large-format additive manufacturing. The partnership brings together three complementary players, spanning innovation infrastructure, industrial-grade advanced manufacturing technology and design fabrication expertise. Together, the trio will build something that did not exist before in Italy: an operational LFAM environment embedded in the city’s architecture, construction, design and furniture sectors. The goal? To connect creative professionals with technologies, manufacturing capabilities and expertise.

More information www.thedesign.tech