A major new survey reveals that output volumes and orders are improving at UK manufacturers, while investment intentions are significantly better than the previous quarter. According to the latest survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO, Britain’s manufacturers are beginning to move through the gears as growth prospects become more positive for the rest of 2021.

While investment intentions remain negative, they are significantly up on the past few quarters, and Make UK hopes that the Budget announcement of a ‘super deduction’ tax break will provide a boost. In addition to upgrading its forecast for manufacturing, Make UK has slightly upgraded its GDP forecast for 2021 to 5.5%, from 5.4%. The survey of 314 companies took place between 27 January and 17 February.

The report is available at https://is.gd/nimova

Ford’s Dagenham engine plant will manufacture the latest advanced-technology diesel engines for the next-generation Ford Transit Custom range. Ford Otosan – Ford’s joint venture in Kocaeli, Turkey – will assemble the latest Ford Transit Custom range, beginning in early 2023. The announcement, with its anticipated incremental engine volumes, helps to safeguard jobs at Dagenham.

While Ford expects around two-thirds of its commercial vehicle sales in Europe to be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030, diesel will continue play an important role in commercial vehicle applications in the years ahead – especially as the total volumes of Ford Transit and Transit Custom sales continue to grow.

For further information www.ford.co.uk

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) is further expanding its partnership with Renishaw through the addition of connected metrology solutions. This new agreement is critical to the DMC’s on-site machining and inspection capabilities, delivered via precision engineering specialist Produmax. The partnership will see Produmax’s machining and inspection services linked into the DMC’s intelligent, connected process chain, making for a key element in the realisation of a true digital twin and the real-world application of Industry 4.0.

Equipped with a new DMG Mori DMU 60 eVo Linear five-axis machining centre, Produmax will utilise a Renishaw OMP600 optical probe in conjunction with NC-Checker and NC-PerfectPart software from Renishaw associate company MSP, to ensure machine capability and enable complex part alignment prior to machining. A Siemens controller will proactively adapt machining processes to the subtle variations in net-shape components made through additive manufacturing.

During machining, a Renishaw NC4+ Blue laser tool setter will help the DMC achieve the high levels of precision required to deliver the necessary tolerances and surface finishes. Produmax will then analyse the parts using a Renishaw Revo five-axis measurement system to certify quality.

Revo’s multi-sensor capability and high-performance scanning provide Produmax with non-contact and surface finish analysis in a single CMM. The CMM will come equipped with Renishaw’s five-axis tactile scanning and touch-trigger probe, surface-finish measurement tools (SFP2) and non-contact optical fringe probe (RFP). This suite of technology will give the DMC and Produmax the ability to carry out a variety of measurement tasks in a single datum system and in one operation.

Headquartered at Silverstone Park, the DMC aims to realise the disruptive potential of additive and connected manufacturing.

For further information
www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com\

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, is implementing a new digital marketing campaign to promote its recently-launched SYNERGi automated manufacturing cells. The campaign, which starts this month, kicks-off with a series of teaser/promotional ads for each of the company’s three standard SYNERGi systems: SYNERGi Premier, SYNERGi Classic and SYNERGi Sprint. Promotion will be via the company’s YouTube channel, as well as its e-marketing and social media programmes.

Says Mills CNC’s technical director Tony Dale: “We’ve invested significant time and resources in creating our SYNERGi automated manufacturing cells. As we emerge from the pandemic we know that automation – and the dramatic ways it can improve productivity, flexibility and operational efficiencies – is going to be an issue high on every component manufacturer’s agenda.”

For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Around 1400 jobs across the UK will be secured thanks to nearly £90m of investment in aerospace manufacturing. The government/industry funding for five major projects through the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme aims to improve manufacturing within the aerospace sector, developing technology to make production lines quicker, more efficient and more cost-effective.

Minister for Business Paul Scully said: “This multi-million-pound cash injection will safeguard vital jobs and support the aerospace sector as it builds back stronger after the pandemic. Manufacturing is at the very heart of UK industry, and innovative processes will ensure that the country is at the forefront of global efforts as we develop technology that can power a green aviation revolution.”

For further information
www.gov.uk