In-Comm Training, which operates three academies at Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shropshire, has launched a new campaign to ensure apprenticeships are protected as manufacturers seek ways of coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company is asking firms in the West Midlands to sign-up to its ‘Skills Pledge’, which will see them commit to supporting apprentices, raising the profile of vocational learning and ‘upskilling’ their workforces.
‘Powering the Engine’ will last for over a year and will ensure industry does not sacrifice the investment and time it has channelled into developing talent as manufacturers begin to restart production.
For further information www.in-comm.co.uk/skills-pledge

Basildon-based ESL Group recently became the first company in Europe to take delivery of Mitutoyo’s Crysta Apex V CNC CMM.

ESL Group quality engineer Dave Humphrey says: “We have used Mitutoyo CMMs for over 20 years and been very impressed with their ease and speed of use, as well as their reliability and accuracy. In addition, we always receive excellent service from Mitutoyo UK.
“Recently, we found the need to further increase our inspection capacity,” he adds. “Having installed a Mitutoyo Apex S CNC CMM less than two years ago, on contacting Mitutoyo UK it was interesting to hear about the technical improvements made to the new Mitutoyo Crysta Apex V CMM range.”
Although ESL Group considered that advances in areas such as software enhancements meant that the new CMM represented a further step forward for Mitutoyo, before committing to purchasing a Crysta Apex V machine, the company followed its normal commercial practice of considering the merits of other CMM brands in terms of their capabilities and price. As previously, the new Mitutoyo CMM proved to be the most attractive option and an order was placed.
“Our new Crysta Apex V and the existing Mitutoyo CMM are now located in our environmentally temperature-controlled quality department,” says Humphrey. “As the new machine is an evolution of its predecessor, it was easy for our three quality department staff to quickly become accustomed with its operation, and already they are able to swap from machine to machine with ease.”
The Mitutoyo CMMs have become the mainstays of quality provision at ESL Group, which uses them to perform first-off in-process and final inspection routines, and a multitude of other high-precision measuring and inspection tasks, such as the generation of full FAI and SPC reports.
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

In a bid to showcase inspirational stories from members of the Made in Group, the Backing Britain book will include a series of articles based on how manufacturers have demonstrated strength in a time of crisis.

As part of the Backing Britain Live 2020 digital events reported in last week’s issue of MTI magazine, the book will also showcase exhibiting members and information about each company.
The 100-page Backing Britain book will replace the quarterly magazine called the Made Mag, which is not currently being printed due to the situation with COVID-19. Scheduled to be available in August or September 2020, The Made in Group would like the book to include as many stories as possible from its members. CEO Jason Pitt says: “The book will be an opportunity to show the British spirit to the world and broader business community, and showcase some of our amazing companies.”
For further information www.backingbritain.com

The first customer to take advantage of XYZ Machine Tools’ offer of free loan machines to aid the fight against COVID-19 has taken delivery of its machine. The Midlands-based subcontractor needed additional turning capacity to assist with an order for respirator and oxygen regulator valves.

Having assessed the options, the user selected an XYZ320LTY turning centre with Y-axis and live tooling capability.
Delivery took place on 15 April, with commissioning and training completed the following day so that production could begin immediately. The offer of a completely free of charge loan machine is open to any business currently manufacturing components for any emergency medical equipment that will be used to assist the NHS at this
critical time. Subject to availability and suitability, the customer can choose any ex-stock model from XYZ Machine Tools.
For further information sales@xyzmachinetools.com

Haco, a manufacturer of machinery for processing sheet-metal components, is launching a range of affordable fibre laser cutting machines.

Complementing the company’s existing series of fully automated fibre-laser systems, the move ends a 30-year period of offering CO2 laser cutters. Availability in the UK is via subsidiary and Haco group member, Kingsland Engineering.
The HFL series is aimed at small and medium-sized companies looking to enter the fibre laser era. HFL machines offer a fully enclosed fibre laser cutting system, based on a rigid frame, with low-inertia moving parts to enable high acceleration and increased production output. A dual pallet exchange table further helps to maximise productivity, supported by short cycle times.
Haco’s HFL series offers a choice of fibre power from 2 to 12 kW, Precitech cutting heads and Beckhoff control systems. Cutting table dimensions are offered from 3000 x 1500 mm, to 8000 x 2500 mm.
The application of proven technology ensures a reliable and efficient investment, with performance levels to suit current and future production.
“The new Haco fibre lasers are a testament to our vision in offering innovative and high-quality products with the best price-to-quality ratio,” says Frank Havegeer, CEO of Haco Group.
According to the company, the HFL series is pitched as an ideal stepping stone for companies looking to expand their capabilities with a moderately priced, yet high performance, laser cutting machine.
For further information www.kingsland.com