Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has supplied precision subcontract specialist RPS Precision Engineering with a new multi-tasking, twin-turret, twin-spindle turning centre. The machine, a Puma TT1800SY, is now operational at the company’s new 674 sq m facility in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.

As part of the investment package, Mills also supplied the TT1800SY turning centre with a servo-driven Hydrafeed MSV 110 bar feed, as well as a number of different-sized collet chucks and adaptors. In just a few short weeks the investment is already paying off with the TT1800SY having a positive impact on the company’s productivity and performance.

Says Michael Sirrell, owner and managing director: “The TT1800SY is a productivity powerhouse. It might appear small from the outside, but its twin-spindle, twin-turret configuration is helping us machine high-precision components quickly and accurately – in one hit. Furthermore, by integrating the machine with a servo-driven bar feeder, we’ve created an automated manufacturing cell that is both efficient and reliable, which we can run unattended during the day. It’s a real win-win situation for us.”

He adds: “In the near future, when we fully embrace lights-out operations and run the machine unattended overnight and over the weekends, the productivity benefits will be even more impressive.”

A significant percentage of parts at RPS are small and have short cycle times. Materials include hardened and mild steel, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass and plastics, while geometric tolerances are often in the realm of 0.002 mm.

The Fanuc controlled 65 mm bar capacity TT1800SY is equipped with a left and right spindle (both 26 kW/5000 rpm) and features a Y axis (±50 mm), driven tools (5.5 kW/5000 rpm) and an upper and a lower turret (12/24 position).

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

A consortium led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has secured £22.6m of funding for a five-year innovation initiative, the first for the Advanced Machinery & Productivity Institute (AMPI), which will be based in Rochdale. The provision of this funding has come through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund (SIPF).

AMPI will stimulate and support the rapid growth of the UK’s machinery manufacturing sector as it transitions to highly integrated digital solutions with sophisticated automated and autonomous robotic systems. The institute will enable invention, realise innovation, and increase the adoption of new machinery and robotics through UK equipment manufacturers. AMPI expects to grow the UK’s advanced machinery capability to a £2bn export capacity within 10 years, establishing over 30,000 high value manufacturing sector jobs in the process.

For further information
www.ampi.org.uk

ABB will acquire ASTI Mobile Robotics Group (ASTI), a global autonomous mobile robot (AMR) manufacturer with a broad portfolio across all major applications enabled by the company’s software suite. The move will expand ABB’s robotics and automation offer, ensuring it can offer a complete portfolio for the next generation of flexible automated solutions.

Founded in 1982, ASTI has its headquarters in Burgos, Spain and employs over 300 people in Spain, France and Germany. The company is majority owned by Veronica Pascual Boé, who is also CEO. Today, ASTI supports one of Europe’s largest installed fleets of AMRs and has a broad customer base in sectors such as automotive and pharmaceutical, across 20 countries. Since 2015 the company has enjoyed close to 30% growth annually and is targeting approximately $50m in revenue this year.

For further information www.astimobilerobotics.com

NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, is investing £750,000 into AME Group. The move will support further development of this product design and additive manufacturing (AM) specialist, including the recruitment of new staff and investment in new equipment.

Founder and now finance director of Sheffield-based AME Group, Ian Jones, says: “New technologies such as 3D printing have opened up new possibilities in product development and testing. As a result, the rapid prototyping market is expanding year on year. This new funding enables our team to support UK businesses with longer-term growth and their post-Covid bounce-back plans.”

For further information www.ame-group.co.uk

Delivering a single source manufacturing solution for aluminium castings is helping a Black Country foundry bounce back from the pandemic. Alucast, which employs nearly 100 people at its factory in Wednesbury, has secured a number of new wins with major carmakers thanks to its ability to provide simulation, casting, machining and the latest testing facilities.

The latter is now strengthened further with the company investing more than £200,000 into creating a specialist dye penetrant resource. A form of NDT, dye penetrant is used to assess structural vehicle components and other parts for cracks. This new line has been successfully operating for several months at Alucast, which is part of the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), where five employees are already fully trained.

For further information www.alucast.co.uk