The High Value Manufacturing Catapult is helping SMEs slash energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions with its new Manufacturing Energy Toolkit.A pilot by the innovation centre at WMG industrial (part of the HVM Catapult) resulted in SMEs saving on average 21% of their energy costs, achieving as much as 90% energy savings on a single machine. The toolkit is a guided assessment or road-mapping process undertaken by HVM Catapult experts. The aim is to build a full understanding of an SME’s energy usage and energy sources in production, as well as potential efficiency-boosting solutions.
For further information www.bit.ly/48FMWHG

Unison Ltd, the UK-based inventor of all-electric tube manipulation, has acquired Dorking-based wire and small tube bending machinery maker, Pneuform, for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition paves the way for Unison to become a key provider of machinery to the international wire bending and coil forming sectors.

“We’ve known the team at Pneuform for many years and are hugely impressed by their product range, extensive knowledge of wire-forming technologies and high levels of customer care,” says Unison’sjoint managing director Alan Pickering. “In welcoming Pneuform to the Unison family, we look forward to enhancing their machine tool range with our advanced, user-friendly control systems and simulation software.”
For further information https://pneuform.com

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) has appointed Deacon in the newly created role of prismatic product manager, recognising the importance of supporting customers that encounter the challenges of everything from three to complex five-axis milling. Deacon will provide advice on innovative machining solutions, creative programming and machining strategies, strategic work-holding technologies, and automation solutions. Over the past 30 years, he has worked as a senior application engineer, product manager, key account project manager and sales manager for prestigious machine tool brands.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Sliding-head lathe manufacturer Star GB is hosting an open house on 7-9 November 2023 at its Technology Centre in Derby. Visitors will experience an educational event featuring the latest innovations, expert knowledge and industry updates. Star GB will perform live machining demonstrations across its range and deliver the UK premiere of the Star SP-23 sliding-head lathe following its worldwide debut at EMO in Hanover last month. The company will also preview its latest fixed-headstock lathe, the SK-51 Type A. This slant-bed machine is equipped with twin 12-station turrets and the FANUC iHMI control.
For further information www.stargb.com/open

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions and Zayer machine tools in the UK and Ireland, will showcase a DN Solutions SMX 2100S mill-turn machine at Seco Tools’ Inspiration through Innovation Aerospace event taking place this week (11-12 October). The 8” chuck, FANUC-controlled SMX 2100S featuring opposing 22 kW/5000 rpm spindles, 12,000 rpm B-axis milling head, 40-tool position ATC, integrated thermal compensation and a 12/24-position lower turret is a capable of producing complex, precision parts in one hit.

To illustrate this claim, the SMX 2100S will be machining an aerospace impeller featuring an axial hub with numerous overlapping and twisted blades and splitters attached. Mills CNC will make the impeller from an EN8 carbon steel billet with final dimensions of approximately 165 mm (long) and 220 mm (diameter).
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk