Britain’s bid for the America’s Cup has led to Haas Automation being selected as the official machine tool supplier to Ineos Team UK, which is making an effort to bring the trophy back to Britain for the first time since the competition was established in 1851.

The Portsmouth-based team includes Sir Ben Ainslie as principal and skipper. Sir Ben will be hoping to achieve glory at the next edition of the America’s Cup in 2021, which will be contested in New Zealand.
Ineos says its decision to choose Haas was based on pedigree, performance and the ability to support the machines with its worldwide network. The team has invested in a Haas TM-1P tool-room mill and a Haas TL-1 tool-room lathe. Once the yacht’s development work has been completed in Portsmouth, the Haas machines will be put in a container and shipped to the other side of the world. James Leet, Haas director, says: “Haas has a tremendous track record within the marine industry on the south coast, and this association has become the jewel in the crown.”
For further information www.haas.co.uk

Children as young as nine got to grips with a number of technology-led activities last week when a special engineering club took place in Bridgnorth.

The Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) teamed up with Black Country Atelier (BCA) to offer an action-packed menu of activities spanning the entire five days. This included designing and making a programmable Tamagotchi-style pet, constructing wide bridges and tall skyscrapers, and the challenge of creating the best rocket car.
A total of 15 young people – aged between nine and 13 years old – were supported by MCMT staff/apprentices (and instructors from BCA) to come up with ideas, work with hand tools and access some of the best technology installed at the 36,000 sq ft facility. MCMT is equipped with over £3m of equipment across its dedicated fabrication, foundry, lathe, metrology, milling, robotics and vehicle trimming sections. There is also a CNC zone that houses three-axis and five-axis machining centres donated by the Engineering Technology Group.
For further information www.mcmt.co.uk

Continuing sales success has spurred EDM distributor Sodick Europe to create a new, architect-designed HQ in the Midlands.

The facility, located with easy access to the M40 and the wider Midlands motorway network, is due to open in mid-2019, and will be the central focus for the company’s chain of dealerships across Europe.
Sodick Europe, established 15 years ago as the European Division of Japanese corporation Sodick Co, now has a turnover of £45m, with 17 distributors serving more than 35 countries.
The new 45,000 sq ft HQ underscores the UK’s position as the heart of Sodick’s European organisation, and will act as the operational centre for sales, service and market support. Initially, 50 staff will be employed, with plans to triple that number within a couple of years
For further information www.sodick.org

Yamazaki Mazak UK has reaffirmed its commitment to the next generation of engineers by taking on 18 new apprentices in 2018.

The most recent intake of apprentices will start working at Mazak’s European Headquarters in Worcester next month, and will join the existing 48 apprentices who are currently training with the company. Since 2011, Mazak has successfully trained 109 apprentices, and the September intake will take this figure to 127.
The 18 apprentices who have been accepted on the 2018 training programme will be assigned to various departments, including production and business support. Five apprentices will be undertaking machining-related roles, three will be working in the sheet-metal department, six in mechanical roles, three in electrical, and one will join the Mazak’s Spindle Service Centre.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk