The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) is making its way into the space industry, working with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) and TWI Ltd to bring the manufacture of space propellant tanks back to the UK.

In a two-year collaboration funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), the AFRC is using its expertise in forming and forging to advise Airbus DS on advanced manufacturing methods for the tanks.
Ways to make the design more efficient and economical will be explored, chiefly by producing the initial component at as near to net-shape as possible, substantially reducing machining time and the waste of expensive metals such as titanium. Formerly produced in the UK, Airbus DS currently purchases its fuel tanks from Germany or the US. Key to the project is bringing production back to the UK and sharing outputs with the wider supply chain.
For further information www.strath.ac.uk/research

The UK’s oldest manufacturer of firefighting vehicles – based in Batley – is readying itself for the biggest recruitment drive in its 54-year history, as the team prepares for its largest ever period of growth.

Established in 1965, firefighting and rescue vehicle specialist Angloco has already doubled production levels in the past 18 months, with 2017-18 turnover of £13m looking set to rocket to £25m by the end of 2020. But with the uplift showing no sign of slowing, the 90-strong team now needs at least another 12 employees by December 2019, with more vacancies undoubtedly on the horizon for the following year.
For further information www.angloco.co.uk

This year’s JobCrowd rankings sees Renishaw again ranked among the top three graduate schemes in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector.

The company is ranked second this year in its industry, and 45th in the top 100 companies for graduates across all UK sectors. The JobCrowd rankings are based on anonymous reviews from graduate employees at companies across the UK.
A total of 12 schemes are offered by Renishaw, which provide graduates with hands-on experience through a series of both rotational placements in different company divisions, as well as static schemes in key areas, ranging from electronics and manufacturing, to project co-ordination and software engineering. Applications for Renishaw’s 2020 graduate scheme begin in September 2019. The programme is open to graduates with a minimum 2:2 degree (or expected) in a relevant discipline.
For further information www.renishaw.com

Walter GB recently joined forces with work-holding specialist Schunk Intec to host a showcase of best-in-class five-axis aerospace machining at the Knowledge Transfer Centre in Sheffield.

An audience of aerospace production specialists learnt about how the latest tooling and work-holding innovations could bring substantial benefits to the machining of aluminium wing ribs. Furthermore, they were able to see the results for themselves in the adjacent ‘AMRC with Boeing Centre’ where a demonstration part was produced on a Starrag Ecospeed machine.
The sample wing rib – measuring 1500 mm long by 280 mm wide and 80 mm high, and with pockets up to 50 mm deep – was jointly designed by Walter and Schunk Intec to specifically show the ability of their tooling strategies and work-holding technology in overcoming these difficulties in a controlled manner.
For further information www.walter-tools.com

Heathrow has become the latest signatory to the UK Steel Charter, signalling its continued support for this vital strategic industry and maximising the opportunities for UK steel producers to supply the project.

The announcement follows public sector support from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and the Scottish and Welsh Governments. John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s chief executive says: “Heathrow expansion is an opportunity to deliver an economic boost for all the nations and regions of the UK, and supporting the steel industry is key to achieving that.”
For further information www.makeuk.org/about/uk-steel