AE Show Expands ‘Enabling Innovation’

Following a record-breaking 2024 event, the annual engineering and manufacturing exhibition Advanced Engineering (Birmingham NEC, 29-30 October 2025) is expanding its ‘Enabling Innovation’ competition for 2025. The competition, open to start-ups and SMEs, provides a unique opportunity for companies to showcase their innovations. On the show’s second day, contestants will present their innovations on the main stage for judging by a panel of industry experts. The winner will receive a free full-sized stand at Advanced Engineering 2026, along with additional marketing opportunities throughout the year.

More information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

SW establishes subsidiary in India

German machine tool builder Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen (SW) has expanded its global footprint with the opening of a new subsidiary in Pune, India. The newly established subsidiary, Schwaebische Werkzeugmaschinen India Pvt Ltd, led by Rakesh Patel (pictured), will handle sales and service for the company’s CNC machining centres and automation solutions.

For the past 18 years, SW has successfully operated in India through local representatives.

The subsidiary is the next logical step for the company, providing its customers in India with service and sales in their home country. Pune was chosen deliberately as the location for the new site: the city is rapidly developing into a hub for industrial parks, hosting a wide range of suppliers and manufacturing companies.

More information www.sw.com

Metal-Forming Sector Readies for LAMIERA

As the reference exhibition for sheet metal forming, cutting and processing machines, LAMIERA will open the doors to its 23rd edition on 6-9 May at fieramilano rho. Promoted by UCIMU-Sistemi Per Produrre – the Italian machine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers’ association – LAMIERA is the only international event in Italy specifically dedicated to this industry.

Edition after edition, LAMIERA stands out as one of the most important trade fairs on the global scene. Visitors to the 2025 show will discover solutions for sheet metal, tubes, profiles, wires and structural metal processing and cutting, as well as presses, welding equipment, finishing solutions, tooling, accessories, and subcontracting services – all under one roof.

More information www.lamiera.net

Bentley Motors marks 25 years of AM

Bentley Motors is marking 25 years of additive manufacturing (AM) – widely known as 3D
printing – at its headquarters in Crewe, having invested significantly into its facility and
technologies in recent years. The journey, which began with a commitment to in-house 3D
printing to support the development of Bentley’s first generation Continental GT, has
evolved into a state-of-the-art facility that is home to 13 machines operating six different
technologies.
Originally housed in the oldest building at the Pyms Lane site – which is now undergoing a
transformation into the future assembly line for Bentley’s first BEV – the 3D printing facility
now has a home in the company’s new Engineering Technical Centre.
More information www.bentleymotors.com

Fully customised licence plate production line

With years of experience in the licence plate production line industry, HE-Machine is
committed to offering customised turnkey solutions to clients worldwide. A recent example
sees the precise collaboration of five machines: decoiler, straightener, automatic laminating
machine, servo feeder and gap-frame press. The implementation of this project has led to

the successfully optimisation of the production process, improving both efficiency and
product consistency.
The smooth unfolding of raw materials is crucial for the successful operation of a production
line. The HE-Machine decoiler handles various specifications of metal coils, ensuring stable
material unwinding.
Next, the straightener plays an essential role. Any bending or warping in the metal materials
during production can negatively impact the quality and accuracy of subsequent processes.
The straightener, designed for precision levelling, effectively eliminates these issues.
After straightening, the automatic laminating machine applies a protective film to the metal
surface, enhancing both durability and surface quality. The auto laminating process reduces
manual intervention, increasing production efficiency while ensuring uniform coating on
every licence plate.
As the production process moves forward, the servo feeder plays a crucial role in precisely
feeding the material into the next stage. Using a servo motor drive system, the servo feeder
ensures that the metal material is delivered accurately to the next process, ensuring smooth
progression in stamping, and other operations.
Finally, the gap-frame press provides the stamping force required for the production line.
Equipped with multiple mould sizes and a conveyor system, the press precisely performs the
stamping, minimising defects and ensuring the efficient production of high-quality licence
plates.
More information www.he-machine.com