THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

MTC to host National Manufacturing Summit

The third annual National Manufacturing Summit will focus on digital manufacturing and how to accelerate a digital revolution to transform the UK economy. Hosted in Coventry by the Manufacturing Technology Centre on 29-30 March, the hybrid event sponsored by Lloyds Bank will feature live, face-to-face presentations and discussions, as well as an interactive virtual audience.

Professor Chris White, director of the Industrial Policy Research Centre (IPRC) at Loughborough University, formed in collaboration with the MTC, says: “The agenda will be broad, engaging and interactive, covering a wide range of manufacturing issues. However, the over-arching theme will be the acceleration of digital manufacturing and the drive for productivity through digitalisation and automation.”
For further information www.nmsummit.co.uk

F1 team installs four SLA 3D printers

3D Systems is reporting that the BWT Alpine F1 Team has purchased four SLA 750 3D-printing systems to accelerate innovation and speed to track. Based at Enstone in Oxfordshire, the team made the decision to purchase the systems after it extensively tested the product in its beta phase. BWT Alpine F1 Team is currently using the SLA 750 systems and 3D Systems’ Accura Composite PIV material to build models for wind tunnel testing, including complex aerodynamic parts with pressure tappings, as well as small composite tools and high-temperature bonding jigs.

“We are very impressed with the depth of precision engineering that went into the development of 3D Systems’ SLA 750,” says Ben Mallock, deputy head of aerodynamics, BWT Alpine F1 Team. “We have a long-standing technical partnership with 3D Systems. With the SLA 750 we achieved the best part quality we’ve seen so far in the market with considerably improved productivity.Today we’re able to produce 25,000 additively manufactured parts each year.”
For further information www.3dsystems.com

Ergonomic bicycle assembly boosts productivity

At Rose Bikes in Bocholt, 120 different bicycle and e-bike models weighing between 5 and 28 kg are ergonomically manufactured on six flow lines with the help of flexible Bike Promobil assembly carts produced by Roemheld. The result of a joint development project between the two German companies, the cart is now available worldwide, including in the UKand Ireland through Roemheld UK.

A shortage of potential employees in the Bocholt area, near the Dutch border, prompted family-run Rose to look for a production solution to meet increasing demand for its products. Instead of producing on a conveyor belt, as is the case with other bicycle manufacturers, Rose chose the flow line option when it opened its new factory in 2020.

Stefan Strauss, production manager at Rose, says: “The conveyor belt is too inflexible and tends to stress employees. Flow line production is much more operator friendly, so it’s easier to find new staff and train them. Work should be fun. We don’t have anyone watching with a stopwatch and staff take turns at different stations to maintain their interest.”

Strauss originally wanted to design and build an assembly aid himself, but did not have enough time. So in 2020, Roemheld offered an early version of the cart, but it was too big, heavy, inflexible and expensive. A development partnership took shape to address these issues. One elegant idea was to hold the bike not by gripping on the frame but by placing an insert into the seat tube. Adapter sleeves accommodate different tube diameters on the various bike models, making the clamping process universal across the whole range. Rose Bikes now has 130 Bike Promobil assembly carts from Roemheld.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk

Sales manager appointment

Machine tool supplier TW Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC) has appointed Kasra Mehraky as its sales manager for the Midlands and southwest regions.With over 12 years of experience in the CNC machine tool industry, Mehraky brings with him a proven track record in a variety of market sectors, including automotive, aerospace, energy and medical. He started his career with CNC machine design and manufacturing and, over the years, has moved towards consultancy and sales. He will now promote Ward CNC’s wide portfolio of machines,including the Hyundai-Wia, Hartford, Soraluce, Takisawa and Hankook brands.
For further information www.wardcnc.com

MACH Machine Tools unveils knee-mill series

MACH Machine Tools, part of the Vigilance Group and a supplier of CNC andmanual machines, is introducing a range of flexible, high-productivity CNC knee mills, comprising the MACH MDS 700-4T and MACH MDS 900-4T models. Both are equipped with the three-axis DynaPath WinDelta control and feature integrated, four-station automatic tool changers positioned around their directly driven BT40 (5000 rpm) spindles. The machines come with large worktables (up to 1470x 320mm) that support loads up to 220kg.

The DynaPath control, available on all new CNC lathes, toolroom mills and machining centres from MACH Machine Tools, is one of the most widely used control systems in the world.Used extensively in the US and Far East for over 50 years, MACH Machine Tools says that the control is flexible, versatile and easy-to-use – providing customers with simple-to-understand navigation and operation screens, and accommodating ISO and conversational programming on the same platform.

With online CAD editing capabilities, semi-auto functions and DRO operation, as well as the ability to run programs of unlimited size, top-of-the-line dynamic motion control and the system’s revolutionary 24/7 remote diagnostic control – the company says that it is clear and understandable why the DynaPath control is becoming the preferred option for experienced and aspiring manufacturers.

Says Dave Andrew, managing director of the Vigilance Group:“Knee-mill technology has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years and we are at the head of these developments.Our MDS 700-4T and MDS 900-4T machines, equipped with the DynaPath control system and integrated tool changers, demonstrate that toolroom mills that deliver increased and improved productivity, flexibility and process efficiencies.”
For further information www.machmt.co.uk