THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Apprentices on track at UK Metals Expo

A UK manufacturer of flat rolled aluminium coils showcased the talents of its budding engineers at last month’s UK Metals Expo in Birmingham. Oliver Greenhalgh and Sam Foster, first year apprentices at Bridgnorth Aluminium (BAL), impressed visitors to the sector’s biggest exhibition with the way they designed and manufactured a steam train out of scrap metal.

The two trainee mechanical engineers spent 20 hours of their own time developing the aluminium model, which was displayed at both the BAL stand and the Café De Arts area next to the Olympic Torch used in London 2012. The steam train is a tribute to the Severn Valley Railway which runs from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. Bridgnorth Aluminium took on another three apprentices on in September, taking its total to 13.

More information www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk

JLR invests £500m

JLR is investing £500m investment to transform its historic Halewood facility and support
the parallel production of electric vehicles (EVs) alongside existing combustion and hybrid
models. Originally built in 1963 to produce the Ford Anglia, Halewood is being transformed
for the electric era. The historic plant has been fitted with technology that includes new EV

build lines, 750 autonomous robots, ADAS calibration rigs, laser alignment technology for
perfect part fitment and the latest cloud-based digital plant management systems to create
the ‘factory of the future’.
More information www.jaguarlandrover.com

X-Pro joins Mapal Group

The Mapal Group has acquired X-Pro Srl, an Italian specialist in fixture design and manufacture. Mapal has been working successfully with X-Pro in the Italian market for several years. Claudio Gabos, chief sales officer at Mapal Group, says: “We are convinced that the acquisition of X-Pro will enable us to tap additional market potential – even in these challenging times – and generate momentum for further development.”X-Pro was founded in 2001 in Bologna and employs around 35 people. Stefano Vitali will continue in his role as managing director and remain in charge of the company.

More information www.mapal.com

Advanced Engineering names speakers

Advanced Engineering 2024, a leading annual exhibition for the engineering and manufacturing sectors, has announced this year’s keynote speakers. The six industry leaders — and 150 plus other speakers — will share their expertise and insights on critical industry issues during talks across several different forums. The two-day show takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on 30 and 31 October.

The keynote speakers include: Brian Holliday, head of Siemens Digital Industries for the UK and Ireland; Matthew Atkinson, lead research engineer at Jaguar Land Rover; Shaun Harris CBE, director of support and chief engineer at the Royal Air Force; Solange Baena, UK lead for the aviation environmental roadmap at Airbus; Leonie Moffat, laser radar sales account manager at Nikon; and Stefan Lawrenson,senior polymer chemist at Scott Bader.

More information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

Colchester to host open house

Colchester Machine Tool Solutions will host its next open house event on 6-7 November at the company’s European Technology Centre in Elland, West Yorkshire. Running between 07:30 and 15:00 on both days, this multi-axis machining event will showcase the company’s latest CNC machine offerings, including the all-new Tornado sub-spindle turning centre with Y-axis machining and Bridgeport five-axis VMCs.

The five-axis single-hit machining of the Tornado SL25 MSY allows manufacturers to complete complex components with high levels of efficiency. By automatically transferring the workpiece from the main spindle to the sub-spindle, the machine ensures seamless turning, milling and drilling on both sides of the component, reducing cycle times.

More information www.colchester.co.uk