THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

JLR to recruit 250 electrification jobs

JLR is recruiting 250 electrification engineers to work at its Gaydon and Whitley facilities. The roles will further propel the development of JLR’s next-generation 100% electric vehicles launching by 2030 under the company’s ‘Reimagine’ strategy. Within the 250 new roles, the car manufacturer is specifically recruiting over 40 battery engineering roles, working across disciplines that include advanced energy storage systems, battery cell design and cell stack assemblies.

The remaining roles span specialisms in propulsion, including propulsion software, calibration and controls, HV system integration, electrical system component design and more. Aspects of the roles will also focus on improving fast-charging experiences for JLR clients.

For further information www.jaguarlandrover.com

Alliance Tooling invests in Kafo machine

Alliance Tooling, an injection mould toolmaker based in Leicester, has added a new Kafo machining centre to its manufacturing facility. This latest acquisition marks the fourth Kafo machining centre purchased by Alliance Tooling, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to technological advancement and quality in the manufacture of graphite electrodes for mould making. Kafo machining centres are supplied and serviced by TDT Machine Tools.

Specifically tailored for the efficient production of graphite electrodes, Alliance Tooling’s new Kafo SCV-5 machining centre offers agility and a compact design, while also boasting a custom dust extraction device that guarantees the containment of particles during operation. This feature is instrumental in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness at Alliance Tooling, ensuring a safer and cleaner working environment.

For further information www.alliancetooling.co.uk

Renishaw inspires budding engineers

To help more young people get excited about engineering, Renishaw is supporting the Technology Club at Blue Coat CEVA Primary School in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. The sessions are run by Technology for Fun, enabling year-six students to experience hands-on engineering activities and build real working models that they then take home.

The club runs for one term each year, with every session supported by a Renishaw science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) ambassador.Technology for Fun is dedicated to inspiring young people about engineering. It offers fun, engaging STEM activities and resources including project books, class kits and teacher resources.

For further information www.renishaw.com

Good year for German machine tool exports

In 2023, the German machine tool industry sold machines including parts and accessories to the value of €9.5bn abroad, some 9% more than in 2022. “It means we’ve defended our title as world champion ahead of China and Japan,” says Dr Markus Heering, executive director of the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association). Within the triad of Europe, America and Asia, exports to America grew the fastest, increasing by 18%. The US purchased machines to the value of €1.4 billion, while Mexico also performed strongly. Indeed, exports to Mexico rose by 28%.

For further information www.vdw.de

World-unique forging research centre opens

The world’s most advanced research and innovation hot-forging platform opened on 21March at the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland. The new facility connects the $75bn global forging sector with the Scotland-based team and industry-scale testbed no matter where they are in the world.

Based in Renfrewshire, FutureForge is a world-unique platform for hot-forging innovation with advanced industry 4.0 capabilities that enables companies from overseas to connect in real-time with the AFRC remotely. FutureForge comprises: a tri-modal 2000 tonne press offering open-die, closed-die and isothermal forging capabilities; instantaneous data analytics;two furnaces;and a custom-built smart robotics manipulator arm.

For further information www.bit.ly/3vqwGvo