The Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry will permanently implement flexible working – including a four-day week – following a large-scale, two-year trial which saw more than half of employees report higher productivity. The MTC’s 820 employees can now opt for a four-day week under the centre’s fully flexible working week initiative.

“We’ve been operating flexible working patterns since April 2018, but employee engagement surveys have shown that staff wanted to extend this further,” says Vicki Sanderson, HR director at the MTC. “We explored a range of options, including researching what was important for millennials and generation Z, as 79% of our workforce fall into these categories. Work-life balance was the priority.”
For further information www.the-mtc.org

The new Hainbuch System is said to be a ‘game changer’ for manufacturers seeking efficient and flexible work holding. This quick-change innovation allows manufacturers to clamp 1000 different workpieces without the need for a multitude of solutions. With the Hainbuch System, engineers now only need one basic clamping device, a chuck or a stationary chuck that remains on the machine tool. Whether it is OD, ID, prismatic components, jaw, magnetic or clamping between centres – the Hainbuch System provides a solution.

In short, the Hainbuch System is a new series of mandrels and adaptors that encompasses the complete range of Hainbuch products. This includes the TOPlus Premium chuck, which guarantees a runout of ≤5 μm without alignment, regardless of which clamping head is in use.

Also capable of working in harmony with the new Hainbuch System is the SpannTop mini chuck series. The Mando Adapt mandrel and corresponding jaw module already work perfectly with the new SpannTop mini, meaning complete autonomy for any small component clamping needs.

Unlike the SpannTop mini chuck, the configuration for the TOPlus system is a little different. Whereas the SpannTop uses an adaptor ring, the TOPlus system has a ring of attachment holes to secure the market-leading jaw module.

The SpannTop and TOPlus Mini series are available with a full through-bore plus a variety of standard lengths to suit all machine types and draw-tube configurations. For the customer, this range of possibilities gives flexibility with OD clamping via the clamping head and ID clamping with the mandrel-adapting Mando Adapt system, while complete jaw clamping can be accommodated with the new jaw-adapting module.
For further information www.hainbuch.com

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) and the Satellite Applications Catapult are partnering in a move that highlights an exciting future for the UK space industry. With the Government aiming to capture 10% of the sector by 2030, this new partnership marks an important development in establishing a national space supply chain for advanced manufacturing.

While the UK space sector currently generates around £16.5bn per annum, providing 47,000 jobs across 1293 different organisations, significant growth will be required to meet the Government’s ambitious target. Notably, there is a real need for the development of a comprehensive and advanced supply chain specialising in high-performance composites and additive manufacturing. The collaboration between DMC and the Catapult intends to kick-start these ambitions.
For further information www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com

A manufacturer of high-precision alloy engineering components, Doncasters, has acquired Uni-Pol, a global business specialising in the manufacture of superalloy cast parts. The acquisition places Doncasters among the largest manufacturers of high-precision alloy components in the global supply chain, enhancing the future for the group, its employees and customers.

“Some time ago, we identified Uni-Pol as a natural fit with the Doncasters group of businesses,” explains Mike Quinn, CEO of Doncasters. “The additional support from the group gives Uni-Pol extensive opportunities to develop its offering, while Doncasters will benefit from Uni-Pol’s additional expertise and technology. It also broadens Doncasters’ product offering, benefiting existing and new international customers, particularly those in Asia and South America.”
For further information www.doncasters.com

Wolverhampton-based 3D Tooling Technologies (3DT) is set to expand its operations following the acquisition of a new machine tool from Chester Machine Tools, facilitated by funding from Paragon SME Lending. The five-figure package will see the specialist in product and component prototype development, design and manufacturing expand the range of services now available to clients, including machining.

Chester Machine Tools supplied 3DT with a Chester VF1100 high-speed CNC machining centre. Discussing Paragon’s role in facilitating the deal, Graham Cherry, Chester Machine Tool’s CNC sales manager, says: “I’ve been involved in the machine tool space for many years and always had excellent experience working with Paragon. Its knowledge in this sector, together with its appetite and willingness to support Chester and our customers, has been a breath of fresh air.”
For further information www.paragonbankinggroup.co.uk