The AMRC has joined forces with a UK technology start-up and a global engineering giant in a transatlantic bid to disrupt the $3bn metal additive manufacture (AM) market by using AI and robotics to carry out the otherwise labour-intensive removal of support structures.

Project SALSA (Separation of Additive-Layer Supports by Automation) will see the development of a tool that will use robotics and machine vision to detect and remove supports from metal-additive parts. Led by Bristol-based Additive Automations, SALSA also involves Renishaw Canada, the National Research Council Canada (NRCC) and the AMRC.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

A manufacturer of visual inspection and measurement technologies, Vision Engineering, has sold over 20,000 Mantis microscope products in the past five years.

The Mantis ‘eyepiece-less’ stereo microscope is said to offer high levels of optical performance with magnification options up to 20x, making it a desirable alternative to more traditional inspection stereo microscopes. Vision Engineering’s Mantis was first introduced in 1994. Today, the microscope is still Vision Engineering’s most successful and popular product range, and now comprises Mantis Compact, Mantis Elite and Mantis Elite-Cam HD.
For further information www.visioneng.com

Electro-mechanical repair specialist Rotamec has opened a facility in Pontypool, Wales, to provide localised 24/7 maintenance and repair support to operators of engineered equipment.

The new facility has a high capacity to meet demanding or time-sensitive projects, thus ensuring that customers benefit from Rotamec’s expertise in rotating equipment, motor repairs, parts sourcing, gearbox repairs and additional services, which include machining and pump testing.
For further information https://rotamec.com/

Aqueous parts cleaning and degreasing specialist MecWash Systems will be exhibiting its latest technology at three major UK industry events in 2020.

Southern Manufacturing will return to Farnborough on 11-13 February, where from stand J230 MecWash will be running demonstrations of its Duo aqueous component cleaning machine. Next up will be the National Fluid Power Centre industry open day on 19 February in Worksop, before MecWash attends MACH 2020, which will be held at the NEC on 20-24 April. MecWash will be at stand 18-114, demonstrating both the Duo and an MWX400 parts-washing system.
For further information www.mecwash.com

A UK provider of engineering solutions is celebrating a major birthday in style after announcing a £1m boost in sales and creating 11 new jobs.

Deritend Group, which looks after the repair and replacement of electric motors, pumps, gearboxes, electronic controls and induction equipment, is 121 years-old in 2019 and has marked the anniversary with a string of new contracts. Today, the company employs 110 people across four locations in the Black Country, Luton and Middlesbrough and, thanks to the clutch of recent wins, is on course to post £11m annual sales.
A fully equipped fabrication operation in Middlesbrough and a skilled team of engineers located strategically across the UK supports customers ranging from Severn Trent/Thames Water and JCB, to British Steel and Mondelez International, which owns Cadbury. Over £750,000 has been invested in new equipment, recruitment and upskilling its workforce over the past 12 months, with plans in place to relocate its Wolverhampton site to West Bromwich by the start of 2021.
For further information www.deritend.co.uk