UK NEWS

Metals firms wanted as industry survey launches

A new survey to capture the latest views of the UK metals sector has been launched. The State of the UK Metals Industry Survey 2026/27, organised by the UK Metals Council, is looking to gain insight on current trading conditions, the impact of tariffs and how firms are attempting to come to terms with rising energy costs. It will also tackle the complex subject of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, while trying to understand how recent changes to skills support might affect attitudes to upskilling and apprenticeship recruitment. The survey should only take 10 minutes to complete and will stay open until 5 September.

More information www.bit.ly/4uuxJCR

New head of Mills CNC Training Academy

Mills CNC has promoted Darren Clarke to head up its CNC Training Academy operation following the retirement in April of previous training manager Karen Earley. Apprentice-trained Clarke joined the CNC Training Academy in 2017 as one of its three trainers at the time. He has a wealth of experience in the machine tool sector, including roles at Bridgeport, DMG Mori and ETG.

Clarke is already making his presence felt by making more use of the CNC Training Academy’s customer database and CRM system to increase sales of its operator and programmer training courses and improve operational and administrative efficiencies.

Other plans include making more use of the facility’s two dedicated CNC machine tools by introducing and offering intermediate milling and turning level operator courses.

More information www.millscnc.co.uk/training

Campaign launches for more female role models

“We don’t want to be seen as the exception, we want to be seen as the rule,” is the clear message coming from women in engineering and manufacturing. This rallying call is headlining In-Comm Training’s annual ‘I’m Included’ campaign, which has been launched to shine a spotlight on females behind engineering – showcasing their diverse roles, career paths and life experiences.

Backed by Enginuity and nine companies including Adams Enclosures, Assa Abloy, Filtermist, Industrial Physics, Jenks & Cattell, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and Safran, the initiative will highlight stories that often go unseen. In particular, the stories celebrate achievements across different stages of an engineer’s journey and demonstrate how inclusion drives innovation and help bridge industry’s skills gap.

More information www.bit.ly/4ebIghu

Funding for project to 3D-print superalloy jet engine parts

Alloyed Ltd has secured funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme for a £1m project to accelerate development of ABD-1000AM, a next-generation nickel-based superalloy designed specifically for additive manufacturing.

The project, delivered in collaboration with aircraft engine specialist ITP Aero and Cranfield University, aims to further enhance the material’s performance and manufacturing readiness. ABD-1000AM has been engineered to withstand the laser powder bed fusion process without cracking, overcoming a key challenge associated with high-temperature nickel alloys.

The material is expected to play an important role in future ultra-efficient jet engines, where complex, lightweight components must operate reliably in the extreme temperatures and harsh conditions found within combustion systems.

Support from the ATI Programme will help accelerate adoption of high-performance 3D-printed aerospace components and strengthen the UK’s position in advanced manufacturing technologies.

“Alloyed has been fortunate to partner with the ATI in several key technology areas, ranging from new material design to digital software platforms that support additive manufacturing adoption,” says Dr David Crudden, chief metallurgist and head of new market development at Alloyed. “ABD-1000AM is the world’s highest-temperature nickel-based superalloy designed for additive manufacture. We’ve identified significant demand for the material and believe it has the potential to be a game-changing technology for gas turbines in aerospace propulsion and industrial power generation.”

Cranfield University will contribute its expertise in high-temperature materials degradation and protective coatings, while ITP Aero will provide specialist knowledge in advanced combustor technologies for commercial and defence aviation applications.

Rob Mitchell, director of engineering at ITP Aero UK, says the project demonstrates the value of collaboration between academia, SMEs and industrial partners in shaping the future of aerospace technology and accelerating the development of next-generation propulsion systems.

More information www.alloyed.com

3D printing entrepreneur secures two King’s Awards

A Warwickshire entrepreneur who once replaced his mother’s dishwasher with a homemade 3D printer has become one of the youngest recipients of two King’s Awards for Enterprise. Mitchell Barnes (pictured), founder of Shipston-on-Stour-based RYSE 3D, launched the business in 2017 after recognising the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) to move beyond prototyping and into production.

Today, the company supplies high-performance components to 23 hypercar projects worldwide, while also supporting customers in the aerospace, defence and energy sectors. Its growth has helped drive annual turnover close to £5m, with international sales accounting for almost half of revenue.

That success has now been recognised with a King’s Award for International Trade, following the company’s King’s Award for Innovation in 2024.

“To win one King’s Award is special, but to receive a second for growing our business overseas is incredible,” says Mitchell, who runs the company alongside his brother Cameron. “When we started, we wanted to prove that AM could be used for series production. Today, we’re supplying complex components in volumes ranging from thousands to tens of thousands, while exporting UK-developed technology to customers around the world.”

Over the past three years, RYSE 3D has invested more than £1m in new equipment, R&D, advanced materials, and the launch of its UK-engineered LANDR 3D printer. The workforce has also grown to 18 employees.

The company’s scalable production process requires no tooling investment and uses widely available engineering polymers, helping manufacturers reduce costs, increase flexibility and strengthen supply chains.

While automotive and motorsport remain important markets, RYSE 3D is increasingly applying its expertise across aerospace, construction, energy, medical and defence applications as demand for production-ready additive manufacturing continues to grow.

More information www.ryse3d.com