UK NEWS

Boost for Filtermist

Filtermist’s dedicated dust and fume division has received a significant boost thanks to the recent return of two ex-Dustcheck employees. Dave Clarkson and John Osman have both come back to Filtermist following previous stints at Dustcheck prior to the company’s acquisition by Filtermist in 2017. Technical sales support lead Clarkson spent two years at Dustcheck between 2013 and 2015, while technical applications engineer Osman worked at Dustcheck from 2015 to 2019. Working in the dust extraction industry for many years, Clarkson and Osman are well respected among both peers and customers alike.

More information www.filtermist.co.uk

Now or never for green revolution 

The UK must commercialise more of its green technology at home if the country is going to make the most of a once-in-a-generation opportunity. PP Control & Automation’s CEO Tony Hague made the rallying call ahead of the recent National Manufacturing Day and is urging UK manufacturers to prioritise green innovations as the world moves toward net-zero targets. Hague believes the UK has an unrivalled academic base and a clean frontrunner position when it comes to wind power and electrification. The country must now focus on commercialising the technology on these shores, helping to create up to 60,000 new jobs.

More information www.ppcanda.com

Star announces UK open house

Star Micronics GB, a provider of sliding-head lathes, will host its annual open house on 19-21 November 2024 at its Technology Centre in Derby. The event will feature live demonstrations of the latest production technologies from Star and its partners, with the spotlight shining on the UK premiere of the company’s new SB-20RII sliding-head lathe.

The SB-20RII offers various performance, versatility and ergonomic enhancements. These include additional tool stations, increased power, higher spindle speeds, advanced control features and improved accuracy. Despite its added capabilities, such as the ability to process components up to 25.4 mm in diameter, the SB-20RII has a 10% smaller footprint than the best-selling SB-20R Type G.

More information www.stargb.com/open

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

Productive Machines partners MachineWorks

Productive Machines, a software company enabling the machining industry to reach the
best part faster and first time, and MachineWorks, a company specialising in CNC simulation
and verification, are commencing a strategic partnership aimed at transforming CAM
software with the SenseNC suite of products. According to Productive Machines, the
collaboration introduces efficiency in machining processes while opening new revenue
streams for CAM software companies. SenseNC products allow optimisation of machining
processes by automatically adjusting spindle speed and feed rates across tool paths.
More information www.productivemachines.co.uk