UK NEWS

Europe’s largest blast and ultrasonic test site

Guyson has opened its new blast finishing and ultrasonic cleaning, testing and demonstration facility. The company says this state-of-the-art space establishes Guyson as home to Europe’s largest facility dedicated to blast finishing and ultrasonic cleaning. It marks the culmination of an ambitious six-month project that began with the renovation of Guyson’s stock area. The installation of vertical storage solutions freed up valuable floor space, enabling the construction of the new facility.

The space includes a dedicated media room, a demonstration leader office, an expansive blasting room and a dedicated clean room for ultrasonic cleaning. Machines now available for testing include Formula 1600, Euroblast 8, Euroblast 10, T50 Tumbleblast, RSB and RB10 blast machines, as well as Microsolve 250M, Microsolve 450C, KS tanks and GUK benchtop ultrasonic baths.

To celebrate the milestone, Guyson had the pleasure of hosting several distributors from across mainland Europe. Over three days, attendees engaged in intensive product training, designed to deepen their expertise in Guyson’s blast finishing and ultrasonic cleaning technologies. These sessions helped to empower visitors with the skills and knowledge required to become true specialists in Guyson’s equipment.

The training covered a range of essential topics, including ultrasonic equipment theory and operation, blast equipment theory and operation, the importance and application of different blast media, and a review of key blasting principles and techniques. By incorporating physical demonstrations and hands-on practical sessions, attendees gained invaluable insight.

More information www.guyson.co.uk

RK and DCM Tech in special relationship

RK International Machine Tools is entering a special relationship with US-based machine tool manufacturer DCM Tech that will bring the latter’s surface grinding machines to the UK and Irish markets.

DCM Tech is renowned for its IG series surface grinders, which offer features such as a user-friendly interface, variable speed spindle and table control, automatic down feed, automatic part detection, and a closed-loop coolant filtration system. Built across two control platforms, the IG 80 series provides the basics for rotary table surface grinding. Enhancements on the IG 82 series include additional grinding options such as regrind and continuous grind, along with servo precision-controlled X and Z axes with home positioning.


IG 82 series machines are available with auto-dressing capability featuring selectable dress frequency. These grinders also come ‘robot ready’, offering integration with third-party robotic arms for a fully automated loading and unloading processes. The IG range provides capacities to 1220 mm diameter rotary table with a maximum swing of 1320 mm diameter.

Jennifer Rutz, president of DCM Tech Inc, says: “We’re excited to collaborate with RK International Machine Tools and expand our surface grinding technology presence in the UK and Ireland. RK International’s experience and commitment to customer satisfaction align perfectly with our values. We believe this alliance will benefit UK customers significantly, offering cutting-edge solutions for their grinding needs.”

RK International’s team of factory-trained technical specialists will provide support services, including installation, maintenance and training, ensuring that customers can maximise the performance and longevity of their DCM Tech machines.

More information www.rk-int.com

Second MecWash MWX400 for Vixen CNC

After purchasing a MWX400 system in 2020, Vixen CNC experienced such an improvement in cleaning efficiency that the company ordered another system for its factory in Snowdonia. Vixen CNC has seen a significant increase in demand for its services over recent years. The company needed the additional machine due to its use of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals – and the different process requirements of the two applications.

Jake Wood, managing director of Vixen CNC, says: “The MWX400 systems have transformed the washing capability and overall productivity at our factory. The communication and servicing from MecWash have been excellent, which combined with the effectiveness of the cleaning, made the decision of investing in a second machine a simple one.”

He continues: “We replaced a tunnel wash system with two MecWash MWX400 machines. Each machine uses a specific cleaning process, one for ferrous metal and the other for non-ferrous metals. The initial MecWash MWX400 system in 2020 considerably decreased our manual drying requirements, which had been both costly and time consuming. Overall, the MecWash systems have provided superior cleaning results, in faster time – and all with reduced manpower.”

The process starts with powerful ultrasonics, which are essential to clean the intricate shapes and blind holes of oil, swarf and fine particles. MecWash MWX systems boasts four ultrasonic rod transducers with single or mixed frequency (25 and 40 kHz). The ultrasonics create large amounts of localised cleaning energy, dislodging any contamination. After the wash stage, the components are rinsed, firstly with an ultrasonics stage, followed by flood and spray rinses, resulting in a polished finish.

More information www.mecwash.com

Olympic champions visit Renishaw

Renishaw recently hosted a special event at its Miskin manufacturing facility in South Wales that celebrated the intersection of cutting-edge additive manufacturing (AM) technology and high-performance sports. Team GB cyclists Emma Finucane and Sophie Capewell visited Renishaw to share their experiences, inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators and highlighting Renishaw’s contribution to Great Britain’s Olympic success.

An extensive tour of Renishaw’s manufacturing site gave attendees the opportunity to see the advanced AM technologies used to create key components for Great Britain’s Olympic track bikes. Attendees saw first-hand how Renishaw’s AM capabilities enable high-performance sporting innovations, aiding the success of athletes like Finucane and Capewell.

More information www.renishaw.com/stemoutreach

FANUC celebrates young robotics talent

FANUC UK is celebrating the achievements of the country’s brightest young industrial robotics talent following the WorldSkills UK winners ceremony, held in in Manchester last month. Morgan Leyshon and Aled Gore, both 21 and from Bridgend College in Wales, were awarded ‘Gold’ in the ‘Industrial Robotics WorldSkills UK’ competition, held in conjunction with industry partner and factory automation specialist FANUC UK.

The duo beat over 80 competitors in the gruelling eight-month long contest, which culminated in the live finals held last month at FANUC’s open house event in Coventry. Leyshon and Gore now have the chance to represent Team UK at the WorldSkills International Industrial Robotics competition in Shanghai, China in 2026.

More information www.bit.ly/484XXBj