UK NEWS

Dugard enhances presence in Scotland

Like much of Europe, the UK is in the midst of a fuel crisis that is pushing the UK government to source more fuel from the North Sea, as well as driving investment in the renewables industry. To capitalise upon this, machine tool supplier Dugard has employed Steven McBride as its new area sales manager in Scotland and northeast England.Joining the company in February, McBride is relishing the challenge of introducing the range of Ibarmia, SMEC, Kitamura and Hanwha machine tools that are available in the UK from Dugard.

Commenting upon the addition of McBride to the Dugard team, sales director Colin Thomson says: “Steven has an excellent track record in technical sales, which will put him in good stead for his future at Dugard. Additionally, as a highly-skilled maintenance and sales engineer, Steven’s fundamental knowledge and understanding will be extremely beneficial to customers of Dugard in Scotland.”
For further information www.dugard.com

High-performance AMRC aerospace projects

Tripartite collaboration between project enabler/integrator, machine tool supplier and tool-holding specialist is continually pushing the boundaries of high-performance machining and increasingly reducing machining lead times and production costs for a major aerospace company.

The ongoing work between the project lead – the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) – and machine tool specialist Starrag UK, plus the tooling expertise of Nikken Kosakusho on a variety of aluminium and titanium aerostructure workpieces is cutting piece part costs through the creation of improved machining routines.

“Although not directly targeted by the projects, in some cases reductions in cycle times are a rewarding by-product of the work; in certain instances of more than 50% compared with ‘conventional’ machining processes,” says Starrag UK’s director for sales and applications, Lee Scott.

Among Nikken’s tool-holding solutions is the Slim Chuck, a high-accuracy collet chuck that boasts minimal runout – 3 µm at 4xD– leading to higher component precision and improved tool life. Also, its maximum gripping torque of more than double that of traditional ER alternatives, not only complements the Heckert X40’s rigidity/stability to permit more aggressive machining parameters, it also improves process security and therefore leads to reduced scrap.

The workpieces – of titanium and aluminium – all fit within the machining envelope of 700 x 750 x 750 mm.

Tom McCready, engineering and operations manager at the AMRC’s Machining Group, says: “With all three partners collaborating closely, we have so far collectively achieved some incredibly successful results by pushing the limits of the machine and the tooling for increased metal removal, without jeopardising quality, on these workpieces.”
For further information www.starrag.com

Finance package supports green ambitions

A family-owned West Midlands automotive manufacturer is transforming unused parts into sculptures, thanks to a six-figure funding package from Lloyds Bank. Birchills Automotive has been trading in Walsall for 130 years, manufacturing exhaust systems for the car and motorcycle industry. To further its commitment to a more sustainable industry, the business has launched a project called Birchills Sculptures & Metal Restorations.

By repurposing unused metal from its manufacturing process, the firm makes and sells handcrafted designs using recycled 304 aircraft-grade stainless steel that otherwise would have gone to waste. From garden products such as planters, pots and furniture, to bespoke sculptures and decorative items for the home, all items are weather-proof and created by the business’ in-house custom design team.Lloyds Bank is supporting Birchills Sculptures & Metal Restorations with an overdraft and credit card package that will allow it to exhibit overseas.
For further information www.lloydsbank.com/business

New Nuclear AMRC member

Work-holding specialist Brown & Holmes has joined the Nuclear AMRC to collaborate on technology development and expand its presence in the nuclear sector.Brown & Holmes was founded in 1939, and today provides advanced work-holding solutions, prototyping and precision machining to customers in sectors such as aerospace, automotive and power generation. The company operates two sites in Tamworth, and is developing a new dedicated facility for clean assembly in Derby.Brown & Holmes previously worked with the Nuclear AMRC through the Fit For Nuclear (F4N) supplier development programme.
For further information www.namrc.co.uk

Hydrogen testing contracts worth over £4m to C-ALPS

The Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) at Coventry University has won more than £4m of new hydrogen testing contracts.Simon Shepherd, director of C-ALPS, says: “The latest contracts take the total value of joint projects active and completed at C-ALPS to more than £20m. This, along with the level of interest we are seeing from collaborators, is a sure sign that we’ve created the environment and expertise required to support UK companies in meeting future propulsion technology demands.”
For further information www.coventry.ac.uk/c-alps