A major training provider has developed a new way of making sure apprentices are able to continue their learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In-Comm Training, which operates three technical academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, will be delivering all courses via a virtual platform, ensuring its 750 learners still have access to industry-experienced trainers and assessors when they need them most. The ambition is to make it ‘business as usual’ where the firm can, with individuals able to complete tasks online using Google Classrooms or Microsoft Teams.
For further information https://in-comm.co.uk/

Composites and advanced materials precision slitting company, Bindatex, is supporting the national call for more ventilators.

The company, which is based in Bolton, has reconfigured its production to begin the manufacture of die-cutting discs for ventilator filters. At present, Bindatex is working with its customers, producing the parts, but is also able to support other manufacturers by providing the filters. The company has also brought in emergency plans for the company, in order to maintain high levels of health and safety for employees during the pandemic.
For further information https://bindatex.com/

HP Inc and its global digital manufacturing community are mobilising their 3D-printing teams, technology, experience and production capacity to help deliver critical parts in the effort to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 1000 3D-printed parts have already been delivered to local hospitals. HP’s 3D R&D centres in Barcelona, Oregon, San Diego, California and Vancouver are collaborating with partners around the world in a co-ordinated effort. Initial applications being validated and finalised for industrial production include face masks, face shields, mask adjusters, nasal swabs, hands-free door openers and respirator parts.
For further information www8.hp.com

Engineers, anaesthetists and surgeons from the University of Oxford and King’s College London are testing prototypes of a rapidly deployable ‘flatpack’ ventilator that can be manufactured using techniques and tools available in well-equipped university and SME workshops.

The team, led by Oxford professors Andrew Farmery, Mark Thompson and Alfonso Castrejon-Pita, and King’s College London’s Dr Federico Formenti, has been working to define novel mechanisms of operation that will meet the required specifications for safe and reliable function. The OxVent design exploits off-the-shelf components and equipment.
For further information https://oxvent.org/

MA Exhibitions, which owns and runs Subcon, The Engineer Expo and The Manufacturing Management Show, has decided to reschedule the event, pushing it back from 9-11 June to 28-30 September.

The decision was taken due to the spread of COVID-19 and concerns shared by a number of the show’s partners. MA says that its number one priority is to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all exhibitors, visitors and staff, and that moving the show to September will provide a better experience than would be possible in June. Subcon will take place in Hall 6 at Birmingham NEC.
For further information www.subconshow.co.uk