To underpin its supply of integrated CAM software to the UK market with support for turn-mill and sliding-head technology, SolidCAM UK has become a technical member of the British Turned Parts Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA). As well as employing sliding-head technical experts at its technology centre, SolidCAM UK has recently installed a new Star SR-38 Type B sliding-head turning centre, which is now an integral asset in delivering support to BTMA members. SolidCAM runs directly inside SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor, with seamless integration and full tool-path associativity.

For further information
www.solidcamuk.com

Tooling specialist Cutwel is celebrating its 25th anniversary by revealing a forward-looking rebrand to better reflect its values and company image. Cutwel has a turnover of £20m (up from £11m five years ago) and employs 83 staff at its headquarters in Cleckheaton. The company is now on track to grow a further £15m in the next five years (£35m total). To mark the anniversary and demonstrate its commitment to the community, Cutwel will be donating £1000 to four charities chosen by staff: Andy’s Man Club, Kirkwood Hospice, Martin House Hospice and Yorkshire Dog Rescue.

For further information
www.cutwel.co.uk

Belgrave & Powell, a specialist engineering services group, has acquired 100% of the shares of Birmingham-based Sharpe Tooling Ltd. The acquisition will form part of Belgrave & Powell’s Machine Technology Group (MTG) in Preston. Sharpe Tooling, which specialises in bend die tooling, has relocated to Preston with the creation of six additional jobs in high-precision toolmaking and further investment by the group in capital equipment. The acquisition, the terms of which are undisclosed, represents the 5th SME deal by Belgrave and Powell within the past 18 months.

For further information www.belgrave-powell.com

The UK’s composites research and development facility, the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol, has unveiled the latest of its state-of-the-art capabilities in the form of a new automated AFP-ATL cell. The cell, created in partnership with Electroimpact, combines both AFP and ATL in a single system. Notably, the dual system can be used individually or together to collaborate and create large, complex structures with minimal downtime. NCC’s new cell is the final piece in a £36.7m jigsaw of 10 fully digital automated composite manufacturing capabilities to arrive in the last 18 months.

For further information www.nccuk.com

A UK training provider is throwing its weight behind the UK’s economic bounce back by announcing a new apprenticeship campaign designed to give firms the talent they need to grow. In-Comm Training, which already supports more than 750 apprentices across three technical academies, has launched ‘Equip the Recovery’ to help more employers look at investing in apprentices by removing some of the barriers. The firm has committed to creating an additional 200 positions for young or mature learners between now and September and is asking businesses to get involved by creating roles within their companies.

For further information www.in-comm.co.uk