Bristol-based Domin has developed a competitive range of servo valves and is now setting out to showcase how engineering start-ups can drive value for UK industry.

Supported by metal additive manufacturing technology from Renishaw, the innovation represents Domin’s first step towards drastically reducing CO2 emissions from the fluid-power industry: every valve can save one tonne of CO2. By using the Renishaw RenAM 500Q, a four-laser AM system, the company was able to increase its productivity, achieve design freedom and reduce cost per part.

For further information
www.renishaw.com

Bladon, a specialist in the design, development and manufacture of Micro Turbine Gensets (MTGs) for the telecommunications sector, has chosen CloudNC to make and deliver its most challenging critical parts. “CloudNC are focussed on technology that delivers quality and efficiency – as well as flexibility and resilience – and they have the capability to machine parts that some of our previous vendors simply couldn’t make,” says Andy Roberts, head of supply chain at Bladon. “They spent the time to understand our product and the critical nature of the parts we need.”

For further information
www.cloudnc.com

The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI was revised higher to 58.9 in March 2021, from an initial estimate of 57.9 and above February’s 55.1. This revision points to the steepest month of expansion in factory activity since February 2011, underpinned by stronger demand from both domestic and international markets, the vaccine roll-out and loosening of lockdown restrictions. Manufacturing output grew at its quickest pace since last November and new business climbed at its second-fastest pace for over three years. Furthermore, jobs growth hit a seven-year high.

For further information www.markiteconomics.com

Eclipse Magnetics, part of the Spear and Jackson Group, has promoted senior sales manager, Dave Smith, to the position of sales director. Smith joined the Spear and Jackson Group in 2017 as key account and country manager at fellow group company, Bowers, before gaining promotion to UK sales manager in 2019. He went on to join Eclipse Magnetics in 2020 as senior sales manager. With over 20 years of sales experience, both in the UK and overseas, Smith brings a strong technical background to the role, as well as proven people and budget management skills.

For further information www.eclipsemagnetics.com

Stonehouse, Gloucestershire-based de Havilland Engineering Group is complementing its subcontract fabrication services by investing in new component machining capacity. Two new Hurco machine tools have arrived recently: a TM10i two-axis lathe with an 81 mm spindle bore and a Hydrafeed MSV80 bar magazine; and a VM20i three-axis vertical machining centre with a 1016 x 508 x 508 mm working volume. Both machines have a Windows-based control with Max 5 conversational programming software.

Lewis Chandler, lead operator of the machines, says: “The capacity of the machines is large considering their small footprint, while the price point for what they are giving us has worked out really well. Furthermore, the conversational programming is very easy to use: it asks you what you want, you type in the figures and it draws it up for you automatically.”

For further information
www.hurco.co.uk