In 2017, Mick Catherine opened CNC Subcon Services in Holmfirth, where two early lathe purchases were a Genos L400 and an LB25-II, followed more recently by an MU-6300V-L five-axis mill-turn centre, all manufactured by Okuma. These purchase decisions emanate from 1989, when Mr Catherine started as an apprentice at a subcontract machinist that later started using Okuma turn-cut technology.

The firm operates seven days a week, often responding to urgent requests for replacement pump and impeller parts to repair customer equipment that has broken down.
Paul Neville, sales and operations manager at CNC Subcon, says: “For this and most of our subcontract work we need to machine to very close tolerances, for which top-quality equipment like the Okuma MU-6300 mill-turn centre is essential. The rigidity of its bridge-type construction suits the machining of difficult materials. With an Okuma you know there won’t be any trouble.”
The MU-6300V-L fitted with Okuma’s OSP-P300SA control at CNC Subcon has a +90°/-120° trunnion carrying a 630 mm diameter table that can turn rotational parts up to 830 mm diameter by 550 mm tall, at up to 800 rpm. Furthermore, the machine, which was supplied by UK agent NCMT, is able to mill and drill components within a 925 x 1050 x 600 mm working envelope using fully interpolative five-axis cycles. The HSK-A100 spindle is served by a 64-station tool magazine and is rated at 11/7.5 kW, with a maximum speed of 8000 rpm.
Okuma’s Thermo-Friendly Concept built into the machine, which applies to both the structure and the spindle, feeds data back from temperature sensors to the control. Continual compensation in the part program for thermal drift delivers high-accuracy metal cutting in a shop-floor environment, even if the ambient temperature varies by as much as 8°C, says the company.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk

As part of a £74m investment in green automotive technology, more than 200 value-added jobs could be created in Sheffield thanks to a partnership between an electric automotive drives manufacturer and the University of Sheffield’s AMRC.

Funding has been awarded to Magtec to allow it to scale up the UK production of electric motors. Magtec will work with the AMRC and fellow HVM Catapult centre, the MTC, in the £6m project. Four transport sector OEMs will also participate – Dennis Eagle, Paneltex, Volta Trucks and strategic partner Angel Trains.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

TRB Lightweight Structures is investing in the development of staff to meet the needs of its growing customer base.

The company takes an active role in funding and supporting individuals with their studies, with 20% of its total workforce in training or attending vocational courses. The Composites Technician Apprenticeship scheme is a key part of this initiative, with two apprentices from TRB already enrolled on the scheme. The course offers a great opportunity to improve knowledge and skills, and graduates earn a BTEC Level 3 Diploma and an NVQ Level 3 in Composites Engineering.
For further information www.trbls.com

Furloughed apprentices and employees are being given the opportunity to learn new skills thanks to a new package of support from the Training and Manufacturing Group (TMG).

The not-for-profit organisation is working with its technical partners to deliver a suite of technology courses to members that will help bridge the skills gap, increase R&D and support the post COVID-19 recovery.
Industry experts Bauromat, Guhring, ETG, Hexagon MI and Ceratizit WNT, alongside business specialists BDO, FBC Manby Bowdler and In-Comm Training, have agreed to host the interactive sessions completely free of charge and will cover crucial topics ranging from automation, robot/CNC programming and cutting tools, to arc/resistance welding, PLC programming and pneumatics. The courses will initially be delivered through short webinars or one-to-one sessions at partner sites, adhering to social distancing rules.
For further information www.in-comm-tmg.co.uk

Rocol will be donating 5% from sales of its new semi-synthetic cutting fluid to NHS Charities Together for the remainder of 2020, the company has confirmed. Ultracut 370 EP has been specially formulated for use on a range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in both cutting and grinding operations.

Ian Fenney, Rocol metalworking fluids segment specialist, says: “As is the case for many businesses, we wanted to show our support to the NHS and the amazing work that people working in the health service have done during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Ultracut 370 EP is bright blue when diluted, it seemed fitting to donate a percentage of each barrel we sell for the rest of 2020 to NHS Charities Together.”
For further information www.rocol.com