UK NEWS

Chancellor supports MTC Business Connect programme

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt,recently visited the Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre as part of the Government’s national “Business Connect” programme.Accompanied by more than 50 captains of British industry, he highlighted the importance of advanced manufacturing to the UK economy:”Advanced manufacturing is one of our most successful sectors and key to driving UK growth, which is why I want to make sure we’re removing any barriers that might be holding business back.”

The visit agenda included presentations from the Chancellor, ministers and the MTC chief executive Graham Hoare, and a visit to the MTC training centre and apprentice workshop. Hunt was joined by: the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade; the Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology; George Freeman MP, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation; and Nusrat Ghani MP, Minister for Industry and Economic Security.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Razor joins University of Sheffield AMRC as partner

Digital technology company Razor has joined the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) as a partner, cementing their long-standing collaborative relationship to drive digital innovations in manufacturing. Razor specialises in harnessing the power of digital technologies like automation, virtual reality, AI, machine learning and focused design thinking to turbocharge businesses, experiences and capability. The Sheffield-based firmis now looking to explore more opportunities for collaboration and accelerate the adoption of digital technologies within manufacturing.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Bowers shows quality control and connective metrology

Bowers Group showcased a range of connective metrology solutions at the Control 2023 exhibition in Stuttgart earlier this month. Visitors saw live product demonstrations to illustrate how effective data transfer between measurement equipment and applications can boost manufacturing productivity.

On display was a range of Bluetooth-enabled hand tools and height gauges working in conjunction with Sylvac’s Sylcom software, showing how connectivity can improve efficiencies and reduce errors. Visitors had the chance to see Bowers’ Made in Britain registered, digital external micrometer, DigiMic, which features advanced, built-in Bluetooth connectivity. Offering quick, simple and highly accurate measurements, the DigiMic can easily integrate into any Industry 4.0/SPC system.

The new Baty Venture Plus XT 80100 was also on display. Complete with the company’s standard zoom optics and programmable, segmented LED surface lighting, the new Venture Plus XT 80100 CNC boasts a 640 x 600 x 250mm measuring range. The use of a touch probe is optimised on a CNC system, meaning that measurements from data points taken using the probe can be combined with those taken using video edge detection for optimal inspection times.

The Baty SM350-FT2-E vertical light path 350mm/14-inch diameter screen bench profile projector wasamong other solutions on display, featuring a large, heavy-duty, high-precision work stage with 250 x 125mm measuring range.

Bowers Group also exhibited its oldest brand, Moore & Wright, presenting a range of handheld metrology instruments such as micrometers, calipers, indicators, height gauges and general workshop measurement tools.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Digital literacy will unlock power of data

Digital literacy and data engineers will be key to manufacturers unlocking the potential of data for their businesses, says the director for industrial digitalisation at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Professor Rab Scott delivered the message at ‘Power of data and digital in industry’, an event held at Barnsley Digital Media Centre to explore the initial outcomes and learnings from NextGen, a project to embed low-cost digital technologies at manufacturers across South Yorkshire and Wales.

FourJaw’s Chris Iveson and Connexin’s Rikki Coles also spoke at the event and, together with Scott, made a powerful case for how adopting a digitally-focused culture – and unlocking the power of data – can help productivity, save energy and reduce waste. Scott said ‘digital literacy’ is a crucial first step for manufacturers who want to start their digital transformation journey – and that step is one NextGen can help them take with confidence.
For further information j.stammers@amrc.co.uk

Rotary table raises efficiency of portable arms

The speed with which someone can inspect a component using a portable, multi-axis measuring arm is increased by up to 40% if, instead of the part being static, it is placed on a new Freedomindex table from LK Metrology. The CMM manufacturer says that not only is inspection more efficient, but in some cases it is possible to use a smaller, less expensive arm to access all areas of a component. In other words, the effective measuring volume of any arm is increased.

Rotation may even avoid the need for arm relocation to enable sufficient access to the back of the part, which lengthens the measuring cycle and can introduce inaccuracy. Additionally, there is no operator fatigue from repeatedly having to stretch around the component, which can weigh up to 100 kg.

Requiring no cables, the portable, manually operated, metrology-grade index table is compatible with any make of portable measuring arm, not just LK’s six- and seven-axis Freedom arm range, which comprises 34 models. The 300 mm (optionally 500 mm) diameter table is quick to set up on a work surface, after which the operator secures the part onto the surface with the aid of pre-drilled, threaded fixing holes or integral clamping magnets.

Similarly rapid is initial calibration of the start position by telling the co-ordinate system in InnovMetric’s PolyWorks Inspector software the location of the table. The speed of this procedure is down to clever positioning of randomly placed, alphanumerically labelled, fiducial dimples machined into the top of the table and around its periphery. By probing three or more of them using the arm, the software recognises the irregular pattern and automatically knows the orientation.
For further information www.lkmetrology.com