Following a free R&D intervention by the University of Sheffield’s AMRC, a precision engineering SME has been shown how an investment of just £20 could bring about a huge improvement in its manufacturing process and unlock significant savings. The AMRC was able to show management at Chesterfield-based subcontractor CBE+ that with a new tool holder, which would cost £60 rather than the £40 one currently in use, it could attain a 10-15% improvement in tool life. Funds from the HVM Catapult paid for the project as part of a commitment to working with SME manufacturers.

For further information
www.amrc.co.uk

Yamazaki Mazak has unveiled a new structure to its northern sales division as it continues its investment in helping customers recover and adapt to evolving market conditions. The revised structure will stretch from the Scottish border down to – and including – Warwickshire and the entirety of Wales.

Mazak’s newly defined territory will be overseen by general sales manager – northern region, Tony Creamer (pictured), with individual territories managed by five experienced area sales managers: Mark Ireland – Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland; Joe Trozzo – Yorkshire; Karl Hargreaves – Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside; Stephen Bower – Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and East Staffordshire; and Neil Coggins – Shropshire, Warwickshire, West Staffordshire and Wales.

For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

CGTech, the developer of Vericut software, and CNC machine-tool specialist Makino Milling Machine Co Ltd, have renewed their strategic corporate partnership to better serve their mutual customer base. Makino and CGTech have worked together for over 30 years. Says CGTech president Jon Prun: “Manufacturers who buy Makino machines have invested in world-leading technology. Our aim is to offer a software solution designed to help purchasers of Makino machines get up and running quickly, while protecting their investment in the long term.”

For further information www.cgtech.co.uk

This November, GOM UK is hosting its ‘Metal Forming Knowledge Days’, bringing together all of the company’s optical metrology knowledge and expertise in a series of free online events. The days will take place on 24, 25 and 26 November, and will be held via an online portal. Each session will cover different areas of metrology within the metal-forming industry, showing where GOM has identified potential manufacturing problems and developed the tools to solve them.

For further information R.Watt@gom.com

Carruthers Renewables has teamed up with the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) to explore manufacturing methods for a patented water wheel capable of combating electricity scarcity in developing countries. The one-year £250,000 project, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and the EPSRC through the Innovate UK Energy Catalyst, is helping the company to exploit the AFRC’s expertise in advanced manufacturing methods before selecting the most cost-effective and sustainable way of making the wheels.

For further information https://is.gd/ezuhan