Working closely with ball valve manufacturers, Engis UK has developed a lapping gel specifically for use in severe service ball valve lapping applications such as those found in oil and gas production and petrochemical refining.

Severe service ball valves are often installed in remote and difficult to access locations, and must withstand the harshest conditions, including high pressures, high temperatures and caustic materials, while providing tight tolerances and zero-leak characteristics.
Among the main benefits of Engis LD diamond gel is said to be a reduction in overall lapping times by up to 30-40%. In addition, less pressure is required using the LD gel, reducing scratching and operator fatigue in manual operations. This attribute results in less component scrappage, while test stand failures are significantly reduced – to near zero in some instances, reports the company.
The lapping gels contain specially controlled diamond particles that are micronised in Engis laboratories. In contrast, some conventional lapping compounds, particularly those not manufactured to the most exacting standards, incorporate rogue abrasive particles and can suffer from particle agglomeration or excessive ‘dry out’ during processing, resulting in surface scratches which compromise the zero-leak goal.
Engis LD gel is available in 18 or 100 g syringes in particle sizes ranging from 1 to 60 µm.
For further information www.engis.com

The Fastener Exhibition & Conference is an event dedicated to providing an international showcase of market leading fastener and fixing technology. The show is Britain’s biggest stage for suppliers of fastening and fixing solutions, creating a dedicated space for an industry which is instrumental in the success of so many sectors.

The Fasteners Expo takes place on the 11th and 12th September, at the NEC in Birmingham; a 2-day event, showcasing the businesses’ best and brightest. The show will feature 100 exhibitors, displaying the cutting edge of fastening and fixing solutions, as well as 50 seminars led by the current pioneers of the industry.

The Fasteners Expo was created with the intention to give this huge and growing industry a platform to not only continue its growth, but to display the groundbreaking advancements being made within the industry. With brands such as, ZaGO Manufacturing Co, ARaymond, Zygology, and Rotor Clip Ltd exhibiting their latest innovations, the Fasteners Expo will highlight the current market leading products, available now.

Alongside the exhibitors, you will have the chance to learn directly from experts currently shaping the industry from the forefront. Paul Briskham of Atlas Copco will be discussing the latest riveting and rivbonding approaches for aluminium car bodies, while Andy Taylor of OnTheTools will lead a seminar on how to make Facebook work for construction, to name just a couple. Clearly then, the Fastener Exhibition & Conference is a valuable 2 days for every industry expert!

As a dedicated event for professionals in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and manufacturing industries, this will be the best opportunity for you to network with like-minded individuals from across multiple sectors. You’ll experience the true cutting edge in fastening technology, and learn directly from the individuals pioneering the sector.

Overall, the event will be an incredible chance for visitors to form new relationships with new suppliers, ensuring that the coming year will bring huge profits for your business. Clearly, the value here, for you and your business, cannot be overstated.

Not only that, but your one ticket will give you access to the four other complimentary shows, which will be running at the same time These include the largest recycling and waste management exhibition in Europe, RWM, as well as the crucially important Future Resource Expo, Contamination Expo, and Flood Expo.

Don’t miss out, and join us at the Fastener Exhibition & Conference, taking place on the 11th and 12th September at the NEC, Birmingham. Get your tickets, which are freely available from this link here, today.

Andrew Hodgson, strategic lead – digitalisation at Siemens, has been named by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) as its vice president.

Hodgson has been a member of the MTA board for a number of years, and chairs the association’s technical committee, which looks at activities in advanced manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, automation and industry standards.
“We look forward to working closely with Andrew in his new position, especially in relation to the enormous opportunities for increased productivity in UK manufacturing brought about by accelerating digitalisation,” says James Selka DL, CEO at the MTA. Hodgson adds: “The MTA works hard to both represent and inform members in a fast-changing manufacturing environment. I look forward to working even closer with James Selka and his team, ensuring we continue to progress as an association and accurately reflect the diverse range of technologies we champion.”
For further information www.mta.org.uk

Construction is now well underway on the new foundry of MRT Castings in Andover.

With 60% more space than the company’s current die-casting area, this purpose-built, 20,000 sq ft additional facility is only 100 yards from the existing site and represents an ambitious new chapter for the company. After several years of sustained growth, MRT realised that it had outgrown its current foundry and needed to invest in a new site. In addition to relocating all of its existing foundry machinery to the new building, the company will be investing in new equipment and capabilities that will provide a platform for the next phase of development.
For further information www.mrt-castings.co.uk

On 11 September, SolidCAM UK will be hosting a ‘learn and lunch’ event at its Technology Centre in Dodworth, Barnsley.

The event will give visitors the opportunity to see the company’s CAM developments working in conjunction with products from work-holding and gripping expert Schunk. The 10:00 until 13:00 event will demonstrate how working with technology partners like Schunk can improve machine-shop efficiency. With SolidCAM presentations throughout, the event will host
live cutting demonstrations on a Romi D-800 vertical machining centre.
For further information www.gb.schunk.com