Helix Tools makes debut appearance at MACH exhibition

Helix Tool is making its debut at MACH 2026 (NEC Birmingham, 20-24 April), the UK’s premier manufacturing event. The company is sharing stand 20-440 with Floyd Automatic Tooling.

For Helix, the move represents a significant step in bringing the company’s product lines, vending solutions and technical application expertise to a wider audience. Helix says it is regarded as an expert in problem-solving and delivering measurable results for manufacturers across all industry sectors and applications.

Paul Lynch, managing director of both Floyd Automatic and Helix Tools, says: “MACH has always been an important event for Floyd, and it’s fantastic to bring the two businesses together on a joint stand this year. For me, it’s an opportunity to meet customers from both companies, share our combined expertise and offer practical advice that helps manufacturers get the most out of their operations. Sharing a stand with Floyd allows us to bring genuinely complementary strengths together.”

Visitors can explore the full breadth of what Helix has to offer. Central to this is the company’s expanding tool management and vending solutions, which provide manufacturers with secure access, real-time usage tracking and automated stock control. Designed to turn tooling into a managed, measurable asset, these systems help manufacturers to gain greater visibility over consumption, reduce waste, costs and improve accountability across the shop floor.

At MACH, Helix Tools has experts on hand to guide manufacturers to the optimal solution for their processes. Regardless of whether exhibitors are machining steel, stainless, aluminium or aerospace-grade materials like titanium and high-performance super alloys, such as Inconel, Helix says it has solutions on its stand.

More information www.helixtools.co.uk

MACH 2026: Rainford showcases micro-tooling portfolio

Rainford Precision is showcasing an extensive portfolio of cutting tool solutions at MACH 2026, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 20-24 April. Visitors to stand 6-112 can explore advanced tooling from brands including Union Tool, Louis Bélet, IWATA, Hufschmied and others at the forefront of micro-machining technology.

Highlights from Union Tool include the new HGLB, HWLB, HWLB-S and CWLB two-flute ball-nose end mills. Designed for hard material machining above 60 HRc, the HGLB range features optimised geometry and HMGCOAT technology for extended tool life, alongside tight tolerances and high radius accuracy. The versatile HWLB and HWLB-S series target materials from 40-70 HRc, while the CWLB variant is optimised for softer materials, delivering smooth surface finishes across a range of alloys.

Also featured is the CLRS long-radius end mill series for extended-reach machining, enabling deep-cavity work with reduced deflection and vibration. For aluminium applications, the DLC-ALES three-flute end mills provide efficient chip evacuation and high material removal rates, while the DLCES 2000/4000 series offers sharp-edge performance for the burr-free machining of copper electrodes.

From Louis Bélet, the new Excalibur PCD range will make its MACH debut. Designed for non-ferrous materials, these tools combine laser-machined helical geometries with brazed PCD cutting edges to deliver extended tool life compared with carbide, reports Rainford. The Cyclon X micro-tool range will also be on show, offering high performance across stainless steel and other demanding materials.

Additional highlights include IWATA’s Toglon deep-hole drills for precision holes in hard materials, and Hufschmied’s Graftor tools for graphite machining. Rainford will also present its tool analysis and consultancy services, supported by advanced digital microscopy, alongside a range of high-precision machine tool technologies.

More information www.rainfordprecision.com 

Milestone Reached

Over 250 manufacturing leaders have now been equipped to lead digital transformation through Made Smarter North West’s flagship skills programmes. The milestone reflects growing demand among SME manufacturers to invest in people as well as technology.At the heart of this achievement are Made Smarter’s two flagship leadership programmes, Leading Digital Transformation (LDT), a three-month course for senior leaders to develop digital strategies, and Leading Change for Digital Champions (LCDC), a shorter programme equipping operational teams to deliver change on the ground.

More information www.bit.ly/4s50e9b

Success for ‘Breaking into Defence’ event

More than 60 ambitious manufacturers from the West Midlands gathered recently for a special event designed to accelerate SME participation in international defence markets and strengthen the UK’s sovereign defence capability. ‘Breaking into Defence: Enter Overseas Markets with the MoD’, was delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice to address key priorities championed by Make UK Defence.

These priorities include supporting smaller manufacturers to become export-ready, building resilient domestic supply chains and ensuring UK innovation is embedded within global defence programmes. Backed by business support programmes across the West Midlands (including the Investment Readiness Programme), the event provided SMEs with direct access to MoD export specialists, global primes and regional growth advisers.

More information www.oxfordinnovationadvice.co.uk

AWI secures major nuclear quality accreditation

Successful accreditation to a prestigious quality standard is set to create £2m of global opportunities for Alloy Wire International (AWI).This UK manufacturer of precision drawn, flat and profile wire has taken just nine months to gain ISO 19443, the international benchmark for supplying critical components and material to the nuclear sector.

AWI recorded zero non-conformities during the assessment, with the business praised for its strong quality management systems, employee culture and enhanced communications strategy that was integral to the successful application.The firm’s 62-strong range of exotic alloys is in growing demand from the sector, with sales to this market increasing to 10% of the firm’s annual £16.5m turnover.

More informationwww.alloywire.com