As part of its commitment to the environment, sustainability and social responsibility, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has changed all of the packaging on its UK-manufactured cutting tools to 100% recyclable materials.

The issue of plastic recycling and disposal was proving problematic to address, until ITC’s long-standing packaging partner, Rose Plastic, began producing its new range of BlockPack and TwistPack Plus tubes from environmentally friendly bioplastic.
Rose Plastic says that ITC has become the first UK cutting-tool manufacturer to embrace the environmentally friendly packaging. The new biopolymer plastic is produced using ethanol from sugar cane, as opposed to conventional polyethylene, maintaining 97% of the chemical properties of conventional HDPE. This make-up ensures that the packaging retains its performance and appearance characteristics while offering 100% recyclability and sustainability.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

The creation of a new centre in Northumberland for advanced manufacturing, the process industry and the engineering sector has moved a step closer, thanks to a multi-million pound investment.

Advance Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and the NELEP have agreed to support investment of £2.7m into Ashwood Business Park in Ashington. Ashwood Business Park is a NELEP Enterprise Zone, meaning that organisations locating there can benefit from 100% enhanced capital allowances. The 62-acre site is at the heart of one of the northeast’s strongest manufacturing clusters.
For further information www.advancenorthumberland.co.uk

Engis UK has installed one of its latest SPM 6000 bore-finishing machines at the company’s Henley-on-Thames headquarters, where it will undertake process and tooling trials for customers and prospects across Europe.

Engis offers customers a well-equipped bore-finishing laboratory that provides technical support and expertise in developing bore geometries for applications in sectors which include automotive, hydraulics and aerospace, using materials such as ceramics, steels, cast iron and aluminium. The introduction of the SPM 6000 expands on these capabilities, particularly as the machine is supported by leading-edge metrology equipment with the ability to measure the cylindricity, roundness and straightness of bores to an accuracy of 0.1 µm.
This investment in the laboratory demonstrates Engis UK’s belief in working closely with customers to develop optimum solutions to their manufacturing challenges. Each process, including stock removal rates, bore geometry requirements and surface finish, is studied, step-by-step, to ensure all the objectives are met.
Among the most critical features in any bore-finishing system is fixture design. Using the latest machine, Engis technicians will be able to review each application and determine and test the best approach to fixture the part. Other key factors, such as simplicity, versatility and quick change-over, are also taken into consideration so that the entire process can be trialled.
The SPM 6000 is designed to process small to medium-sized components with bores up to 50 mm diameter. Although the machine at Engis UK is a six-spindle model, the SPM 6000 can also be configured with four, eight or 10 spindles.
For further information www.engis.com

Planning permission has been granted for the development of the state-of-the-art National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) facility.

Renfrewshire Council’s planning authority gave the green light to plans for the brand new carbon neutral building, which comes complete with a distinctive heather coloured façade. At around 1.5 times the size of Hampden football pitch, the site will include a skills academy, a fully digitalised factory of the future and a collaboration hub. The facility will help support manufacturing firms of all sizes and from all sectors across the country, and internationally, to innovate and grow.
For further information www.NMIS.scot

A TruPrint 3000 metal additive manufacturing (AM) system from Trumpf has been acquired by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

Installed within the MTC’s National Centre of Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), the machine is based on laser metal fusion (LMF) technology. “The idea behind installing the TruPrint 3000 is to showcase laser powder-bed technology,” explains Ross Trepleton, chief engineer at the MTC. “Our new knowledge hub for metal AM has only been open since October, but already we have a range of different AM platforms in place, the latest of which is the TruPrint 3000.”
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com