Lightweight engineering specialist Formaplex has strengthened its Design Engineering Services (DES) division with the creation of a ‘Tooling Centre of Excellence’.

The company’s specialist tooling teams and associated equipment are now together under one roof at its Portsmouth facility, where custom tools are assembled for customers, and where support is provided for other tooling needs. Creating such a facility will allow enhanced quality control, improved production processes and a lighter carbon footprint for the business, which supplies to manufacturers across multiple sectors.
For further information www.formaplex.com

The portfolio of magnetic products from Eclipse Magnetics will be showcased on Stand 56 (Hall 6), where visitors will have the chance to see how the company can ‘work smart with magnets’.

For instance, visitors will have the opportunity to find out more about Autofiltrex, Eclipse Magnetics’ latest series of automated filters with features that include a magnetic reclaim unit. Available in three different sizes, the Autofiltrex range is suitable for most ferrous machining applications, including grinding, honing, lapping, forming and quenching.
For further information www.eclipsemagnetics.com

A supplier of metal finishing and deburring systems, Ellesco, will maximise its 200 sq m stand (Hall 6, Stand 370) with exhibits from industry partners such as Timesavers, Autopulit and WMS.

On show will be a mix of machines and systems that highlight the versatility available from Ellesco, ranging from grinding and deburring, through polishing and general surface finishing, to weld dressing and blending. The display will feature manual, semi-automatic and fully automated robot integrated systems.
For example, a fully automated robot cell will showcase the ability of Autopulit to deliver belt grinding for weld dressing, finishing and paint preparation tailored to individual customer requirements. This capability is achieved by utilising robots to position work around single or multiple abrasive/polishing stations, or manipulating consumables around a component.
For further information www.ellesco.co.uk

Tees Components is investing in a second £500,000 CNC boring mill from Sheffield-based Ward CNC as it looks to double capacity. The family-run heavy-engineering firm, based in Skelton, near Saltburn, has ordered a heavy-duty Hyundai Wia KBN135CL, which is due to be installed shortly. An identical machine arrived at the firm’s CNC machining facility in 2016.

Used for CNC boring and milling, the machine is capable of producing extremely large parts due to the extent of its axes (4 x 2 x 2 m) and rotary table loading capability.
Sharon Lane, managing director of Tees Components, says: “Our existing large KBN borer has already proved itself a highly reliable and accurate machine for the precision machining of components weighing up to 20 tonnes. It has been put through its paces on a variety of castings, forgings and fabrications for the energy sector.
“Adding an additional machine enables us to increase capacity and meet growing demand for our services,” she continues. “This new equipment, coupled with Ward CNC technical service support and engineering competence, means we can satisfy the exacting delivery schedules our clients demand.”
The KBN has a one-piece, heavy-duty cast-iron bed and ground box guideways, which provides high accuracy through greater rigidity. A three-speed high-torque main spindle also features. The machine’s table load accommodates 20 tonnes, while the X axis is 4000 mm and the W axis is 700 mm.
Stuart Lawson, head of strategic accounts and projects at Ward CNC says: “We supplied Tees Components’ current horizontal boring mill two years ago and it’s a testament to its quality and precision that the company is now investing in a second identical machine.”
For further information
https://teescomponents.co.uk www.wardcnc.com

Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Minister for Business and Industry, says technologies being developed by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) are crucial to reducing the environmental impact of air travel and enabling the government to reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Zahawi made the comments during a speech at AMRC Cymru in Broughton, which he was visiting as part of an event to launch the ‘Aerospace Sector Deal – One Year On’ report by the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP).
During his speech, Zahawi highlighted the importance of the aerospace sector to the national economy: “The value of this industry is there in black and white for everyone to see in the report, and I’ve been pleased to see that the sector is focussed firmly away from the southeast, with more than 90% of businesses located elsewhere across the country. The UK is the home of innovation and enterprise in aerospace, with a significantly large number of companies creating thousands of jobs for local communities.”
For further information www.amrc.co.uk