UK NEWS

Tokamak Energy acquires Ridgway Machines

Tokamak Energy, a UK fusion technology company, has accelerated the growth and manufacturing capabilities of its TE Magnetics business with the acquisition of specialist engineering company Ridgway Machines. Leicester-based Ridgway Machines, an expert in solutions for winding and insulating superconducting magnets and cables, will operate as a subsidiary of Tokamak, with the existing brand, workforce and facility remaining unchanged.

Andy Glanville, Ridgway Machines’ managing director, says: “Throughout the company’s 100-year history, Ridgway has always been forward-looking. Our track record means we’re well suited to expansion and this new period of growth. In Tokamak Energy, we’re proud to be joining one of the UK’s most exciting technology businesses, and to play our part in their ambitious and transformative plans.”

More information www.tokamakenergy.com

Amentum to create 3000 UK jobs

Amentum, a global advanced engineering and technology solutions specialist, is set to create 3000 new jobs in the UK over the next four years on the back of growth in nuclear power and defence. Amentum is a lead delivery partner for the UK’s new nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, and provides key technical and project solutions for small modular reactors and fusion research.

“We’re stepping up collaboration between our people on both sides of the Atlantic to ensure that we seize opportunities which are tailor-made for our company,” says Mark Whitney, president of Amentum Energy & Environment. “Based on current demand projections, we expect to increase our UK headcount by 50% over the next four years.”

More information www.amentum.com  

Tool inventory where manufacturers require it

Inventory management has become significantly more flexible with the arrival of the TM Minibox from Guhring. Unlike other vending solution providers, Guhring says it is elevating accessibility to the next level with the desktop TM Minibox, which is compact enough to fit on any workstation on the shop floor.

Guhring produces both standard and special product lines in the UK, maintaining over £5m of stock on-site for next-day delivery. However, for manufacturers wanting to ensure they always have the correct tool on hand, particularly where space is limited, the TM Minibox presents the solution.

The compact TM Minibox enhances the cabinet portfolio and makes tool management more versatile than ever before, says the company. With this compact box, tools are always at hand whenever needed. TM Minibox features four drawers with front heights of 60, 90 and 120 cm, but what is even more impressive are its dimensions. Measuring 630 x 700 x 880 mm (W x D x H) and weighing less than 95 kg, the TM Minibox fits into any machine shop. In fact, manufacturers with large workshops can reduce downtime by installing multiple localised desktop TM Miniboxes instead of one centralised vending machine.

When manufacturers invest in a TM Minibox, the GTMS Basic logistics software module is included as standard. This pre-installed logistics software digitises the most important inventory processes on the shop floor. The software assists manufacturers in managing master data, creating evaluations and handling intra-logistical processes efficiently. This includes parameters such as user data, cost units, partners and suppliers, and article data. Furthermore, manufacturers can better manage and control inventory, achieving complete visibility and traceability that identify tool movements and automatically handle the ordering process to ensure they never run out of tools.

More information www.guhring.co.uk

Star to debut SP-32 at October open house

Star Micronics GB will showcase the new SP-32 sliding-head lathe for the first time in the UK at its annual open house event, taking place on 7-9 October 2025. The SP-32 follows the launch of the SP-23 in 2023, expanding the capability of the series to bar diameters up to 32 mm (35 mm optional).

Designed for versatility, the SP-32 offers a wide tooling capacity and extensive software functions, making it well-suited to a broad range of sectors that include automotive, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, and general subcontract machining.

The machine is equipped with the FANUC 0i-TF Plus CNC, which includes a range of advanced features such as a program data batch input/output function to streamline daily operation. In addition, a new deburring cycle has been added to the Star command system.

Incorporating various technologies to minimise heat generation, the SP-32 includes Star’s thermal displacement correction technology to optimise accuracy, stability and machining performance. The machine is compatible with the latest software developments including Step Cycle Pro chip-breaking technology and Star’s new ECO Mode, an energy saving function that saves power during machine standby.

The SP-32 incorporates a zero-shaped tool post with a six-station platen on the front and a six-spindle cross-drilling unit at the rear. Four of the cross-drilling unit’s spindles are cartridge-type positions where a wide variety of tool units can be mounted to suit complex applications. In addition, a five-spindle sleeve holder (drilling arm) is provided with three positions at 22 mm and two positions at 32 mm diameter.

The back-working platen is specified with a five-spindle tool post with driven-tool capability as standard, enabling up to four rotating tools for efficient (overlapped) back machining and reduced cycle times.

More information www.stargb.com/open

Transforming production capabilities with Hanwha

Machined Component Systems (MCS) is a subcontract machining specialist with a reputation for delivering precision components to sectors including automotive, petrochemical, environmental, transport technologies, marine, healthcare and white goods. Founded by Warren Gray’s father, MCS has been under Warren’s leadership for the past decade. During that time, the company has transformed from a traditional engineering firm into a sophisticated manufacturing hub, a move made possible with investment in the latest manufacturing technologies, including three Hanwha sliding-head turning centres from Dugard.

By 2022, MCS faced a critical decision regarding its sliding-head capability.

“We’d had some very good sliding-head machines from another manufacturer over a number of years,” says Warren. “Those machines were beginning to age, so we went out to three or four sliding-head manufacturers with the same suite of parts. We asked them to tender and provide a complete turnkey proposal for those components, and Dugard won.”

The selection process was not simply about specifications or price comparisons; Warren insisted on a comprehensive evaluation that would reveal real-world capabilities.

“Dugard invited us down to Brighton. I took my lead setter and a senior sliding-head machine setter. The three of us spent the whole day reviewing Dugard as a company and looking at the Hanwha machines in action. On the back of the quotation provided, they won our business.”

The company now has three Hanwha machines, the XD20II-V NHY, XD26II-V NHY and XD38II-R NHY. These six-axis turning centres have a diameter capacity from 20 to 38 mm with an ability to turn parts up to 545 mm long.

Warren’s assessment of the partnership is overwhelmingly positive: “The Hanwha machines are very good machine tools and we’re extremely happy.”

More information www.dugard.com