AS9100 and ISO9001 accredited APT Leicester, a subcontract machining specialist, has invested in a Keyence dimension measurement system.

The Keyence IM-7030T has increased productivity by speeding up the inspection of components, says the company. APT’s new machine has the ability to measure multiple parts in seconds, enabling the company to spend more time on the production process itself. This strategy ensures that APT customers are consistently and rapidly provided with quality products.
For further information www.aptleicester.co.uk

Tornos UK has expanded its team with the addition of three skilled engineers, who will serve to strengthen the service, customer support and technical engineering solutions available from the company.

Stephen Brett and Andy Patrick have both been heavily involved in the manufacturing sector since leaving school and serving technical manufacturing apprenticeships, prior to careers in production-orientated roles across a number of different market segments. Chun Yuen previously held a 10-year customer support engineer role for Tornos in Asia and will bring a fresh outlook to customers on the application of their machine tools.
For further information www.tornos.com

Founded in 1833, Glasgow-based Auld Valves is a manufacturer of reducing, control and safety valves, and is the company that patented the first full-bore regulator valve.

Supplying a diverse customer base around the world, including oil and gas, nuclear and shipbuilding, recent investment in machining technology from XYZ Machine Tools is further enhancing the firm’s service levels.
Machining at Auld Valves has traditionally either been subcontracted or carried out on a range of manual lathes and radial-arm drills. However, with business growing on the back of recent orders for valves for two new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, along with planned work on the new BAE Systems Type 26 Frigate for the Royal Navy and others around the world, investment had to be made.
Initially the intention was to purchase a single XYZ SLX 425 ProTurn lathe through grant funding, but in discussion with the grant provider, it was decided the better option was to double up.
“Having the two machines has enabled us to bring more work back in-house, enhancing our service to customers,” says Tom McLarnon, technical engineer. “Another big plus is that we can manufacture what we want, when we want it, rather than being dictated by minimum order quantities imposed by subcontractors.”
The arrival of the machines brought an opportunity for two young operators to step over from manual to CNC and, as part of the investment, Auld Valves purchased the offline programming system from XYZ Machine Tools in anticipation of machining some of its more complex components. The ease of use of the ProtoTrak control, however, has seen the two operators programming the majority of jobs at the machine.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

In collaboration with cutting-tool specialist Walter GB, Schunk will be hosting a customer innovation day on 18 July at the Knowledge Transfer Centre (KTC) in Sheffield, which is part of the AMRC.

The event is an opportunity for manufacturers specialising in the aerospace sector to witness best practice five-axis work holding and machining. After registration at 09:30-10:00, presentations will delivered by both Schunk and Walter, before the former delivers a presentation on the latest Vero-S Aviation modular clamping system for aerospace structural components. After lunch, delegates will transfer to the Factory of the Future machine shop.
For further information www.gb.schunk.com

The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) at the University of Strathclyde has integrated laser metal deposition (LMD) technology within a CNC machining centre, creating a unique platform that is the first of its kind in Scotland, and one of very few across the world.

Offering an affordable way for SMEs to embrace additive manufacturing, the LMD hybrid platform demonstrates that those with existing CNC technologies can retrofit their machinery to accommodate additive manufacturing at a reduced cost compared with off-the-shelf solutions. The AFRC is hosting a free workshop on machining and additive manufacturing on 28-29 August 2019. To find out more and book a space visit the web address shown.
For further information https://is.gd/tageye