A specialist in hand-arm vibration (HAV) risk management has collaborated with an RFID software consultancy to develop a new automated management tracking and reporting system.

Reactec, with the support of CoreRFID, has developed a range of HAV management tools which aim to improve protection for employees in heavy industries. These include HAVwear wearable technology, HAVmeter tool-mounted technology, mobile apps and an analytics software platform. The new HAVwear device is worn like a wristwatch and provides real-use monitoring of HAV exposure when using power tools.
For further information www.reactec.com

A one-day conference being staged by the Manufacturing Technology Centre at its Coventry facility will discuss the future of intelligent automation in manufacturing.

Delegates will be given an insight into where the technology is heading, what benefits it can deliver for manufacturing and how the latest innovations can be implemented. As well as hearing a number of keynote speakers, delegates will get the opportunity to see the latest automation equipment in action at the MTC. The conference will take place on 26 March at the organisation’s headquarters on Ansty Park, Coventry, starting at 09:00.
For further information www.the-mtc.org/AutomationDay

Further to an already extensive list of licensed machine manufacturers, eight more have recently signed up to utilise Big-Plus spindle and tooling systems from Big Kaiser on their machine tools. Big-Plus spindles, which are available in the UK from ITC, are now licensed to circa 170 machine tool manufacturers.

Said to be the only system that provides simultaneous taper and flange contact in a 7/24 cone interface, the Big-Plus dual-contact connection between the machine and tool is robust, reliable and accurate. Despite the fact that Big-Plus was developed over 25 years ago in Japan by Big Kaiser’s parent company, Big Daishowa, the adoption of the spindles is still seeing solid growth across industry.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Set to return for 2019, the Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge is now open for entries.

This flagship competition for schools (organised by the MTA) encourages students to submit their coursework projects, which go towards either their GCSE, A-Level or BTEC qualifications. There are four prize categories to be judged, two in each age group, 14-16 and 17-19. The closing date for 2019 entries is 15 May, and only one application per student or group will be accepted, although schools are permitted to enter multiple students. Finalists will be notified by 7 June.
For further information www.mta.org.uk/tdi

At its open house in Coventry on 19-21 March, Bystronic UK will repeat its Swiss parent company’s presentation on world-class manufacturing entitled ‘The Networked World of Sheet Metal Processing’, which featured at last year’s EuroBlech exhibition. Visitors will learn where integrated automation and new software solutions are heading in the fields of laser cutting and bending.

Dan Thombs, managing director of the UK subsidiary, says: “Bystronic accompanies its customers step-by-step on the path to the smart factory. This is what we will be emphasising during our open house.”
For further information www.bystronic.co.uk