UK NEWS

Dedicated Industry 4.0 sheet-metal event

A number of companies from across the UK sheet-metal industry are set to host an event dedicated to technology that can facilitate the implementation of Industry 4.0. Taking place on 29-30 November at Yamazaki Mazak’s European Technology Centre in Worcester, the ‘Sheet Metal 4.0’ event will see a selection of companies and industry experts come together to showcase technology which can unlock the next generation of sheet-metal production as part of a connected factory infrastructure.

Participants include: tooling specialist Mate Tooling Solutions; CADCAM software expert Radan; sheet metal supplier and service provider Press-Form; as well as used machine suppliers JTES and MSS Lasers. Thanks to the collaboration between these suppliers, there will be a number of sheet-metal cutting and peripheral machines on display, along with technical presentations, machine demonstrations and factory tours running throughout the day.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk/sheetmetal

SolidCAM moves technology centre

SolidCAM UK Ltd, the UK reseller of the SolidCAM and InventorCAM CADCAM software suites, has relocated its technology centre to a more spacious workshop within the premises of Alimex UK Precision in Aluminium Ltd, based in Stonebridge, Milton Keynes.

The decision to relocate came about due to the success of the SolidCAM’s ‘Total Manufacturing Solution’ seminars, which were held throughout this year. The practical shop floor environment will continue to benefit UK customers, partners and resellers attending training and education workshops.
For further information www.solidcamuk.com

£4m training hub opens

A £4m state-of the-art training hub was officially opened earlier this month with bosses urging other manufacturers to step forward to avoid a skills drain caused by the uncertainty of Brexit. The Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), which is run by a consortium comprising Classic Motor Cars, Grainger & Worrall, In-Comm Training and Salop Design & Engineering, was unveiled in front of 250 people with many delegates receiving their first glimpse of the 36,000 sq ft facility.

Managing director Matthew Snelson used the event to issue a rallying call for more firms to work together in a bid to stop ‘cannibalising’ the pool of industry talent in the UK: “We need to flood the market with new talent and ensure there are enough individuals to satisfy the growth expectations of industry. There is an urgent need for more skilled labour and that is where we come in by creating a dedicated centre that will deliver more than ‘2020 learning opportunities by 2020’.
For further information www.mcmt.co.uk

Successful open house at Seco Tools

Seco Tools (UK) has reported that its recently-held ‘Inspiration through Innovation’ open house was a huge success with over 715 visitors attending the event over the two days. Now in its fourth year, highlights of Inspiration through Innovation included: 11 machining demonstrations; nine best-practice seminars led by industry experts; and over 50 technical partners showcasing their latest products, services and technology solutions.

“Our objective with Inspiration through Innovation has always been to create an inspiring and practical event that is truly customer-focused and demonstrates to visitors and partners alike that significant improvements in productivity, quality and performance can be achieved through collaboration and sharing best practice,” says Richard Jelfs, the company’s managing director.
For further information www.secotools.com

Danobat bandsaw offers “real value”

When Sheffield-based Special Quality Alloys chose to bring the sawing of large-diameter nickel-based superalloys in-house, the company turned to Prosaw for advice on processing these extremely tough materials.

The decision to discontinue the use of subcontractors for this purpose was made all the easier since Prosaw had already provided three Danobat bandsaws to Special Quality Alloys. With the first machine installed 12 years ago, all three bandsaws have been used for sawing slightly smaller diameter billets, yet have performed reliably. The fact that these machines have functioned so consistently over such a long period of time has inevitably resulted in the operators becoming comfortable with the Danobat saws.
This time however, billets of up to 800 mm diameter were required to be cut in an automated continuous process, so a Danobat CP800A Auto-bandsaw was specified and duly purchased by the company.
Jonathan Gillet, works manager of Special Quality Alloys explains the thinking behind the decision: “Bringing the processing of the larger diameter billets in-house has meant a good deal less handling for us, resulting in faster turnaround times since we are no longer reliant on transport contractors.
“This has benefited the company in the form of lower costs and brought the whole process entirely under our own control,” he continues. “Even though these products are notoriously difficult to cut, we have complete confidence that when we put a large diameter billet on to the Danobat machine it’s going to be cut.
“From our recent experiences we believe that Danobat machines represent real value for money,” he concludes.
For further information www.prosaw.co.uk