Measured performance

Aberlink will be demonstrating the company’s most recently launched CMM on stand L230 at Southern Manufacturing.

The Xtreme CMM features a non-Cartesian structure and makes use of linear motors and mechanical bearings – a configuration that Aberlink says ensures the retention of accuracy at very fast measurement rates and avoids the accumulative inaccuracies that occur in conventional three-axis Cartesian arrangements. Also on the stand will be Aberlink’s Axiom Too CMM.
For further information www.aberlink.com

NSSS orders four Citizen machines

The specialist fastener operation of Hockley-based Non Standard Socket Screw (NSSS) is continuing its policy of upgrading competitiveness by not only increasing productivity with further lights-out operations, but achieving improvements to quality and, most importantly, consistency of production, especially in more difficult to machine materials.
To help achieve this target, NSSS has ordered four CNC sliding head turn-mill centres worth £400,000 from Citizen Machinery UK.

Two Citizen Cincom installations comprising an L32-VIII and L20-VIII are already in full production. These machines will soon be joined by a further Cincom L20-VIII plus a smaller capacity L12-VII.
Says marketing director Melvin White: “We are in a very competitive market and it is important to maintain our production capability for both UK and overseas customers. We’re a modern business that is driving the use of automation and the latest manufacturing technologies to continually improve quality and output.”
By way of example, he follows on to describe the recent installation of a computer controlled heat-treatment facility and how lights-out techniques contribute to the firm’s improved levels of productivity.
“Our market demands consistency of production over long periods, which is being achieved with the latest machine-tool installations,” he says.
Since its foundation in 1971, NSSS has developed a fully self-contained fastener manufacturing operation that employs 90 people. In addition to its stockist business, the company produces a range of special fasteners, including prototypes for customers that range in size from M1.4. Parts are produced from up to 32 mm diameter bar on the Citizen Cincom machines.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

SME boost

Karen Finegold, executive director of the Engineering Industries Association (EIA) has been invited to join the board of the Genesis Initiative, which was formed to improve the quality of the debate on SMEs and create economic reform, driven by SMEs and supported by Parliamentarians.

The role of Genesis is to act as an umbrella organisation, working on the behalf of UK SMEs to optimise potential growth in the SME sector by fostering a “can do” culture. Genesis aims to participate fully in achieving economic and structural reforms that will enable businesses to flourish.
For further information www.genesis-initiative.org

SABB selected for Sharing in Growth

Engineering specialist Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows (SABB) plans to deliver future growth after being selected for Sharing in Growth (SiG), the government-backed supply chain competitiveness programme.

The Cheshire-based company, having produced steady growth in recent times, will work with SiG to achieve significant expansion over the next five years by investing in skills, productivity and business development. As part of the programme, SABB went through a robust 12-week business diagnostic to establish suitability. The company’s key customers include Airbus, Embraer, Bell Helicopters, GKN and Rolls Royce.
For further information www.sig-uk.org/apply

Composites technology centre inaugurated

A key milestone was marked recently at a Yorkshire manufacturing centre, which from 2019 will start producing carbon-fibre tubs for McLaren Automotive, the British creator of luxury sports cars and supercars. The £50m McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) is nearing completion at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham and is the result of an ongoing partnership between McLaren Autotmotive and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

After a launch at the AMRC’s Factory 2050, McLaren Automotive chief executive Mike Flewitt was on-hand to illuminate the famous marque’s sign in the new manufacturing centre. The recently unveiled McLaren Senna road car then performed a series of expertly choreographed ‘doughnuts’ to leave a trail of fresh Pirelli tyre rubber on the new centre’s floor to ‘christen’ it – McLaren style.
For further information www.cars.mclaren.com