UK NEWS

Foundry divisions merge

Thomas Dudley Ltd has merged both of its West Midlands foundries into one seamlessly integrated business.

Named Thomas Dudley Foundry Ltd, the new business encompasses the company’s existing facilities in and around Dudley. Mick Cramphorn, foundry director, said: “We celebrate two new milestones today as we formally join the Duport foundry and Thomas Dudley castings foundry. The integration can provide a complete solution to produce complex cast iron components up to 120 kg in weight. We now have unrivalled expertise in design and development, combining a team of engineering specialists who hold a vast amount of experience across a broad range of sectors.”
Following the merger, the company says that all processes are now aligned to streamline the manufacture of castings and further enhance quality, offering a reliable and extremely cost-effective source of supply, for any given requirement.
For further information www.thomasdudleyfoundry.co.uk

600 UK names northern sales manager

600 UK has appointed Chris Smith as its new area sales manager for the north of England, selling both Colchester and Harrison lathes, as well as Clausing mills, drills, saws and grinders.

Smith was apprentice trained in mechanical engineering at TS Harrison & Sons before moving into a wide variety of machine-tool sales roles over the past 30 years. Paul Rushworth, 600 UK sales director says: “Chris’ wealth of experience in the machine-tool industry and vast knowledge of Colchester and Harrison lathes further enhances our continued commitment to expanding our UK sales, applications and service network of direct and distribution selling.”
For further information www.600uk.com

Metrology specialist announces restructuring

Measurement Solutions, the UK partner for Creaform 3D portable metrology and Metrologic inspection software, has announced plans to restructure its business activities in response to the changing demands of customers and the 3D measurement and scanning market in the UK.

The changes have been made in light of the manufacturing industry progressively moving away from traditional fixed CMM solutions towards portable metrology systems, in particular hand-held scanning technologies, and the implementation of automated inspection using industrial robots. Measurement Solutions says the changes will provide customers with a more responsive and technically capable sales and support experience.
The new business structure will see the formation of two separate technology teams, each dedicated to different market application and product requirements. The Portable Metrology Division, headed by Jason Bridge, who has over 20 years’ sales experience within the metrology and 3D measurement sector, will focus primarily on portable measurement solutions. Activities will centre exclusively on the sales and support of portable measuring systems for industrial applications, such as the HandyScan 3D and MetraScan 3D solutions from Creaform.
To complement these activities, David Harper will head the Metrology Integration Division to focus on providing software solutions so that customers can make full use of their 3D measuring systems. This will include not only traditional CMM applications and services, but also be dedicated to providing quality control solutions through the integration of proven metrology software within the emerging automated measurement market using industrial robots. Harper has over 30 years’ experience in CNC CMM applications.
For further information www.measurement-solutions.co.uk

Students benefit from measuring arm

Barrow-in-Furness based Furness College, south Cumbria’s largest training provider with more than 4300 students, has purchased a Faro Edge ScanArm HD with CAM2 Measure10 software. The measuring arm combines the advantages of a measuring arm with the advanced attributes of a hand-held laser scanner. Among other tasks, the college’s Faro system is now used by students to inspect and reverse engineer complex parts and surfaces into 3D models.

Gordon Higgins, curriculum leader, says: “The AMTC is helping to meet growing local demand for highly skilled workers by enabling students to develop skills on real-life projects. As we work with more than 700 employers across a range of businesses, in order to meet their diverse needs it is important that we provide students with access to the latest high-tech equipment and machinery. An example of our students’ exposure to, and training on, the kind of cutting-edge equipment that they will encounter in the ‘real world’ is our Faro Edge ScanArm HD with CAM2 Measure10 software.
“In addition to witnessing an impressive Faro demonstration, it helped our purchasing decision that industries such as shipbuilding, metal fabrication and tool and die use the Faro Edge ScanArm HD for inspection and quality control routines,” he adds. “Also, several of the major employers that we work closely with, including BAE Systems, use Faro systems.
“Now in regular use, the logical nature of Faro’s CAM2 Measure10 software and the simplicity of our Faro Edge ScanArm HD, enable students to quickly master the system’s operation and fully understand the results they achieve.”
For further information www.faro.com

NTG invests in third Aberlink CMM

The mainstay of quality and inspection at Gateshead-based NTG Precision is its collection of Aberlink CMMs. Indeed, the requirement for the company’s inspection department to keep pace with increasing levels of production recently prompted the purchase of NTG’s third Aberlink CMM.

“Just as we pursue a policy of remaining loyal to suppliers who deliver premium-quality machine tools and first-class levels of service, we have remained loyal to Aberlink for the same reasons,” states NTG’s operations manager Mark Withycombe. “As well as accuracy, speed and ease-of-use, we have been very impressed with the machines’ reliability and the excellent levels of service the company provides.
“Although we were very happy with our previous two Aberlink CMMs, as other manufacturers’ machines may have improved, we looked at a couple of alternative CMMs,” he adds. “Satisfied that Aberlink’s Axiom Too best suited our needs, we were happy to remain loyal to the brand and place another order.”
Now installed and fully operational, just like NTG’s existing Aberlink CMMs, the new machine is able to get through large volumes of component measurement routines, and has removed the potential for delays in the inspection department.
“Given the nature of many of the industries we serve, such as oil and gas, subsea, power generation and automotive, the ability to offer the highest standard of component inspection is a prerequisite for gaining contracts. In addition to providing the required accuracy and speed, it helps that our three Aberlink CMMs are able to automatically generate the detailed inspection reports demanded by our customers.”
For further information www.aberlink.com