A specialist in precision machined components has invested in its first ever robot to help it boost capacity and achieve lights-out automation.

Dorset-based Brimor Engineering, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has installed a new Halter LoadAssistant from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) as part of plans to capitalise on a recent 20% increase in sales. It is an investment decision that is already reaping dividends, with the automated loading of up to 100 workpieces giving the firm the opportunity to free up staff to work on other machines and in different roles.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Redditch-based Able Tooling has been supported by Close Brothers Asset Finance in a management buy-out (MBO) by two existing team members.

The deal has enabled a smooth transition of ownership from retiring founder Nigel Rhodes to Carl Brazil, production director, and Scott Lewthwaite, managing director, both long-term employees. Says Simon Parker, regional manager for Close Brothers Asset Finance – manufacturing division: “The company has been trading for nearly 30 years and is well-run with a range of high-value machine tools. This allowed us to offer a re-finance deal using equity in the machinery to part-fund the acquisition of the business.”
For further information www.closeassetfinance.co.uk

Birmingham-based metal stamping company Brandauer has announced a £1.5m export boost.

The company, which employs 67 people, has secured orders to supply customers in the Netherlands, the United States and, for the first time, Israel. This work has helped the family-owned business increase sales to £9.2m and proved a major factor in Brandauer recently securing a Queen’s Award for Enterprise (International Trade) – one of only 16 companies in the West Midlands to receive the accolade.
The management team at Brandauer is focused on doubling turnover to £18m by 2022, and has invested £3m in the latest metrology technology and high-speed presses from Bruderer and Yamada to help achieve the ambitious plans.
For further information www.brandauer.co.uk

A real-time status board display system for the shop floor is the latest acquisition by Sheldon Precision Engineering for its PSL Datatrack production control software system.

This fast-growing Barnstaple-based company provides specialist subcontract engineering and turned-parts manufacturing services which have been managed using PSL Datatrack since the business started. PSL’s status boards provide real-time visual information on any aspect of production, including the current work-to list, all jobs requiring work that day, and updates – such as material and component
stock levels.
For further information www.psldatatrack.com

A one-day seminar and open house on the manufacturing of gears will be held at NCMT’s Coventry technical centre and showroom on 9 July 2019.

Various production methods will be demonstrated on Japanese-built Makino and Okuma machining centres, as well as on one of the latter manufacturer’s multi-tasking turn-mill machines.
Methods covered will include hobbing, power skiving and ‘InvoMilling’, which is capable of producing different gears using the same standard machine platform. Gear grinding will also feature, involving the use of NCMT’s proprietary EasyGear grinding software. Makino wire-cut and die-sink EDM production solutions will be among further presentations at the event.
To register email florencejones@ncmt.co.uk