UK NEWS

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

HS2 reveals bidders

HS2 Ltd has revealed the train builders vying to deliver Britain’s next generation of state-of-the-art high-speed trains, which will carry tens of thousands of people every day across the UK’s new high-speed network and beyond.

Computer-generated visuals of a high speed train. HS2. For editorial usage only.

Operating at speeds of up to 360 kph, shortlisted bidders for the new train fleet are: Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd, Hitachi Rail Europe, Patentes Talgo SLU and Siemens PLC. Each will be invited to tender for the contracts, which will cover the design, build and maintenance of at least 54 trains coming into service from 2026. In total, HS2 will create around 25,000 jobs and 2000 apprenticeships both directly in construction and across the UK-wide supply chain. The first trains will begin to roll off the production line in the early 2020s. Welcoming the shortlist, HS2 Minister Paul Maynard says: “Thousands of skilled British jobs and apprenticeships will be created by HS2, which gets a step closer as we reveal the companies shortlisted to build the high-speed trains.”
For further information www.gov.uk

Metal powders, parts and machines

LPW Technology Ltd and Magnitude Innovations Ltd are combining their additive manufacturing (AM) experience to support the industrialisation of metal AM.

Ben Ferrar, LPW’s chief operating officer, says: “In partnership, LPW and Magnitude will support their clients with metal powders, design, process and application support, helping manufacturers to overcome production challenges throughout the complete AM value chain. The projects undertaken together will offer a tailored, turnkey solution to the adoption of AM technologies, supporting industrial companies to utilise AM and broaden the knowledge-base of the AM sector.”
For further information www.lpwtechnology.com

Coleg Gwent develops CNC capability

As one of the biggest, and most successful colleges in Wales, Coleg Gwent is not resting on its laurels. The college has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to deliver day-release and full-time apprenticeships in support of the engineering sector in its catchment area. The first phase of this plan is now complete following the arrival of four CNC machines supplied by XYZ Machine Tools.

The four machines, two XYZ CT52 turning centres and two XYZ Mini Mill 560 vertical machining centres, will be used to develop full-time courses to introduce students to automation in the manufacturing process, as well as involving them in initial component design, CADCAM, programming and general machining. Courses are also designed for part-time students already in industry who want to upskill to make their qualifications more relevant to modern industry standards.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com