UK NEWS

Industrial auction nets six-figure sum

The assets of a steel fabrication business that went into liquidation fetched a six-figure sum when they were sold through an online auction. BPI Auctions handled the sale of metalworking equipment and vehicles from Midland Metal Fabrications, which ceased trading in May. Lots included industrial equipment ranging from CNC machine tools and welding extraction units to a gas-fired spray booth, welding robot and powder coating line. Marcus Smith from BPI Auctions says that conducting online auctions of a liquidated company’s assets simplifies the sales process for both vendor and purchaser.

For further information www.bpiauctions.com

Three new members for the AFRC

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) has welcomed three major new members from the manufacturing sector. Agreements have been signed with Kuka Robotics, Open Mind Technologies and Metalube, all joining as tier two members.

The companies will share knowledge with the AFRC, working with the £60m research centre on collaborative projects, partnerships and problem-solving exercises in particular manufacturing processes. “We’re pleased to add another three highly innovative businesses to our list of partners and are looking forward to the collaborative projects which evolve as a result,” says Dr Lynne O’Hare, chief business development officer.
For further information www.strath.ac.uk

XYZ strengthens customer-facing team

A combination of recruitment and internal promotions has strengthened the customer service team at XYZ Machine Tools, reflecting ongoing business growth and the company’s move into the sale of five-axis machining centres. After 10 years supporting customers through the XYZ programming helpline, Mark Higson is moving across to the newly created role of manufacturing engineer. This will see him provide detailed support to customers, with emphasis on developing demonstration parts and proving-out components. Moving in the opposite direction is Matt Hill, who will be adding his expertise to the programming helpline desk.

Two changes in the service department will see Steve Davie put his 12 years’ experience working across machine-build and electrical testing in the XYZ factory to use, benefitting customers across the southwest of England and south Wales in a customer-facing role as service engineer. Teaming up with Davie in the service team is new recruit Jas Chaven, who joins XYZ after spending 10 years in a machine tool service role.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Mazak broadens aftersales support

Yamazaki Mazak has invested further in its aftersales support with the announcement of eight new service engineers. This latest intake includes two additional in-house engineers, who will work to co-ordinate the daily activities of the field-based specialist team. Reducing the need for engineer call-outs where possible, the increased amount of in-house engineers will also ensure that customers have access to quick-response technical support over the phone, helping them get their machines back up and running as soon as possible.   

The support team out in the field has also grown, with Mazak employing an additional member for both the install team and planned service team, as well as taking on four new engineers for the breakdown team. This growth is in line with Mazak’s goal to arrive at the site of a breakdown within 24 hours, regardless of geographical location, and get customer machines back into production within a 72-hour time frame.

    

For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Precise sawing solution for Parker Precision

Parker Precision, a West Midlands-based engineering company, has invested in a new automatic shuttle-vice bandsaw from Addison Saws. The saw, an Everising S-250 HB-NC model, is bringing efficiencies of 60% to Parker’s sawing line and is being used to feed no fewer than 20 CNC milling machines.
“With a growing order book, we identified the need to further enhance our ability to precision-cut heat-treated lengths of aircraft-grade stainless steels and aerospace alloys,” says Parker Precision’s marketing director Marc Corns.

A trip to see an Everising S-250 HB-NC bandsaw at the site of a local Addison Saws’ customer was enough to convince Parker Precision that the machine would more than fulfil its cutting requirements.
“Having seen the S-250 saw in action, we were happy to forgo cutting trials as we were more than convinced it would meet our needs,” says Corns. “However, in view of the fact that we work with a wide range of exotic materials, Addison Saws recommended variable clamping pressure as an optional feature in order to protect the integrity of even the most delicate tubes.”
Duly installed, the Everising S-250 HB-NC automatic shuttle-vice bandsaw is already bringing considerable benefits to production strategies at Parker Precision’s Bilston site. Significantly quicker than the saw it replaced, the Everising machine has more than halved the time it takes the precision engineering company to cut steel and aluminium into typical bar sizes of 50 mm diameter and 180 mm length.
“The amount of scrap material we generate has also been minimised, while the saw’s precise cutting action has reduced the need for deburring,” concludes Corns.
For further information
www.addisonsaws.co.uk