UK NEWS

Global lubricants deal struck

Burckhardt Compression and ExxonMobil have signed a global lubricants collaboration agreement to help deliver increased productivity, reduced costs and greater value to customers.

The collaboration supports new product technology that is engineered specifically for the performance requirements of reciprocating compressor systems. Burckhardt Compression has preferentially endorsed this new product technology for use in its equipment. The offer also includes enhanced equipment performance, and lifetime – as well as lubrication – related services.
For further information www.exxonmobil.com

ETG places emphasis on service

A UK machine tool supplier has appointed a new service manager to help it meet increased demand from precision engineering companies looking for maximum performance from their machines.

Engineering Technology Group (ETG), which has seen sales rise to a record level in 2018, has promoted Tim Dean to lead its new service and maintenance offer, and help customers reduce downtime.
The former apprentice has been at ETG for six years, initially joining the company in 2012 as a field service engineer before becoming a specialist on the German machine tools in the company’s range, including Bavius, Chiron and Stama. Dean is looking to implement a cross-training programme that will see all of the firm’s 20 service engineers develop a level of skill across the machines it sells and supplies.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Haas partners with Ineos team

Britain’s bid for the America’s Cup has led to Haas Automation being selected as the official machine tool supplier to Ineos Team UK, which is making an effort to bring the trophy back to Britain for the first time since the competition was established in 1851.

The Portsmouth-based team includes Sir Ben Ainslie as principal and skipper. Sir Ben will be hoping to achieve glory at the next edition of the America’s Cup in 2021, which will be contested in New Zealand.
Ineos says its decision to choose Haas was based on pedigree, performance and the ability to support the machines with its worldwide network. The team has invested in a Haas TM-1P tool-room mill and a Haas TL-1 tool-room lathe. Once the yacht’s development work has been completed in Portsmouth, the Haas machines will be put in a container and shipped to the other side of the world. James Leet, Haas director, says: “Haas has a tremendous track record within the marine industry on the south coast, and this association has become the jewel in the crown.”
For further information www.haas.co.uk

Engineering club launched by MCMT

Children as young as nine got to grips with a number of technology-led activities last week when a special engineering club took place in Bridgnorth.

The Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) teamed up with Black Country Atelier (BCA) to offer an action-packed menu of activities spanning the entire five days. This included designing and making a programmable Tamagotchi-style pet, constructing wide bridges and tall skyscrapers, and the challenge of creating the best rocket car.
A total of 15 young people – aged between nine and 13 years old – were supported by MCMT staff/apprentices (and instructors from BCA) to come up with ideas, work with hand tools and access some of the best technology installed at the 36,000 sq ft facility. MCMT is equipped with over £3m of equipment across its dedicated fabrication, foundry, lathe, metrology, milling, robotics and vehicle trimming sections. There is also a CNC zone that houses three-axis and five-axis machining centres donated by the Engineering Technology Group.
For further information www.mcmt.co.uk

Prosaw builds on exhibition success

Prosaw has been supplying metal-cutting machines to UK industry since 1963. In that time, exhibitions have proved to be a key way
for the company to instigate continuous growth, a fact underpinned by the company’s attendance at MACH earlier this year.

Prosaw has exhibited at MACH exhibitions for over 30 years, and once again the show proved to be one of the most successful in the company’s history, with a significant increase in visitor numbers resulting in a proportional increase in lead generation and ultimately, machine sales.
Some 20 machines were showcased by Prosaw at MACH 2018, ranging from entry-level manual bandsaws through to bundle-cutting bandsaws and automatic circular saws. In excess of 560 leads were generated during the five days of the exhibition, which soon resulted in more than 20 machine sales, with a value of over £500,000.
One of the stars of the show was the MEGA CS circular saw, which was cutting over five different types of material for customers during the five days of the event, ranging from aerospace-grade stainless steel, through to hydraulic cylinder rod material.
Prosaw’s design and manufacturing division is also capable of providing special purpose sawing machines for bespoke applications, as well as individually designed solutions to the problem of quickly and efficiently moving cut components on to the next stage following cutting. From basic input and output conveyors to fully automated handling systems, Prosaw is happy to give free help and advice to companies on
how to improve their production flow.
For further information www.prosaw.co.uk