£242m Economic Boost For Northwest

A pioneering programme helping northwest manufacturers invest in industrial digital technology is forecast to create more than 1550 new jobs and boost the region’s economy by £242m, new figures reveal.The Made Smarter adoption programme launched in Liverpool to help businesses digitalise, decarbonise and drive growth.So far 2500 manufacturers from across Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashireand Cumbria have engaged with the programme, with hundreds going on to receive support through grant funding, impartial technology advice and leadership and skills training.
For further information www.madesmarter.co.uk

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK strikes gold

Injection-moulding machine manufacturerSumitomo (SHI) Demag UK has earned the emissions-reversal gold certification badge from Carbon Neutral Britain. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK has offset 153.81 tonnes of CO2e emissions through the Woodland Fund portfolio of certified nature-based carbon reduction projects.To achieve this certification, the company measured and reportedday-to-day activities such as car journeys, flights, trains, taxis, hotel stays, recycling, waste, and electricity and gas consumption figures. The audit helped to identify hotspots where it was possible to make further improvements.
For further information https://sumitomo-shi-demag.co.uk

Mestec scores hat-trick of contract wins

A UK technology specialist is building on a record year by winning a trio of high-profile contracts and a prestigious global award. Mestec, which has seen sales grow by over 50% since its acquisition by Eyelit, will use its cloud-based manufacturing execution system (MES) solution to create smarter factories for clients involved in supercar customisation, advanced engineering and golf equipment manufacture.

The Bracknell-based business will work with the global brands to rapidly deploy technology that promises to improve performance across 80+ KPIs in a bid to improve productivity, OEE, quality and compliance.It comes at an exciting time for the firm after it won the Oracle ‘Global Leaders ISV of the Year Award’ at a ceremony that formed part of the recent Oracle CloudWorld in Las Vegas.
For further information www.mestec.net

Exploring the versatility of flat-bed lathes

According to machine tool supplier Axe & Status, flat-bed lathes have emerged as indispensable tools that cater to a wide range of industrial applications. These machines, known for their versatility, play a crucial role in shaping raw materials into intricate components that drive industries forward. Axe & Status, which offers a comprehensive range of flat-bed lathes, dives into the multi-faceted applications of these machine tools to show why they are a cornerstone of modern manufacturing processes.

Flat-bed lathes, also referred to as engine lathes, feature a horizontal bed that ensures stability and accuracy during machining. The true essence of flatbed lathes lies in their versatility. From small-scale workshops to large-scale industrial facilities, these machines are suitable for a broad spread of applications. As well as production volumes, these machines enable the rapid turning of prototypes, playing a pivotal role in iterative design processes and allowing engineers to test and refine their ideas before full-scale production.

Tool and die makers also rely heavily on flat-bed lathes to produce moulds, dies and special tools, while repair and maintenance tasks are another application to benefit, facilitating the refurbishment of worn-out components. In educational settings, flat-bed lathes serve as fundamental tools for teaching machining principles.

Flat-bed lathes offer exceptional precision, making them suitable for projects that demand high levels of accuracy across production runs. Furthermore, these machines can execute multiple machining processes in a single set-up, reducing production time and enhancing overall productivity.

Axe & Status offers an array of options that extend from manual lathes, which allow for hands-on precision and control, through to advanced CNC flat-bed lathes that bring automation and high-level accuracy to machining processes.
For further information www.axestatus.com

£30m AMIC contract

A construction contractor has been appointed to the Queen’s University Belfast-led Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a £100m Belfast Region City Deal project, with almost £80m coming from the UK Government. Henry Brothers has won the £30m contract to construct the 10,500 sq m ‘Factory of the Future’ building at Global Point Business Park in Newtownabbey. By 2050, estimates predict that AMIC will have contributed more than £1bn to the local economy, directly and indirectly created over 1500 permanent jobs, and supported the training of 300 apprentices.
For further information www.bit.ly/3JmSICZ