UK NEWS

AI-Inspired Field Service

A UK digital transformation specialist is leveraging the power of generative AI to deliver a boost to field service technicians. PTC has released the ServiceMax AI field service management assistant following successful beta testing and is rolling it out immediately across existing and new customers. The assistant enables organisations to modernise their workflows and improve the technician experience. It taps into the history of a field asset stored in the ServiceMax platform – including equipment data, service history and known service resolutions – to help get more done in less time.

More information www.ptc.com

Wired for Good Campaign Hits £60k

Acorns Children’s Hospice has become the first charity to be recognised twice by a Black Country manufacturer’s fundraising campaign. Alloy Wire International (AWI), a producer of round, flat and profile wire, has donated £5000 to the organisation as part of its ongoing Wired for Good initiative, with the money helping deliver essential services to more than 780 children and over 1000 families every year across the West Midlands. It follows a £7500 donation three years ago and takes the total money given out by AWI to good causes to £60,000.

More information www.acorns.org.uk

Grant Supports £1m Paint Shop Boost

A UK manufacturer of bespoke racking is looking to double its sales by 2028 after tapping into assistance from a major business support programme. Wickens Engineering, which employs 50 people at its Worcester factory, is targeting £20m in revenue after completing a £1m improvement project in the company’s paint shop, giving it the capability to powder-coat 8 m steel beams for the first time. The latest phase of the investment drive was supported by consultancy through the Elevate Manufacturing Programme, which included a revenue grant that played a key role in driving change.

More information www.elevate-manufacturing.co.uk

Finishing firm backs battery investment boom

Midland Deburr & Finish, a specialist in metal deburring and degreasing based in Lye, is championing the latest wave of investment into the UK battery technology sector. With years of experience working on critical automotive battery components using both vapour and solvent degreasing techniques, the company sees this renewed commitment to battery innovation as a vital boost for British manufacturing.

The collapse of Britishvolt was a disappointment for many in the industry, raising concerns about the UK’s ability to compete in the global race for battery production. However, new investments into the sector, such as the ambitious plans by UK start-up Volklec to build a £1bn gigafactory, signal a fresh start – one that Midland Deburr & Finish hopes will place Britain at the forefront of sustainable automotive technology.

Chris Arrowsmith, managing director of Midland Deburr & Finish, welcomes the renewed focus on battery production: “As a company that has played a role in the supply chain for battery components, we know how important this sector is for the future of UK manufacturing. The latest investment commitments, including Volklec’s partnership with Far East Battery, are a real step in the right direction, giving manufacturers and suppliers confidence to drive innovation and efficiency.”

Midland Deburr & Finish has extensive experience in preparing battery components to the highest standards, ensuring optimal cleanliness and performance. The company’s expertise in precision degreasing plays a crucial role in the automotive supply chain, supporting the production of high-performance battery systems.

“The UK has the talent, expertise and infrastructure to lead in battery technology,” Arrowsmith adds. “With the right backing, we can create a thriving ecosystem that supports jobs, innovation, and sustainability.”

More information www.midlanddeburrandfinish.co.uk

Finishing technologies for med-tech sector

At the Medical Technology UK exhibition in Coventry last week, Fintek showed how automated mass and super finishing technologies are advancing the precision of implant and medical device surfaces.

The medical industry demands continual surface improvements to ensure the safety and effectiveness of surgical instruments, tibias, femoral shafts, prosthetic sockets, bone screws, bone plates and more. Precision surface finishing is a vital post-process in their manufacture as it enhances performance, safety and lifespan in use.

Fintek is the exclusive UK agent for the sales of OTEC Präzisionsfinish GmbH drag-finishing and electro-chemical finishing machines. According to the company, these two technologies excel at automating in-house medical device finishing. The company also provides a full subcontract service, with its experienced technical team using the latest equipment from OTEC.

Medical devices and implants made from stainless steel, cobalt chrome, titanium and ceramics can reach surface smoothness values to Ra 0.01 μm. Using drag finishing and electro-chemical technology, this is achieved quickly, with repeatable precision and quality, reports Fintek. Inconsistencies often associated with hand finishing are eliminated.

Improving surface finishing significantly improves the biocompatibility of medical devices by creating a smoother and more uniform surface. Especially important for implants and prosthetics in contact with body tissues for extended periods. A smoother surface is less likely to harbour bacteria, lowering the risk of infection in surgical settings.

Medical devices are often in contact with bodily fluids and sterilisation processes. Smoother surfaces enhance corrosion resistance, ensuring they remain durable and safe over time. Surface smoothness also lowers friction and improves wear resistance, extending implant lifespan and maintaining the device’s effectiveness. Surface finishing also enhances mechanical properties such as fatigue strength.

More information www.fintek.co.uk