UK NEWS

Xtrac Kicks off 2026 with £1m Investment

As part of Xtrac’s continuous improvement philosophy, the specialist in transmission technology has confirmed a £1m investment in the three new machines at its Thatcham headquarters in the UK: a Sodick EDM machine, a DMG Mori CNC turning centre and a Behringer bandsaw. Together, this trio of arrivals will further improve Xtrac’s ability to deliver high-precision gearing solutions to the highest quality.

Xtrac also remains committed to staying at the cutting edge of gear design and manufacture by investing in the upgrade of existing equipment to take advantage in developments in technology and software. In December, the company’s Klingelnberg P40 gear inspection machine was upgraded to deploy the latest closed-loop bevel manufacture process and technology suite.

More information www.xtrac.com

Hands-on 3D Printing Showcase

Made Smarter is putting 3D printing in the spotlight at an event designed to help manufacturers understand how 3D printing can deliver real-world impact for their business. Made Smarter – Discovering Additive Manufacturing, taking place on 28 January 2026, will bring together SME manufacturers, technology experts and academic specialists at the University of Lancashire’s Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) in Preston.

The agenda of the half-day event blends real business case studies, expert insight and hands-on demonstrations, giving manufacturers the opportunity to see additive manufacturing in action, ask questions and explore whether the technology could play a role in their own digital journey. It forms part of Made Smarter’s Digital Champions Network, a peer-to-peer forum for manufacturers at all stages of digital adoption.

More information www.bit.ly/49sTDzj

New Lynx lathe investment improves turnaround times

Mills CNC has recently supplied RCF Bolt & Nut, part of the TGM Industrial Group and a manufacturer of industrial fasteners, with a new compact, high-precision CNC lathe. The machine, a FANUC-controlled 8” chuck Lynx 2100LB manufactured by DN Solutions, is now operational at the company’s 40,000 ft² production and machine shop facility in Wednesbury, West Midlands. The machine is already proving pivotal in helping improve productivity and process efficiencies by reducing production bottlenecks and, as a result, improving turnaround times.

Says managing director Adrian Garrett: “We’re on a strong growth trajectory and demand for our standard and bespoke solutions has been growing exponentially over the past few years. While this is good news, it was putting pressure on our in-house machining resources. We needed additional capacity, and we needed it fast.”

RCF Bolt & Nut’s positive experience with a previous Lynx 220LM lathe led the company to contact Mills CNC in the summer of 2025 to discuss its immediate machining requirements.

“We were introduced to the Lynx 2100LB and could see that its technical capacity and capabilities fitted the bill perfectly,” says Garrett.

Since installation, the Lynx 2100LB has been put through its paces machining ‘near net shape’ forged bolt and nut blanks made from a range of different materials. Machining operations include internal and external single-point threading, boring, reaming, rigid tapping, chamfering and parting off.

Concludes Garrett: “The new Lynx 2100LB is a fast, accurate and flexible machine. Its acquisition is evidence of our continuous improvement programme in action, and we’re aiming to continue upgrading our machine shop in the months to come.”

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

James Aiken boosts machining with Colchester Tornado

James Aiken, a precision engineering company based in Aberdeen, has strengthened its machining capabilities with the addition of a Colchester Tornado SL35L.

Specialising in onshore and offshore energy, power generation, food processing and commercial utilities, the company provides high-precision machined components for critical applications. To maintain its reputation for quality, reliability and efficiency, James Aiken needed a turning centre that could meet the high demands of these industries while ensuring long-term performance.

The company duly invested in a Colchester Tornado SL35L two-axis, long bed-turning centre. This particular model was selected to increase production capacity, optimise workflow, and ensure consistent precision for machining complex components used in energy infrastructure and industrial systems.

The Tornado SL35L is a versatile and robust CNC lathe, engineered to meet the rigorous standards of industries where reliability, accuracy and efficiency are essential. The long-bed capability accommodates larger components required in offshore and power generation applications, while its potential for high-precision machining ensures repeatable accuracy for mission-critical components.

Having used Colchester Tornado machines since 2006, James Aiken has continuously relied on the precision, durability and performance that these lathes provide. Its decision to purchase the SL35L was based on this proven track record of reliability, ensuring the production line remains efficient and capable of delivering high-quality components to customers.

Beyond the quality of Colchester machines, James Aiken values the customer support and aftercare provided by Colchester Machine Tool Solutions. Access to expert technical assistance, maintenance and spare parts ensures machining operations remain at peak performance, minimising downtime and maximising productivity.

More information www.colchester.co.uk

PTG Precision automates production with Dugard SMEC

PTG Precision Engineers – an engineering specialist with over 40 years of experience serving the nuclear, aerospace and energy sectors – has taken a significant step towards production automation with the installation of a SMEC NS2000 bar-fed turning centre supplied by Dugard. The investment represents the company’s first foray into automated machining and comes in response to a growing order book and persistent challenges in recruiting skilled machinists.

Over the past 12 months, PTG had experienced a significant upturn in demand, creating operational pressures that existing production capacity struggled to accommodate. When PTG mentioned its interest in a bar-fed lathe to Dugard, the trusted machine tool supplier put together a comprehensive package.

PTG selected the SMEC NS2000A, a bar-fed turning centre that combines accessibility with precision. The NS2000A is equipped with a 6-inch chuck and offers a maximum turning diameter of 310 mm, with a swing over bed of 565 mm.

PTG’s new SMEC NS2000 has been integrated with an LNS bar feeder. The transformation in production has been dramatic. Previously, PTG was processing batches of 25 expanding mandrills at a time on conventional equipment. With the SMEC NS2000 and LNS bar feeder combination, the company now runs batches of 350 off – a 14-fold increase in batch size that has fundamentally changed stock availability and production scheduling.

“The machine requires very little set up,” notes production manager Jim Adkins. “In the morning, we may spend an hour setting the bar feeder, loading it up with bars, putting the programs through again. Then the guys go back and run our other machines. They only return to remove parts from the catcher every half an hour.”

More information www.dugard.com