UK NEWS

EUROBLECH

Across the two days, some 8943 attendees witnessed the latest innovations that the UK has
to offer from over 400 exhibitors at Advanced Engineering 2023, making it an extremely
busy and energetic event. The 2024 event taking place this week (30-31 October at the
Birmingham NEC) will prove the same, with a myriad of advanced technologies in the
spotlight.
There will be a notable presence of decision-makers, buyers, founders, directors and CEOs
from prominent manufacturing and engineering companies in attendance. Active
participation from every supply chain tier will ensure a comprehensive and inclusive
industry gathering. Companies across the entire spectrum of the manufacturing process,
spanning from the initial stages of R&D to the final manufacturing product, are set to
provide a holistic and inclusive representation of the industry.
Advanced Engineering stands as the epicentre for innovation, knowledge, collaboration and
open discussions regarding the current challenges and outlook of the industry. In support of
this ethos, the event will once again provide an extensive programme of expert speakers.
There will be six keynote presentations by industry leaders who, alongside 150+ other
speakers, will share their expertise and insights on critical sector issues during talks across
several different forums.
The first of this year’s keynote speakers, Brian Holliday, is a leading figure in industrial
technology and digital manufacturing. As the head of Siemens Digital Industries for the UK
and Ireland, he oversees advanced automation, industry software, systems integration and
R&D. Holliday is an expert on productivity, digital manufacturing and industrial strategy,
often contributing to media discussions.
The next speaker Matthew Atkinson, lead research engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, is an
expert in automotive engineering, specialising in replacing metallic structures with injection
moulded composites. His work focusses on interior mechanical commodities like cockpit,
seating and loadspace features. Atkinson’s innovative approach has earned him multiple
patents, including for the Range Rover 18MY executive seating.
Next, Shaun Harris CBE is currently director of support and chief engineer at the Royal Air
Force. With a distinguished 37-year career in the RAF, Harris has held numerous leadership

roles. His extensive experience spans engineering, logistics and information warfare. He has
served around the world, from the UK and USA to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Also set to speak are Solange Baena, UK lead for the aviation environmental roadmap at
Airbus, and Leonie Moffat, laser radar sales account manager at Nikon. Last but most
certainly not least is Stefan Lawrenson, senior polymer chemist at Scott Bader, who
specialises in sustainable technology and polymer chemistry. His research focusses on
enhancing nanoparticles and synthesising eco-friendly materials.
Elsewhere at the show, the Composites Forum will feature a range of industry experts
discussing crucial topics. Among the speakers is Dr Sue Halliwell, operations manager at
Composites UK, who is organising the forum, which will feature insights from other industry
leaders in what is an impressive line-up.
Along with Brian Holliday and Stefan Lawrenson, the forum will also feature Jen Hill, director
at B&M Longworth, Ian Jenner, director of control systems at Busch UK, and Tony Lloyd,
principal research engineer at GKN Aerospace. A notable session will focus on workforce
development, addressing key issues such as skills gaps, equity, diversity and inclusion, in
alignment with the #mindtheskillsgap campaign. This session will be led by Matt Bradney
from Prodrive, who chairs the Composites UK Workforce Development Group, alongside
Halliwell.
“This year’s speaker line-up brings together some of the brightest minds in the industry,”
says Alison Willis, CEO of the show’s organiser, Easyfairs UK & Global. “Their diverse
expertise will provide deep insights into pressing issues like Industry 4.0, supply chain
management and sustainability.”
She continues: “The line-up highlights the spirit of innovation that Advanced Engineering is
all about, and our commitment to fostering knowledge exchange within the engineering
community. I’m sure the knowledge and inspiration they’ll bring to the event will be of value
to all visitors.”
Advanced Engineering brings together industry leaders and professionals to explore the
latest innovations across multiple sectors, including aerospace, automotive, defence and
security, marine and more. Attendees can expect presentations on a wide range of topics,
from digitally enabled supply chains to advanced propulsion technologies.
To provide a small flavour of prospective exhibits at the show, LK Metrology (stand J132) has
an interesting proposition for the manufacturing community. Manufacturers wishing to
inspect components machined to tight tolerances, but unwilling to invest in an expensive,
ultra-high-accuracy CMM, now have the option of selecting the company’s Altera C HA,
which is available in five sizes. The second-smallest CMM model, 10.7.7, will be exhibited on
the company’s stand.

The ceramic-bridge machines are constructed from the same component parts as the
standard Altera C range, but are optimised during build at the company’s Derbyshire
production facility to deliver 16% higher accuracy during a measuring cycle, with 13% more
repeatability and 50% more accurate scanning. Volumetric accuracy is from 1.3+L/350,
repeatability from 0.0013 mm and scanning accuracy from 0.002 mm.
Those seeking the latest cutting tool solutions should visit T171, where ITC will be
presenting its new micro-tool programme. A new catalogue highlighting micro-tools from
Karnasch, will be on show. The range starts at 0.05 mm and reaches 6 mm in diameter with
the latest coatings applied. It targets various material groups, including aluminium, steel,
hardened steels, exotic materials and composites. 
 
The milling geometries include tools with sharp corners, radiused corners, and ball noses. All
geometries have exacting tolerances designed for high-value mould and die applications. A
new range of micro drills and micro threadmills are also included. There are three drilling
ranges, including through coolant, starting at 0.8 mm and going up to 2.95 mm diameter,
with different length versions. There is also a solid range from 0.10 up to 3 mm diameter. 
Another cutting tool supplier, Mapal (stand M182) will use the exhibition to showcase high-
volume milling products, in particular the latest tooling solutions for the fluid power and
aerospace industries.
Eugene Nugent, national sales manager, says: “We look forward to connecting with industry
professionals to demonstrate our full capabilities as a leading tool manufacturer and
technology partner. Mapal products are proven to increase overall manufacturing
productivity and throughput. Our representatives can provide expert guidance for a wide
range of tooling solutions.”
As an exhibition partner, MTI magazine will also be present at the show on stand F190.
Please call by to pick up a print copy of our show issue or simply to chat about the industry’s
easiest and most effective way of selling and buying machine tools.
More information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

Allied finds recipe for success in Vollmer

In the past six years, Poole-based Allied Tooling has more than doubled its turnover to over £7m. Central to this expansion has been a company re-branding, the introduction of PCD round tools and saw blades, and becoming the UK’s exclusive AKE saw blade partner.

Allied today supplies and services over 6000 tools and saw blades each month. To help facilitate this output, the 60+ employee manufacturer for the woodworking, kitchen, marine, construction, composite, aerospace, automotive and motorsport sectors, has ramped up its investment in grinding and erosion machines from Vollmer.

The first Vollmer machine arrived in the 1990s and the company has purchased more than 20 Vollmer models over the years. The latest tranche of Vollmer machines commenced when PCD tooling went from being an outsourced solution to a serious addition to the product range. Identifying this industry trend at an early stage, Allied invested in two Vollmer QXD250 disc erosion machines with the H5 28-tool automation solution in June 2018 and a VPulse 500 wire EDM in March 2023.

“While the QXD 250 is perfect for TCT saws up to 320 mm diameter, it also has the flexibility to process all our PCD end mills, drills and cutters,” explains Allied’s managing director Wes Hacker. “The arrival of the QXD reduced our lead times by more than two weeks on bespoke tool solutions.”

The same HC5 28 tool external workpiece storage system is also present on the VPulse 500 machine that arrived in March 2023.

“We purchased the VPulse 500 for its flexibility,” says Hacker. “The new VPulse EDM generator significantly improves productivity and this means we can run a batch of 20+ tools lights-out with exceptional efficiency – further supporting our ambition to compress lead times.”

More information www.vollmer-group.com

EDM specialist reports exhibition success

Sodi-Tech EDM, together with Sodick Europe, had its most successful MACH exhibition ever with an eye-catching display at the Birmingham NEC earlier this year. Committing to its largest-ever MACH stand, Sodick Europe presented six machines, including new models.

Among the MACH debutants was the new VN600Q wire-cut EDM machine and the ALC600G iG+E wire EDM machine with iGroove+ technology. These were accompanied by the AD35L die-sink EDM and the AL60G EDM die-sink machine with Erowa Compact 80 robotic loading system and Zeiss DuraMax measurement and probing system.

Commenting upon the UK’s showpiece manufacturing event, Sodick Europe’s digital marketing manager Bal Dulay said: “MACH was a success far beyond our expectations. This was evident by the huge number of visitors we attracted. Everything from our stand design, prestigious brand and component display cases attracted attendees to view our cutting-edge technologies. With a diverse range of wire and die-sink EDM technology on show, our engineers revelled in the opportunity to discuss many different machines, particularly the patented iGroove+ rotating wire technology.”

Added Dulay: “As a technologically advanced and environmentally aware brand, Sodick has incorporated energy efficiency into every facet of its designs and technologies. With our new smart pulse generators, smart pulse wire, intelligent monitoring circuit, energy-saving pumps, iGroove+ and countless additional innovations, our EDM machines can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% with wire savings of 30% or more. As businesses become more environmentally and energy conscious, our investment in this area really struck a chord with manufacturers visiting MACH. It was also a contributing factor in some of the purchasing decisions made at the show.”

More information www.sodick.eu

NCMT shines spotlight on Makino machines

At the UK’s largest machine tool show earlier this year, NCMT showcased two Makino EDM machines: the U6 H.E.A.T. Extreme wire EDM; and the EDAF3 die-sink model. The MACH 2024 exhibition proved the perfect platform to demonstrate the advantages of these Japanese-designed machines.

In addition to using standard wire from 0.1 to 0.3 mm, NCMT says that investing in the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. Extreme wire EDM makes it optionally possible to run the largest diameter wire (0.4 mm) of any machine on the market. The wire is coated and distinct from the uncoated brass wire common across industry.

The extra wire thickness, together with the use of a second booster generator in the machine, allows two to three times higher productivity and heavier duty machining compared with using a standard 0.25 mm consumable. Thicker wire also allows a slower unspool speed, so there is no increase in wire consumption rate.

Visitors to the NCMT stand could also see Makino’s EDAF3 die-sink EDM with its rigid, precise structure and integral thermal cooling of the Y- and Z-axis cast components to ensure long-term accuracy. Table size is 700 x 500 mm, while the dielectric reservoir is built into the base casting of the machine to improve thermal stability and minimise the machine’s footprint. The working volume is 450 x 350 x 350 mm, while the maximum workpiece weight is 800 kg.

Free access to the working area is courtesy of a programmable drop-tank. Users can extend unattended machining with automatic electrode exchange and automated workpiece delivery and removal options. A high-precision C-axis head is an additional feature. Machine shops can use electrodes weighing up to 75 kg.

More information www.ncmt.co.uk

Andrew Elliott rejoins Ward CNC

Andrew Elliott has rejoined machine tool supplier TW Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC) as a permanent employee, operating in the company’s sales department and senior management team. He takes up the new position of manager – new and used machine tool sales. Managing director Simon Whitworth says: “This appointment is a valuable and strategically important one for the company’s future growth and succession planning. Furthermore, Andrew’s experience and key connections across the industry give us confidence of continued success.”

More information www.wardcnc.com