UK NEWS

Rainford offers complete tool investigations

A UK specialist in micro-machining solutions, Rainford Precision, has invested in a Keyence digital microscope to provide a complete tool investigation and consultancy service for customers in the UK and Ireland.

The company’s managing director Miles Evans says: “When you are servicing customers with tools below 0.2 mm in diameter, diagnosing and optimising tool life and performance is a challenge. The Keyence system will enable us to provide a unique service to our customers within the cutting tool marketplace.”

With a magnification range from 100 to 1000, Rainford’s experts can analyse standard and micro-tools then investigate and resolve the barriers to optimum performance.

Cutting tools smaller than 0.5 mm in diameter can naturally pose issues when investigating performance and tool life issues. With the Keyence VHX-970FN, Rainford can provide an aftersales service aimed at delivering improved tool life, machining performance, productivity and consistency.

By investigating the wear characteristics of customer tools and armed with the cutting data, the company can diagnose issues from a multitude of factors. For example, if the cutting speeds, feeds and machining parameters are impacting performance, Rainford will be able to diagnose this from investigations with the Keyence microscope. Likewise, concentricity, tool holding and the associated concerns of rigidity, balance and stability could also be diagnosed and potentially rectified through Rainford’s service and product portfolio.

For existing customers, the service will provide a comprehensive feedback loop with full reporting and recommendations to maximise the machining performance of tools purchased through Rainford. Additionally, all potential customers who may be experiencing issues with their current cutting tools, whoever the manufacturer, and want investigate potential solutions, will be able to send their tools to Rainford’s experts.

For further information www.rainfordprecision.com

Blue Diamond back in UK hands

Blue Diamond Technologies is returning to UK ownership following its purchase, four years ago, by Swedish polymer engineering company Trelleborg Group. Incorporated in 1977 as a stockist and distributor of engineering and industrial components, members of the Worley family were the original owners of Blue Diamond. It is two of the original directors who are responsible for its re-acquisition now. Richard Worley, former managing director, and his brother, James, former operations director, aim to build on the company’s previous reputation for reliability and service, setting it back on a path for growth.

For further information www.blue-diamond.co.uk

Mills CNC publishes latest Insight

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of machine tools from DN Solutions and Zayer in the UK and Ireland, has published a new winter edition of Insight – the company’s biannual customer-facing magazine. Available in digital format from the company’s website, the latest edition celebrates Mills’ 50th anniversary with a feature article that charts the development and successes of the business over the past five decades.

In addition, this edition of Insight also contains a number of recent customer case studies completed since the last edition in July 2023, as well as retrospective reports on Mills CNC’s attendance at both Seco’s ‘Inspiration through Innovation’ event in October 2023 and Fanuc’s open house in November 2023. There is also a brief write up on the new DN Solutions DVF 4000 five-axis machining centre.

For further information www.millscnc.co.uk/leaders-digest

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics acquired

Easyfairs, the world’s largest privately owned exhibition organiser, has acquired European Trade & Exhibition Services, organiser of the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition, bolstering an engineering and manufacturing portfolio that already incorporates Advanced Engineering. Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is in its 26th edition, and this year takes place on 6-8 February at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. The show attracts over 460 exhibitors and 9000 attendees. 

The show’s founder Phil Valentine says: “We could not be more delighted to reach this agreement with Easyfairs. As a family business, founded exactly 30 years ago, we were always going to be cautious in choosing the right company to take the event forward when we were ready to sell. We’ve built a strong relationship with the team at Easyfairs over many years; we’re therefore confident that Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is in the right hands for the future.”

For further information www.industrysouth.co.uk

NCMT to distribute metal 3D printers in UK

NCMT has signed an exclusive UK distribution agreement with Tritone Technologies, a specialist in metal additive manufacturing (AM). Jonathan Smart, managing director of NCMT, says: “We’re now entering the AM sector, elevating our capabilities to meet the evolving demands of modern industry. The integration of Tritone’s advanced MoldJet technology not only diversifies our portfolio but also solidifies our position as a leader in shaping the future of precision engineering and manufacturing.” MoldJet allows quick and easy changeover between various metals for parallel manufacturing of different parts.

For further information www.ncmt.co.uk