PES Media Production Engineering Solutions ukmfgnews December 2023 pesmedia.com Made Smarter delivers the benefits of digitalisation to SMEs Pages 14-15 Nurturing the path to intelligent manufacturing
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www.pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions December 2023 3 The UK’s ranking on the economic productivity charts has been a problem that has dogged the country for many years, if not decades. When it comes to manufacturing this has historically been blamed on issues such as a lack of investment from both government and corporate sources, a sluggish approach to embracing automation, recruitment difficulties and a widening skills gap. However, technological developments in the digital field can certainly help companies to overcome some of these issues. Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, or the Industrial Internet of Things (whatever term you wish to use) all have the potential to substantially improve manufacturing productivity and efficiency, but perhaps the biggest problem for time and resource strapped SMEs is where do I start? This is where initiatives like Made Smarter (this issue’s cover story) can prove so valuable. The Government backed scheme, which has been running successfully in the North West since 2019 and a select number of other regions of the UK, essentially mentors companies through their digitalisation journey. Companies who sign-up are assigned a digital manufacturing expert who carries out a preliminary audit of a company identifying areas where these kinds of innovations could bring benefits. The companies involved can then choose which path they want to progress down. Looking at Made Smarter’s approach I have been struck by the importance the scheme puts on encouraging staff to engage with this digital transformation. This is why as part of its adoption it runs leadership programmes to aid company managers to encourage and guide staff on the journey. It also identifies ways in which employees can upskill their roles through organisation and workforce development (OWD) and promotes digital technology internships where newly qualified engineers can spend time at a company utilising and implementing the modern-day manufacturing technologies and experiences they have gained knowledge of while in education. Although we may decry the lack of interest it seems young people have for taking up a career in manufacturing, there’s no doubt that job roles and skills are fundamentally changing and companies will have to adapt and do their best to promote that too. AI and other innovations will transform the workplace in future and having an adaptable workforce will be vital if the UK is to benefit from the productivity gains. However state-of-the-art and interconnected your machinery may be, whatever efficiency and streamlining advances your software solutions provide, they still need human input somewhere along the line. As for Made Smarter, the uptake and success it has enjoyed so far suggests it really is producing results, so I’m glad to hear it is now going to be rolled out nationally. Ed Hill Deputy Editor Made Smarter is a government backed programme to help manufacturing SMEs adopt the latest digital tools and innovations and maximise their benefits. Ed Hill visited Siemens’ factory in Congleton, Cheshire to hear more about its uptake and success in the North West. See pages 14-15 Cover story COMMENT/CONTENTS Production Engineering Solutions is published 12 times per year and is distributed free of charge to applicants in the UK meeting the publisher’s criteria. Subscriptions are also available at £80 per annum to UK readers or £148 overseas. Whilst every care is taken to provide accurate information, the publishers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions, no matter how they may arise. Authors’ opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the consent of the publisher. © MIT Publishing Limited 2023 You can now view your copy of Production Engineering Solutions online. To register, please go to www.pesmedia.com Contents PES has strict circulation terms of control. These are independently verified and audited by the ‘Audit Bureau of Circulations’. Circulation Statement Published by: MIT Publishing Limited, Featherstone House, 375 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1DA Tel: 01634 830566 Volume 27 Issue 331 ISSN 1460-3926 EVENTS January 2024 TCT Japan Tokyo Big Sight, Japan 31 Jan - 2 Feb 2024 February 2024 Southern Manufacturing 2024 Farnborough, UK 6-8 February 2024 April 2024 MACH 2024 NEC, Birmingham, UK 15-19 April 2024 April 2024 CONTROL 2024 Stuttgart, Germany 23-26 April 2024 5 EV battery project delivers automated production line NCMT appoints sales manager for South-East England NEWS MADE SMARTER 14 Nurturing the path to intelligent manufacturing MACHINING 16 Star opens its doors to new technology XYZ delivers one op manufacture of heavy-duty roller chains TOOLING & WORKHOLDING 19 Inserts aimed at small diameter turning Making headway with light materials CUTTING OILS & COOLANTS 22 Engineering peak performing cutting fluids Fluid benefits for machining into the small hours LASER & WATERJET PROFILING 24 Kerf cures capacity conundrum Making its mark: Gripple reports ‘significant benefits’ of using Nukon fibre laser CAD/CAM 30 Connecting the CAM Faster and safer programming from Tebis SOFTWARE IN MANUFACTURING 32 Firm foundations Lantek software boosts productivity Down Under Circulation Perception SAS Phone: 01825 701520 pes@mitpublishing.com Publisher David Rose Editorial Director Dave Tudor T: 01634 825702 newsdesk@pesmag.co.uk Deputy Editor Ed Hill T: 01634 825705 ehill@mitpublishing.co.uk Production Coordinator Ewa Hodden T: 01634 825703 ehodden@mitpublishing. co.uk Digital Content Coordinator Michael Tyrrell mtyrrell@mitpublishing. co.uk Financial Controller Valerie Prentice accounts@mitpublishing.co.uk Sales Manager Tammy Jukes T: 01634 825706 tjukes@pesmag.co.uk Sales Director Andy Morley T: 01634 825701 amorley@pesmag.co.uk Contacts
Over 600 national and international suppliers come together to exhibit at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre this February for Southern Manufacturing and Electronics (inc AutoAero) 2024. Meet the power behind UK manufacturing industry and see live demonstrations and new product launches of machine tools & tooling, electronics, factory & process automation, packaging & handling, labelling & marking, 3D print technology, test & measurement, materials, composites & adhesives, rapid prototyping, ICT, drives & controls, plastics & polymers and laboratory equipment. Free industry seminar programme online @ www.industrysouth.co.uk The exhibition is free to attend, free to park and easy to get to. Doors open at 9.30am on Tuesday 6th February. AUTOMATION DEFENCE FOOD & DRINK AUTOMOTIVE / AUTOSPORT ELECTRONICS AEROSPACE TRANSPORTATION PACKAGING ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING LOGISTICS MARINE ENERGY SPACE ENGINEERING R&D MEDICAL MATERIALS / COMPOSITES CONSTRUCTION PLASTICS & POLYMERS 6th 8th February 9.30am - 4.30pm FARNBOROUGH | Hants | GU14 6TQ (3.30pm close Thurs) Where Industry and Innovation converge PRE-REGISTER TODAY for your Fast Track Entry Badge, Preview Magazine and Event Catalogue at: www.industrysouth.co.uk SOUTHERN MANUFACTURING & ELECTRONICS is an ETES event organised by European Trade & Exhibition Services Ltd 01784 880890 philv@etes.co.uk SEMINARS PARKING Incorporating The Subcontract Engineering Exhibition
pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions December 2023 5 NEWS COMPANY FINDER Advanced Engineering 6 Amada 26 AME 12 Auric Metal Finishers 13 Brandauer 13 British Steel 13 CGTech 32 Charles Day 9 Dassault Systèmes 34 FANUC 10 GF Machining Solutions 12 GibbsCAM 30 Gripple 25 HM Treasury 9 Horn Cutting Tools 20 Hyperbat 5 K & M Precision Engineering 34 Kerf Developments 24 KMF Group 6 Kyal Machine Tools 13 Lantek 33 Made Smarter 14 Mapal 21 Mills CNC 9 MSC 10 NCMT 5 Nukon Lasers UK 25 Oemeta 23 Precision Chains 18 PSL Datatrack 34 Q-Laser 24, 26 Radius Aerospace 28 Rocol 22 Röhm 20 Star GB 16 Tebis 31 Tech CADCAM 30 The Laser Cutting Company 9 Walter GB 19 WFL Millturn Technologies 13 WJS UK 28 XYZ Machine Tools 18 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING NEWS Manufacturing management made a whole lot easier If you run a subcontract engineering business, increase productivity by connecting every aspect of your manufacturing process with ERP. From order entry to shipment, MIE Trak Pro ERP will become the heart of your operation! Meet us at Southern Manufacturing 24 stand B230 Luke Insley has been appointed area sales manager for SouthEast England by machine tool supplier NCMT. He is responsible for sales of the company’s product portfolio, which includes Okuma machining centres, CNC lathes and grinders, Makino machining centres, and photoactivated adhesive workholding systems manufactured by Blue Photon. Mr Insley studied for an advanced apprenticeship in engineering at Central Sussex College, gaining an ONC and an HNC in mechanical engineering and an NVQ level 3 in mechanical manufacture engineering. He continued as an apprentice at a precision engineering company in the area, advancing to become a setter-operator and then a production engineer. He has since held roles as an applications and technical support engineer at a cutting tool company, assisting both end users and distributors, and more recently as a sales engineer for a tooling supplier. With excellent knowledge of tooling and machine tool programming and operation, he brings with him a wealth of other experience likely to be of assistance to existing and prospective NCMT customers, such as workholding and fixture design. Q NCMT www.ncmt.co.uk An £11.3m project, designed to scale up the UK’s battery pack manufacturing and supply chain capability, has been hailed a resounding success. The H1perChain project, which was funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), has successfully developed an automated pilot line for module/ pack assembly, cell joining and in-line testing – delivering a step-change in high performance battery costs and scalability. Led by Hyperbat and working with main consortium partners Unipart Manufacturing, WAE, Coventry University and Direc-Tec, the challenge has also led to the development of a world-class laser welding joining process for cylindrical cell formats, hundreds of skills development opportunities, and the creation of a digital platform to connect the battery value chain. More than 50 highly skilled jobs have been created at the production facility in Coventry, with the promise of another 25 on the way as it enters into its first commercial agreement to supply battery packs for a global customer. Jon Bell, project lead at Hyperbat, commented: “We came into H1perChain with the overriding aim of developing a process and emerging supply chain capability for manufacturing high-performance batteries in the UK. “The brief was to find a way of reducing costs while increasing performance and meeting lead-times, something we believe we are well on the way to achieving with the pilot line successfully assembling packs and a digital twin in play to scale up production into the tens of thousands.” More than 50 guests from industry and academia were present at the project conclusion event held at Hyperbat in Coventry. They received a guided tour of the physical pilot line that features incoming cell OCV testing, adhesive robot stations, laser welding, potting machines, and robotic assembly, as well entering the virtual world to experience a digital twin of what a high-volume production facility could look like. Mr Bell added: “The Supplier Portal is one of the most exciting parts of H1perChain and gives us an IOT platform that the wider supply chain can now use to engage with Hyperbat on future activities. “We’ve onboarded 36 UK suppliers to the system so far, but the next target is to increase this to 200 by the end of 2024. This will include firms making busbars, aluminium castings, injection moulding specialists and those supplying consumables, to name just a few engineering disciplines we are looking to engage with.” Q Hyperbat www.hyperbat.com EV battery project delivers automated production line NCMT appoints sales manager for South-East England Scan here for more NCMT articles Axe & Status 25 AXYZ 27 Ceratizit UK & Ireland 36 Filtration Service Engineering 11 Goodman Metal Works 26 Hoffmann Group 21 Kerf Developments 28 Kyocera SGS 20 Lantek 29 MIE Solutions 5, 33 Mikron Tool 19 Mills CNC 7 MTA 8 Muffett Engineering Solutions 18 Nukon Lasers UK 24 Oemeta 23 Southern Manufacturing 2024 4 TCI Cutting 24 Tebis 30 XYZ Machine Tools 2
6 December 2023 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS The UK’s largest annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals, Advanced Engineering, held at the beginning of November was one of the most successful ever. Across the two days, 8,943 attendees witnessed the latest engineering innovations that the UK has to offer making it an extremely busy and energetic event. More than 400 companies exhibited at the show along with a further 202 at the co-located Lab Innovations. Visitors included representatives from Airbus, Rolls-Royce, IBM, Boeing, McLaren, BAE Systems, Catapult HVM, Department for International Trade, Jaguar Land Rover and many more. Advanced Engineering’s success is evident in its Net Promoter Score (NPS) soaring from 8.16 to an impressive 48.24 year on year. Advanced Engineering visitors were treated to a fresh look this year thanks to the recent rebrand. This was coupled with a new cross-industry floor layout which allowed for a more diverse range of exhibitors from various industries including newly added sectors such as marine, motorsport, construction, medical, rail and sport. For companies targeting the aerospace and defence sectors, ADS returned with its ‘Meet the Buyer’ programme, during which 90 brands participated in 105 supplier engagements, which was a 132% increase on last year. Attendees also had access to over 150 industry-leading speakers across its forums. Because of Advanced Engineering’s partnership with The CPD Group, all of the talks counted towards visitors’ CPD. This year, Advanced Engineering introduced a main stage which was sponsored by Lloyds Bank and supported by Make UK, where speakers such as Richard Noble OBE, former holder of the world land speed record and serial innovator at ThrustWSH, and Stephen Phipson CBE, chief executive of Make UK took to the stage. Across the exhibition’s four other forums, automotive, aerospace, composites and advanced materials and technologies, visitors heard from industry experts on topics ranging from supply chain management, digitalisation, and the skills gap. Enabling Innovation returned for another year, where ten start-ups competed to win £2,000 towards the establishment of their businesses. OxDrive, a provider of rugged, hightorque electric drivelines was the winner, with Christopher Horton, managing director, accepting the award. 80% of exhibitor space is already sold for 2024, which will take place from 30-31 October at the NEC, Birmingham. Companies interested in exhibiting are invited to contact the organiser Easyfairs via the exhibitor enquiry form on the website. Q Advanced Engineering www.advancedengineeringuk.com Advanced Engineering celebrates successful 14th edition KMF Precision Sheet Metal hosted the award ceremony for the Engineering Skills Competitions national finals on 3rd November. The competition, which spanned nine months, culminated in an award ceremony that saw first place being shared by two competitors. KMF’s own Kyle Marshall, (19), and Coleg Cambria’s competitor Joel Eccles, (19), from Lester Cladding, Flintshire, took home gold for their design and manufacture of a pizza oven. They were handed their awards by KMF managing director Gareth Higgins, who commended the competitors for the skill and precision they showed throughout the competition. Dave Vaughan of Engineering Skills Competitions set the task which had a rigorous marking system. He said: “The competitors were excellent this year, with all finalists creating fantastic pizza ovens in a very tight timeframe of 18 hours.” Since February, businesses have been putting their apprentices through various stages of the competition. National qualifiers were held regionally over the summer with the top scorers making it to the final. Joining Kyle Marshall and Joel Eccles in the final were fellow KMF fourth year Fabricator Standard Level Three apprentices Aidan Sneyd, (19) and James Holdcroft, (21) who were both awarded a medallion of excellence. Mr Vaughan added: “This competition is a great opportunity for young sheet metalwork engineers to develop a wider range of skills. I chose a pizza oven design because it pushes them to learn more intricate metalwork skills alongside manufacturing and welding sheet metals. They had to work with CAD and precision metalwork equipment which gives them advanced skills and experience.” Winner Kyle Marshall said: “I’ve enjoyed taking part in the competition. It has enabled me to put my training in to practice. A challenge like this gives apprentices like myself the opportunity to step outside of our comfort zones. I’ve worked hard towards this throughout the year and I’m really happy to have won, alongside Joel.” Matt Page, apprentice trainer at KMF commented: “Our competitors didn’t let us down. They worked incredibly hard and produced excellent products. It was a very close final, and James should be equally as proud of his work. “It’s been great working with Dave to showcase our apprentices’ skills and to develop them further. It was an excellent competition, rounded off perfectly with the awards ceremony.” Q KMF Group www.kmf.co.uk L-R: KMF managing director Gareth Higgins with competitors, Kyle Marshall, James Holdcroft and Joel Eccles Winners of Sheet Metalwork Technology competition named Scan here for more Advanced Engineering articles
Manufacturers of large and small high-precision components, looking to improve their productivity and operational efficiencies through one-hit machining, are increasingly investing in our SMX range of multi-tasking mill-turn machines. Recently expanded through the introduction of the new SMX 2100 and SMX 5100 series’, the range now features machines with chuck sizes from 8”up to 21”, and turning diameters and lengths up to 830mm and 4000mm, respectively. Equipped with powerful, high-torque and built-in main (left) spindles, and either similarly specced sub-spindles or programmable servo-driven tailstocks, and featuring versatile B-axis milling heads (+/- 120° stroke), Y-axis capabilities, servo-driven ATCs and roller LM guideways - SMX mill-turn machines are fast, accurate and flexible. Irrespective of whether you machine large components, small components or a mixture of both - as long as you are looking to machine them to completion in a single set up we have a SMX machine that will more than meet your needs. For more information call us on 01926 736736 or visit www.millscnc.co.uk Mills CNC: Like No-one Else! Mills CNC Technology Campus: 01926 736736 www.millscnc.co.uk The SMX series of high-productivity mill-turn machines from Mills CNC. One size doesn’t fit all. One range does.
pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions December 2023 9 NEWS The government has announced £4.5bn funding for manufacturing to increase investment in eight sectors across the UK, available from 2025 for five years. Over £2bn has been allocated for the UK automotive industry and £975m for aerospace. The funding will help support the manufacturing, supply chain and development of zero emission vehicles, as well as investment in energy efficient and zero-carbon aircraft equipment. Alongside this, the Government has committed to £960m for a Green Industries Growth Accelerator to support clean energy manufacturing, and £520m for life sciences manufacturing to build resilience for future health emergencies and capitalise on the UK’s leading research and development. The funding is targeted at the UK’s strongest sectors, including where the industry is undergoing fundamental changes to remain at the forefront of the global transition to Net Zero. The Green Industries Growth Accelerator investment will support the expansion of strong, home-grown, clean energy supply chains across the UK, including carbon capture, utilisation and storage, electricity networks, hydrogen, nuclear and offshore wind. This will enable the UK to seize growth opportunities through the transition to Net Zero. The package forms part of prime minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to grow the economy, as well as his focus on making decisions for the long-term; ensuring funding doesn’t just focus on the most successful sectors today but looks ahead to how to keep pace internationally and build the UK’s expertise for the industries of the future. Together with the existing manufacturing support and plans for Net Zero transition, this package aims to help unlock private investment, provide certainty to investors, boost energy security, and protect and create jobs. This approach has already mobilised £198bn in public and private investment in low carbon energy deployment since 2010. Chancellor of the exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said: “Britain is now the eighth largest manufacturer in the world, recently overtaking France. To build on this success, we are targeting funding to support the sectors where the UK is or could be world-leading. “Our £4.5bn of funding will leverage many times that from the private sector, and in turn will grow our economy, creating more skilled, higher-paid jobs in new industries that will be built to last.” Q HM Treasury www.gov.uk/treasury £4.5bn government funding for UK manufacturing The recently held WorldSkills UK’s 2023 CNC turning and CNC milling competition finals, that took place at Tameside College, Manchester, saw students and apprentices put through their paces using advanced machine tools supplied by Mills CNC. From 14-16 November 2023, the college hosted a number of engineering category national finals for this year’s WorldSkills UK competition. The CNC milling and CNC turning finals took place at the college’s £10m advanced technologies centre located at its Ashton-Under-Lyne campus facility, with Thomas Pool from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (Swindon) and Osian Roberts from Grwp Llandrillo Menai (North Wales) winning the gold medals in the respective milling and turning competitions. Both competitions assessed the programming and machining skills of each finalist and involved the programming and machining of a test project component within a specified time – three hours for programming the part, and four hours for machining it. As well as machining the test part in the allotted time, particular attention by the judges was given to the quality and accuracy of each finalist’s completed machined part, with dimensional accuracies and surface finishes being key criteria. Both CNC machining finals used advanced machine tool technologies from Mills CNC and comprised a Doosan DNM 400 machining centre and a Doosan Lynx 220 lathe: both machines were installed at Tameside College’s engineering facility in 2016 as part of a six (Doosan) machine tool investment package. Mills’ involvement in this year’s WorldSkills UK’s final was not confined to the use of its machine tools. During the three-day competition, Gavin Dixon, one of the company’s application engineers, was not only onsite providing technical support and advice to the college and to the finalists but was also on the judging panel. Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO commented: “We are a company committed to engineering training and skills development and, as such, were proud to have such a significant presence at this year’s WorldSkills UK engineering finals. “Our congratulations to go to Thomas and Osian on their gold medal winning performances, and to all contestants that took part in this year’s competitions, as well as to Tameside College for successfully hosting the prestigious CNC machining finals.” Q Mills CNC www.millscnc.co.uk CNC milling and turning finalists with milling gold medallist, Thomas Pool (back row, third from right) and turning gold medallist, Osian Roberts (back row, second from right) Done on a Doosan Established in 1981, The Laser Cutting Company offers bespoke laser cutting and metal profiling services to industries across the UK. Now over four decades later, the business, along with its sister company Charles Day, has announced its latest green initiative – a large-scale solar panel installation across both sites. Rooted deeply in the Sheffield community, The Laser Cutting Company is committed to sustaining Sheffield’s reputation for being the greenest city in the UK; consistently striving to improve its products and services for the benefit of customers and the environment. This investment also involved maintaining practices and regulations that were consistent with its green ideology and making consistent strides towards attaining ISO 14001 accreditation – an environmental guidance system that indicates an organisation or business is adhering to environmentally friendly codes and practices, which the business hopes to attain this year. Now fully installed, operations director, James Day, and sales and business development director, Charlie Day, made the decision to further improve The Laser Cutting Company’s green credentials to gain better control over power costs and to pass these savings onto customers. “It makes perfect sense to put our roof to good use and harness solar power, not just from an environmental point of view, but a cost control one as well,” James Day explained. By investing in solar panels, we gain better control of our operational costs whilst significantly reducing our environmental impact.” Due to cover both factory roofs with an impressive 496 solar panels, one solar panel alone is able to generate up to 203kWp of power. Covering approximately 20,000ft² of roofing across the company’s facility, this installation is a significant step forward for the organisation and its four-decade long legacy. The Laser Cutting Company offers a quality, customer focused, subcontract laser cutting service capable of cutting square and round hollow section tube, structural open sections, beams, and flat/bent metal components to customers throughout the UK. Under the same roof it can provide bending, welding, and sub-assembly capabilities, backed by a large partner network of subcontractors that include shot blasting, plating and powder coating services. Q The Laser Cutting Company www.lasercutting.co.uk Q Charles Day www.daysteel.co.uk Sheffield subcontractor goes green Scan here for more Mills CNC articles Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (centre) visits ITM Power in Sheffield
10 December 2023 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS Leading factory automation supplier FANUC UK has welcomed the recent government announcement of a £4.5bn windfall for the UK manufacturing industry. Including £2bn for the automotive industry, £975m for aerospace and £960m for clean energy, the funding will be available to UK manufacturers from 2025, following the next general election. “This package of loans and grants will help to provide the industry with some much needed long-term certainty,” commented Tom Bouchier, managing director of FANUC UK. “As the eighth largest manufacturing nation in the world – and still the only developed country without a coherent Industrial Strategy – we punch well above our weight. “To keep driving forward and maintain our strong position on the international stage, UK manufacturers need clarity and certainty to enable them to invest for the future and increase their productivity further through advanced technologies such as automation and digitalisation. This funding package will go a long way towards enabling them to do that.” Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said: “Britain is now the eighth largest manufacturer in the world, recently overtaking France. To build on this success, we are targeting funding to support the sectors where the UK is, or could be, world leading. Our £4.5bn of funding will leverage many times that from the private sector, and in turn will grow our economy, create more skilled, higher-paid jobs in new industries that will be built to last.” In addition, the Government has also agreed to expand the Made Smarter Adoption programme which aims to accelerate growth among SME manufacturers. In 2025-26, the scheme will be rolled out across all the whole of England before its UKwide expansion from 2026-27. The programme helps SMEs to use advanced digital technologies in a bid to drive up productivity and reduce carbon emissions, and also includes digital internships. “At our recent open house, the key themes among speakers and attendees alike were how UK manufacturers can increase their sustainability credentials; helping them prepare for the future of manufacturing with advanced technologies; and encouraging a pipeline of new talent into the industry,” Mr Bouchier added. “The announcement of the Made Smarter expansion plays directly into all these areas. Helping SMEs to compete on the international stage through advanced technologies such as automation and digitalisation – and ensuring we have a workforce with the skills required to capitalise on these opportunities.” Q FANUC www.fanuc.eu/uk/en MSC Industrial Supply Co. UK (MSC) has successfully achieved the Government-backed Cyber Essentials Plus certification, enhancing its status as one of the most trusted and secure partners within the industrial supply chain. The nationwide supplier of metalworking and MRO industrial consumables was awarded the accreditation, which is the highest level of digital security for business operations in the UK, after a year-long effort working towards its demanding requirements. MSC is now able to provide customers with ultimate peace of mind regarding cyber security, with the accreditation covering the business’ internal systems as well as external industrial vending hardware installed at customer sites. The Cyber Essentials Plus certification process requires businesses to ensure their digital systems and infrastructure are protected against intrusion, theft, and damage, and involves handson, technical verification by an independent auditor. The technical audit process covers a series of internal and external vulnerability scans to check the security of patches and system configurations, as well as robust testing of all in-scope systems. Wayne Golessa, operations manager for MSC UK, commented: “Privacy and security are of crucial importance for many of our customers, whether that’s because of proprietary information or because of the industries they work in. “Our Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation comes with the assurance that we take privacy and security of our software and hardware very seriously, both internally and across our portfolio of industrial vending machines used by many of our larger customers.” Achieving the Cyber Essentials Plus standard not only allows MSC to tender for Government contracts, but to work more effectively with its larger customers. With many OEMs and large manufacturing businesses now making the accreditation mandatory for any future business, pressure is on the manufacturing supply chain to review their digital security arrangements and adapt accordingly. Andy Smith, head of key accounts at MSC UK, added: “We are living in a world where data transfer is an essential supply chain requirement, and our customers require the reassurance that their data will be kept confidential and secure. “Working in various market sectors including aerospace and defence, it is imperative that MSC can provide assurances that we take privacy and security seriously. This accreditation gives our clients the confidence that our software and hardware can be implemented within their operational infrastructure, to deliver a robust and secure supply chain.” Q MSC www.mscdirect.co.uk MSC’s Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation covers both software systems and hardware MSC UK achieves cyber security ‘Gold Standard’ Scan here for more MSC articles Tom Bouchier, managing director of FANUC UK FANUC welcomes £4.5bn windfall for UK manufacturing Scan here for more FANUC articles
In Partnership With: SERIES HPM SERIES ‘M’ CONTACT US | OFFICE NUMBER: +44(0)1562 602 333 | EMAIL: Sales@fse.co.uk FSE offer a complete service package from site survey to installation to service and maintenance, giving you peace of mind that you are complying with HSE regulations and protecting your employees from exposure to mist generated by CNC machines. We will provide you with a full-service package to ensure that your employees and your business are protected from the risks associated with exposure to oil mist. FSE offer a range of solution from individual extraction units to central extraction systems to multiple machines, we can also manufacture machine hoods to fully enclosure open machines to make sure your employees are fully protected against exposure to oil mist. Our SWIFT / LEV Indicator is highly visible, with a continuously moving display to indicate either adequate or insufficient airflow. If the fan fails, duct gets damaged, or a blockage reduces the duct airflow, the indicator will clearly show you. 4-stage oil smoke mist filtration. Detailed LED condition & status lights. Flexible installation options to allow easy access for maintenance & system inspection. 1. Next generation colour LED electronic airflow indicator, which instantly shows if the industrial ventilation is controlling airborne contaminants in accordance with HSE258. 2. Displays air temperature on the colour LED screen. 3. Can be powered either by battery or mains power. 4. Built-in battery status condition indicator. 5. Remote to control/calibrate the airflow indicator. EXOMIST ‘M’ SERIES EXOMIST H.P.M. SERIES MACHINE CENTRE HSE Recommended Duct Velocity Option Other Extraction Points May Be Required OR HEPA H13 (EN1822) HSE285 Best Working Practice 99.97% Filter Efficiency s The HSE recommends airflow indicators are fitted to all Industrial Ventilation, or Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems. Swift Swift+ with additional features including email and/or text alerts On/Off via remote
12 December 2023 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS GF Machining Solutions is rolling out two separate ‘Winter Promotional’ deals in the run up to Christmas. The first provides precision component manufacturers and mould tool and die-makers with an extra incentive to invest in a new Cut F wire EDM machine by guaranteeing its delivery before the year-end. The second, aimed at existing users and customers, provides significant discounts (15%) on all System 3R Tooling. The Cut F promotion ends on 15th December 2023 and the System 3R promotion ends on 20th December. Both promotions are available only while stocks last. AgieCharmilles Cut F 350 and Cut F 600 machines are packed with a host of technological innovations and features that are designed to improve productivity, process efficiencies and performance. They are equipped with GF Machining Solutions’ Intelligent Power Generators (IPG), and the Intelligent Spark Protection System (ISPS) and iWire technology – both part of the company’s SparkTrack platform designed to improve part accuracies and processing speeds and eliminate wire breakages and reduce wire consumption. The machines are supplied with over 600 dedicated machining processes that can be accessed directly from their Uniqua 19-inch touchscreen iHMIs. Martin Spencer, GF Machining Solutions’ UK managing director commented: “In a relatively short space of time our Cut F machines have made a big impact on the marketplace. This promotion enables manufacturers to order a new Cut F machine – before 15th December 2023 – and get it delivered and installed before the year-end, enabling them to start 2024 on the front foot.” System 3R tooling for wire EDM, diesinking, electrode manufacture and the milling of precision parts have many things in common. With stable, precise and open architecture reference systems at their heart, System 3R tooling solutions deliver reduced set up times, ensure high-accuracy machining and excellent process reliability and efficiency. Another thing they all have in common is that they are all now available with a 15% discount if ordered before 20th December 2023. The promotion covers all System 3R tooling. For wire EDM this includes Macro chucks, B-axis indexing tables, holders, vice-sets and frames, and Ruler systems. And, for die-sinking applications and operations, System 3R’s ‘one minute setup’ reference system solutions i.e. Macro, MacroCombi, Macro HP, MacroMagnum, GPS 240 and Dynafix, are all included. For milling customers, reference systems that include Magnum, Delphin, GPS 70, 120 and 240 etc. are all accommodated in the promotion. Q GF Machining Solutions www.gfms.com/uk The UK’s first ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ has unveiled a £6m expansion that will aim to boost industry’s journey towards a clean, sustainable, and digital world. Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), which was originally born out of a collaboration with Unipart Manufacturing in 2014, has relaunched at a special event that attracted over 200 domestic and international guests. Benefitting from a £5m University investment and a £1m grant from the Government’s Local Growth Fund though the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), the recent changes have delivered nearly 2,000m2 of additional space that is home to laser welders, six new laboratories, a robotic and testing area and new digital twin capabilities. The relaunch marks nearly a decade of achievement for AME, with over £110m of Research & Development (R&D) and commercial projects completed for companies like Aston Martin, Ford, Lotus and Hyperbat, helping generate more than £500m of economic benefits for the UK. Nearly 175 companies have been involved in collaborative work, while more than 400 students have graduated through its combination of real-world shopfloor and classroom learning. Marcos Kauffman, director of AME and centre director of the university’s Research Centre for Manufacturing and Materials, said: “From our inception in 2014 to today, AME has consistently aimed to be at the forefront of innovative teaching and research with our ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ model. This expansion is a beacon of our dedication to nurturing industry-ready talent while also fostering pioneering research that helps solves everyday issues. “We are more energised than ever to open our doors to the wider manufacturing and engineering supply chain in the West Midlands, giving them access to world-class facilities, equipment, and experts. Together, we will support the UK’s collective journey into a clean, sustainable and digital world.” AME aims to create the engineers and researchers of the future and provide an ecosystem that cultivates new technologies, supply chain development and start-up potential. The latest facilities including a digital twin pilot environment, a series of physical stations that maximise artificial intelligence and virtual reality, metrology, lasers, functional materials and chemistry laboratories. The institute is also committed to advancing the UK’s growing reputation in manufacturing digital systems and laser processing by contributing to the expanding sector of electric vehicle battery manufacturing. Q AME www.coventry.ac.uk/ame Scan here for more GF Machining Solutions articles ‘Winter Promotion’ provides timely incentive for manufacturers Advanced manufacturing institute unveils £6m expansion
pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions December 2023 13 NEWS British Steel has unveiled ambitious plans for the biggest transformation in its history – a £1.25bn proposal to become a sustainable business by adopting electric arc furnace steelmaking. Following detailed analysis of its current operations, available technology and challenging market conditions, the company is proposing to accelerate its decarbonisation programme. The proposals, which are subject to appropriate support from the UK Government, could see British Steel install two electric arc furnaces (EAFs) – the first at its headquarters in Scunthorpe, the second at its manufacturing site in Teesside. The new furnaces could be operational by late 2025 and would replace the aging iron and steelmaking operations in Scunthorpe which are responsible for most the company’s CO2 emissions. The company proposes maintaining current operations until a transition to electric arc steelmaking. British Steel has started preliminary talks with trade unions about electrification and has promised to support employees affected by the decarbonisation plans. It has agreed for its proposals to be reviewed by an external specialist on behalf of the trade unions. The company is also working with North Lincolnshire Council on a plan to attract new businesses and jobs to the Scunthorpe site, parts of which could become vacant if the proposals go ahead. British Steel CEO and president, Xijun Cao, said: “Decarbonisation is a major challenge for our business but we are committed to manufacturing the home made, low-embedded carbon steel the UK needs. “We have engaged extensively with the public and private sector to understand the feasibility of producing Net Zero steel with our current blast furnace operations, however, thorough analysis shows this is not viable. “Detailed studies show electrification could rapidly accelerate our journey to Net Zero and drive British Steel towards a sustainable future. It would also ensure we can provide our customers with the steel they require.” British Steel has conducted feasibility studies into introducing EAFs to Scunthorpe and Teesside and discussed the potential changes to its operations with North Lincolnshire Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Because of the need to decarbonise its operations at pace and the planning processes required, the company expects to shortly be submitting Environmental Impact Assessments to the relevant authorities. This would enable British Steel to meet appropriate timeframes if it goes ahead with the proposals. Q British Steel www.britishsteel.co.uk WFL Millturn Technologies has announced that it has set up a new sales office. Located in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, WFL Millturn Technologies UK has been established to serve its UK and Ireland markets. WFL and Kyal Machine Tools have been working together for over a decade, ensuring that customers in the UK receive the best possible service. The combination of Kyal Machine Tools’ in-house expertise and WFL’s technical knowledge delivers the desired production solutions and provides customers with an exceptional level of service and support. The transfer encompasses Kyal employees and in turn maintains all its UK business relationships. This strategic decision aligns with WFL’s global expansion strategy and fortifies its UK market presence, ultimately benefiting customers. The transfer of the WFL business from Kyal to WFL UK became effective from 3rd November 2023. Q WFL Millturn Technologies www.wfl.at Q Kyal Machine Tools www.kyalmachinetools.com Two West Midlands manufacturers are celebrating 40 years of working together with a major export order secured at the recent Blechexpo exhibition. Brandauer, one of the world’s leading independent metal stampers, has joined forces with Coventry’s Auric Metal Finishers to design, develop and supply bespoke EloPin push fit-connectors for a Tier 1 automotive supplier in India. The £1.5m order will see the Birmingham-based company produce up to 30 million parts annually in 2025 and will help create new jobs in the region. “This contract involves a very complex component for use in motive control systems and the customer was struggling to source the technology in India, so they turned to the West Midlands for inspiration,” explained Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer. “We have significant experience in push-fit connectors and were able to tweak our EloPin product to come up with a solution. Better still we can complete all the tooling at our new Precision Tooling Academy we run with In-Comm Training.” He continued: “The relationship with Auric Metal Finishers was also key to the deal. We understand the way each other works and its ability to deliver reel-to-reel precision plating ensured we could deliver the finish that was crucial to the end application. “Export continues to be a major source of revenue and we are delighted that we have been able to sign another landmark deal at Blechexpo, one of the largest events for our sector.” David Harris, managing director of Auric Metal Finishers, added: “Our advanced reel-to-reel technology applies coats precisely where you need them and there are not many firms that can deliver that type of pinpoint accuracy in the UK. “This has meant we have become a strategic supplier to Brandauer over the last four decades, getting involved in the development phase of projects to ensure the right finish and process is specified.” More than 70% of Brandauer’s current revenue stream comes from overseas business with billions of components sent every year to the US, China, the Middle East and the EU. It has been growing its overseas order book through a concerted digital marketing campaign, trade delegations with Innovate Edge and by exhibiting at international shows like CoilTech and now Blechexpo. Q Brandauer www.brandauer.co.uk Q Auric Metal Finishers www.auric.co.uk West Midlands manufacturers secure major export win British Steel unveils £1.25bn proposal to decarbonise WFL strengthens UK and Ireland presence Scan here for more British Steel articles Scan here for more Brandauer articles Scan here for more WFL Millturn Technologies articles L-R: Rowan Crozier (Brandauer) with David Harris (Auric Metal Finishers)
14 December 2023 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com MADE SMARTER Since I first started writing about precision engineering and manufacturing more than a decade ago, terms like Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, the Industrial Internet of Things and the universal introduction of digitalisation have been touted as the answer to many of the UK’s industrial woes, but in truth all these labels can seem a bit nebulous. If you asked me to describe them, I would say some rather ill-defined concepts like: machine and software interconnectivity, system integration, data optimisation, automation, additive manufacturing and AI, all bundled together in one great jumble of manufacturing innovations that can be tough to fathom. To the uninitiated it can all seem a bit of a minefield, and for smaller manufacturing businesses having to deal with the day-to-day tasks of budgeting, quoting for contracts, taking and processing orders onto the shopfloor and out of the factory door, difficult to dedicate time and resources to. This is where the Made Smarter adoption programme, currently being implemented in several regions around the UK, is intended to help SMEs to take the first steps on the journey to digitalisation and decarbonisation. A government funded programme, Made Smarter’s goal is to help companies make the transition and reap the benefits of digitalised manufacturing. It is also supported by bodies including local enterprise partnerships and some of the UK’s biggest manufacturing companies such as BAE Systems, Siemens, JLR, Renishaw, Rolls-Royce, ABB and GSK, who have representatives both on national and regional management boards. The first three-year adoption programme was launched in the North West in 2019. So far 2,500 manufacturers from across the region have engaged with the programme with hundreds going on to receive support through grant funding, impartial technology advice and leadership and skills training to help transform their businesses. It is forecast that the scheme so far has created more than 1,550 new jobs and will boost the region’s economy by £242 million. To coincide with National Manufacturing Day earlier this year, Made Smarter held an event to highlight the successes of the North West programme, at Siemens’ drives and controls manufacturing plant in Congleton, Chesire. Making the connection One precision engineering company that has benefitted from Made Smarter is Knowsley-based Beverston Engineering. It has invested £173,000 in sensor technology and software to connect 20 CNC machines across its factory to provide real-time visibility of its manufacturing. As a result, the specialist component manufacturer for aerospace, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical industries, has increased productivity by 20%, increased profitability, won new business, and reduced its carbon emissions by 10%. The programme has also helped Beverston recruit and train a new generation of digital engineers that will accelerate data-led decision making. Rod Wah, managing director of Beverston, believes the smart factory proves what can be achieved with this kind of targeted support: “Made Smarter has had such a phenomenal impact on the business,” he says. “I’m recruiting the next generation of engineers, implementing new technology which enables unmanned machining, formulating plans for a £2 million investment, and we have a healthy order book.” Beverston began working with Made Smarter in 2019 to develop a digital adoption roadmap. A first project laid the foundations for the smart factory by enabling connectivity and upgrading IT infrastructure with a dedicated machine data server. The firm also installed sensors to monitor its machines and factory assets. The company then created a ‘productivity control room’ – a bank of 18 big screens in the centre of its factory displaying real-time factory analytics, such as machine downtime events, availability, and performance metrics to the workforce. A second project in 2022 created a platform which integrated all 20 machines and operators with its ERP and third-party systems, giving the subcontractor further immediate insight and analytics, enabling the business to react quickly to challenges and opportunities. The investment came at a tough time for the business, that like many was dealing with the economic shocks of the pandemic, supply chain challenges and increased energy costs. “The last three years were incredibly challenging, but we remained committed to our long-term vision for digital transformation,” Mr Wah explains. “Our customers like Rolls-Royce and Collins Aerospace have been blown away by what we’ve achieved. Our commitment to the vision has helped us win more business and gives us a great opportunity.” Made Smarter also supported Beverston to develop new talent. Nurturing the path to intelligent manufacturing Made Smarter is a government backed programme to help manufacturing SMEs adopt the latest digital tools and innovations and maximise their benefits. Ed Hill visited Siemens’ factory in Congleton, Cheshire to hear more about its uptake and success in the North West. Paul McLaren from BAE Systems and chair of the Made Smarter North West steering group discussing the success of the programme Beverston Engineering produces parts for the aerospace, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical industries Through Made Smarter Beverston Engineering was able to invest in software and sensor technology to connect all its CNC machines and install screens on the shopfloor giving real time factory analytics PES Report Ed Hill
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