Production Engineering Solutions Magazine March 2024

PES Media Production Engineering Solutions March 2024 pesmedia.com HydroWing’s cost-effective approach to tidal stream energy Pages 30-31 ff Riding on the wings of tidal power Machined Components: pages 36-38 SUBCONTRACTING SOLUTIONS ukmfgnews First preview issue pages 27-29

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www.pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions March 2024 3 As I write this comment, two men that have made a significant contribution to the development of wind power have just been awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, sometimes referred to as the discipline’s ‘Nobel Prize’. Danish engineer Henrik Stiesdal did much of the initial design work on turbines that has enabled them to grow from the modest backyard power boosters 30 years ago to the more than 100m high 15–20-megawatt behemoths that are increasingly being deployed around our coasts today. The other winner was Andrew Garrad, a UK mathematician who developed sophisticated computer models to optimise turbine and wind farm designs that enabled a strong financial case to be made for the significant investment required. There’s no doubt that wind power is appreciably more widespread these days; in fact, nearly 30% of the UK’s power is now generated by wind. However, although the UK has been a leader in deploying wind generation, the benefits for our own industry in terms of manufacturing have been less significant. The wind turbine industry is dominated by Chinese, Danish and German OEMs. But as readers of our cover story on page 30 will discover, there is another form of sustainable power beginning to make an impact on the power generation market. Up until now tidal power has lagged behind its blustery counterpart, but for the UK with the strong tidal currents that swirl around our shores, it could play a substantial part in our energy mix and provide many other additional benefits. Tidal power is constant, as long as the moon keeps circling the earth the seas will be in an endless state of motion. One of the factors that has hindered tidal stream power uptake is a way to make the technology scalable. This is where Falmouthbased Inyanga Marine Energy Group and its division HydroWing believe they have found a commercially viable solution, resulting in the company being awarded a contract to build one of the biggest new tidal arrays at Morlais in Anglesey. It is already engaging with local companies to be part of the supply chain for the project and HydroWing estimates that nationally the UK’s capital expenditure percentage for tidal arrays in our waters could be as high as 85%. So now is a good time to dive more deeply into the opportunities offered by tidal power. There are abundant ones out there for the UK supply chain, come wind, rain or shine. Ed Hill Deputy Editor In this Q&A article Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, talks to Ed Hill about its development of HydroWing tidal stream power and the opportunities it offers the UK supply chain. See pages 30-31 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 2024 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 334 ISSN 1460-3926 EVENTS April 2024 MACH 2024 NEC, Birmingham, UK 15-19 April 2024 April 2024 CONTROL 2024 Stuttgart, Germany 23-26 April 2024 June 2024 SUBCON NEC, Birmingham, UK 5-6 June 2024 June 2024 TCT 3SIXTY NEC, Birmingham, UK 5-6 June 2024 5 Bowers Group celebrates success at SteelFab 2024 Close Brothers Asset Finance strengthens manufacturing team NEWS MACHINING 18 GM CNC unveils new Victor machine AMRC welcomes Productive Machines as its newest member TOOLING & WORKHOLDING 22 Face and shoulders Versatile workholding ensures high productivity and accuracy MACH 2024 27 MACH 2024: A highway to industry innovation POWER GENERATION 30 Riding on the wings of tidal power SAWING TECHNOLOGY 32 New bandsaw is perfect for demanding applications COMPONENT CLEANING 33 MecWash system revolutionises productivity at IMI Truflo Marine CAD/CAM 34 SigmaNEST 24 suite joins the dots for fabrication companies 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 Turning the tide into turnover

TURNING CENTRES 5 AXIS DOUBLE COLUMN SUPERIOR CONTROLS MACHINING CENTRES 12 Merlin Centre • Lancaster Road • Cressex Business Park High Wycombe • Buckinghamshire • HP12 3TB • Tel: (01494) 442222 www.hurco.co.uk • sales@hurco.co.uk • service@hurco.co.uk Your partner for 5 axis machining Several configurations to suit your application Transform plane feature for 5-sided programming Simultaneous 5 axis is standard on all Hurco 5 axis machines SRTi Range • Features a swivel B axis and a rotary C axis set in the table • Maximum 5 axis capacity within a minimum footprint • Can also be used as a full-capacity 3 axis machine • Machines available ex stock VCi/VCXi Range • Cantilever design allows excellent access • Ideal for one-offs • Greater Z clearance • Entry-level and high performance models available Ui Range • Most economical 5 axis configuration • 3 model sizes and several spindle options • Easy to automate with ProCobot or Erowa options • Machines available ex stock DCX-5Si Range • For the BIGGEST of 5 axis jobs • Machines up to 4.2m in X and 2.6m travel in Y • High-speed or High-torque spindle options available • Massive rigid structure for improved accuracy Hall 6, Stand 180

pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions March 2024 5 NEWS COMPANY FINDER 1st Machine Tool Accessories 23 Advanced Chemical Etching 14 AMRC 19 ASG Group 6 Babcock International 8 Base Materials 16 Behringer 32 Bowers Group 5 BTMA 36 Canterbury Tools 25 Close Brothers Asset Finance 5 CMZ 8 Digital Catapult 7 Effective CNC Solutions 20 FANUC UK 12 GM CNC 18 Guhring 25 Horn Cutting Tools 24 HPC Services 36 HydroWing 30 Inyanga Marine Energy 30 Iscar 22 ITP Aero 11 MACH 2024 27 Made Smarter 17 MecWash 33 NCMT 6 Productive Machines 19 Renishaw 20 SigmaNEST 34 Supacat 8 Wallwork Heat Treatment 8 Ward Hi-Tech 14 Westermans International 12 Yamazaki Mazak 15 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING Akyapak 16 Allied Machine Engineering 24 Arno 22 Ceratizit UK & Ireland 40 Citizen Machinery 10 Compass Business Finance 6 Filtermist 28 Filtration Service Engineering 11 Haas 15 Hurco 4 J&S Engineering 17 Kasto 32 Kerf Developments 29 Kyocera SGS 31 Lantek 35 MecWash 33 Mills CNC 9, 13 Mini Gears 19 MTA MACH 2024 26 Muffett Engineering Solutions 36 NCMT 18 Qualiturn Products 36 Roemheld 20 Subcon Drilling 37 Swissmatic 38 TCI Cutting 27 Tebis 34 Thame Workholding 21 Tooling Intelligence 14 Ward Hi-Tech 7 XYZ Machine Tools 2 NEWS Sourcing a Subcontractor just got easier Bowers Group is celebrating another successful exhibition on the international stage as the team reaps the rewards of a busy SteelFab 2024. A prominent event in the global metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry in the Middle East, Bowers Group’s Baty Venture Plus XT stole the limelight at the exhibition. This four-in-one system, seamlessly integrating profile projection, microscopy, CMM, and video inspection capabilities, attracted significant attention, appealing to many businesses with its versatile features and innovative design. Export sales manager at Bowers Group, Mark Golding, was delighted with the event: “SteelFab 2024 proved to be a fantastic start to the year, and it was encouraging to see the growing interest in our Baty vision systems. “With an excellent turnout, the exhibition provided the perfect opportunity for establishing new partnerships, a step that will play a crucial role in expanding Bowers Group’s global supplier network. I’m personally looking forward to working with our new suppliers and clients over the coming year and beyond.” With each new edition, SteelFab continues to play a key role in the UAE’s and the region’s industrial growth, seen not only as an opportunity to showcase products but also as an avenue for engaging with industry peers and contributing to the progress of the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Flying the flag for Great British industry in the UK Pavilion, it was an important step for Bowers Group in reinforcing its commitment to excellence in the field of metrology. Its contribution to SteelFab reflects the company’s ongoing efforts strengthen its place as a global leader in the advancement and innovation of precision measurement technology. Baty, part of the Made in Britain collective, reflects the essence of British manufacturing on a global scale. The Made in Britain mark signifies the commitment to quality and precision in Baty’s vision systems. It’s a recognition of excellence that the Bowers Group team says it is proud to be associated with. Q Bowers Group www.bowersgroup.co.uk Bowers Group celebrates success at SteelFab 2024 Close Brothers Asset Finance’s manufacturing team has appointed Wayne Hall to the role of regional manager to drive the team’s ambitious growth plans in this key sector. Mr Hall has significant experience of both general SME lending and supporting manufacturing dealers and customers with their commercial requirements for new and used machinery as well as refinancing and raising finance for management buyouts (MBOs). He said: “I’m really looking forward to the role and utilising my detailed understanding of the manufacturing sector to benefit our customers. “I know very well the positive impact asset finance can have and its role in ensuring British manufacturing continues to be a key component of the economy by providing vital support to manufacturers across a variety of industries such as engineering, joinery, pharmaceutical, food and electronics.” Richard Kirk, managing director of Close Brothers Asset Finance’s manufacturing team, said: “We’re delighted to bring someone of Wayne’s calibre on board because it demonstrates our continued commitment to the manufacturing sector and further endorses our ambitious growth plans. “We have been supporting manufacturers for a number of decades and it’s a market we believe very strongly in, which is why we have recruited strongly in this area. The team has already made a significant difference for many business owners, who get to work with experts that speak their language. “As the UK economy continues to move along at its current rate, we are looking forward to helping our customers thrive through all economic cycles.” Q Close Brothers Asset Finance www.closeassetfinance.co.uk Wayne Hall Close Brothers Asset Finance strengthens manufacturing team Scan here for more Bowers Group articles

6 March 2024 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS Thinking Differently about Finance flexible straight-forward relational Visit us on Stand 6-44 at MACH compassbusinessfinance.co.uk Simon Weston, managing director of aerospace component specialist ASG Group in Stockport, is advocating for a more bullish approach combined with strategic investment to position UK aerospace and defence suppliers for future success. The aerospace sector has historically been a cornerstone of the UK’s industrial prowess, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth and technological innovation. However, the pandemic-induced downturn tested the resilience of the industry, exposing vulnerabilities in global supply chains and competition for skilled talent. Weston emphasises the need for UK aerospace and defence suppliers to embrace a spirit of boldness and continue investing to stay ahead of the curve. “The forecasted aerospace boom presents a golden opportunity for our industry to reclaim its position as a global leader,” Mr Weston asserts. “To seize this moment, we must be unyielding in our commitment to innovation, resilient in the face of supply chain disruptions, and strategic in acquiring and retaining top-tier talent. This is why we have added to the ASG family at the end of 2023 by bringing Produmax into the ASG Group to further grow our machining capabilities.” Produmax is a precision engineering business based in Shipley, West Yorkshire, which supplies many parts for the aerospace sector. According to Mr Weston the pandemic unearthed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting a re-evaluation of traditional sourcing strategies. He suggests that diversification and strengthening of local supply chains is pivotal to mitigating risks associated with geopolitical uncertainties and sudden disruptions. The ASG Group has been at the forefront of such initiatives, forging strategic partnerships and investing in cutting-edge technologies to enhance the resilience of its supply network through continued plant investment and acquisition. However, the challenges extend beyond the supply chain. Access to skilled talent has also become an increasing concern. “We are not just competing with our industry peers for talent; we are competing with sectors that are equally hungry for the skills our industry demands,” he noted. “Investing in training programs, fostering partnerships with educational institutions, and championing diversity in our workforce is essential to ensuring a robust pipeline of talent for the future. “I remain optimistic about the potential for growth. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. It’s about being bold, agile, and innovative in our approach.” Q ASG Group https://www.asg-group.co/ Group managing director Simon Weston at ASG Group headquarters in Stockport Aerospace suppliers need to be bold in changing times says ASG MD NCMT, a supplier of machine tool and turnkey engineering solutions, is celebrating its 60th year. The company was formed in 1964 by Gerry Gray after he won the exclusive right to market Japanese-built Makino machining centres and spark erosion machines in Britain and Ireland, an agreement that continues to this day. In 1976, a second agency was added to sell Okuma machine tools, also from Japan. It introduced extra machining centres to NCMT’s portfolio as well as lathes and grinders. Since 2015, the company has additionally been the Europe-wide agent for photo-activated adhesive workholding systems manufactured by Blue Photon in the US. Project, process, applications and service engineers as well as administrative staff operate from three sites across the UK, supplying innovative engineering solutions for metalworking applications. The company specialises in demanding fields of engineering, often project-managing and supplying a turnkey production line or flexible manufacturing system involving a high degree of automation and 24/7 operation. NCMT was early adopter of Industry 4.0 interconnectivity principles, offering advanced manufacturing systems from its two Japanese principals, which were also at the forefront of the technology. In 2005, Makino-NCMT Grinding Division was established to market Makino machining centres for creepfeed Viper grinding of nickel alloys throughout Europe. Since then the principal has introduced purpose-built platforms for the application. Utilising small, vitrified aluminium oxide wheels and advanced coolant delivery and dressing techniques, the production centres are used principally within the aerospace and power generation industries, as well as motorsport, medical and gear manufacturing sectors. Another important part of NCMT’s service is research and development into optimum processes for machining difficult materials. This includes not only alloys that are currently in use, but also new, lightweight materials such as ceramic matrix composites and gamma titanium alumide employed in the manufacture of the latest, highefficiency aero engines. Managing director Jonathan Smart commented: “The business continues to be focused on satisfying customer demand, so every order is managed as an individual project, with key milestones strictly adhered to from initial enquiry through to machine commissioning. “We have a team of dedicated customisation engineers that are experts in their respective fields, able to design and implement anything from automated component handling and in-process measurement to filtration systems and machine guarding adaptation.” NCMT will exhibit at MACH 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham from 15-19 April on Stand 19-130. Q NCMT www.ncmt.co.uk NCMT celebrates 60th anniversary Jonathan Smart, managing director, NCMT Scan here for more NCMT articles

pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions March 2024 7 NEWS When you’re considering new equipment make sure you take a look at our extensive, high quality, great value machine tool range. With over 30years experience in supply and service support, Ward Hi-Tech have the machine for you. YES...WE HAVE IT ! Ward Hi-Tech Limited 1 Atlas Way Sheffield S4 7QQ South Yorkshire Tel: 0114 2560333 Fax: 0114 2561629 Email: sales@wardhitech.co.uk www.wardhitech.co.uk when you want it, we have it Hwacheon CNC Lathes and Multi Axis Turning Centres Vertical Lathes, Vertical Machining Centres and Drill Tap Machines Dah Lih Vertical, Horizontal, 5Axis and Double Column Machining Centres Kiheung Bed Type and Travelling Column CNC Universal Milling Machines H.N.K. Heavy Duty CNC Vertical Lathes, Horizontal Boring Machines and Double Column Machining Centres Vision Wide High Speed and Heavy Duty Double Column Machining Centres 5Axis Gantry and Double Column Machining Centres S.F.M. Heavy Duty Flat Bed and Oil Country CNC Lathes *O 4UPDL /08 Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, has selected five pioneering UK businesses for a new Hydrogen Sensor Accelerator Programme. Digital Catapult’s Hydrogen Sensor Accelerator is a first-ofits-kind eight-week programme to deliver the UK strategy for hydrogen technology. The aim is to accelerate the development of sensor products for UK industry, driving sustainable growth in the UK’s Hydrogen energy sector. The five pioneering businesses will be supported as they navigate the competitive investment landscape to secure funding and establish a strong market presence. As part of the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII), the Hydrogen Sensor Accelerator is a transformative programme supported by Innovate UK and the Industrial Advisory Board with a vision to make hydrogen technology a cornerstone of the UK’s industrial landscape. Partners of the wider Hydrogen Innovation Initiative include the Catapult Network, the Aerospace Technology Institute, the Net Zero Technology Centre, and the National Physical Laboratory, demonstrating the value of industry-wide collaboration to drive adoption of hydrogen solutions. With tailored support from industry mentors and experts at Digital Catapult to develop and optimise products, the participating companies will receive access to state-of-theart facilities to accelerate their market readiness, helping to sharpen the UK’s competitive edge in hydrogen innovation. The accelerator will help meet growing demand from UK businesses that consider hydrogen to be a cornerstone of their sustainability strategies. These businesses require effective mechanisms to produce, store and use hydrogen safely and responsibly, and sensors are a critical tool to achieving this. The sensors and other solutions developed through the programme will ensure safety in hydrogen plants, optimise efficiency, maintain quality, monitor infrastructure, and support the overall growth of hydrogen as an energy source in the UK. Geraldina Iraheta, chief commercial officer at Digital Catapult, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this groundbreaking programme to accelerate the development of sensor products in hydrogen, a catalyst for clean energy innovation. Together we propel the future forward, pushing at boundaries to empower a sustainable tomorrow, and this is one of several energy projects that we are working on right now at Digital Catapult.” The five companies joining the Hydrogen Sensor Accelerator Programme are: eLansys; HyMet; Bohr; DefProc Engineering and Gas Sensing Solutions. Q Digital Catapult www.digicatapult.org.uk New initiative to boost hydrogen energy adoption

8 March 2024 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS Bringing forward plans by two years, Wallwork Group has signed for a second hot isostatic press from Quintus Technologies. This follows hot on the heels of opening its £10 million Wallwork HIP Centre with Quintus completing the commissioning of the first HIP in the third quarter of 2023. “Demand from customers for processing components in our first hot isostatic press has been astonishing. It is prudent to bring forward planned investment for the next HIP, knowing it will take most of 2024 to build and install. We hope to have it up and running by early 2025. Deciding to prepare pits for expansion during the first installation has proved right,” explained group director, Simeon Collins. “We expected strong demand from UK castings, 3D printing, powder fabrication, and nearnet-shape manufacturers – especially as the UK is currently under-served with hot isostatic pressing capacity,” added Wallwork HIP Centre business manager David Loughlin. “More surprising is the amount of international interest we are seeing not only from Europe but also as far away as India.” Adding a second HIP sooner has many advantages for the business as it will provide greater flexibility in processing customer components. It will also allow better contingency during planned maintenance schedules. Improving continuity during unexpected business interruptions is an added benefit. The second HIP will be identical to the first. Operating at pressures from 40 to 207 MPa (5,800 to 30,000 psi) and temperatures up to 1,250°C. It will also have the latest rapid cooling technology. The capability to offer increased cycle pressures at elevated temperatures, complements engineering advances in metal 3D printing and other technologies. Signing for the new hot isostatic press took place at Quintus Technologies’ HQ in Sweden in January 2024. Wallwork directors Simeon Collins and Ian Griffin were met by Jan Soderstrom CEO and Peter Henning, marketing and sales director at Quintus. “A hot isostatic press is a major piece of equipment and Quintus Technologies are world leaders in this technology,” Mr Collins concluded. “We are pleased to be cementing our relationship with them by bringing forward this investment. Quintus are a key part of the success of the Wallwork HIP Centre, now and into the future.” Q Wallwork www.wallworkht.co.uk Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company and Supacat, a defence vehicle engineering company have officially launched production of 70 High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Jackal 3s for the British Army. An innovative manufacturing facility at Babcock’s Devonport site has been specially developed for this purpose and will produce 62 of the vehicles, with the remaining eight to be built at Supacat’s manufacturing facilities in Dunkeswell. Production of the new vehicles is planned to be completed by the summer of 2024. The project is one of the first contracts to deliver on the UK’s Land Industrial Strategy. Close working relationships between Babcock, Supacat, the British Army, and the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team have ensured that the operational and safety requirements of the vehicle are fully met. The facility is futureproofed and is ready for subsequent build programmes. Transformational innovation and technology have been optimised throughout the production line and include the use of bespoke Pulse software which maximises efficiency during vehicle assembly. The Jackal 3 has a number of enhancements to support operational requirements, including improved protection for the crew and an increased gross vehicle mass for greater load carrying. This programme is directly contributing to the economic potential of the South West with nearly all of the programme’s supply chain sourced in the UK and 50% specifically from the region. Through a dedicated social value plan, the contract has already created over 100 new jobs across both Babcock and Supacat’s respective sites. Major General Darren Crook CBE, director for the Land Equipment Operating Centre at DE&S said: “This Supacat and Babcock collaboration will deliver modern fighting vehicles for the British Armed Forces and our allies, while developing and maintaining key land defence engineering skills in a much-valued part of the South West of England.” David Lockwood, CEO Babcock commented: “These Jackals will help keep the UK safe, while our technologically advanced production facility will support social value and economic prosperity in the region.” Nick Ames, CEO at Supacat added: “The Jackal 3 is the product of 25 years of specific development and 45 years of corporate development. Every member of our staff takes enormous pride in the quality of the product that provides our soldiers with a leading-edge battle proven platform that they can rely on.” Q Babcock International www.babcockinternational.com Q Supacat www.supacat.com pic courtesy of Babcock International Group New production line opened for Jackal 3 army transporter Hot demand brings forward investment for hot isostatic press (L-R): Peter Henning and Jan Soderstrom (Quintus), Simeon Collins and Ian Griffin (Wallwork), Tom Walsh (Quintus) With the aim of improving its aftersales service in the UK, European manufacturer of CNC lathes CMZ, has recruited a new service manager and expanded its team of field service engineers. The increasingly high demand for CMZ machine tools in the UK has emphasised the need for both an efficient commercial network and a high-quality aftersales service to ensure its customers are looked after. With this in mind, Richard Eales has been appointed as the new service manager in the UK. To serve its extensive customer base, CMZ has also employed additional field technicians to manage the installation and maintenance of CMZ lathes, covering aspects such training and programming. With more than 70 members of staff across six European subsidiaries, the service department has solved more than 3,600 queries interventions and delivered 6,747 spare parts. Its service hotline has successfully responded to around 15,000 calls. From a more corporate perspective, via its 2021-2023 strategic plan, CMZ set itself a goal of achieving €100 million turnover by the end of 2024. By the end of 2023, the company reports that this objective has been exceeded with a €110 million turnover in record time. With 549 CNC lathes delivered, this is a milestone for the company, which is planning to continue its continuous growth and expand market share in the UK. Q CMZ www.cmz.com CMZ reinforces its aftersales service in the UK Scan here for more Wallwork articles Scan here for more Babcock International articles CMZ’s new UK service manager, Richard Eales

01926 736736 • www.millscnc.co.uk Whatever business objectives or manufacturing goals you are looking to achieve in the future - chances are you’ll need advanced machine tool technologies on your side to help you meet your targets and realise your true potential. That’s where we come in. We’re showcasing a total of 16 advanced machine tools on our stand at MACH 2024. Four are new DN Solutions’models making their UK debuts at the show. A new DVF 4000 simultaneous 5-axis machining centre (that pulled in the crowds at the recent Southern Manufacturing Show) will be sharing centre stage with two, new box-guideway lathes from our popular DNT series and a new, rigidly-designed and built V9300M vertical turning lathe with driven tooling. All four machines will be under power, performing a range of interesting and innovative machining demonstrations designed to show-off their capabilities and reinforce their star-studded credentials. If you’re going to MACH 2024 (and we certainly hope that you are), why not visit our stand...check-out these new arrivals…and see how your ambitions can be realised. To find out more about Mills CNC and the machines and technologies we’re showcasing at MACH 2024 - call us on 01926 736736 or visit www.millscnc.co.uk Mills CNC: Like No-one Else! New DN Solutions’machines making their debuts at MACH 2024: Hall 19 - Stand 110. TO SHOOT FOR THE MOON YOU NEED TO REACH FOR THE STARS!

pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions March 2024 11 NEWS NEWS Tel: +44 (0) 1562 602333 Email: sales@fse.co.uk Web: www.fse.co.uk Next generation colour LED electronic airflow indicator which instantly shows if the industrial ventilation is controlling airborne contaminants in accordance with HSG258. COSHH2022 Regulation 8 - Use of control measures for every Employer & Employee to be able to identify defect on the LEV with the use of a Swift Airflow Indicator. If the fan fails, duct gets damaged, or a blockage reduces the duct airflow, the indicator will clearly show you. Our SWIFT / LEV Indicator is highly visible, with a continuously moving display to indicate either adequate or insufficient airflow. ITP Aero has been awarded £1.5m in Government funding to support its three-year laser welding R&D project in collaboration with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the University of Nottingham. The three-year project, known as LADDER (Laser Automation and Design Development for future Engine Requirements) will see a total investment of £2.59 million, both from ITP Aero and the Government’s Innovation Funding Service. ITP says it is delighted to be working in partnership with its research partners, the MTC in Coventry, and the Solid Mechanics team at the University of Nottingham. Both partners bring world-class expertise to bear on the project, in which the aim is to develop and implement an innovative laser beam welding (LBW) solution, as a robust joining technology for complex sheetmetal aero-engine fabrications. This is already a key area of expertise for ITP Aero, where it has leading design, manufacture and in-service support capabilities. The project will be undertaken at ITP Aero’s site in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, where it employs over 720 people. Rob Mitchell, head of engineering for ITP Aero UK said: “This is a real milestone for us. We are a young company in the UK, but a site with a huge amount of aerospace heritage. This is our first project where we have sought and secured Government funding and it underlines our commitment to invest in the UK. I am delighted we are able to work closely with our partners at the MTC and University of Nottingham to develop this industry leading capability.” Matthew Kite, the director of power and energy, industrial sector at the MTC, said: “After a long association with ITP Aero’s Hucknall site, it is a real pleasure to accompany them on the next stage of their new journey, while also having the opportunity to work closely with the University of Nottingham. With our extensive experience in laser-based collaborative projects in the aerospace sector, combined with ITP Aero’s commitment to the adoption of new technologies in this area, we have a real opportunity to boost the UK’s expertise.” Chris Bennett, professor of solid mechanics and director of the Institute for Aerospace Technology, added: “This project builds on existing strengths and a history at Nottingham in the field of welding modelling, while being at the cutting edge of aerospace manufacture and allowing us to consider some of the challenges associated with the production of real components.” Q ITP Aero www.itpaero.com/en/ ITP Aero’s site in Hucknall ITP Aero awarded Government funding for laser welding research A laser welding cell at ITP Aero

12 March 2024 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS MAKE A NOISE AT Sales Director Andy Morley 01634 825701 amorley@pesmag.co.uk Sales Manager Tammy Jukes Phone: 01634 825706 tjukes@pesmag.co.uk www.pesmedia.com MAXIMISE YOUR VISIBILITY BEFORE AND DURING MACH 2024. MAKE SURE YOUR BUSINESS IS ON AS MANY SHOW VISIT LISTS AS POSSIBLE! PES WILL DEDICATE 3 SPECIAL ISSUES TO COVER THE SHOW MARCH – SHOW PREVIEW NUMBER 1 – ADVERT BOOKING DEADLINE FEBRUARY 2 – EDITION REACHES MARKET PLACE MARCH 1 MID-MARCH – SHOW PREVIEW NUMBER 2 – ADVERT BOOKING DEADLINE FEBRUARY 23 – EDITION REACHES MARKET PLACE MARCH 21 APRIL – MACH SHOW ISSUE – ADVERT BOOKING DEADLINE MARCH 15 – EDITION REACHES MARKET PLACE APRIL 11 W PREVIEW NUMBER 1– ADVERT BOOKI Y 2 – EDITION REACHES MARKET PLACE Edition now published OW PREVIEW NUMBER 2– ADVERT BOO 2 23 – EDITION REACHES MARKET PLACE Edition now published Westermans International is taking over the agency for PEI resistance welding products from Sureweld. The agreement commenced at the end of January and covers the whole of the UK and Ireland. Richard Papworth, Sureweld’s owner for more than 40 years is retiring, and the business will be closing its doors. Westermans International has been Sureweld’s authorised resale partner for the last 35 years and has built a wealth of expertise supplying PEI welding equipment. Going forward, Westermans International will supply resistance welders directly and provide support to past and future clients. All customers will have backup and service from Westermans International, PEI, and experienced Sureweld technicians, ensuring a smooth transition for previous Sureweld customers. Family-owned Westermans International is located in Groby, Leicestershire operating from its 30,000ft² facility of modern offices, warehouses, and workshops. The business buys, sells, and rents new and used welding equipment, including welding and cutting power sources, positioners, fume extractors, and specialised welding gear. PEI-Point SRL is a renowned Italian manufacturer with a long history in the international market. Westermans International has sold PEI equipment for over three decades and has witnessed first-hand the value PEl’s machines bring to small and large shops and manufacturers. Westerman’s sales director, Craig Westerman commented: “Taking over the PEI agency was an easy decision. We are very familiar with their machines, share the same values, and have trust in PEl’s ability to deliver exceptional quality resistance welding equipment. It’s great to work directly with such a strong European manufacturer”. Q Westermans International www.westermans.com FANUC UK has underlined its commitment to AI-powered robotic waste picking company Recycleye by extending its exclusive UK deal with the tech innovator, as well as internationally recognising its achievements at the FANUC Global Partner Awards. The event in Japan saw Recycleye win one of seven Global Partner Awards for Innovation. In further evidence of FANUC’s faith in Recycleye’s technology, the two companies have recently extended their exclusivity agreement, meaning that Recycleye remains the only UK company that FANUC supply for recycling applications. Founded in London in 2019 with just four members of staff, Recycleye now employs more than 50 people and is a European leader in AI/robotic waste picking technology. It has an installed base of more than 25 systems across the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain and Germany, where its technology is helping to revolutionise the waste sector by automating the detection and sorting of mixed recyclables. FANUC has been instrumental to the company’s rapid success, working closely as a strategic partner to de-risk Recycleye’s offering to the market. Combining its proprietary AI vision technology with FANUC 6-axis LR Mate robots, the Recycleye Robotics system increases sorting accuracy by up to 12% and improves line output by up to 10%, helping waste operators to boost bottom lines and providing a solution to ongoing labour shortages in the waste management industry. The Global Partner Award for Innovation was presented to Peter Hedley, chief technical officer and cofounder of Recycleye, by FANUC’s Dr Kiyonori Inaba, executive vice president and general manager of its robot division. Mr Hedley said: “FANUC has been by our side since the start of our journey and we look forward to growing further together, offering materials recycling facilities an automated alternative to traditional sorting methods and helping to futureproof their business.” Q FANUC UK www.fanuc.eu/uk/en Recycleye’s AI vision technology works in conjunction with FANUC 6-axis robots to automate sorting of recyclables Recycleye wins FANUC award for innovation in recycling FANUC’s Dr Kiyonori Inaba presents Recycleye’s Peter Hedley with the FANUC Global Partner Award for Innovation Scan here for more FANUK UK articles Westermans takes over PEI resistance welding agency

You can machine small components on large machine tools. But try doing the opposite and the wheels will soon come off. That’s why more and more large component and mould tool manufacturers looking to increase their machining capacity and capabilities are choosing to invest in big Zayer machines from Mills CNC. Take the ZAYER XIOS G MTwith integrated turning capabilities as an example. This large-capacity CNC horizontal bed mill is impressive, whichever way you look at it. And with up to 4000mm x 1600mm x 2000mm (X-, Y- and Z-axis) travels and a 2000mm x 2000mm table (with maximum 12,000kg table load), you’ll never run out out of space. Add to that a 1500mm x 1500mm built-in rotary table, a powerful 40kW/6,000rpm spindle, a 5-axis/45-degree milling head and a generous sized tool changer (up to 80 tools), and you have a machine that’s big in size…and big on performance. We’re showcasing a new Zayer XIOS G MT on our stand at MACH 2024 (Hall 19 - Stand 110): so why not check it out and see for yourself why, when it comes to large-capacity Zayer machine tools, (component) size is never an issue. Until then, you’ll have to watch this space! To find out more about Mills CNC and the machines and technologies we’re showcasing at MACH 2024 - call us on 01926 736736 or visit www.millscnc.co.uk Mills CNC: Like No-one Else! Zayer XIOS G MT CNC horizontal bed mill showcased on our stand at MACH 2024: Hall 19 - Stand 110. FORGE AHEAD IN THE ‘SPACE’ RACE. 01926 736736 • www.millscnc.co.uk

14 March 2024 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS Get your Inventory under control in 2024 Get in touch: www.toolingintelligence.co.uk Information@toolingintelligence.co.uk 01926484511 A precision component specialist has posted a 10% increase in sales after making the most of a reshoring boom. Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE), which supplies parts to aerospace, automotive, electronics, general engineering, medical and telecoms, has secured £800,000 of new orders from companies looking to tap into exacting quality and new product development expertise. The Telford-based company has seen a significant rise in fuel cell projects and others, increasing volume by 25%, and leading to an anticipated drive to achieve £10m sales this year. This will be boosted by the ramping up of two Chemcut etching machines, giving it a major boost in capacity and faster turnaround times. Ian Whateley, managing director, said: “There is so much manufacturing innovation in the UK and we are finally seeing other countries switch back to what we offer. “In addition to sales, there has also been a 10% increase in the number of new projects we are involved in looking for a strategic partner that can work from design through to early-stage prototyping and low and medium volume supply. “Export now accounts for nearly 30% of our annual turnover and we’re seeing really strong demand and growth opportunities. This, alongside a strong domestic market is something we want to explore further with our two Chemcut machines up and running.” The scope of ACE’s activities can include anything from safety critical components for aircraft and F1 cars, to meshes and electronic connectors, battery interconnectors, cooling plates and heat exchangers. All parts are developed and manufactured at its main site in Telford and the company’s dedicated sister business, ACE Forming, in Kingswinford. This means the business is in a rare position of being able to etch or form parts to meet the customer’s cost point and desired performance of the end application. Chris Ball, executive director at ACE added: “We’ve seen volumes surpass where they were before the pandemic, with aerospace gathering pace as airport traffic surges. We have taken the decision to not only invest in the latest etching technology, but also increase our workforce with eight new people recruited in the last 12 months. £10m sales threshold is definitely in our sights for 2024.” Q Advanced Chemical Etching www.ace-uk.net Ian Whateley (left) and Chris Ball from Advanced Chemical Etching Sheffield-based Ward HiTech, one of the UK’s leading machine tool dealers, has reported a bumper close to 2023 with the conclusion of several significant projects. Orders were taken for a number of large-frame machine tools from overseas principals Hwacheon, Kiheung and Dah Lih. Two Hwacheon Hi-Tech 850LYMC heavy-duty turning centres with 3.5m between centres, 32-inch chuck with Y-axis, were sold to a large subcontract engineering company in the North of England, while a Midlands based manufacturer placed an order for a 5m between centres x 1,800mm swing CNC lathe from S.F.M. The year ended on a high with two double column Dah Lih machining centres with 4m X-axes being sold in the North West and a Kiheung U1200N CNC universal bed mill with 3m X-axis travel was delivered to a local manufacturer. With several large projects in 2024 now taking shape, Ward Hi-Tech is looking forward to a busy start to the year. Q Ward Hi-Tech www.wardhitech.co.uk Ward Hi-Tech reports end of year success ACE taps into reshoring boom

pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions March 2024 15 NEWS NEWS MADE IN USA Haas Automation | 01603 760539 | sales@haas.co.uk The world’s best selling VMC for a reason. Auto Parts Loaders | Plug & Play Robots | Integrated Pallet Pools NEW www.haas.co.uk Yamazaki Mazak UK has recorded a successful year for machine sales in 2023 including its largest ever machine order. The success was driven by a strong pipeline of high-value large project wins, based around the company’s experience and competence in project management, engineering support and turnkey solutions. In addition, a strong December open house attracted more than 700 visitors. Mazak also sold its largest ever machine into the UK market and achieved strong sales for 5-axis and multi-tasking machines – with 2023 marking the 35th anniversary of the introduction of Mazak’s flagship Integrex machine series and QT turning centres. Alan Mucklow, managing director UK, Eire and national distributors at Yamazaki Mazak, says the company benefitted from the strengthening of its sales team and the breadth of its service and support. “We’ve brought in new salespeople and reorganised our structure into northern and southern regions to bring additional customer focus,” he explained. “What’s more, we’ve invested in our service group with even more engineers and two new service apprentices to build skills for the future. “The issue of service is becoming more and more important, particularly for subcontractors. It’s no longer just about the machine but how you back the sale up once it has left the factory.” Results were also helped by the strong performance of key sectors, including aerospace, defence and medical, along with the recovery in the energy sector and subcontracting. Mazak also recorded its most successful year ever for UK laser machine sales, in part due to the introduction of the NEO range of laser processing machines that combine ultra-fast cutting speeds with exceptional accuracy. “We are seeing a lot of subcontractors broadening their capabilities by combining machines with lasers to offer a complete manufacturing solution,” said Mr Mucklow. “We feel we have an advantage with this type of customer because they know Mazak, they know the controls and our exemplary service and support levels.” He says that the outlook for UK manufacturing is brighter. “Economic conditions and order pipelines are improving quickly for subcontractors, and we are seeing a corresponding increase in enquiries and machine orders. In addition, reshoring is continuing apace and we are getting a lot of subcontractors needing to specify and order a machine quickly to take advantage of this trend.” Q Yamazaki Mazak www.mazakeu.co.uk Mazak’s shopfloor in Worcester where UK built machines are made Mazak records successful 2023 sales including largest ever UK order Scan here for more Yamazaki Mazak articles

16 March 2024 Production Engineering Solutions pesmedia.com NEWS Demonstrating its ability to meet the ever-changing demands of the industries in which it operates, Base Materials has launched a new mass casting service for nearnet-shape tooling or modelling. Providing an alternative method to traditional modelling and tooling board materials for CNC machining, the new service at its facility in Leicester enables Base Materials to create a singlepiece, near-net-shape tool or model, custom-made to any shape. Not only does mass casting result in no visible bond or witness lines giving an ultrasmooth surface finish, but in comparison to traditional processes, near-net-shape casting – where a mould is created to cast the form close to the size and shape required for the final part – eliminates unnecessary material wastage created during machining and reduces downstream processing costs. John Miller, managing director at Base Materials, said: “We are keen to provide an alternative solution to complement our existing composite tooling board materials that are blocked up and milled to shape using a CNC machine. Casting a tool or model in one single piece with no witness or bond lines can be a key factor in some automotive and aerospace applications where a high aesthetic finish is essential. “The launch of our new mass casting service is a further showcase of our unwavering commitment to continually evolving our industry-leading offering to the benefit of our customers. Additionally, it marks the continuation of significant investment in recent years which has seen the bolstering of testing facilities at our laboratory and production site in Leicester and a new state-ofthe-art production facility in Birmingham.” Suitable for high-temperature applications in addition to complex geometric, and near-net-shape forms, Base Materials has a range of materials available for mass casting applications. These comprise densities ranging from 600kg/m³ to 1,700kg/m³. Base Materials is an expert in high-performance syntactic materials for a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, foundry, manufacturing, marine, motorsport, rail and subsea. Q Base Materials https://base-materials.com Base Materials opens near net shape casting service

pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions March 2024 17 NEWS NEWS The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) visited two manufacturing businesses in the West Midlands to find out first-hand the impact of the region’s Made Smarter programme. Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub has led the Made Smarter West Midlands scheme since it was established as a pilot programme in 2021 alongside the Growth Hubs in Worcestershire, The Marches, and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, and on behalf of Business Growth West Midlands, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the DBT. Made Smarter helps SMEs in the manufacturing and engineering sector to access match-funded grant funding and experts from WMG, at the University of Warwick, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to digitise their work, improve employees’ skills and become more productive. The programme received 560 registrations from businesses in the region between April 2021 and November 2023 with 115 grants being awarded from April 2021 to October 2023 valued at £1.94m. A senior policy team from the Department for Business and Trade led by deputy director, advanced manufacturing, Michael Clark, visited the area to assess the impact of programme. The policy team spoke to management teams at Impression Technologies in Coventry and Brandauer in Birmingham who have both received grants and an in-depth digital roadmap reviewing their businesses. Impression Technologies, an advanced aluminium light weighting technology business, has invested in a system to improve its data analysis with its grant. Brandauer, which provides precision-stamped components to sectors worldwide, as well as high-speed progression tooling, used the grant to introduce a system that generates up-to-date operational data. Mr Clark said: “It was fantastic to meet with some of our leading manufacturing businesses, Brandauer and Impression Technologies. This is an exciting time for the Made Smarter Adoption programme, as its expansion was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Plan (AMP) published in November which sets out the Government’s initiative to ensure the UK is the best place in the world to start and grow a manufacturing business. “This expansion will enable additional engagement with over 2,500 more SMEs each year across all of the UK.” Q Made Smarter www.madesmarter.uk Made Smarter West Midlands welcomes DBT officials Officials from the Department for Business and Trade with Made Smarter West Midlands and Impression Technologies representatives Scan here for more Made Smarter articles

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