Engineering Capacity March 2022 Digital Edition by andy sandford

FOR MANUFACTURERS ABOUT SUBCONTRACTORS

March 2022

INDUSTRY NEWS | TURNED PARTS | FORMING & FABRICATION

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FOR BUYERS OF CONTRACT MANUFACTURING SERVICES Visit our online edition for breaking news, jobs, events, features and searchable directory. www.engineeringcapacity.com Editor: Andy Sandford editor@engineeringcapacity.com Commercial Director: Arfan Qureshi sales@engineeringcapacity.com Tel: 0207 241 4627 Graphic Design: Dave Blake blakey@djbdesign.co.uk Printer: Holbrooks Printers Limited Norway Road, Portsmouth PO3 5HX Engineering Capacity is published six times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November SUBSCRIPTIONS Engineering Capacity is available free of charge to UK buyers and suppliers of subcontract manufacturing services. For non-qualifying readers, annual subscription rates are as follows for 6 issues posted to addresses in: UK £60.00; Europe £80; Rest of the World £100 You can request your copy and sign up to our free weekly email newsletter on our website or contact us via subscriptions@engineeringcapacity.com www.engineeringcapacity.com Tel: 01737 270 648 Published by: Engineering Capacity Ltd Abbey House, 25 Clarendon Road Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1QZ United Kingdom Registered in England company no. 10567217 ISSN 0306-0179 COMING UP IN OUR MAY 2022 ISSUE Laser & Waterjet cutting, Medical, Moulding, Additive Manufacturing, Machined Components, Subcon Preview

Editor’s View The world has changed so much in the past couple of years, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine means it is going to keep on changing. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine as they are submitted to these terrible attacks. It is impossible to know at the time of writing this, what the situation will be by the time you read it – let’s hope that there is a brighter outlook on the horizon. But whatever happens in the next few months, the implications and effects will be having an impact on our lives for years to come. Recent supply chain problems can only get worse. Energy prices and the cost of living are going to rise steeply. We may have to revisit some of our assumptions about decarbonisation and the future use of oil and natural gas. Raw materials such as titanium could well become more difficult to source, and with Russia isolated from Western economies the effects will reach into all manner of unexpected areas from air travel to pensions. Is there a positive in this? It’s hard to see, but one thing we have seen in the aftermath of Brexit and the Covid pandemic is that manufacturing continues, adjusts and in many cases thrives. The important thing is to make sure that the UK has the best possible suppliers with the best possible manufacturing technology. Andy Sandford, Editor

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MARCH 2022

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Contents March 2022

23 AEROSPACE

News

Features

06 Micro-moulding capability 06 Omega adds the small stuff

13 Turned Parts 06 Making music together

08 Casting simulation skills 06 Trainers trained at FTSL

18 Measurement & Inspection

09 Stainless additive parts fast 06 New partnership gives UK service

20 Gear Making

Lead times halved

13 TURNED PARTS

10 Heavy spring investments 06 Lesjöfors AB launches new company

22 Aerospace 06 Don't compromise quality 24 Forming & Fabrication 06 Investment adds punch 27 MACH 2022 Preview

11 Rising from the ashes 06 Precision Micro rebuild after fire

31 BTMA Directory

27 MACH PREVIEW 4

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MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS Testing specialist Responsive has won a £1.5m contract to provide inspection services to the UK’s nuclear waste management sector. New jobs will be created and a significant investment made in equipment and training as a result of securing a major four-year deal with the LLW Repository Ltd (LLWR) in Cumbria to supply the inspection resource and capability of the Expert Support and Alternative Treatment (ESAT) Framework. LLWR is leading the implementation of the UK Strategy for the Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste from the nuclear industry. Responsive, which has offices across the North-West and also recently opened a base in Southampton, was chosen for the contract after proving its competency while working on a major 18-month project with LLWR, covering quality inspection and testing support. As part of the new contract, Responsive will test and inspect containers transporting low level waste across the UK to ensure they are fit for purpose to avoid any potentially hazardous incidents. The process is likened to a vehicle’s MOT as each container requires certification and sign-off before they can be used. Lee Grears, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Responsive, said: “When I started the businesses we were told repeatedly that we didn’t have the capability experience and wouldn’t be able to pull off the MARCH 2022

£1.5m nuclear testing contract

contracts which had a real impact across the UK. “But we have shown through determination and a lot of hard work that we are capable of delivering the very highest standards and produce work which highly-regulated industries across the UK have total confidence in. “There is no doubt that this contract is a real game changer for our company and the benefits it will bring are major. We look forward to bringing our specialist skill sets to the framework.” Apprenticeships in technical inspection and business administration will be created through the four-year cycle of the contract. In addition, Responsive will invest in specialist equipment and training resources to benefit not

8 Lee Grears, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Responsive

only its own staff but employees of LLWR too. The contract comes at a time of expansion for Responsive which has opened a new office in Southampton in addition to its locations in Cumbria and Manchester. Lee said: “It is amazing to see us grow in the way we have and starting out in Cumbria has been the perfect springboard for growth which has led to us expanding across the North-West and beyond. “Spreading out across the country has helped win us the LLWR contract as it will help keep costs down because we already have teams throughout the UK who can help out with the project.” 8 responsivendt.com www.engineeringcapacity.com

INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity Omega Plastics can now offer micro-moulding following its investment in new capacity at its Team Valley site. The Demag IntElect 250/ 360-65 allows it to offer precision mouldings from less than 1g up to 22g. Suitable applications include small and complex technical components for the medical industry, automotive industry and others. Omega says it can now produce tiny, complex, and feature-rich components efficiently, costeffectively, and in volume. The machine is already in full operation. Omega says the demand for micro-moulding is growing across the UK and globally, and it hopes to facilitate customers within new niche markets by providing a full end-to-end service from prototype, toolmaking to finished product delivery. Registration for the UK’s subcontract manufacturing show, Subcon 2022, is now open. Subcon will once again be collocated with The Engineer Expo and Manufacturing Management Show. From June 7 to 9 at the NEC Birmingham over 200 of the leading British and international subcontract manufacturing suppliers will be displaying their capabilities. The event is sponsored by Qimtek, OMNIDEX and Inenco. 80% of the stand space has been sold, with DP Engineering, IMSM, JKN Oil Tools, DVR Ltd,

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Micro-moulding capability

Omega Plastics Group provides a range of low to high volume, specialist multi-use plastic injection moulding services, tooling, and transfer tooling. Other investments in the past year include Bole 140T, 230T & 520T plastic injection moulding machines. Nathan Ashford, Business Development Manager said: “It’s

a great opportunity for us to now provide an even more extensive product provision to our new and existing customer base. There is an increased demand for micro-moulded components within our key industries, and we look forward to expanding our delivery range and product capabilities moving forward.” 8 omegaplasticsgroup.co.uk

Registration opens for Subcon Oldham Engineering, European Springs & Pressings and many more, already confirmed to exhibit. A free, three-day conference will see panel discussions and expert-led insight from Stratasys, Luminovo, Protolabs, Secondmind, Alliance Procurement Solutions and more. In addition a new supply chain theatre will feature industry experts exploring everything to do with the challenges, pain-points and opportunities in manufacturing. Event director, Jason Dante commented: “The best of British

suppliers will be on display at Subcon alongside a wide range of international suppliers. When you visit Subcon, there are countless opportunities to source solutions, share ideas and do business. Feedback from our 2021 show, proved that our attendees want to network in-person and feel the buzz of a live event once again. Join us at Subcon this year to meet with your peers, make new connections and find solutions that you can take back directly to your business!”

8 subconshow.co.uk

MARCH 2022

INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity Digital manufacturing specialist Protolabs has been awarded the prestigious JOSCAR supplier accreditation for the aerospace, security, space and defence industries. JOSCAR (Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register) is valued by many of the largest purchasers in these industries, such as BAE Systems, NATS, Rolls Royce, Airbus and the MOD. The global accreditation indicates that organisations have successfully gone through an invite only process that demonstrates commitment, reliability, technical ability and capacity, as well as helping purchasers meet the growing and diverse nature of regulatory requirements when it comes to managing third party risk in the supply chain. Bjoern Klaas, Vice President and Managing Director of Protolabs Europe, commented: “We are delighted to have MAXIMA engineering has trained two members of the Foundry Training Services Ltd (FTSL) teaching staff at the National Foundry Training Centre in the use of MAGMASOFT® casting simulation technology to support the education of the next generation of casting engineers. MAGMASOFT® is the market leader in casting simulation technology and is provided as part of the level 3 foundry apprentice program

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Top level accreditation

achieved JOSCAR accreditation, joining an elite group of global suppliers in the process. “It is testament to the quality and reliability of our output and our capacity to deliver prototypes and production parts in such a

way that is valued by our customers in aerospace, security, space and defence industries.” He continued: “We take great pride in achieving excellence in this way, whether being at the forefront of innovation or providing a trusted digital manufacturing service to the industrial supply chain.” Protolabs, which was founded in 1999 and has been established in Europe since 2005, offers 3D printing, CNC machining and injection moulding services to design engineers. Klaas went on to add: “We are already a well-established service provider to the aerospace supply chain, but this accreditation, alongside our ISO 9001 quality award, will further cement our reputation in the wider security and defence industries. 8 protolabs.co.uk

Casting simulation skills giving the learners access to the very best technology the foundry industry has to offer. The FTSL congratulated the tutors and thanked MAXIMA engineering and its team for their continued support. Photo shows David Hall of Maxima Engineering presenting Albert Anderson of FTSL with his MAGMASOFT® training certificate.

8 foundrytrainingservices.co.uk

MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS

this process are virtually identical to those produced by MIM or CNC, which are more costly manufacturing methods for small batches. Rachel Garrett, managing director of CMG Technologies, adds: “By merging our specialist manufacturing processes, we have essentially helped businesses to cost-effectively begin producing stainless steel metal components in smaller volumes, with the flexibility to easily iterate them if they need to.” 8 3dgbire.com cmgtechnologies.co.uk

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prototypes and begin production with additive manufacturing, whilst avoiding expensive tooling and mould costs if high volumes are not required. Parts are produced with Ultrafuse 316L and 17-4PH filaments, which contain high levels of stainless steel and polymer binders to enable easy printing. The binder content is then removed from the printed part via a catalytic de-binding process and the part is then sintered to a high density to achieve its hardness and strength. The parts produced by

MARCH 2022

Stainless additive parts fast

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A partnership between 3D print specialist 3DGBIRE and Metal Injection Moulding company CMG Technologies will allow customers to speed the introduction of stainless steel additive components. The partnership will allow customers to access UK-based de-binding and sintering capabilities for parts which have been 3D printed with BASF Ultrafuse 316L and 17-4PH stainless steel filaments. The move will enable customers to rapidly introduce metal additive manufacturing into their businesses and produce pure, industrial grade metal prototypes and end use parts in as little as five days, without having to export them overseas for de-binding and sintering after printing. Leah Melling, marketing, sales and technical support manager at 3DGBIRE, explains: “This partnership with CMG Technologies will make it easier and faster than ever for customers to print metal parts and prototypes on FFF or FDM 3D printers and finish them with de-binding and sintering - all here in the UK. “Previously, parts had to be shipped to Germany for processing, which was costly and time consuming, so we were naturally very keen to bring a debinding and sintering offering into the UK that will ultimately enable business to realise the enormous cost and time savings of additive manufacturing.” The development helps businesses to reduce lead times, allowing them to quicky produce

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INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity Global spring manufacturer Lesjöfors AB is investing £1m and launching a new company, Lesjöfors Heavy Springs UK, out of its two manufacturing sites in Cornwall. The UK factories were formerly called European Springs & Pressings. Michael Gibbs, Managing Director of the newly formed company says: “This is a really exciting new chapter for the Cornwall factories. Our new company and new name reflect a unified team under the Lesjöfors AB brand and the world-leading springs we manufacture for customers across the automotive, rail, agriculture, oil, mining, construction and energy sectors in the UK. “We have achieved a recordbreaking order book over the last year; sales are up 35%, we’ve grown our team by 40% and our annual turnover is our best yet at £15m. This year we’re investing £1 million in new machinery and every element of our performance has been driven by an ambitious and progressive team, propelled with investment

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Heavy spring investments

support by Lesjöfors AB.” The rebrand is part of a new division, focusing on growth and significant investment in the heavy springs sector across the specialisms, product range and industries served within the Lesjöfors AB heavy coiling sites in the UK, Finland and Sweden. Ola Tengroth, CEO of Lesjöfors AB says: “As part of our global long-term future-focused growth strategy, the heavy springs sector has been identified as one of four

key expansion areas and the Cornwall sites’ evolution, to a new Lesjöfors brand, is a natural fit for the company’s future.” Michael Gibbs added: “We’re evolving for our customers; enhancing efficiencies, committing more investment and moving forward, together with our heavy spring colleagues in Finland and Sweden, as a progressive and competitive global design, manufacturing and technological development network.” Lesjöfors AB is rapidly expanding its portfolio with a mergers and acquisitions programme that has seen the company acquire nine sites from the US and Europe in the last few months, with further announcements planned for the year ahead. European Springs & Pressings will continue its manufacturing operations in Kent. 8 lesjoforssprings.com MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS Two-and-a-half years after a fire at chemical etching manufacturer Precision Micro’s Birmingham site, the company has completed a £5.1 million refurbishment and increased capacity by 10%. The refurb has seen nine new process machines installed and a Quality Centre of Excellence established. The company says that, thanks to a well-considered crisis management plan, it maintained business continuity throughout – even when the COVID-19 pandemic struck just months after the fire. The challenge began on 24th November 2019, when a fire broke out as the result of an electrical fault. While the fire was contained to only two production areas, ironically these are at the heart of Precision Micro’s core process of photochemical etching. Using this process, the company produces millions of precision-etched products every year, including safety-critical automotive components through to highperformance parts for the aerospace industry. Accordingly, establishing continuity of supply was critical, despite some specialist equipment being damaged in the fire. Within hours, Precision Micro’s team got hands-on with the recovery effort, identifying what could be salvaged and devising a strategy which would enable them to minimise disruption to customers. Central to this was the MARCH 2022

Rising from the ashes

construction of two industrial annexes just weeks after the fire, into which critical machinery was relocated to keep the business moving and minimise the fire’s impact on customers. Mick Taylor, Commercial Director of Precision Micro, says: “To be able to get back to some sort of normality so soon after the fire goes to show just how committed we are as a business to delivering the very best levels of service to our customers, no matter the circumstances we find

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ourselves in. By acting so quickly, we were able to maintain production which meant our customers could continue to rely on us, even in the most challenging of times.” The longer-term site refurbishment began in 2020, as Precision Micro began not only the process of rebuilding damaged areas but taking proactive steps to future-proof the business and further strengthen the service its customers receive. 8 precisionmicro.com

FM10101

Manufacturers of High Quality Mill-Turned Parts

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Engineering Capacity | TURNED PARTS APT Leicester has been supporting Alexander Accessories in the manufacture of intricate chinrests and tailpieces for violins and violas. APT has worked with the highly skilled luthiers since 2016, playing a key role in the supply of musical accessories to some of the world’s most famous players. Having specialised in the handcrafting of musical accessories for more than 40 years, Alexander Accessories fully appreciates the need for exceptional turned parts. However, it had been disappointed with the supply of oily and poorly finished parts prior to working with APT. Positive feedback has subsequently focused on the efficiency of the APT manufacturing process and the exceptional levels of customer service. This has been essential to the continued fulfilment of demand for the most comfortable and luxurious accessories. Luke Sibley, owner of Alexander Accessories, said: “We’re delighted with the working relationship we have with APT. Their knowledge and engineering capabilities are impeccable, also their advice about materials and what can be accomplished.” “We are able to use their blanket order system to order large amounts of fittings, which has proven to be very costeffective for us. The parts are always clean, well-labelled, and delivered on time. APT’s attention to detail is exemplary.” MARCH 2022

Making music together

He continued: “As our customers have spent many hours perfecting their violin and viola playing, it’s important that our chinrests are handcrafted and APT’s parts are of the highest standard. We look forward to many more years of working in partnership with them.” Drawing on their extensive engineering experience, APT Leicester has supported Alexander Accessories in the production of 25 turned parts of different lengths and sizes. Special tooling, milling,

and countersinking methods have been used in the manufacture of threaded studs, barrels, and clamps. Between 2,000 and 3,000 mill-turned parts are produced each year, with all brass, titanium, and nickel silver components delivered directly to the Alexander Accessories workshop. Such projects have provided the APT team with the opportunity to work with an interesting local business, maintaining the same high standards that other customers have come to expect. And the partnership with Alexander Accessories looks set to continue, with APT Leicester having helped in the design and engineering of a new upper clamp in recent months. 8 aptleicester.co.uk www.engineeringcapacity.com

TURNED PARTS | Engineering Capacity

Investing in the future at 165 Family-owned manufacturer JJ Hardy & Sons is celebrating 165 years in business by investing in new CNC turning and additive manufacturing technology. Hartlepool-based JJ Hardy & Sons was founded in 1856 by John James Hardy before being bought out by Ald. T.H. Pailor, the grandfather of the company’s current owner and managing director, Andrew Pailor. Originally set up to support local traders and seafarers, the company has since transitioned from local brass founders and finishers to supplying precision machined components to customers across the UK. “My family have been involved in this business for three generations and have guided it through incredibly dark times,” says Andrew Pailor. “However, even when our backs have been against the wall the most, our determination and grit has helped pull us through and bounce back from every single setback we’ve faced. “From raising money during the first and second world wars to fund the war efforts, to producing parts for ships and arms, we’ve risen to every challenge thrown at us and as a true UK manufacturer, we’re proud of our heritage and to be still here today, investing in the North East and continuing to grow.” Following a visit to Japan in the mid-1970s, Andrew’s father, 14

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Tom, became one of the first people in the UK to invest in a CNC turning machine. While orders slowed slightly during the pandemic, Andrew – like his father before him - took the opportunity to plan for the future and begin writing the next chapter in the company’s history. After tapping into support from the Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (SAM) Project at the University of Sunderland, the company invested in a Mazak QTE-200 SG CNC turning machine and a Ultimaker S5 3D printer, allowing it to ramp up productivity, slash production costs and diversify its product offering. Andrew added: “The new machinery we’ve purchased represents a significant investment for the company and will be key to not only sustaining our future for another generation, but for nurturing the next generation of talent that comes

through the business as we continue to invest in the region. “Both the new CNC machine from Mazak and the Ultimaker 3D printer will help us provide an even better service to our clients, running low-cost machines on lights out production and expanding the services we offer. For example, in the few months since we purchased the 3D printer, we have produced pattern making equipment for the casting industry and reverse engineered plastic components for the rail industry, it’s really opened doors for us.” Surviving the pandemic proved not only a key milestone for the business, but also for the Pailor family. As the company celebrates its 165th anniversary last year, it will also mark 83 years since Andrew’s grandfather led a buy-out of the company and will mean the Pailor family have now owned the company longer than its founding Hardy family. 8 jjhardy.co.uk MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | TURNED PARTS Two new Nakamura turning centres – an AS200L and an AS200 – at Riverside Precision Engineering have halved lead times on some parts. With a range of sliding head turning centres machining components for the hydraulic, medical, brewing, valve, marine, rail and oil and gas industries, the Blackburn company was utilising an ageing Nakamura WT250 turning centre for components beyond the diameter capacity limits of its sliding head machines. Riverside Director, Mr Scott Whalley said: “Components in the

MARCH 2022

Lead times halved 50 to 65mm diameter range that are beyond our sliding head machines have been an issue. We have a lot of small-batch work typically from 50 to 500-off that is relatively simple to produce – for this we bought the Nakamura AS200 single-spindle chucking machine. For the more complex work in the 300 to 2,000+ batch range, we bought the bar-fed twinspindle Nakamura AS200L. We have the AS200 chucker machine manually loaded with billets and

the AS200L runs unmanned with a barfeed for longer batches.” He added: “The cycle times on both Nakamura machines are much faster, there is less idle time and the kinematics ensure less ‘air cutting’. We are extremely busy at present and our larger components up to 65mm diameter was a bottleneck. The new Nakamura machines have cut lead times from 6 weeks to just 3 weeks on these larger parts.” 8 riverside-engineering.org.uk

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TURNED PARTS | Engineering Capacity Turned parts contract machining specialist Precision Products has weathered the recent turbulent times well and says it is now more competitive than ever. Established 48 years ago, and based in Rustington, West Sussex, the company had to downgrade its turnover target in April 2020 at the start of the last financial year due to a collapse in aerospace contracts, which normally accounted for 10% of turnover. This loss was largely offset by winning Covid-related medical contracts for the production of components for ventilators, hospital beds and testing kits. Some new medical work is ongoing, such as the manufacture of parts for micropumps used in disinfectant spraying equipment. Consequently the firm met its planned turnover for the period to April 2021 and is ahead of target or the year to April 2022. Profitability has increased following a detailed analysis of cost structure and working practices by managing director Sally Thorley, enabling the company to quote more competitive prices. Around-theclock running five days a week has continued and there have been few staff changes, except for a couple of retirements and the appointment of two additional personnel. One is finance manager Charlotte Turner and the other is Sales and Estimating Engineer Sean Keet, who has a wealth of experience in a similar role. They 16

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Powering through the pandemic

bring the total number of staff to 32. Following on from all personnel having been trained to Level 2 in NVQ Business Improvement Techniques, four managers are currently undergoing training with the Institute of Leadership & Management, two at level 5 and the others at level 3. Extra business received from UK sources that have helped the company to achieve a positive result during such a difficult period includes machining families of stainless steel spindles, studs and end caps to tight tolerances for top-end mountain bike pedals manufactured by Pembree in Heathfield, East Sussex.

8 Sean Keet, newly appointed Sales and Estimating Engineer at Precision Products, with Sally Thorley, Managing Director

Helping to boost turnover further has been an increase in direct exports. It now accounts for 12% of turnover, due in part to a major new contract for the supply of brass air caps to the Chinese factory of a multinational air humidifier manufacturer. Other overseas markets that are regular recipients of the subcontractor's components are Hungary, Mexico and the USA. Mrs Thorley commented, "Brexit has had very little impact on our business practices, except for a few delays in some tooling deliveries. On the contrary, it has MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | TURNED PARTS helped UK manufacturing by making domestic OEMs less likely to source components from abroad. "We are already seeing the beneficial effect, with an increase in orders from companies that traditionally use continental European subcontractors. "Moreover the problems that Asian suppliers are currently experiencing due to the pandemic are also resulting in more work for UK subcontractors, including us." Things have not been standing still on the shop floor either. The subcontractor's first Citizen Cincom slider with LFV (low frequency vibration) software for automatically chipbreaking difficult materials arrived in early 2020. The 20 mm bar capacity L20-VIIILFV with B- and Y-axes, which can be operated with or without a guide bush, allows technically challenging components to be produced more efficiently from normally long-chipping plastics and stainless steels. Mrs Thorley advised that customers are increasingly asking for components produced from both materials, with plastics being used more and more for medical work, while stainless steel accounts for as much as 40% of throughput. Citizen trained five of Precision Products' operators in the use of LFV and feedback from the shop floor on the software's effectiveness has been positive. It is proving particularly useful in view of the MARCH 2022

current trend towards industry increasingly asking for miniature parts machined from these and other problematic materials to tolerances measured in microns. This was the first sliding-head lathe in Rustington to be fitted with a Wogaard Oil Saver system for recycling the neat oil used, although four of the Miyanos onsite are already equipped with a similar Coolant Saver unit. The maintenance-free device sits at the bottom of the swarf bin, continuously sucking up cutting fluid that has been transported there on the swarf and automatically returning it to the machine's coolant tank for reuse. It not only saves oil or coolant but also reduces subsequent energy expenditure required for spinning the swarf prior to recycling it. Again with the environment in mind, the subcontractor's MecWash aqueous cleaning machine has been replaced by a more efficient, environmentally friendly Duo 400 model that combines flood and spray washing, followed by heated spray rinsing and hot air drying. The rinse stage can be used to apply a

corrosion inhibitor to ferrous components. The machine incorporates the Aqua-Save system for treating and recycling up to 90% of the waste water, minimising expensive off-site treatment and disposal. Other energy-intensive areas addressed by Precision Products include the replacement of an old air compressor with a new model that consumes considerably less power, resulting in a saving in carbon dioxide emissions of more than 12 tonnes; and replacement of the tungsten and fluorescent lighting throughout the factory with LEDs, saving the release of a further 4.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. On a final note, Mrs Thorley said that Precision Products is proud to have been able to keep going virtually unaffected during the difficult trading conditions created by the pandemic. She added that the company manufactures high quality CNC turned parts backed by CBS EN ISO 9001:2015 approval and AS 9100 Rev D accreditation in the case of aerospace components. Shortly before the end of last year, the subcontractor had its former approval recertified. The company that carried out the online reassessment is on record as saying that it was one of the best audits it has ever completed and that Precision Products was the only company it dealt with during the pandemic that achieved or exceeded all of its key performance indicators. 8 precisionproducts.co.uk www.engineeringcapacity.com

MEASUREMENT & INSPECTION | Engineering Capacity Nottinghamshire based Boneham & Turner has increased its ability to offer more complex parts within its tooling and precisionengineered component operations with the help of a Sylvac Scan F60L optical measurement machine, supplied by Bowers Group. A fourth-generation, family-owned precision engineering solutions provider established in 1918, Boneham & Turner serves the aerospace, defence, motorsport, composite and yellow goods industries by manufacturing and supplying drill bushes, dowel pins, both simple and complex shims for the manufacture and assembly of jigs and fixtures, work holding, hydraulic systems and machine-building. With previous processes in place, the company needed to decline work. This was not due to the complexity of manufacturing the parts, but to the limitations on inspection. The inspection of micro-pins had always proven to be a time-consuming challenge for the production and quality teams. To improve its inspection capabilities, Boneham & Turner applied for funding through the Aerospace Unlocking Potential project, provided through the European Regional Development Fund Revenue Agreement, to help fund the purchase of the Sylvac Scan equipment. Used by quality personnel, machine operatives completing first-off checks, as well as the engineering team for samples and 18

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Improved inspection adds capabilities

R&D, the Sylvac Scan F60L is designed to measure even the most demanding of cylindrical parts. With a brand-new camera and optics offering superior image processing and fast inspection times, the optical measurement machine uses Reflex One-Click technology with part recognition and auto measure, allowing measurement with one click of a button. Quick-release tooling for making rapid part changeovers, combined with sophisticated software delivers immediate visual results, assisting in providing essential efficiencies in a busy working environment. The Sylvac scanner is used daily as part of the standard inspection procedure at Boneham & Turner. Primarily measuring a range of micro-pins that start at approximately 1mm diameter and 3mm long, the unit

has proved to be easy to use and extremely precise. Stacy Denton-Beaumont, Operations Manager at Boneham & Turner said: “Quality is absolutely paramount to our customers – supporting industries such as aerospace, defence, military and F1, there is zero room for defects, in both time and cost. We have an outstanding record for perfect quality and investing in equipment such as the Sylvac demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement in our metrology capabilities.” “The Sylvac-SCAN F60L has vastly improved our scope of metrology. As an AS9100 Rev D certified manufacturer, we pride ourselves on offering outstanding quality to our valued customers and core markets. With its Swiss precision engineering, the Sylvac MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | MEASUREMENT & INSPECTION SCAN F60L offers an efficient, exact and effective inspection method, complimenting the current catalogue of equipment here at Boneham & Turner Ltd.” Having worked with the University of Nottingham for many years in research and design, as well as Graduate Placements, whilst also, as a member of Midlands Aerospace Alliance, Boneham & Turner have attended various courses and networking events which have

proved highly beneficial in terms of new business but also improved knowledge. Stacy explained: “Having a Technology Manager designated to us from MAA, made the project run a great deal smoother and it was on their recommendation that we began looking at a Mark Forged Mark II 3D Printer. This was supplied by Additive X, who also did the training and over the past 6 months have been incredibly supportive with many

of our projects.” The project has enabled Boneham & Turner to innovate in both metrology and new products and services. It has established a new measurement process and has enabled new products to be made and inspected. The team are currently looking to re-shore some parts, as they are now able to offer the full level of inspection required for mission-critical parts. 8 boneham.co.uk

Wealdpark Limited Stand number 5126

Subcontract Capacity #.# MILL TURN FACILITIES USING SLIDING AND FIXED HEAD LATHES WITH BAR CAPACITY UP TO MM DIAMETER -IYANO FIXED HEAD LATHES WITH BAR CAPACITY UP TO MM DIAMETER (URCO VERTICAL MACHING CENTRE 03, $ATATRACK MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

BS EN ISO 9001:2008. Approved by BSI since 1991.

Company Contact Details Phil Smith, Director, Wealdpark Limited Sutton Road, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA9 3DJ Tel. 01744 22567 / 732083 Fax. 01744 451339 E: sales@wealdpark.co.uk www.wealdpark.co.uk

MARCH 2022

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GEAR MAKING | Engineering Capacity Complex machined parts supplier RE Thompson has recently invested £1m to extend its automated 24/7 lights-out production facilities with advanced CNC gear manufacturing and metrology inspection capabilities. The company is now able to offer aerospace, defence, automotive and other industrial customers a complete gear design and manufacturing service to exact custom specifications. Gear manufacturing capabilities now offered by RE Thompson include power gear skiving, straight and helical teeth hobbing, internal and external spur gears, straight and spiral bevel gears, hypoid and flat gears. RE Thompson has a long established reputation as an innovation-led business which continuously invests in new production technologies, realtime digital infrastructure and software. End-to-end capabilities and services provided range from design, prototyping and rapid turnaround supply of one off components, to low, mid and high volume batch order fulfilment. This major capital investment originated from a long standing UK based aerospace defence customer which had a problem that was solved by an RE Thompson engineer. However, the solution required internal spur gear production capabilities. In order to continue providing a complete supply package to this important customer, as well as opening up new sales opportunities for continued 20

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Advanced gear making capabilities

growth, the strategic business decision was taken to install small to mid-sized gear manufacturing capabilities in-house. Power skiving machine benefits At the heart of this gear manufacturing capital investment is the now fully operational Okuma Multus U4000 5-axis high speed multitask CNC machine, which combines turning and milling functionality with power skiving. The power skiving method, suitable for both straight and helical gear production, uses a combination of gear hobbing and shaping by continuous hobbing with axial feed. Power skiving has been proven to be a significantly faster, highly efficient alternative to conventional broaching or gear shaping, with added quality, productivity and cost saving benefits. A major accuracy and part consistency quality advantage of power skiving is that it avoids re-

8 The Okuma Multus U4000 5-axis multitask CNC machine combines turning with power skiving

clamping errors and so eliminates subsequent radial deviations. This is due to turned datum surfaces and teeth finish-machining being done in a single clamping operation. The process is also more flexible than traditional gear shaping, enabling high speed continuous machining of internal and external teeth, either against a flat collar or with an undercut. Managing Director Michael Thompson commented: “We extensively researched and evaluated various methods to produce a close tolerance, precision machined gear inside a component to enable us to make the internal spur gear part for our defence customer. Power skiving came out as the best overall solution. The versatile Okuma Multus U4000 5-axis multitasking CNC machine was chosen as it combines very high MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | GEAR MAKING quality precision machining of the established gear designs and configurations we anticipate customers will need with high productivity. It provides us with the process flexibility to manufacture everything from one-off parts to medium volume batch orders, and enables us to be both lead time responsive and price competitive.” Additional options specified An extensive list of additional options offered by Okuma was specified by RE Thompson to enable all types of gears from Ø20mm up to Ø350mm (dependent upon gear type), machined from metal or engineering plastic materials, to be accurately produced cost effectively. Key machine options specified include enhanced helical gear production with slope cutting functionality, plus an additional gear machining package with programming for internal teeth hobbing and gear cutting. Two software upgrade options were also included in the Okuma Multus U4000 specification to provide the highest level of fast machining speed accuracy and finish quality: tool centre point

8 100% burr free machined gear parts eliminate manual deburring

control software with posture compensation, which provides enhanced control of tooling geometry length, offset and tool centre movement; Super NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational Base Spline) 5 axis software which enables curved surfaces with a smooth surface finish to be cut at high productivity processing speeds with very high accuracy, which further benefits complex bevel gear geometries. Quality inspection upgrade In-house quality control metrology facilities have also been upgraded for gear part inspection. An essential part of the £1m capital investment included purchasing a new Hexagon Leitz Reference HP 5.4.3 CMM (coordinate measuring machine) with Hexagon Quindos metrology software; both the hardware and software are specifically designed for submicron tolerance gear inspection and form The new Hexagon Leitz Reference HP 5.4.3 CMM system

MARCH 2022

testing. The new CMM system, fitted with a fixed head Leitz single point probe technology, has a volumetric length measuring error (MPE) of 0.7 + L/400μm. The system can accurately measure spur gears up to Ø350mm and bevel gears up to Ø200mm. RE Thompson’s quality and inspection department follows APQP, PPAP and PFMEA procedures. Quality accreditations include being ARB certified with multiple aerospace customer approvals, alongside AS9100, UKAS ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO45001 certifications. The attention to detail by the RE Thompson team to ensure the highest quality precision gear manufacturing possible included the surveying and construction of purpose built reinforced foundations for the Okuma Multus U4000; being more than 1 metre deep the new foundations isolate it from external vibrations or from other machines in the factory. Key production and quality control inspection personnel have undergone an extensive training programme and learnt how to get the very best from the new investments. Additionally, in response to feedback from key stakeholders, including design engineers and quality controllers, who flagged customer issues that can occur due to burrs, RE Thompson has developed a new proprietary process which achieves a 100% burr free machined gear part, eliminating the need for any additional manual deburring. 8 rethompson.co.uk www.engineeringcapacity.com

AEROSPACE | Engineering Capacity

Jaltek joins Sharing in Growth Luton based electronics manufacturing company Jaltek has been accepted on to the UK's leading aerospace transformation programme, Sharing in Growth (SiG). SiG was established in 2013, as a non-profit organisation to work with UK aerospace supply chain companies so that they can be better placed to win a share of the global aerospace market. Today their clients include all the key manufacturing growth sectors, including Aerospace, Off-Shore renewables, Defence and Off-site Construction. Jaltek participated in a holistic business diagnostic process and will now work alongside Sharing in Growth’s team as they share their industry expertise in areas including Leadership & Culture, Business Strategy, Business Development, Operational Excellence and Productivity improvement. Darren Cheetham SiG Business Transformation Manager said "We are delighted

to welcome Jaltek on the programme and are looking forward to working together on a multi- year basis. The scheme will provide Jaltek with a comprehensive programme of training, coaching and development, tailored to their specific needs. With over 2,000 years of cross sector industry expertise, our team applies global best practice intervention, enabling UK companies to create sustainable growth. We are motivated by the transfer of knowledge and capability to teams and individuals to enable

Aerospace Oil & Gas Nuclear Defence

PRECISION ENGINEERING www.thomas-brown-engineering.co.uk Tel: 01484 548903

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Automotive Electronics Hi Fi

Industrial & High Volume Machining

ambitious supply chain companies to grow and compete globally. Our aim is to support the Jaltek vision towards world class competitiveness and productivity." Jaltek’s Managing Director, Steve Pittom, said, “We are truly honoured to have been selected by Sharing in Growth and to have their support and guidance. The scheme is the epitome of government and industry working together to drive improvements in operational competitiveness, leadership behaviours, and business strategy for UK companies such as ours." Jaltek’s Steve Blythe added, “Sharing in Growth has already started to change how we do things. Jaltek has grown in recent years, but SIG will enable us to develop even further, along with the confidence and ambition of our people, this will continue to improve how we support our customers and in turn create more jobs in the future.” 8 jaltek.com MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | AEROSPACE As the aerospace sector plans for the post-pandemic future, Stephen Molloy, discusses how quality cannot be compromised. While some predict that there will be a rapid recovery for the aerospace sector when Covid-rates are under control internationally, aerospace companies must strive to be as efficient as possible while delivering on time to be competitive during this regrowth phase and beyond. Core to this is protecting buildlines from disruption and inferior quality, while maximising their production effectiveness. This is achieved by defining the problem through measurement, analysis, audit and data, and then working to develop a permanent fix, to improve quality levels and drive problems back to root cause to ultimately eradicate them. G&P itself has prepared for this upturn by maintaining employment levels as high as possible throughout the pandemic so that it can offer the flexibility and strength in depth that aerospace customers require. To support this, the company has also provided employees with opportunities to work in new sectors, so enhancing their skills in the interim. As in most manufacturing industries there is also a growing focus on sustainability in aerospace, which in itself creates fresh challenges and new opportunities - an increased number of electric aircraft, hybrid power plants and sustainable aviation fuels as MARCH 2022

Don’t compromise quality

examples. These environmental changes are already at the centre of the automotive sector, primarily through the rapid development and adoption of battery and electric vehicles, and are growing considerations within the aerospace industry. G&P’s established presence in the automotive sector means the company has already developed relevant services and employee training programmes that are contributing to sustainability results while maintaining quality standards throughout the production process. The result is that the company is in a strong position to serve the equivalent emerging environmental focuses of the aerospace industry which will become more widespread in the coming years. Commitment to a long-term diversification strategy is also key to G&P and is possible because many of the services – including inspection/containment and rework, supplier management and quality audits, finished product acceptance, and scanning services

8 G&P’s Stephen Molloy Stephen is Aerospace, Defence and Industrials Director at G&P Group Holdings Ltd, and an IMechE Chartered Engineer whose previous roles include senior positions in aerospace OEMs and aircraft systems providers.

– are transferable to multiple industries beyond aerospace and automotive such as off-highway, household goods, marine and rail. Therefore, in an ever-changing world where disruption reigns, quality in production, whether it’s in aerospace or another manufacturing sector, must be maintained and should be given even greater priority than before as the world adjusts to a ‘new normal’. 8 gpqm.com www.engineeringcapacity.com

FORMING & FABRICATION | Engineering Capacity HV Wooding has invested in a new punching machine that gives an immediate 40% increase in capacity along with greater flexibility and shorter lead times. The £400,000 EHRT FlexPunch machine completes a £1.5m investment drive at the Hythe-based company. The machine has three CNC axes that virtually guarantee perfect accuracy on production parts destined for electrical switchgear, data centres, electric vehicles, and energy markets. It follows investments in a high-speed Bruderer BSTA 25H press, Xpert 80 Bystronic and a Trumpf TruLaser 3030 that can produce thin gauge laminations and busbars for use in electric cars, lorries, buses and commercial vehicles. Matt Lacey, Sales & Marketing Manager at HV Wooding, commented: “Since the pandemic has eased and we’ve got back to a more normal trading environment, we have seen monthly sales increases of between 15% - 25%. “This is being driven by our ability to take on complex projects from prototyping through to volume production, taking in multiple manufacturing methods, including wire erosion, laser cutting, presswork and tooling, assembly and electroplating.” He went on to add: “These capabilities make us a very attractive proposition for companies involved in developing new components for electrification and we wanted to cement this position with the 24

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Investment adds punch

£1.5m investment in four different, but complementary technologies. “Our quality team has been really pleased with the parts produced on the new FlexPunch and we’re looking forward to taking on more projects that utilise its accuracy, repeatable quality and speed.” HV Wooding, which has enjoyed strong export growth over recent years, is also investing in the skills of its workforce to help it meet the surge in demand from within the UK and overseas. A new Buyer and a Systems Development Engineer are the latest recruits, and they will soon be followed by six more staff spanning a range of positions from Production Manager, Production Supervisor and Technical Team Planner to Process and Project Engineer and two Quality Inspectors. This will give the company the strength in depth it needs to push the boundaries of its

manufacturing activities, including its involvement in a Faraday Battery Challenge project to develop a new powder coating process for the insulation of Busbars destined for electric vehicles, energy storage and battery applications. “We will also optimise the spraying facility for manufacturing high quality insulated busbars with complex geometries required by various battery OEMs. By semiautomating the process we can also reduce operator risk and further minimise the product failure rate, which can be as high as 25%.” He concluded: “The project will produce best practice testing methods for manufacturing quality assurance. These new standard testing specifications and methods will benefit customers, manufacturers and trade associations by improving the efficiency of design, manufacturing and procurement in the battery manufacturing supply chain.” 8 hvwooding.co.uk MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | FORMING & FABRICATION Advanced assembly, forming and fabrication assets from Sertec’s recently closed springs and wire forms division have been given a new lease of life at Dorset-based William Hughes Ltd. When the assets became available, Engineering Director at William Hughes Ltd., Emma Burgon, spotted an opportunity to not only bolster her company’s existing capabilities, but also introduce new ones. “We’ve been able to increase our welding capacity,” she explains, “growing from eight weld cells to 12, and we will be adding a further four bending machines, taking us up to 10 in total. We’re also planning to move some plant to our facility in Bulgaria.” Some of the machines are upgrades too. “We already have Itaya machines, but they are 10 years older than the Sertec machines, which also have some added functionality, so we are just going to swap them out and put the older machines into storage. We picked up some extra coiling machines too, so five new coiling machines will be coming through the door.” William Hughes has also gained some new capabilities thanks to an EDM wire eroder. “We’ve never had EDM capabilities before. It will allow us to pre-cut blocks prior to CNC milling, meaning a lot less work will need to be done. Our customers don’t normally give us very much time to make weld jigs, but if we can get off tools quicker than anybody else, we will win the project.” MARCH 2022

New tech, capacity and capabilities

The new assets have almost immediately resulted in new business too, with the company recently winning significant business for welded-assembly work and contracts for six new wire frames for two of the world’s leading tier one automotive suppliers.

“It’s all looking very positive,” Burgon concludes. “Our additional capacity and capabilities, not just here in the UK, but also in our Bulgarian and Polish plants, will put us in an amazing position to go into 2022 with some real optimism.” 8 wmhughes.co.uk

From design, sampling and technical support to manufacture, Simpson Springs & Pressings Ltd provide the complete service.

Tel: 0118 978 6573 Email: sales@simpsonsprings.co.uk

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FORMING & FABRICATION | Engineering Capacity

More laser speed and capacity Thatcham-based Taylor Made Fabrication (TMF) has invested in new laser capacity and moved to a new facility. The new Mazak Optiplex Nexus Fiber 3015 III laser will improve processing speeds and increase production capacity in order to meet demand. Ray Baker, Director at TMF, says strong demand led the company to approve the investment. “We’re always busy and given our levels of demand we felt that it was important to upgrade our laser cutting technology.” He continued: “Our previous unit was becoming slower and needed more maintenance to keep operational. We can’t afford any downtime or let customers down, so the new investment, which has coincided with our move to a new facility, is very important for the future of the Subcontract specialist and sheet metal fabricator, KMF, has seen substantial growth of over £1.5m following its backing of the nationwide move towards increased availability of electric vehicle (EV) charge points. KMF is utilising its 24/7 highvolume capacity to support blue chip electric vehicle charge point manufacturers in response to the Government’s drive towards zero emissions vehicles. As the UK continues to adopt

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company. Mazak’s Optiplex Nexus ticks all the boxes for us in terms of price, performance and capacity.” The Optiplex Nexus is equipped with a powerful 3.0kW laser has dramatically improved production throughput. “We’ve been able to make significant improvements in processing speed and also begin processing thicker aluminium and stainless and mild steel which has opened doors for us with new customers.” “One of the main things that

stood out about the Optiplex Nexus was the flexibility offered by its twin pallet design, as opposed to our previous machine, which was only equipped with a single pallet,” say Ray. “Because we work in general subcontracting, we’re always busy. Being able to save time on loading in new sheet metal while we take out the completed workpieces has made a significant improvement to our productivity.” 8 taylormadefabrication.co.uk

Charging ahead with EVs the use of reduced emissions vehicles, EV charge point manufacturers are looking for partners who have the breadth and depth of experience to meet their long-term needs. Keith Nicholl, Commercial Director at KMF Group said: “In 2021, demand for electric vehicles soared by 78%. KMF welcomes this increased demand for its metal fabrication

services and is well equipped to support the nine-year target towards a full roll out of zero emissions vehicles. “The group’s 255,000 sq. ft. of sheet metal and precision engineered component manufacturing facilities is ideal for the fabrication of weatherproof and vandal resistant EV charging stations.”

8 kmf.co.uk

MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | MACH PREVIEW

MACH is back after four years MACH 2022 will feature the largest display of new machinery and manufacturing technologies under one roof in the UK for four years. Aside from highlighting some of the most pressing issues facing the manufacturing industry, such as sustainability and the drive to net zero, the exhibition will also feature the largest display of new machinery and manufacturing technologies under one roof in the UK for four years. The revival of the manufacturing industry postpandemic, the drive to Net Zero and exploiting the opportunities offered by decarbonisation, the development of innovative technologies shaping advanced manufacturing, a special focus on Additive Manufacturing, together with a unique showcase highlighting the skills and expertise contained within the UK manufacturing supply chain are all key themes for the five-day show. The arrival of the exhibition, which opens its doors at the NEC in Birmingham between 4-8th April, could not be timelier for the manufacturing sector. The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), which organises the show, believes the growing optimism surrounding the sector will see bumper levels of business transacted during the MARCH 2022

show. Exhibitors too, are excited at the prospect of highlighting their latest products to an eager array of buyers ready to capitalise on the current financial incentives such as Super Deduction and AIA available to businesses prepared to invest in capital assets. James Selka, CEO of the MTA, said: “With the UK economy growing above forecasts for 2021 and the CBI predicting that plans for spending on plant and machinery over the coming twelve months have improved considerably, the timing of MACH 2022 could not be better. “In order to make step change improvements in productivity and therefore competitiveness, you only need three things – Technologies, the skill to acquire

and deploy those technologies and the finance to make it happen. Technologies have never been more powerful and affordable, the UK has an incredible reputation for its innovative and flexible workforce, and finance assisted by government incentives is incredibly good value and hugely available. “There has never been a better time to accelerate investment in UK manufacturing and with MACH 2022 bringing together the latest advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies in operation all under one roof, it will be perfect place for manufacturers to come and view the best new machines on the market.” The CBI’s latest survey, which reflects the MTA’s own data, indicates that plans for spending www.engineeringcapacity.com

MACH PREVIEW | Engineering Capacity on plant and machinery over the coming twelve months have improved, with the percentage balance (+26) standing at its highest level since April 1988. Four consecutive double-digit positive balances in a row are exceptionally rare and represents a stronger recovery than seen after the global financial crisis. Crucially, the improvement has been seen in some of the most important sectors within the

manufacturing industry, such as Transport Equipment (automotive and aerospace) and Metal Products sub-sectors. MACH is the longest-running manufacturing and engineering exhibition in the UK and its distinctive ability to display the largest variety of manufacturing technology solutions in the country, makes it unique and therefore, of such critical importance to the industry.

5DLVLQJ WKH SURƩOH RI engineering, composites DQG VFLHQWLƩF FRPSDQLHV

01752 894786 www.aroprandmarketing.co.uk

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This year’s show will focus on the best of the manufacturing technologies sector - the development of the digital factory, Additive Manufacturing, new automation solutions and connected manufacturing processes, power by the hour and the cost efficiency solutions that will dramatically improve production processes and help shape the industry over the next decade. Resolving the current challenges to the industry – soaring energy prices, rising labour costs, skills shortages, the escalating price of raw materials, supply chain disruption and the need to effectively tackle the green agenda by seizing the opportunities posed by decarbonisation, will also receive special focus. Engineering Supply Chain Show There is also a new exhibition, launching for the first time at MACH 2022, which highlights another of the show’s core themes - the opportunities that can be found within the UK supply chain. Sponsored by Lloyds Bank and the Engineering Industries Association, The Engineering Supply Chain Show is where engineering and manufacturing buyers can go to source world-class suppliers, exclusively in the UK engineering and manufacturing supply chain. Engineering Capacity is exhibiting in the Engineering Supply Chain Show, on Stand 6-700, alongside the BTMA, Qimtek, The Aluminium MARCH 2022

Engineering Capacity | MACH PREVIEW Federation and leading subcontracts including Wealdpark, St David’s Assemblies, Jenks & Cattell, Samuel Taylor, Tees Components, Auto Turned Products and Contract Engineering. “The UK Supply Chain Zone has always been one of the busiest areas of the MACH show and given the abilities inherent in the UK SME manufacturing sector, it makes sense to expand the zone into a show-within-ashow,” said Mr Selka. “The levels of skill and expertise which can be found in UK supply chains are amongst the best in the world. This is why there has never been a better time for buyers looking for precision engineering and sub-contracting solutions to examine the opportunities available in the UK.” He adds: “With more and more OEMs and Tier 1 companies looking to reshore operations and source component supply from within the UK, then the ability of the various UK supply chains to facilitate this has never been more important. It is why this new exhibition will provide a focused showcase for these indemand products and services.” AMRC Tooling Clinic Also debuting at the show this year will be a special Tooling Clinic run by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The Tooling Clinic will enable visitors to identify the solutions right for them through open discussion of the manufacturing MARCH 2022

challenges within their tooling applications, cutting strategies, parameter optimisation, virtual machining and other high value manufacturing methodologies and technologies. AMRC engineers will draw on their experience and expertise, provide presentations on key discussion areas and signpost visitors to the technology exhibitors who can best address their requirements. Seminar Programme As with previous exhibitions, MACH 2022 will feature a strong seminar programme, with sessions spanning the whole spectrum of the manufacturing technologies sector, with speakers focused on delivering intuitive and engaging presentations reflecting the themes of the show. “The global shift towards greater sustainability has gathered significant momentum during the past four years and the drive to Net Zero and the opportunities offered by decarbonisation will be a core theme of MACH 2022,” said Mr Selka.

“This will be reflected in the speaker programme, with several speakers basing their presentations on this important subject. Hopefully, this will encourage visitors to the show to discover more about the opportunities provided by these new technologies and to implement them into their own operations.” Speakers will also address other important topics relating to the sector including the development of digital manufacturing technologies, the emerging role of Additive Manufacturing, the importance of Cyber Security and investment strategies. The programme begins at midday on Monday 4th April, with Katherine Bennett CBE, Chief Executive of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, delivering the keynote speech in which she will address two of the key themes of the show - the importance of sustainability in manufacturing and the drive to net zero, alongside the importance of the advanced engineering sector. Professor Juergen Maier, CoChair of Made Smarter, will be picking up on this theme when he delivers his presentation 'Delivering a Responsible and Decarbonising Made Smarter' on Wednesday 6th April. On the following day, John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain will be chairing a panel discussion entitled 'Race to Net Zero Destination or Dream' which focuses on the importance of sustainability in manufacturing. www.engineeringcapacity.com

MACH PREVIEW | Engineering Capacity Key market intelligence will be provided by Rhys Herbert, Senior Economist at headline sponsor Lloyds Bank, who will deliver 'UK Manufacturing - Better Times Ahead' on Thursday 7th April. In this presentation he will provide an overview of the current state of the UK manufacturing sector and the economic opportunities that lie ahead for manufacturers. Mr Herbert is responsible for analysing and forecasting trends in the UK and other major economies, with a special interest in the manufacturing sector. Additive Manufacturing (AM) will be the subject of several presentations. On the Wednesday of the show, Kieron Salter, CEO at the Digital Manufacturing Centre, will discuss how to utilise the opportunities posed by AM to develop cost-effective component production. This will be followed by a presentation from Ed Cant, Advanced Research Engineer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, who will discuss The Future of Tooling and Fixturing in Additive Manufacturing. Stuart Watt, Advanced Research Engineer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, will round off the AM discussions by outlining where those looking to utilise the disruptive technology of 3D Printing within their business should begin. On Thursday, a familiar face to MACH, David Holmes, Director of Operations and Technology for Air BAE Systems, will be talking 30

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about the manufacturing technology requirements BAE needs in order to remain competitive in a global market. Mr Holmes, along with Mr Herbert and Professor Maier were all presenters at the virtual MACH preview event in 2021. To mark the debut of The Engineering Supply Chain Show, which runs alongside the main MACH exhibition, presentations are being aimed at the network of companies comprising the UK’s manufacturing supply chain. In line with one of the key themes of the show, Lugano Kapembwa, Co-Founder and CEO of Loopcycle, will use his presentation to help steer the B2B manufacturing sector through the unlocking of the circular economy through digitisation. Mr Selka added: “The MTA is constantly communicating with the top tiers of the UK manufacturing community so it can target the issues that directly affect manufacturers. One of the MTA’s aims when drawing up the programme was to select speakers

that could engage and inspire their audience, as well as directly address the issues of concern to today’s manufacturers.” He added: “MACH is such a fantastic event for both exhibitors and visitors. Showcasing live, digital production systems in one space, it is not to be missed. Hundreds of millions of pounds worth of business is discussed, secured and completed at the exhibition, making it the mustattend event in the UK manufacturing calendar. “We also strive to provide meaningful engagement points for our visitors and exhibitors alike, so with the focus on future technologies, we also have the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre and the Made Smarter programme, both showing what they can offer and how they can assist companies with the transition into the digital future.” 8 machexhibition.com Come and see Engineering Capacity on Stand 6 – 700 MARCH 2022

BTMA MANUFACTURING MEMBERS | DIRECTORY

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Bowers Group sales@bowersgroup.co.uk www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Gen2 Group pmasters@gen2group.co.uk www.gen2group.co.uk

Premier Machine Tools UK Ltd david.dunn@premiermt.co.uk www.premiermt.co.uk

Ceratizit UK & Ireland Ltd info.uk@ceratizit.com www.ceratizit.com

Kumi Solutions simon@kumi-solutions.com www.kumi-solutions.com

PSL Datatrack engcap@psldatatrack.com www.psldatatrack.com

Citizen Machinery UK sales@citizenmachinery.co.uk www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

LNS Turbo sales.uk@lns-europe.com www.lns-europe.com

Smiths Metal Centres info@smithmetal.com www.smithmetal.com

MARCH 2022

btma.org

DIRECTORY | BTMA TECHNICAL MEMBERS

SolidCAM UK Ltd info@solidcamuk.com www.solidcam.com

Stelstocks Ltd info@stelstocks.co.uk www.stelstocks.co.uk

Wickman Coventry Ltd o.coyne@wickman.co.uk www.wickman-group.com

Wieland-Nemco Ltd. sales@wieland-nemco.com www.wieland-nemco.com

Star Micronics GB Ltd sales@stargb.com www.stargb.com

The Association for UK machined component manufacturers

JFL are broach and broaching specialists with many years personal experience. We offer a comprehensive broaching service covering keyways, squares, hexagons and special forms. Unit 2, Deethe Farm Industrial Est, Cranfield Rd, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK17 8UR Tel: 01908 585103 www.jflbroaches.co.uk

FOR MANUFACTURERS ABOUT SUBCONTRACTORS

Qualiturn Products Limited Qualiturn are a very modern subcontract machining service. We offer CNC precision Turned and Milled components to your specifications and quantities. We work with all sizes of customers, offering the same service to all. Supplying various market sectors across the world. 7 Fountain Drive, Hertford, Herts, UK, SG13 7UB Tel. +44 (0) 1992 584499 www.qualiturn.co.uk

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JFL Broaches and Broaching

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DIRECTORY | Engineering Capacity

LATHES.CO.UK Lathes.co.uk store.lathes.co.uk - where Manuals, Catalogues Drive Belts Books Accessories & Spares are listed The world’s largest machine tool reference archive. Manuals, Catalogues, Books, Pictures Specifications, Technical Guides Wardlow, Tideswell, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 8RP Tel. 01298-871633 (from overseas: +44-1298-871633) from 09:00 to 23:00 UK time www.lathes.co.uk

September 2017

INDUSTRY NEWS | MACHINING | AUTOMOTIVE | SHOW PREVIEWS

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year half of this In the first has committed to g Roscomatic investment, includin More than Engineering of 1000 Capacity | £750,000 ion of the latest medium-sized small to INDUSTRY is the installat MSY multi-ax NEWS (SMEs) have manufacturers been given Miyano BNE-51 business a centre. boost turn-mill months thanks over the last ten g-based company The Worthin to a new £9.7m business machinist support million parts subcontract The Manufact initiative. some 1.5 ed uring Growth dispatches from complet Programme (MGP), funded emblies a year – ranging sub-ass European and by the and Regional Developm assemblies d castings Fund (ERDF) ent is to large machine Economic and delivered by parts – and Growth Solutions small turned a record g has helped companie (EGS), achievin currently s across 13 mins to just rate of 98%. the UK to grow, Martello from on-time delivery products and develop been cut new further complex director Joe y is driven A Managing ent which Keet says: overcome 2.5 mins. the compan Seanproductio n issues that steel compontaking explains that hy of constant Cell Leader nal flexibility previousl were stainless ns of operatio us y holding by a philosop of lean manufacturing “The levels them three operatio reduced to a hadback. Thisenabled BNE has ent has already ng is now developm supported by machini led11tominutes in the Miyano reduce jobs, with 400 new ute cycle. g £1 four-min n-investment nt,an additionalsingle, techniques, significantly positions ison’ to nt often exceedin most importa vity.” expected to 359 investme an ‘open-lia times and Further return-o up setters to be created once producti ongoing projects year and the freeinghas the million a improve overall complete which keeps comes from tasks and from new machine s are d.machine By the end other people strategyto date on the He says the£1.6m for each July, up of grant contribut m of perform existing 3-axis arising. n of lost time the workforce replaced beenofmade, 10 aluminiu reductio n, reducing errors have and any issuesin four ions family with money We’ve still n company so that a to support invest ly required first-off inspectio in relocatio got a lot of place “We and previous another 2200 . grants to He says: deliver and parts that between and a separate risk of setting firms and the latest we want MSY leadership work in progress operations nownow andbeMarch which manufac automation and managem and cutting Lorraine the BNE-51 n canHolmes, of turning technology ofturers R&D, lean cycle.2019. ling Chief and see howas itto capable forward production is come manufacturing,ent, The flexibility e the shortage r, milling operatio Executive productivity Officer can take d in one turn-mil its success they helps to overcomrequire. Howeve ofaverage EGS, produceexplained is that and capacity, with three is key toadvantag e of the bonus would cutting systems and : “We are has assistanc still need quality ed at cycle offer. skills we A massive part way above of single e on It’seously targets nt that we never overlapp the we per times beenateasier, developm supply chain have set for rs process is simultan it is so importa ent. total cycle ce the as the proving that ourselvestools own enginee and by quick and workpie our a , Martin Coats, of there up toscope of to grow ends can is a real appetiteboth support bar the t support from SMEs Operation be tailored our Director at and using for exact time, to the through constan to maximise EGS, continue s needs of the support that targeted business same in order firms come so diameter. business d: “When can barManufact training, The to ment and what kW main .” “The differenc help them grow. 51 mm ad 15 strategic reviewus they receive a uring and Growth Program e with our return-on-invest kW The fixed-he programme we support me from one was set7.5 MGMs that two-axis is up to fill the voidand improve how customers.” determines of our spindle by manufac that it is delivered left by the both with to barriers are what turing experts Manufact ry spindle, Advice Service we deliver to the new Miyano in the way seconda understand of 5,000 uring who (MAS) support is and what speeds ordered of the m In addition by ge providing challenge needed to maximu accessthe advanta companie s y has alreadyhead help them reach their s are facing. , have to specialis assistanc the compan posed potential t revs/mine to help understand They CNC sliding s. The “Since October . manufacn, the language nised / superim to synchro two Citizen grow and turers improve. centre machineL20-VIII MDs are talking highest barrier 2016, the both 12-statiofor for turn-mill and This can guide control is being achieved s, a Citizen y them on was ‘Continuo with 15% of clients turrets. Ideal an 18-strong two machine low frequenc adecisionsmaking the right through all-driven featuring followed by us Improvement’, , before bringing gy) and experienced network of LFV (LFV ‘Environm specialists ER 2017 in manufacturing cutting technolowill bring ental’ and ‘Marketing on specific SEPTEMB growth manager vibration and Market issues they are facing e-range M16-V ions to 14. Knowledge’ s (MGM), access or to industry top-of-th (12% each). they’re lookingopportunities specialists Citizen installat initial stage Once the and the opportunity the total has She continue to explore.” to we then bring been completed, m average grant apply for an d: “1000 beneficia apacity.co of £1400, rising works with in an expert who ries is just ineeringc maximum the managem the start. www.eng to a to £3,500. 14 address these ent team Support can issues.” be used for 8 manufac SEPTEMB turinggro ER 2017 programme.co.uk wth

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MARCH 2022

Manufacturing precision machined components since 1965 Services include: CNC milling, CNC turning, turn/mill machining, sub contracted services, ﬁnishing and project management. Greenﬁeld Lane, Shaw, Oldham, Lancashire, OL2 8QP Tel: 01706 842311

Subcontract mill turned parts up to 65mm in diameter from bar and 300mm billet work.

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DAWSON PRECISION COMPONENTS

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dpc.co.uk

Kirkham Engineering Co Ltd 13 - CNC Sliding Heads up to 1”; 14 CNC Twin Turret Fixed Heads up to 65mm; 5 - Twin Turret Twin Spindle; 5 - Twin Turret with Sub-Spindle and 4 - Twin Turret; 4 - CNC Single Turret Fixed Heads up to 6” Billet. Centreless Grinding & T/rolling. All materials - Stainless Steel; Nickel Alloys and other exotics a speciality. Prestwood Place, East Pimbo, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9QE Tel: 01695 727401 www.kirkhamengineering.co.uk

Simpson Springs & Pressings Ltd Precision manufacturers of a wide range of compression tension and torsion springs. Also circlips, wireforms, contacts, antennas and light pressings. Quality approved to BS EN ISO 9001:2000.

Oldfield Street, Crosland Moor Huddersfield HD4 5AJ T: 01484 548903 www.thomas-brown-engineering.co.uk

MARCH 2022

Wealdpark Ltd

TURNED PARTS 8

5 High quality precision machined components 5 Trusted technical support service 5 Complete and bespoke service from conception to completion 5 AS9100D & ISO 9001:2015 approved

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

Unit 1, Latimer Road Industrial Est, Latimer Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 2YD Tel: 0118 978 6573 www.simpsonsprings.co.uk

Precision Products (Brighton) Ltd

CNC mill-turn facility using Star sliding head lathes with bar capacity up to 32mm diameter. Miyano and Doosan fixed head lathes with bar capacity up to 65mm. Hurco vertical machining centre.

Accredited to AS9100 Rev D

Sutton Road, St. Helens Merseyside WA9 3DJ Tel: 01744 22567 www.wealdpark.co.uk

Unit 2 Brookside Avenue, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3LF Telephone: +44 (0) 1903 776 171 www.precisonproducts.co.uk

A one-stop-shop for high-quality turned parts

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Aerospace

Specialist A Automotive utomotive

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Power P ower Generation

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Subcontract turned parts up to 65mm in diameter from bar and 300mm billet work

Engineering Capacity March 2022 Digital Edition

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