Engineering Capacity September 2023 digital edition

FOR MANUFACTURERS ABOUT SUBCONTRACTORS

September 2023

MACHINED COMPONENTS | AUTOMOTIVE | ADVANCED ENGINEERING

MACHINED COMPONENTS Adding 5-axis

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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: 0208 013 5752 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 NOVEMBER 2023 ISSUE Forming & Fabrication, Aerospace & Defence, Machined Components, Composites, Turned Parts, Measurement, Inspection & Testing Services, Sustainability Please send editorial for consideration to editor@engineeringcapacity.com There is no charge or cost involved with having your editorial included in the magazine or on our website

Editor’s View According to the latest figures, the UK has moved up to become the world’s eighth largest manufacturing sector – overtaking France in the process. The figures are contained in the latest annual ‘Manufacturing – The Facts’ report published by Make UK. Based on information from 2021 – the latest year for which global comparisons are available – the UK’s manufacturing output was worth $272bn compared to $262 for France. Let’s not get too excited though – the US stood at £2.5tn and itself lagged behind the world’s largest economy, China, with a manufacturing sector worth $4.9tn.

Nonetheless, we do have Italy in our sights and if we can grow manufacturing to 15% of GDP we could overtake them and move up to seventh.

That ‘if’ is doing a lot of work there though. One of the things we need to make this happen is some kind of Industrial Strategy. That would also need to address the ongoing shortage of both skilled and unskilled labour. According to Make UK there are currently more than 74,000 unfilled factory jobs across the UK. With people strapped for cash, one company Fabweld Steel Products (see page 9) spotted an opportunity to increase its workforce. It had the brainwave of setting up a new 6pm to 10pm shift aimed at people who wanted a part-time or second job.

Investment in technology is another way to approach the problem.

As Roger Street of LMS explains on page 12. “We can’t get the people to run the machines, so we have to find the machines that will do more for us with fewer people.”

Andy Sandford, Editor

Member of the Engineering Industries Association

SEPTEMBER 2023

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Contents September 2023

15 MACHINED COMPONENTS

News

Features

06 Aerospace inspection 92% faster 06 Custom system speeds

12 Machined Components 06 LMS adds 5-axis machining Toolmaker branches out Data drives output

throughput

07 Doctorate for Brandauer CEO 06 Rowan Crozier honoured 08 New HIP centre 06 Wallwork invests in Hot

18 Automotive 06 Automotive supply chain investment EV tipping point challenge

18 AUTOMOTIVE

Isostatic Pressing facility

20 Moulding 06 Opening for door closer

08 Subcontracting market down 06 Index falls by 24%

22 Laser & Waterjet Cutting

09 Shifts for part timers 06 FSP takes a novel approach

25 Electronics 06 Fast harness turnaround

24 Additive Manufacturing

to labour shortages

11 Deburr, degrease and reshore 06 Investment at finishing company 4

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27 Advanced Engineering Preview

26 ELECTRONICS

31 BTMA Directory

SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS The Manufacturing Technologies Association’s (MTA) flagship Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge competition has continued to highlight the imagination and design skills of a new generation of young engineers.

The TDI Challenge 2023 encouraged students between 16 and 18 years old and enthusiastic about engineering and science, to demonstrate their creative talent to an industry that relies upon vision and innovation.

Entrants are tasked with devising an original design for a product or concept, explain its application and produce a video, no longer than two minutes, to demonstrate how and why their invention would benefit users.

Judges were once again flooded with entries and then had the hard task of whittling down the submissions to a manageable shortlist. Those shortlisted were invited to Finals Day at the Yamazaki Mazak facility in Worcester where they got the opportunity to pitch their idea to the judging panel, with the winner being chosen on the day.

Stewart Lane, of Renishaw Plc, who chaired the judging panel, said: “The TDI Challenge continues to demonstrate the talent present in our aspiring engineers and once again the standard of entries was so high that judges struggled to choose which submission was the best.

Each finalist should be congratulated on their achievements.”

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro SEPTEMBER 2023

TDI Challenge inspires innovation

Edern, in Penylan, Cardiff continues to be a fertile breeding ground for TDI Challenge success with students claiming both the runner-up position and third place to follow on from its success when 2022 when student Rhys Wijeratne also claimed third place. Students will be hoping to go one place further in 2024 and take top spot.

The individual winner was Bhavy Metakar from the Westcliff High School for Boys with his project for a bionic arm.

The runner up was Elin Carter from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern with a project for door knobs and handles.

In the Group category, first place went to Benji Warburton

and Miles Waterworth, of Brighton College for their Electric Car platform.

Students won a range of prizes including a day out to watch a Cup Motorsport Race Day with the University of Wolverhampton Racing Team, while the winning schools also received prizes to spend on D&T and Engineering equipment and activities.

The MTA’s Education and Development Committee also commended the students on the quality of their designs and thanked their various teachers for their support.

Details of the 2024 TDI Challenge will be announced later this year.

8 thetdichallenge.co.uk www.engineeringcapacity.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity

Aerospace inspection 92% faster A custom measurement solution from Bowers Group has speeded inspection at Virtue Aerospace by 92%.

Bowers Group supported precision engineering company Virtue Aerospace with its compliance procedures using a bespoke measurement solution, supplied by Bowers Group distribution partner Mech Metrology, which has been designed to speed up the inspection process of aviation fuel pump impellers.

Based in Hampshire, Virtue Aerospace manufactures and oversees the balancing of pump impellers and inducers for the aerospace industry. Precision measurement forms a prerequisite to fulfilling stringent contract requirements for the business, therefore the need for accurate measurements is driven by the demands and expectations of its customers and the strict compliance requirements of the industries it serves.

To ensure the highest quality output, Virtue Aerospace asked Bowers Group to provide it with a bespoke measurement solution to assist in the delivery of parts that meet the tightest tolerances and the highest levels of accuracy and consistency.

Ian Smith, Quality & Environmental Manager at Virtue Aerospace, said: “The introduction of the measurement system from Bowers Group has reduced inspection time on a specific 6

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volume produced part, reducing the process time by a significant margin. The system is easy to set up, user-friendly and reliable, and we’re extremely impressed with the benefits it has brought to our workflow.”

The geometry of the fuel pump impellers is absolutely critical for fuel system as it impacts efficiency, flow, durability, and performance. A well-designed impeller enhances fuel delivery and reduces energy losses, as well as improving engine performance and reliability. It also affects noise, vibration, and maintenance costs. Finding the right balance between performance and manufacturability is essential.

Virtue Aerospace’s specific product had a 0.016mm total tolerance that requires 100% inspection to confirm compliance.

The previous method of measurement was undertaken by a CMM machine and whilst the measurements were accurate, they were both time-consuming and costly.

The solution that Bowers Group provided has transformed measurements by enabling the simultaneous assessment of three tight tolerance diameters, providing multiple benefits that enhance efficiency and productivity.

Since installing the system, inspection time for the part has significantly improved, falling from 180 seconds (3 minutes) carrying out the measurements on the CMM, to just 15 seconds with the newly implemented measurement system, resulting in an impressive 91.6% reduction in inspection time.

A key advantage is the straightforward setup of the system, featuring a user-friendly interface that reduces preparation time and maximises efficiency.

Simultaneous measurements have helped reduce inspection time, and the system has been engineered for reliability, ensuring consistent and accurate results.

8 bowersgroup.co.uk virtue-aerospace.com SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS Rowan Crozier, CEO of precision tooling and stamping specialist Brandauer, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University (BCU) for his outstanding contribution to industry and academia.

Rowan is also being recognised for his commitment to developing the engineers of the future, through work with BCU’s School of Engineering and Built Environment.

He is also chair of the Make UK National Advisory Board and co-chair of the Industry Advisory Board for Birmingham City University.

He said of the award: “I am shocked and proud to receive this

Doctorate for Brandauer CEO

recognition. I hope that it inspires all new graduating engineers into a career in UK manufacturing - and especially consider the unlimited possibilities of working at a small to medium sized enterprise.

“Thank you to BCU and I hope it’s students and graduates

always keep innovation at the heart of everything they do.”

Under Rowan’s leadership, Brandauer has implemented a bespoke apprenticeship programme that currently accounts for 15% of the firm’s workforce, whist advocating for communication, technicality, and entrepreneurship as the core foundations of employability of all graduating engineers.

The company has recently partnered with In-Comm Training on a £1m new Precision Tooling Academy in Aldridge to help reverse the critical skills drain being seen in toolmaking in the UK. 8 brandauer.co.uk

Advanced Engineering Stand F110

SEPTEMBER 2023

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INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity Wallwork Group is setting up a £10 million Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) centre at its Bury, North Manchester site.

Housed in a newly prepared 2500 square metre facility, the first of the new HIP units is expected to be fully operational this month.

“As the UK’s premier independent heat treatment, vacuum brazing and advanced ultra-hard coatings company, this is a significant expansion of Wallwork’s thermal processing services and is part of a commitment to invest £20 million over the next five years. It cements our position as the UK one-stop shop for component manufacturers. All secondary processes are easily accessible on The latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) shows that the UK subcontract manufacturing market dropped back by over a third in the second quarter of 2023 following a strong start to the year.

A very slow quarter dashed hopes that the market was overcoming the effects of supply chain uncertainty and rising costs. The market was 24% lower than it was a year ago.

The biggest hit came in fabrication work, which was down 52% on the previous quarter.

Commenting on the figures, Qimtek owner Karl Wigart said: “It was not a good quarter at all and rather a dampener

8

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New HIP centre this site or another Wallwork site, and backed by our national pickup/delivery transport fleet,” said director, Simeon Collins.

Wallwork director, James Bailey and David Loughlin (HIP Business Manager) are heading the new centre. David joins the company to take on the new role and brings with him his extensive experience in running a HIP facility in Europe.

He explained, “The demand for HIP is growing quickly, in part driven by the leaps forward in additive manufacturing technology. HIP is extremely efficient at removing the porosity from AM parts made from metal powders – this densification

process is often the only way for AM builds to fulfil their safety critical potential. With the Quintus URC system to reduce cycle times and high pressure capability, we are set to meet customer demand and expectations in these developing areas. Compared to the US and Europe, the UK has been lagging behind in HIP capacity. This investment, and those planned by Wallwork, will go a long way to rectify that. In addition to Wallwork’s focus on quality, service and value added, I’m looking forward to developing some new relationships for the company.”

8 wallworkht.co.uk

Subcontracting market down

following our expectations from the start of the year. Obviously having three bank holidays in May had some effect, but there were fewer new projects from larger manufacturers

and less activity from buyers.

“An increase in quoting activity showed that suppliers are trying harder to win new business in a tight market.”

8 qimtek.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS A Midlands manufacturing business is taking an innovative approach to labour shortages by introducing a new shift aimed at attracting part-time workers.

It’s the first time in two decades that Fabweld Steel Products, which manufactures access covers for the water, energy and security sectors, has restructured its shift system.

The company is hoping to increase its headcount with parttime staff working a 6pm-10pm shift for the first time in a move which it hopes will be attractive to those looking for flexibility or second jobs.

There are currently more than 74,000 unfilled factory jobs across the UK, according to manufacturing organisation Make UK. There are also more people looking for second jobs, with recent research from BBC Worklife revealing 47% of people having little to no savings left at the end of each month, with a further 15% saying that paying routine bills was a struggle.

FSP managing director Wayne Carter said the rising cost of living meant increasing people were looking to supplement their income with second jobs and it was hoped the new shift patterns would help attract people looking for flexibility too.

He said: “We are in a cost of living crisis and many people are struggling to make ends meet.

This shift would suit someone who is already in work who needs a bit more money coming in, or those who can’t work during the SEPTEMBER 2023

Shifts for part-timers

day because of other commitments but have a few hours to spare in the evenings.

“This isn’t just a problem for FSP, as manufacturing businesses across the country are struggling to fill vacancies. Our own approach to recruitment, skills and training means that we are often one of the first to fill vacancies but people are now also looking for flexibility, which means a new evening shift may suit some workers better.

“It is the role of good employers to innovate and develop ways of working which increases productivity and

8 FSP staff members on site (L-R) General Fabricator, Nathan Wilcox, Production Manager, Chis James and Team Leader Kacper Zasacki.

efficiency but still offers great working patterns and conditions for employees – that’s always what we aim to achieve at FSP.” The new shift will operate between 6-10pm from Monday to Thursday each week and the roles are for fabricators in the factory.

FSP specialises in the design and manufacture of specialist access covers, gratings and other bespoke steel products.

8 fsp.co.uk

Quality Precision Machined Components & Turned Parts

Tel: +44 (0)1582 667537 • www.sub-cncprecision.co.uk

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Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS

Deburr, degrease and reshore Midland Deburr & Finish, which specialises in vibration deburring, solvent degreasing and vapour degreasing, has expanded its capabilities and capacity to serve the growing requirement for reshoring.

The Lye, West Midlands, company has acquired a Walther Trowal CM 605 vibro bowl and a Walther Trowal G 500 maize dryer to accommodate a surge in new orders, particularly for the deburring and degreasing of large pressings.

"We are excited to have made this strategic investment in our operations," said Chris Arrowsmith, Managing Director at Midland Deburr & Finish. "The acquisition of the Walther Trowal CM 605 vibro bowl and Walther Trowal G 500 maize dryer will significantly enhance our capacity to handle larger pressing components and meet the increased demand we have experienced. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality deburring and degreasing services while maintaining the agility required to adapt to evolving industry trends.

“Manufacturers in the UK have a golden opportunity to seize off the back of shipping costs which are strangling smaller businesses, resulting in firms looking to relocate manufacturing to firms like ours in a bid to cut price rises by working more domestically.

There is an agility to be leveraged from being down the road from SEPTEMBER 2023

your customer to be responsive to change and its great for the UK manufacturing community.

The decision to invest in these advanced machines comes on the heels of an impressive 20% increase in business during the second and third quarters of this year. This surge in demand can be

attributed to a substantial rise in reshoring within the UK manufacturing industry. The 2023 Make UK survey on reshoring highlighted the shift in focus from overseas suppliers to domestic sources due to the permanent volatility of supply chains and the hesitance of foreign companies to continue supplying the UK market.

Midland Deburr & Finish's investment in advanced machinery aims to position it as a leading player in the reshoring movement within the UK manufacturing landscape. As international suppliers become more cautious about serving the UK market due to political and trade complexities, Midland Deburr & Finish can ensure a reliable supply chain for its clients.

8 midlanddeburrandfinish.co.uk

LMS

Precision Engineering

High quality cost effective CNC subcontracting.

Produced on state of the art machines EN 9100:2018 ISO 9001: 2015 Approved Telephone: 01905 779783 Email: sales@lmsprecision.co.uk www.lmsprecision.co.uk

High Quality Subcontract Machining www.engineeringcapacity.com

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MACHINED COMPONENTS | Engineering Capacity

LMS adds 5-axis machining LMS has invested in a new five-axis machining centre that is giving high quality and improved service at a competitive price on work that has been reshored from Europe.

The Matsuura MX-420 PC10 machining centre is a full five-axis machine with a 10-pallet carousel, 90 tools and Renishaw probing. It joins a Matsuura H Plus-405 horizontal machining centre with a 6-pallet carousel, 240 tools, B axis, rotary table and Renishaw probing.

The new machine is currently set up to produce aluminium manifold components that had previously been made overseas in Europe. They had very long lead times and the customer was getting let down all the time by the suppler.

Roger Street, partner in LMS, said: “We are now running the manifolds on four of the pallets with four fixtures on each pallet – so we are running 16 at a time which gives us a five-hour run. The customer benefits from local supply, high quality, quick turnaround and components that are cost competitive with an overseas supplier.

“This new work was the prompt for us to invest in 5-axis machining as we suffer from the same problem as everyone else – we can’t get the people to run the machines, so we have to find the machines that will do more for us with fewer people. We needed something we could set up and let 12

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it run while the operator does something else.”

The new machining centre can accommodate parts up to 420mm diameter and 300mm high on each pallet. Up to 90 KG per pallet.

It has significantly reduced the

number of operations, part handling and setups. A single clamping ensures better control of tolerances between the faces and less chance for human error.

Roger said: “These parts are aluminium, but we machine a wide range of materials.

We work across a wide range of sectors with some of the main ones being hydraulics, pneumatics and aerospace. We also do a lot in after-market motor cycle parts”.

He says that LMS has a good long-term relationship with Matsuura. “They are a great company to deal with and have always given us really good backup, which is important SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | MACHINED COMPONENTS for our customers as they know that they can rely on us to deliver.”

As well as the machining centres, LMS also has two Muratec lathes supplied by Matsuura – both set up for automatic operation. These are an MT200 multi-tasking machine equipped with magazine bar feed, 80mm bar capacity, also with gantry loader for billet work and an MT100 Multi-tasking machine equipped with magazine bar feed, 51mm bar capacity.

LMS also have a range of sliding and fixed head lathes.

“It is all about productivity, all about taking out operations and dealing with the difficulty of finding skilled staff. We are doing more with fewer people.”

LMS is now celebrating 40 years in business, having been set up by Roger in 1973. Now his son Scott is also a partner in the business, ensuring continuity for the future.

8 lmsprecision.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

SEPTEMBER 2023

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MACHINED COMPONENTS | Engineering Capacity Birmingham toolmaker Tooling 2000 has invested over £1.8m to develop a subcontract machining services and diversify its business.

Since 1996 the company has focused mainly on the design, production and try-out of tools for the automotive industry, notably for Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Rolls-Royce / Bentley.

With a view to strengthening its position in the industry and also to break into providing subcontract machining services to other sectors such as power generation, especially renewable energy, the company has invested £1.8 million in the last two years in new plant and hiring extra people.

A significant proportion of the spend has gone on acquiring new machine tools from Hurco including a TM12i CNC lathe with a 12-inch chuck and the toolmaker's first two 5-axis machining centres, a VMX60SRTi and aVMX42SRTi. The SRTi machines have a torque motor-driven, swivelling B-axis spindle head and 600 mm diameter C-axis set flush into a fixed machine table create a compact, high-capacity platform that can be used as a largecapacity 3/4-axis machine whenever the need arises.

Tooling 2000's manufacturing director Brian Abbott said, "In recent years, there has been a growing demand from customers for the supply of more complex components that require 5-axis machines to produce them cost effectively.”

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Toolmaker branches out

Machine operator Dean Henning added, "Hurco machines are best suited to our type of work because the conversational control with WinMax software is easy to use and we can program most jobs on the shop floor. Even on the 5-axis models we can use the Hurco control to program 3+2-axis cycles.

Additionally, a large, 3-axis DCX42i travelling-column machine with X / Y travels of 4.2 / 2.6 metres and a maximum table load of 16 tonnes was installed in 2020 to provide capacity for producing larger press tools and components. Currently the largest machine available from Hurco, it has a 10,000 rpm

spindle with BT50 interface and a 40-position tool magazine. The availability of this capacity sets Tooling 2000 apart from much of the competition in the area.

Mr Abbott confirmed, "Not many suppliers offer this size of machine at an affordable price.

We visited Hurco and it was our operators who chose the DCX because they like the flexibility of the control.

"It helps them to program parts without making mistakes, which would be costly in the case of these large components. The machine also has excellent swarf removal and holds very tight tolerances."

8 tooling2000.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | MACHINED COMPONENTS An aerospace subcontractor has increased output by 26% thanks to shop floor monitoring software.

Automatic Industrial Machines in Clevedon, North Somerset has three 5-axis automated production centres and nineteen 3-axis and 5-axis stand-alone machines. These are all controlled by Heidenhain CNC systems and have been networked using its StateMonitor software.

Detailed knowledge of what is happening in every machining centre and collection of data for immediate troubleshooting and long-term analysis has increased output considerably. Stoppages can be rectified quickly, while analysis over time of how the production centres are being used allows the company to try out different methods for increasing throughput.

Managing director Rob Kendall said, "Having access to data in real time is part of what Industry 4.0 is all about. It makes you question why things are being done the way they are and prompts you to think of how production might be improved to raise efficiency."

He described the analysis of data from one of the company's automated 5-axis machining centres, a YCM NFX380 served by an Erowa Leonardo pallet storage system. It showed that over a 24-hour period of unmanned running, depending on the mix of components and the cycle times, which can be SEPTEMBER 2023

Data drives output

as short as 15 minutes, the machine was often idle for the last three to four hours as it had run out of work. Six extra Erowa pallets were purchased, bringing the total capacity to 66 positions, to enable the cell to run for a full 24 hours, right up to the 7.00 am start of the next day shift. The extra parts produced per day have quickly started to amortise the cost of the additional pallets.

Dave Kinch, operations manager, added: “I have calculated that the YCM NFX380 5-axis production centre, served by the recently expanded Erowa Leonardo store with 66 pallet positions, is already 26% more productive due to the changes we have implemented based on information collected from the Heidenhain StateMonitor software."

8 aim-ltd.net

Aerospace Oil & Gas Nuclear Defence

Automotive Electronics Hi Fi

Industrial & High Volume Machining

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

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MACHINED COMPONENTS | Engineering Capacity The latest addition to capacity at Jones Nuttall Precision Engineering is a twin column vertical machining centre with an 8-tonne load capacity.

Hurco DCX22i twin-column, bridge-type, vertical machining centre has a working volume of 2,200 x 1,700 x 750 mm, and is the largest piece of machining equipment on the shop floor at the Warrington-based company.

The machine has a 40-station tool magazine, 12,000 rpm / 18 kW spindle and rapids of 32 m/min in the X / Y axes and 24 m/min in Z, which is also the maximum cutting feed rate.

The new machine has considerably expanded the size and range of work the firm is able to take on. Much of it is carried out by a separate division for Network Rail, London Underground, ScotRail and other well-known names in the rail industry. Repair, overhaul and testing of mechanical/electrical components are a speciality, as well as the manufacture of new components and assemblies to OEM standards and specifications.

Other customers include Bombardier, Linde Group and many in the pharmaceutical, energy, oil and gas, petrochemical and defence sectors. Overall, more than 60 employees in the Warrington factory supply more than 30,000 different components to over 250 customers every year.

Metals processed include Inconel, titanium alloy, stainless steel, steels, brass, aluminium, copper and even silver.

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Large twin-column capacity

Engineering thermoplastics such as nylon, acetal and PEEK are regularly machined, as well as composites such as Railko, Tufnol, epoxy glass and polyester. Batch sizes range from one-offs to runs in excess of 1,000.

Founded in 1971, Jones Nuttall has been dealing with Hurco since 2000, at which time the subcontractor decided to progress from manual-tool-

change mills to machining centres. It opted for Hurco equipment due to the high build quality and spindle power of both the machining centres and lathes.

The constantly changing demands of the railway industry require Jones Nuttall to adapt accordingly. That is why in addition to subcontract machining the firm has a fabrication department with spot, MIG and TIG welding capabilities, plus arc welding machines, punching equipment and guillotines. Many of finishing processes are also completed in-house, including shot blasting, powder-coating, painting and varnishing, as well as heat treatment and a range of plating, polishing and anodising processes.

8 jonesnuttall.com SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | MACHINED COMPONENTS For more than 30 years, Birmingham-based Rowan Precision Ltd has been manufacturing high-quality parts for customers – and for much of this time, the company has relied upon Guhring UK to supply its cutting tools.

As a subcontract machining specialist to industries such as the defence, medical and aerospace sectors, AS: 9100 and ISO: 9001 accredited Rowan specialises in sliding and fixed head multi-axis turning and 5-axis machining.

With more than 10 sliding head turning centres on the shop floor, the company has an enviable reputation for medium to high volume lights-out manufacturing of small components. It is here that the service from Guhring has played a pivotal role.

Matthew Lowe from Rowan Precision Ltd said: “We’ve had a good relationship with Guhring for many, many years and they supply us with high-quality tooling and excellent technical advice. When we need something, they are here to have conversations and meetings about upcoming jobs, and we can talk about the processes with the Guhring technical team. We cut anything from plastics up to titanium, the high EN numbers, iridium, platinum and other challenging materials and Guhring will sit down with us, look at our drawings and give us what we require to do the job.”

Looking at specific tools, Matthew said: “We use a bit of everything. This ranges from Guhring’s Micro end mills, the SEPTEMBER 2023

Tooling partnership benefits

Diver cutters, the RF Speed and a lot of the Ratio range of through coolant drills. We also use the grooving tools, and we use the micro-boring system.

We have an entire range of products and they are all very easy to use. We have confidence that when we run lights out, we know how long the tool is going to last and how many parts we can run with a single tool. Every component and every drawing has a defined tolerance, we need to ensure that the tooling we use

can work within that tolerance for a certain period of time. The Guhring products certainly provide that confidence, giving us the ability to run our machines lights out.”

With such a diverse selection of Guhring tools being utilised at Rowan Precision, the company also makes use of the Guhring TM Multi-Vending machine to ensure the correct tool is always on hand for the multitude of components the company manufactures.

8 rowanprecision.co.uk

Visit our website or contact us for a quote or advice

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AUTOMOTIVE | Engineering Capacity William Hughes, a specialist manufacturer of springs and wire components, has adapted quickly to a serious increase in demand from a tier-one automotive seating customer, thanks to a major new investment in robotic welding cells and associated tooling and fixtures.

The investment at its plant in Bulgaria is in reaction to the ramp up in popularity for a recently released sports utility vehicle (SUV). Currently selling beyond production capacity, the vehicle is available with multiple seating configurations, so the demand for seating frames and hardware has seen commensurate growth.

According to Ben Cox, Manager of William Hughes Bulgaria: “The output for the various seating modules and formats is now about 30% higher than the original anticipated peak production plan. And with the automotive industry relying on just-in-time delivery for primary modules, such as seating, we knew that we had to pull out all the stops to ensure our tier-one customer would not disrupt production.

“The seat frame for this model is unusually heavy duty – being a welded-wire assembly designed to complement the vehicle’s impressive off-road reputation,” Cox continues. “The new welding cells, Fanuc robots and additional tooling have enabled us to meet our delivery quotas for this model and, indeed, other projects in the future, which will also benefit from the added efficiencies we 18

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Automotive supply chain investment

can bring through automation and fabrication at scale.”

Demand for the new SUV is showing no signs of slowing so there is the potential for additional investment in the future. “The Bulgarian factory is ideally placed to satisfy the demands of the Eastern European OEMs,” Cox concluded. “With hand-to-mouth delivery, being on their doorstep – or at least in the same neighbourhood – removes many of the logistical hurdles.

And from a technological standpoint, investment like this, and in wider capabilities

such as spot-welding for back frames, puts us in a perfect position to satisfy a huge array of OEM demands.”

The investment in its Bulgarian facility cements the company’s commitment to its customers and Eastern European operations.

Indeed, the plant is already being asked to investigate newer seating variants, with its customers being confident that William Hughes can quickly ramp up and scale production to cater for any demand level – now and in the future.

8 wmhughes.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | AUTOMOTIVE UK industry is facing a major tipping point when it comes to the electrification race according to one of the sector’s leading figures.

Carl Perrin, CEO of the Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility at Coventry University, is adamant that we need sustained investment in ensuring domestic firms can commercialise the emerging technologies they are developing, not to mention supporting SMEs to make the skills transition to electrification roles.

“The UK is doing so well in developing some of the early technologies that will be supporting the EV race, but we face a real tipping point,” he said.

WH

EV tipping point challenge “There’s an ambitious Government target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and, with this date rapidly approaching, we must accelerate our domestic EV production base and associated supply chains. If we don’t then we will increasingly be reliant on imports, and we can’t let this happen.”

He continued: “We need to look at where we are going to need capacity and, importantly, the skills that are going to support these factories.

There’s a lot of work being done in transitioning existing workers into the new roles and ensuring

SMEs are supported to come on the journey with us.”

“A lot of focus has been on eliminating tailpipe emissions, and you could be forgiven for thinking that’s enough to meet Net Zero targets,” added Carl.

“There must be a wider, holistic approach. As well as driving our cars around, we need to consider emissions from manufacturing processes, supply chains and what happens to vehicles at end-of-life, so we can build a sustainable and full circular economy solution for future vehicles.”

8 bit.ly/ECPerrin

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SEPTEMBER 2023

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19

MOULDING | Engineering Capacity Alltrista Plastics has streamlined and automated the inspection of plastic medical parts and assemblies with the installation of two LK Metrology CMMs. The two Altera S 10.7.6 CMMs were supplied with LK’s reporting software along with a Renishaw SP25M scanning probe and PH10M motorised indexing head.

It is in effect two sensors in one, enabling continuous path tactile scanning as well as touch-trigger probing of discrete points.

Together with a Renishaw matrix plate to allow accurate placement of parts for inspection, the set-up has resulted in a vast improvement in metrology productivity by facilitating fixturing of samples, speeding measuring cycles and virtually eliminating human intervention and the attendant risk of errors.

Alltrista's quality manager Peter Makosa said: "I operated LK CMMs for several years when working for an aerospace manufacturer, which had standardised on their use. When Alltrista decided to upgrade its quality room, we approached four potential machine providers including the incumbent supplier.

LK's response was by far the most comprehensive.”

The Christchurch site is one of five Alltrista manufacturing locations, notable for being the first facility within the holding Jadex group to be powered entirely by renewable electricity.

The ISO13485-accredited firm specialises in plastic injection moulding of devices such as drug 20

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Automated plastic inspection

delivery systems, and packaging such as contact lens blisters, for the medical, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The injection moulding machines are mainly housed in one Class 7 and two Class 8 clean rooms. Medical devices are increasing as a proportion of turnover as well as in variety and production volume, climbing over the past decade from 30 to 50% of throughput and still rising. Another trend is towards ever tighter drawing tolerances on newly designed products and more stringent GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) requirements.

A rigorous validation process underpins the manufacture of all products at the Christchurch facility. Typically at the outset of a new production run, 30 shots containing, say, 15 components each will be run off and checked, with customers requesting a

process capability of at least Cpk 1.33 and often 1.67 or 2 (six sigma). Tolerances are generally fairly open on plastic items, normally in the range 50 to 100 microns, but any inaccuracy of measurement is undesirable, as it would consume part of the tolerance band. Even more important for validation is a high level of repeatability.

Alltrista also wanted better data on features such as the flatness of sealing faces, freeform profiles and chamfers. The use of a Renishaw scanning probe has resulted in an order of magnitude more information to feed back to the production department for fine-tuning toolmaking and manufacturing. It also provides a much richer report for customers to understand in more detail the manufacturing that is being carried out on their behalf.

8 alltrista.com SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | MOULDING Technical injection moulding firm Broanmain Plastics has worked with fire safety specialist Fireco to develop and manufacture a new magnetic door release system.

Designed to hold fire doors open to improve access and building ventilation, yet close automatically when a fire or intruder alarm is activated, the radio-controlled DorMag Pro is a sleek, unobtrusive device that is located behind the door rather than in front of it.

The concept has swiftly moved from 3D printed prototypes to a milled CNC tool, to the design and manufacturing of seven component tools with the assistance of Broanmain engineering and processing experts Kamil Stec and Thomas Catinat.

The DorMag Pro is now gearing up to roll off production lines at Dorking-based Broanmain Plastics.

Cost and scalability were major considerations for Fireco. Injection moulding the seven components that make up the DorMag Pro housing was deemed the most viable way to manufacture the volumes that Fireco expects.

Fireco Engineer Matt Ball said: “The market potential for this product range is huge, especially when combined with another acoustically rather than radio activated fire alarm innovation we are looking to release around the same time.”

“Injection moulding in these volumes is far more cost efficient that 3D printing and CNC milling.

SEPTEMBER 2023

Opening for door closer It also gives us the repeatability and tight tolerances required for a compliant fire product, combined with the premium brand finish,” he added.

All of the unit’s seven components are moulded to on two-cavity mould tools using a standard ABS material. Rigid, versatile, and high strength, the lid and base are the only component modified to ABS PC to withstand the BS EN 1155 durability test cycles and the impact of the fire door being smacked back into the unit.

As well as mass-moulding the seven components, Broanmain will undertake some of the specialist finishing tasks, including heat staking a metal clip onto the battery carrier and overseeing the paint finish.

8 broanmainplastics.co.uk

BRITISH MANUFACTURER OF PRECISION MACHINED COMPONENTS SUPPLYING ALL QUALITY DRIVEN INDUSTRIES SINCE 1965

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Dawson Precision Components Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1706 842311 Web: dpc.co.uk

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21

LASER & WATERJET CUTTING | Engineering Capacity Funding support has enabled a Rugby laser and waterjet cutting business to expand its premises and invest in a robot welding machine.

Precision Laser Processing (PLP), which is based at the Butlers Leap Industrial Estate in Rugby, specialises in flatbed cutting, five-axis laser cutting and water jet cutting as well as providing full fabrication services.

Its customers in the aerospace, security, automotive, medical, and power generation sectors are based throughout the UK. The company, which is part of the Sirius A Corporation, was quickly running out of space at its 12,000 sq ft premises after winning new work in the green energy and electric vehicle sectors and wanted to re-organise its factory and office space.

The 30-year-old business contacted Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub Account Manager Adam Plumb to find out if there were any grants available to help them create a mezzanine.

He put them in touch with Rugby Borough Council who assisted with a £49,000 grant from the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grant along with the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme which was part funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) who provided two grants totalling £34,323.

This financial support led to PLP creating a 2,525 sq ft 22

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More room and a robot

mezzanine and buying a high precision robotic welding machine which has created a further four jobs to take its staff numbers to 25.

Bill Boswell, Sirius A Corporation CEO, who runs the business along with Group Chair Ben Cufley, said PLP has invested £150,000 in the mezzanine.

He said: “The mezzanine has been up-and-running for 12 months and has been a fantastic addition to the business. We have new offices and inspection space as well as room for the purchase of additional manufacturing equipment to accommodate a new opportunity that we secured in the green energy and electric vehicle sectors.

“Additional manufacturing equipment was required to accommodate the new order so we have bought a robotic welding machine which has increased the capabilities and capacity of our fabrication department and

8 Adam Plumb (CW Growth Hub), Denise Osborne (Coventry City Council), Adam Hobday (Precision Laser Processing) and Cllr Carolyn Robbins (Rugby Borough Council)

means we can diversify into larger volume products for our growing customers.

“Altogether we have invested around £500,000 on this site over the last 12 months and without the investment we wouldn’t have secured the new orders – we have signed one long-term contract with a customer in the hydrogen sector until 2026.

“The grants have been very much appreciated and Coventry and Warwickshire is very small business minded and I think it is among the best in the country for helping our community.

“We are already running out of space and are planning to look at units up to 3,000 sq ft at nearby sites to use for storage.”

8 precisionlaserprocessing.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | LASER & WATERJET CUTTING KM Tools (KMT) has invested in new laser cutting and forming equipment to enhance its bespoke machinery and engineering services.

The company says its integrated approach to each project means that equipment is delivered cost-effectively and in a timely manner. Group Engineering Director at KMT, Adrian Degg explained: "Design is an essential part of every project. Our expert engineering teams closely collaborate with customers to scope out application requirements,

SEPTEMBER 2023

Bespoke machinery service creating blueprints and CAD models for sign-off in specified formats. Virtually any machine design is possible when working together with a turnkey service provider like KMT." With design complete, KMT's in-house fabrications facility quickly produces custom equipment frames and tooling. Its LVD PPEB320/30 press brake and LVD Phoenix FL-3015 6 kW fibre laser cutting machine can manufacture to the highest quality standards.

"Machines are more than just metal. A complete electromechanical approach means almost any system can be integrated into a machine design.

This includes powertrains, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, controls, and instrumentation," said Adrian.

As well as creating machines, KMT’s refurbishment service can breathe new life into legacy equipment, extending its service life and improving efficiency.

8 kmt.tools

www.engineeringcapacity.com

23

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING | Engineering Capacity Laser Additive Solutions (LAS) is targeting customers in the UK’s space sector following its investment in a Trumpf metal 3D printer.

It things go according to plan, the TruPrint 3000 additive production system could be the first of many metal 3D printers at the company.

Founded in 2015, the team at LAS has over 50 years of combined experience in precision laser repair, manufacture and joining processes. Customers include those operating in the general engineering, fusion energy, aerospace and military sectors. LAS also has close ties to a number of UK universities and research organisations.

“Our core expertise is LMD [laser metal deposition], although like most in the industry we’re now referring to this process as laser DED [direct energy deposition],” explains Managing Director Peter Brown. “We have two very good systems that undertake laser DED, both of which use Trumpf lasers. While these machines can support our steady growth moving forward, to drive faster progress I felt we needed a complementary process, hence our interest in a powder-bed machine.”

Another major driver of the investment was a surprise new contract secured by LAS involving a long-term production welding job on its laser DED machines. The company has had Trumpf laser and welding systems on site since its formation in 2015.

24

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Aiming for space with 3D metal

“Our number one target for the TruPrint 3000 is the UK’s space sector,” states Mr Brown. “The space sector is constantly seeking manufacturing solutions for lightweight structures that are not easy to build with other technologies.”

The TruPrint 3000, which is the first such model installed in the UK for job shop applications, can run 24/7, unmanned overnight and at the weekends.

“The machine is very production-oriented and, if we find the right jobs, I’m sure we can keep it running around the clock,” he says. “In 10 years’ time we could have multiples of these machines, potentially a unit filled with banks of them. Broadening our customer database into 3D metal printing may also lead to

additional laser DED and laser welding opportunities.”

Business growth at LAS, which today occupies three industrial units, is presently robust, prompting the company to double its headcount in recent years. The future is also looking bright, with LAS currently bidding for what will be its biggest ever contract at a value in excess of £1 million.

“If we win, we’ll invest in another laser DED system and hire more people,” concludes Mr Brown. “We’re very heavy investors and plough everything back into the business.

Obviously that can’t go on forever, but my ambition for now is to continue building our technological capability.”

8 laseradditivesolutions.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | ELECTRONICS Teepee Electrical has invested in new Arcadia harness manufacturing software. The Walsall company was helped by a £15,000 grant from Walsall Business Support.

Teepee Electrical, which was founded in 1989, is a leading supplier of wiring looms, cable harnesses and panel assemblies to domestic and international clients in the rail sector, electric vehicles, coaches, buses and vehicle converters such as ambulances, police cars and fire engines.

The new software will increase collaboration and speed up design changes, offering process continuity, more detailed drawings and an improved interface with existing and new customers.

Managing director Steve Clarke, commented: “Manufacturing improvements that will result from the new technology will generate more market opportunities for the business and enable us to grow, which in turn will create more jobs for local people and enable us to invest in the next generation – something we are passionate about.

“We are hoping to take sales past the £3m mark and towards £5m over the next twelve months, and this will require continued investment in our people and both our Bloxwich and Aldridge sites.”

Formed by leading local business figures to distribute funds collected from the legacy of Walsall Chamber of Commerce, Walsall Business Support provides grants to applicants who want funding for projects to enhance SEPTEMBER 2023

Teepee harnesses funding business life in the borough.

Councillor John Murray, chairman of Walsall Business Support, said: “We offer grants for businesses looking to bring growth, skills and employment to the borough of Walsall, with the aim of benefitting as many local people as possible.

“We were really pleased to be able to provide Teepee Electrical with this grant. The business is a

brilliant Walsall success story, providing a wealth of employment opportunities for local people, many of whom have very long service with the company.

“This is a great example of how a growing business can benefit from a Walsall Business Support grant to add value to the wider community, and we wish them every success in the future.”

8 teepeeelectrical.co.uk

Tel: 07904 573374

www.engineeringcapacity.com

25

ELECTRONICS | Engineering Capacity Cable loom and harness specialist Convert Ltd has delivered 2,000 harnesses within a week of taking an order from Texecom, the global electronic and digital security specialist.

Texecom’s original supplier had let it down and it was on a very tight deadline for its customer.

After a referral from a PCB manufacturer, it put a call into Convert on the Wednesday, which immediately ordered enough parts to provide samples, and sent the drawings.

Convert began sourcing materials and quoting the following day (Thursday) and received a purchase order for 2,000 pieces.

We needed these harnesses urgently so that we could deliver what our customers needed. However, when a supplier let us down at the last minute, we knew we had to find a reliable company quickly

‘‘

The team of Convert engineers produced a test harness and electrically verified everything on the Friday, starting production on the Monday by cutting cables, for assembly the following day. The assembly included five cables, three connectors and an EMC ferrite core. The 2,000 pieces were delivered in three batches less than a week from the initial phone call to the first delivery.

The tricky bit for Convert was the tooling and it also had to build 26

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Fast harness turnaround We have the ability to produce very quickly and very accurately. However, the key is to maintain a high quality while developing, testing and producing. We can do this because we have a team of highly skilled engineers and efficient equipment

‘‘

a special applicator tool for crimping for wire preparation, turning around two tools in a week (normally that would have been a 6–8-week lead-time).

Convert was able to reduce this time as it had invested in its supply chain and state-of-the-art technology to manufacture its own tooling.

For its part, Texecom, in Lancashire, put the samples through its usual quality control and found the parts perfect. They also quickly expedited the whole process. It then placed an order for a further 10,000 pieces.

Chris Wright, Texecom’s Head of Materials, Purchasing, Planning & Logistics, said “We

needed these harnesses urgently so that we could deliver what our customers needed. However, when a supplier let us down at the last minute, we knew we had to find a reliable company quickly.

“Convert stepped into the breach and in a no-nonsense, no drama fashion, took the brief and delivered exactly what we needed well within our required timescale. What they don’t know about harnesses and looms could be written on the back of a postage stamp, and they have invested in their process to enable an extremely quick turn-around. Definitely the go to company for any harnesses or cable assemblies.”

Dave Lord, Convert’s Managing Director, said: “We have the ability to produce very quickly and very accurately.

However, the key is to maintain a high quality while developing, testing and producing. We can do this because we have a team of highly skilled engineers and efficient equipment.”

8 convertltd.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | ADVANCED ENGINEERING Advanced Engineering, the UK’s annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals, is set to open its doors on 1 and 2 November at the NEC, Birmingham.

Now in its 14th year, this year’s show comes with a fresh rebrand, removing the previous show zones from its exhibition floor and introducing a main stage for the event’s forums.

The new layout aims to encourage cross-industry collaboration. The organisers felt that the old layout felt limiting for exhibitors, and that visitors in general walked the entire show floor, regardless of their specific industry. This year, the longestablished composite zone will remain, but the automotive, aerospace and connected manufacturing zones will be removed. However, these sectors will still have a strong presence at the event, with the industryspecific forums remaining. There will also be a main, central stage on this year’s floor plan where discussions about key challenges in the industry will be discussed.

Alison Willis, director of Easyfairs, the organiser of Advanced Engineering said: “We spoke to over 200 exhibitors, visitors and speakers to make sure that any changes made were future-proof and reflective of all stakeholders. We realised that many of the issues that our exhibitors and visitors are facing align, no matter what sector they’re from. Take sustainability for example — we wanted to make sure that our floor plan SEPTEMBER 2023

What’s on at AE 23

gave attendees the best opportunity of sharing ideas and solutions to challenges like this.

“Advanced Engineering has expanded greatly over the years, starting as a specific aerospace event 14 years ago. 2023 felt like the right time to break down the walls that separated our exhibitors to fully encourage

collaboration across industries and to prepare the show for a new era of manufacturing and engineering,” concluded Willis.

To ensure that visitors and exhibitors can still easily find relevant contacts, Advanced Engineering exhibitors will now be categorised by the services, products and solutions offered.

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

www.engineeringcapacity.com

27

ADVANCED ENGINEERING | Engineering Capacity They will have the opportunity to highlight all of the sectors they work in, removing any limitations created by the specific show zones. As well as encouraging visitors from the show’s established sectors like aerospace, space, automotive and composites to attend, Advanced Engineering hopes to attract visitors from newer sectors, like marine, security, rail, energy, sports and leisure, and medical. Along with the rebrand, Advanced Engineering is also taking steps to make this year’s show more sustainable, with the usual paper-based show guides replaced by an app to provide attendees with details about exhibitors, schedules, speaker programmes and floor plans.

Further limiting paper waste, attendees will be guided by digital signposts.

“The increasing demand for sustainable practices is driven by a growing awareness of the environmental impacts of large events, as well as the efforts from exhibitors and other stakeholders to reduce these impacts in their operations,” explained Willis.

“Trade shows and exhibitions can have significant environmental impact due to the large amounts of energy and resources that are required to set up and run them, so we’ve taken it upon us to play our part in becoming more sustainable.

“In fact, Advanced Engineering will choose a selection of exhibitors to be a part of our sustainability trail. In the run up to the show, exhibitors can apply 28

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Trade shows and exhibitions can have significant environmental impact due to the large amounts of energy and resources that are required to set up and run them, so we’ve taken it upon us to play our part in becoming more sustainable

‘‘

if they have a specific sustainable product or service, and the chosen companies will be marked on the floor plan and will also have a tile placed in front of their stand for visitors to see.”

To further its sustainability commitment and facilitate networking opportunities at the show, the new app helps both visitors and exhibitors maximise their time and resources. This new tool allows attendees to arrange meetings and formulate a strategic agenda for the event swiftly and conveniently, owing to an integration function that automatically syncs prearranged

meetings to their calendar. Once visitors schedule a talk or book a meeting through the app, these engagements are automatically synced to their calendar, eliminating any worries about missing out on valuable sessions or networking opportunities.

To do this, the app involves several new features, such as a refined booking system. This not only allows visitors to book meetings with exhibitors but also consists of a filtering function that allows users to find individuals by sector, ensuring a rapid scheduling process.

Advanced Engineering returns for its 14th year with a speaker programme made up of some of the leading figures in UK engineering and manufacturing.

This year’s day one keynote is Richard Noble, OBE, former holder of the world land speed record and serial innovator at ThrustWSH. Also on the main stage, Eman Martin-Vignerte, Director of External Affairs and Government Relations at Bosch, SEPTEMBER 2023

Engineering Capacity | ADVANCED ENGINEERING will share her thoughts on digitalisation and automation. In the afternoon, there will be a women in manufacturing panel, followed by a discussion from a Make UK representative on how new industrial technologies are affecting the skilled workforce.

On day two, the opening keynote will be given by Make UK, and will be followed by talks from Made in Britain on innovation in British engineering and design, and a second panel on women in composites. Two exciting competitions will also be held on the main stage, with the Enabling Innovation competition in the morning and the SAMPE Design and Make competition in the afternoon.

At the aerospace forum, visitors can meet experts from H2FLY, Rolls-Royce, YEET Aerospace, MGI Engineering, ADS, Midlands Aerospace Alliance, Satellite Applications Catapult, Gravitilab and Spirit AeroSystems, who will cover topics ranging from digitally enabled supply chains to propulsion technologies.

Meanwhile, exhibitors can learn about composites circularity, the future of composites, digitalisation being the key to productivity and more at the composites forum. Here, several speakers will be taking the stage from the following companies: AMRC, Creative Composites, NCC, Composites Leadership Forum, Composites UK, KTN Ltd, Plataine, Ford Motor Company, WMG, Composite Branding Ltd and ADS. SEPTEMBER 2023

Attendees can also see Pim van Baarsen, CEO at Silverstone Technology Cluster, and Lucy Parsons, Sales Account Manager at Nikon Metrology UK, who will be discussing and showcasing innovative products at the automotive forum.

As well as an impressive

speaker lineup, Advanced Engineering will also host the final of the Society of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) building competition. The contest aims to provide a practical composite engineering challenge through Young Engineers and Students (YES), where the

˅˔˜˦˜ˡ˚ ˧˛˘ ˣ˥ˢ˙˜˟˘ ˢ˙ ˔˗˩˔ˡ˖˘˗ ˘ˡ˚˜ˡ˘˘˥˜ˡ˚ ˔ˡ˗ ˦˖˜˘ˡ˧˜˙˜˖ ˖ˢˠˣ˔ˡ˜˘˦

xƏȸǸƺɎǣȇǕ ۴ ¨« ۴ ³ȒƬǣƏǼ xƺƳǣƏ ۴ !ȒȵɵɯȸǣɎǣȇǕ ۴ IȒȸƺȇɀǣƬ nƺƏƳɀ ۭ ɯƏȸƺȇƺɀɀ ۴ xƺƳǣƏ «ƺǼƏɎǣȒȇɀ ۴ áƺƫ ۭ ³0 ۴ (ƺɀǣǕȇ ۴ 0ɮƺȇɎɀ ۴ ɯƏȸƳɀ ‫הזוגחז אדו׏׎‬ ɯɯɯِƏȸȒȵȸƏȇƳȅƏȸǸƺɎǣȇǕِƬȒِɖǸ

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29

ADVANCED ENGINEERING | Engineering Capacity

entrants will be challenged to create a suitable structure and display it at the show.

This year, each team must apply their composites knowledge and creativity to design and construct a bridge capable of spanning a one-metre gap while resisting simple weights. The winner will be the bridge that meets all the specified guidelines and withstands the greatest load before failure. All teams will receive a sustainable composite material kit supplied by sponsors, ensuring equal terms for all participants.

Previous competitions have featured impressive achievements such as the tallest load-bearing composite tower, the longest spanning composite bridge, and the construction of a composite crash structure. This competition enables teams to gain valuable experience for their careers, including teamwork, materials manufacturing and processing, managing technical requirements, networking, and public speaking.

Along with the SAMPE competition, the event will also 30

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continue to play host to the Enabling Innovation contest.

Centered around the theme of "inspiring the future of engineering and manufacturing," the competition will culminate at this year's exhibition, where finalists will showcase their companies to a panel of esteemed judges.

The finalists will have their own dedicated space at Advanced Engineering, within the Enabling Innovation Zone, allowing them to engage with like-minded businesses and present their ideas to an audience of around 9,000 attendees. As part of the competition, finalists will also

demonstrate their innovations to a panel of judges composed of industry leaders on the show’s main stage. This bustling area of the exhibition will provide startups with valuable networking opportunities across various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, composites, and Industry 4.0.

The winner of Enabling Innovation will not only receive a trophy, but also earn a complimentary full-sized stand with a branded plinth and marketing at Advanced Engineering 2024. The marketing for the finalists will extend throughout the year, encompassing email campaigns, video interviews, social media exposure, press releases, and a dedicated page on the Advanced Engineering website under the Enabling Innovation section. This extensive marketing support will elevate the profile of these new businesses and open doors to greater opportunities.

8 advancedengineeringuk.com

SEPTEMBER 2023

BTMA MANUFACTURING MEMBERS | DIRECTORY

The British Turned Parts and Machined Component Manufacturers Association Find out how our members can benefit your business Enquire directly with our Members, via btma.org or mail to info@btma.org

Arturn Ltd enquiries@arturnengineering.com www.arturnengineering.com

CK Precision Engineering Ltd Info@ckprecisionengineeringltd.com www.ckprecisionengineeringltd.com

Dawson Shanahan (Wales) Ltd info@dawson-shanahan.co.uk www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk

Ashtead Engineering info@ashteadeng.co.uk www.ashteadeng.co.uk

Colpa Precision Engineering Ltd steve@colpa.co.uk www.colpa.net

DKW Engineering Ltd karl@dkwengineering.co.uk www.dkwengineering.co.uk

Atkinson Engineering sales@atkinson-engineering.com www.atkinson-engineering.com

CTN Group Ltd charlie@ctn-group.co.uk www.CTN-GROUP.co.uk

Dobson & Beaumont sales@dobsonandbeaumont.co.uk www.dobsonandbeaumont.co.uk

Bailey & Wade Engineering Ltd www.turnedpartsrus.co.uk Louise.Fisher@nuttersfastenings.co.uk

CTPE Ltd www.ctpe.co.uk alex.taylor@ctpe.co.uk

Falcon Engineering Productions Ltd sales@falconengineering.co.uk

Batchflow Engineering info@batchflow.co.uk www.batchflow.co.uk

Currie & Warner Ltd tonyfox@curriewarner.com www.curriewarner.com

Global Engineering sales@globaleng.co.uk www.global-engineering.co.uk

BTL Precision-UK Ltd www.btlprecision-uk.com clive.lambert@btl-uk.com

Davromatic Precision Limited sales@davromatic.co.uk www.davromatic.co.uk

GS Brown (Precision Engineers) Ltd malcolm@gsbrown.com www.gsbrown.com

Cambion Electronics Ltd sales@cambion.com www.cambion.com

Dawson Precision Components Ltd. sales@dpc.co.uk www.dpc.co.uk

G W Martin and Co Ltd sales@gwmartin.co.uk www.gwmartin.co.cuk

SEPTEMBER 2023

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31

DIRECTORY | BTMA MANUFACTURING MEMBERS

H P C Services Ltd sales@slidinghead.com www.slidinghead.com

Normec (Manchester) Ltd sales@normec.co.uk www.normec.co.uk

Rowan Precision Limited sales@rowanprecision.co.uk www.rowanprecision.co.uk

Herve Engineering Ltd sales@herve-engineering.com herve-engineering.com

Oracle Precision Ltd shaun.palmer@oracle-precision.co.uk www.oracle-precision.co.uk

Rowes Precision Products Ltd phil.willoughby@rowesprecisionproducts.co.uk www.rowesprecisionproducts.co.uk

JCF Engineering Limited john.felton@jcfengineering.co.uk jcfengineering.co.uk

Salcey Precision Engineering Ltd info@salceyprecision.co.uk www.salceyprecision.co.uk

MaS Precision Engineering Ltd sales@masprecision.co.uk www.masprecision.co.uk

Plastic turned Parts Ltd sales@plasticturnedparts.co.uk www.plasticturnedparts.co.uk

Scot Bennett Engineering Ltd rob@scotbennett.co.uk www.scotbennett.co.uk

Machined Component Systems sales@machinedcomponent.com www.machinedcomponent.com

Precision Component Services Ltd shane@precision-components.co.uk www.precision-components.co.uk

Solstrand Industries Ltd james.valentine@solstrandindustries.com www.solstrandindustries.com

M&M Turned Parts Ltd sales@mmturnedparts.co.uk www.mmturnedparts.co.uk

Qualiturn Products Ltd sales@qualiturn.co.uk www.qualiturn.co.uk

MJ Engineering Ltd www.mjengineering.net enquiries@mjengineering.net

Quantamatic info@quantamatic.co.uk www.quantamatic.co.uk

Sub CNC Precision Engineering Ltd www.sub-cncprecision.co.uk george.dingley@sub-cncprecision.co.uk

Neida Products Engineering Ltd sales@neida.co.uk www.neida.co.uk

Rodmatic Ltd enquiry@rodmatic.com www.rodmatic.com

Swissmatic Ltd info@swissmatic.co.uk www.swissmatic.co.uk

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btma.org

SEPTEMBER 2023

BTMA MANUFACTURING MEMBERS | DIRECTORY

Techfore Turned Parts Ltd info@techfore.co.uk www.techfore.co.uk

Thomas Brown Engineering Ltd info@thomasbrownengineering.co.uk www.thomas-brown-engineering.co.uk

Wharf Engineering Ltd sales@wharf-engineering.co.uk www.wharfengineering.co.uk

Tenable Screw Co Ltd nigel@tenable.co.uk www.tenable.co.uk

Trust Precision Engineering Ltd info@trustprecisionengineering.co.uk www.trustprecisionengineering.co.uk

Wilco Manufacturing Ltd sales@wilcomanufacturing.co.uk www.wilcomanufacturing.co.uk

Tercet Precision Ltd Alex.Burns@tercet.co.uk www.buyturnedparts.com

Wealdpark Limited sales@wealdpark.co.uk www.wealdpark.co.uk

Yorkshire Precision Engineering Ltd info@ypel.co.uk www.ypel.co.uk

Enquire directly with our Members, via btma.org or mail to info@btma.org

BTMA TECHNICAL MEMBERS | DIRECTORY

Arno (UK) Limited sales@arno.de www.arno-tools.co.uk

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

Floyd Automatic Tooling Ltd sales@floydautomatic.co.uk www.floydautomatic.co.uk

The Amodil Group tkd@amodil.co.uk www.amodil.co.uk

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

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

Badger Anodising (Birmingham) Ltd sales@badgeranodising.co.uk www.badgeranodsing.co.uk

C Dugard Limited sales@dugard.com www.dugard.com

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

Filtermist Systems Limited sales@filtermist.com www.filtermist.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2023

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

btma.org

33

DIRECTORY | BTMA TECHNICAL MEMBERS

Matsuura Machinery Ltd imichie@matsuura.co.uk www.matsuura.co.uk

PSL Datatrack sales@psldatatrack.com www.psldatatrack.com

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

Mills CNC Ltd tdale@millscnc.co.uk www.millscnc.co.uk

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

Turbex Ltd sales@turbex.co.uk www.turbex.co.uk

Optimum Oils cliff.thrussell@optimumoils.com www.optimumoils.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUB-CNC Precision is a leading UK manufacturer specialising in CNC machining of Turned parts Sliding Head: Multi-axis twin-spindle lathes offer flexibility from simple to complex turned parts. Size range �1-35mm. Fixed Head: Twin-spindle twin-turret lathes for reduced cycle times. Size range �8-65mm.

Unit O, Cradock Road Luton LU4 0JF Tel: +44 (0) 1582 667537 www.sub-cncprecision.co.uk

CNC PRECISION COMPONENTS 8

JFL Broaches and Broaching

CNC MACHINING 8

BROACHING 8

The Association for UK machined component manufacturers

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

Get your company noticed with an Engineering Capacity classified profile advert

Call 01737 270648 34

www.engineeringcapacity.com

SEPTEMBER 2023

Providing CNC Milling, Turning, 5 axis and Robotic automated machining, Honing, Grinding, Broaching, ID marking, surface finishing & PPAP certification for hundreds of industries.

WE MACHINE ALL

TURNED COMPONENTS TO AEROSPACE

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PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

DJJ Precision Engineering Ltd

SUBCONTRACT CNC TURNING 8

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

Engineering Capacity | DIRECTORY

TUVRheinland ISO 9001:2015, JOSCAR accredited Ford Tier 1 Global supplier. Winners of BAE Systems International Chairmans Award. Cyber Essentials

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

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

dpc.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2023

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

REPETITION TURNED PARTS 8

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

SPRING MAKING 8

GET YOUR QUOTE TODAY

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

Contact Sales for more information T. 01495 760561 mail@djjengineering.com

DAWSON PRECISION COMPONENTS

Wealdpark 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.

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.

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

www.engineeringcapacity.com

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