Saturday 5 July 08 - 14:44
 

Aerospace & Defence

  • Material Integrity and Quality are Key to Survival in Castings

    01 Feb 2007

    A new business, to be known as Patay Bucks Castings Ltd, has been formed by Patay Foundries Ltd, part of the Burton-on-Trent based Alpac Group of Companies, following the acquisition of Bucks Die and Sandcasting Ltd of Burnham in Buckinghamshire. The deal will see Patay Foundries shift its entire production from Iver in Buckinghamshire to Burnham.  

  • New Process Recycles Carbon Fibre Products

    01 Feb 2007

    Carbon fibre products, such as aircraft and car body parts, are notoriously difficult to dispose of at the end of their lifespan. Milled Carbon Ltd, a recycling specialist, has come up with a new process which turns rejected carbon parts into a valuable reusable material. The process is creating considerable interest with the likes of Boeing and Airbus.   

  • CMM Brings Higher Productivity Results

    01 Feb 2007

    A380 contracts alone will increase Verdict Aerospace’s  turnover by £2.5 million by the end of the decade, a little less than half of the contract machinist's £5.5 million  turnover.   

  • Increasing Aerospace Orders Require Extra High Speed Turning

    01 Feb 2007

    Precision turning specialist APT Leicester has purchased a Miyano BNJ-42SY fixed head turning centre to handle an increasing volume of orders for close tolerance aerospace industry components. As well as providing additional high speed turning, this latest machine is around 20% more efficient than the one it replaces.   

  • Advanced Engineering Firm Tools Up to Enter Aerospace Markets

    01 Feb 2007

    Building upon its reputation as a world-class supplier of ultra-high precision components and sub-assemblies to the high-technology industries, subcontractor Jefferson Engineering has invested in three Matsuura MAM72 5-axis high speed machining centres to penetrate niche markets within the aerospace and defence sectors.   

  • Airline Expo Promotes Technical Suppliers

    01 Feb 2007

    The Farnborough Air Consortium (FAC) is to be a sponsor and exhibitor at the 11th Annual Airline Technical Purchasing Conference, which will be held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London, 9th-10th May 2007.   

  • New Facilities Attract New Customers

    01 Feb 2007

    L&D Precision Engineers relocated to Sutton, Ashfield in  Nottinghamshire at the beginning of the month. The brand new, purpose built £850,000 site offers the company better facilities and has encouraged both new customers and new staff to join the company.  

  • Defence Contracts Spark Purchases for Additional Capacity

    01 Feb 2007

    Lancashire-based Merc Engineering UK Ltd has recently secured several contracts for the defence industry. The company has invested in new machinery including a Dah Lih machining centre and a Doosan Z290 twin spindle twin turret lathe. A new Agie Charmilles wire eroder will also be added in March to Merc’s EDM line-up.   

  • Annual Industry Survey Launched

    01 Feb 2007

    The SBAC has launched the annual industrial survey of the UK aerospace. The Survey is an extremely important indicator of the health of the UK aerospace sector and data from companies will make a difference.   

  • MAS Cash Gives Rolls-Royce Supplier 'Green' Wings

    01 Feb 2007

    Thanks to the support it's received from the Manufacturing Advisory Service in the East Midlands (MAS EM), Derby aerospace firm Trac Baker is well on its way to earning the environmental credentials which could soon become mandatory for businesses supplying this demanding sector.  

Comments & Analysis

  • Asking for Expert Advice is Positive

    01 Feb 2007

    Asking for support from a manufacturing expert when a company needs help should be seen as a positive step forward in the life of a company, not something to be embarrassed about. After all, we don’t hesitate when we need the specialist assistance of a solicitor or accountant says Arthur Richardson, Director, South West MAS.   

  • Convert Vision into Action with Future Proof Strategies

    01 Feb 2007

    Customer driven technology strategies are the solution to successful product development in the opinion of Dr Jay Paap, a distinguished presenter and leading authority in the field. His two day seminar programme to be held in London in March will provide delegates with the knowledge and tools needed to create a robust and future-proof technology strategy.   

Forming & Presswork

  • Press Brake Helps with School Work

    01 Feb 2007

    Nicholls Fabrications in Leeds has invested in a Turkish-built Baykal APHS 3106x120 CNC press brake through sole agent, Press & Shear Machinery. The Baykal is capable of bending 2m lengths of 6mm gauge mild steel and will tackle 3mm stainless over the full three metres.   

  • Investments Help to Achieve High Targets Following Buy-Out

    01 Feb 2007

    The newly named Evenwood Industries Ltd has commenced a period of investment following the management buyout of Evenwood Engineering from its previous owners, Eliza Tinsley, in April 2006. Installation of a brand new TCL3040 2D flatbed laser machining centre from Trumpf was completed at the end of November 2006, and the machine has been set to work producing mostly mild steel flat components ranging from 2mm-15mm thick.   

  • Press Brake Makes the Right Signs for Trade

    01 Feb 2007

    The policy of the UK trade sign fabricator, Leicester-based Signfab (UK) Ltd, of applying only the latest technology, continues to ensure its position as leader in the market after only five years since the company was established.   

  • Demand Set to Grow in Window Market

    01 Feb 2007

    Pressed metal part specialist Ladbrook Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Ltd, of Norfolk, estimates that it has produced over one million high value parts for window manufacturers since its first order for the sector in 1980. This is an important growth market for the company, which has capacity for more than 150 million pressed metal parts per year, using a broad range of automated machinery, to provide high volume production as well as low volume  pre-production and prototype samples to manufacturers around the world.  

  • Sheetmetal Firm Maps Out Value Streams

    01 Feb 2007

    For subcontractors such as Wiltshire-based Alpine Sheetmetal, competitive advantage comes from an ability to adapt to quick turnarounds and provide accurate quotes for smaller, bespoke jobs. The company has experienced an 80% increase in efficiency at fulfilling orders and a welcome boost in turnover thanks to the introduction of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) techniques by the South West MAS.   

  • Press Shop Boss Has Royal Lunch Date

    01 Feb 2007

    Anna Stevenson, the 24 yearold managing director of Millennium Pressed Metal, travelled down to London on Valentine’s Day to take part in a special Women in Business‚ luncheon at Buckingham Palace with the Queen. Since securing ISO9001 in November, the company has landed over £300,000 of orders, an achievement that has already led to investment in new presses, welding equipment and staff.   

Heat Treatment

  • Re-Commissioned Plant Returns to Austemper Market

    01 Feb 2007

    In response to existing customers’ requests to supply, HHT (Midlands) Ltd has announced that the austempering process is now available at its Darlaston plant.   

  • Thermal Deburring has Beneficial Side Effects

    01 Feb 2007

    Martin Bridges of the Deburring Centre Ltd, Poole, reports on observations of the thermal deburring process that appear to be beneficial in the subsequent heat treatment of metal components, particularly in aluminium and steel, or those contaminated with grease residuals. 

  • Vacuum Facility Adds Horizontal Furnace

    01 Feb 2007

    As part of their continual improvement programme, Tamworth Heat Treatment Ltd has installed a new vacuum furnace to complement its existing vacuum facility of seven furnaces.   

  • New Furnace Enhances Vacuum Processing

    01 Feb 2007

    TTI Group has increased its vacuum heat treatment capability with the installation of a second TAV furnace at its Cheltenham division.   

  • Hotline Makes Sense of the Old Chestnut

    01 Feb 2007

    With increasing energy cost and pressure from a global market, more companies than ever are asking themselves when it would be better for an in-house heat treatment facility to cease to operate, and its processes be contracted out.   

Industry News

  • £3m Invested to 'enhance' Recycling Industry in London

    01 Feb 2007

     

  • Domestic Demand for Manufactured Goods at 12 Year High

    01 Feb 2007

     

  • Seminar Programme Announced for Subcon

    01 Feb 2007

    Global sourcing, intellectual property, lean supply chains and insuring against materials price increases are just some of the topics to be covered in this year’s Subcon seminar programme. From 1st to 3rd May at the NEC, Birmingham, Subcon 2007, the international show for buyers of subcontracting, will offer visitors the whole spectrum of contract manufacturing. Visitors will have the opportunity to source all their outsourcing needs under one roof.   

  • Lobbying Alliance is Strengthened by SME Engineering Members

    01 Feb 2007

    One of the priorities for the Engineering and Machinery Alliance (EAMA) in 2007 is working to reverse the fall in UK manufacturing investment. Last month EAMA announced that with the arrival of the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) as its newest member the Alliance now covers 1300 companies in mechanical engineering and metal products.   

  • Bigger Mach

    01 Feb 2007

    21,000m2 of space has now been allocated to 464 companies for MACH 2008, which is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham 21-25 April 2008. Open to companies of supporting trade associations and previous MACH exhibitors, the second round ballot for MACH 2008 was once again held at NC Engineering in the presence of an independent adjudicator.   

Plastic Parts, Moulds & Moulding

  • Toolmaker and Mould Shop Finds Niche

    01 Feb 2007

    At the tender age of 23, having recently finished his apprenticeship, Paul Brown took the bold step of launching his own company. That was eight years ago. Today, his company, Cybertools Ltd, Hertfordshire, is a successful toolmaker and plastic injection mould shop employing five full-time people and a number of temporary staff.   

  • Best Practice Visit and Awards Confirm Status

    01 Feb 2007

    In January the Hi-Technology Group in Waterlooville, Hampshire, a multi-award winning injection moulding and tool manufacturer, hosted a Best Practice company visit organised by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East and Manufacturing Insights.   

  • Dubai Show a Success for UK Plastics Firms

    01 Feb 2007

    The twelve UK firms forming the first ever BPF representation at 'Arabplast 2007' held in Dubai last month registered rapid successes. The show started with an immediate surge of visitors and the UK stand attracted a large number of enquiries.  

  • Project Shows Valuable Benefits of Copper Alloys in Mould Tools

    01 Feb 2007

    Advances in injection moulding technology currently in development by the partners of Eureka project E!2846 Aimtech, could help Britain’s highly skilled tool-makers and injection moulding manufacturers sustain the UK’s national supply chains, at least until overseas competitors’ prices start to rise, according to a report in the DTi’s Global Watch magazine.   

Stevens Rowsell is a specialist precision sheet metal engineering company in East Sussex