Tuesday 2 December 08 - 13:47
 

Automotive & Motorsport

  • 'Soft Feel' Topper Pad Prototypes Produced in Weeks Instead of Months

    01 Apr 2006

    Telford based Innov8es specialises in the manufacture of full size prototype instrument panels. The company has developed a process that allows automotive companies to prototype their 'soft feel'TPU/PVC and foam topper pads (dashboard panels) and door trims in weeks rather than months, thus saving time and money. 

  • Network Companies Collaborate To Win Automotive Contracts

    01 Apr 2006

    The Midlands Assembly Network (MAN), which was launched at the Midlands Manufacturing Exhibition last month, is a unique network of component manufacturers set up to supply complex sub-assemblies to the global automotive sector and to major OEMs. The Network received lots of enquiries at the Midlands Manufacturing Exhibition, and is currently quoting for joint projects. 

  • Die-Caster Finds New Work After Longbridge

    01 Apr 2006

    With backing from supply chain initiative Accelerate, Tamworth-based high pressure die caster JV Murcott (JVM), has overcome loss of business from the closure of MG Rover, Longbridge, and secured nearly £2m worth of new business in the automotive sector by adding several major new clients to its customer base. 

  • Strategy to Exit High Volume Auto Supply Sees Sales Double

    01 Apr 2006

    Tanfield Engineering Systems Ltd has undergone a radical transformation, by completely exiting high volume, low margin automotive component supply. 

  • Laser Pipe Cutting Ability Opens New Opportunities

    01 Apr 2006

    A major investment in a Trumpf Trumatic L6030 4kW laser with 6m x 2m bed and pipe cutting capability at Blagg & Johnson Ltd, should produce a 12.5% growth in turnover by offering superior accuracy and finish on sheet metal components in sizes, which few other subcontractors can match. The company also recently installed Lantek Expert system to programme all its machines effectively. 

  • New Business Model Revives Pressings Firm

    01 Apr 2006

    Ivan Evans, an ex-foreman at Metal Pressings Group, has turned lossmaking, Willenhall business JT Barker, into an agile, thriving pressworker serving customers in the automotive, electrical, heating and security industries. 

  • £200k Contract Haul Turns Up the Heat

    01 Apr 2006

    Heat Treatment 2000 is on course to secure another period of growth after landing an additional £200,000 of contracts for the automotive, structural engineering and leisure markets. It highlights what has been an eventual year for the business after it successfully became the first company in its sector to secure the global TS16949 quality accreditation. 

  • Automotive Toolmaker Boosts RPD Capability

    01 Apr 2006

    In December 2005, ARRK acquired the entire share capital in a leading toolmaking business to the automotive industry. Following the purchase of Jordans (Toolmakers) Ltd, based in Havant near Portsmouth, ARRK PDG Ltd has more than doubled its rapid prototyping support team in a major restructure designed to support UK designers and manufacturers. 

  • Surface Treatment Services Enable Wider Use of Light Metals

    01 Apr 2006

    Keronite International Ltd has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for the application of advanced surface treatments using the Keronite Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation process (PEO), as well as for the supply of processing plant, equipment and electrolyte solutions. Established in Cambridge in 2000 to provide technology services to industry, Keronite enables manufacturers to reduce costs and improve performance through the wider use of aluminium and magnesium. 

  • Extrusion Firm Expands CNC Machining Capacity

    01 Apr 2006

    The commissioning of a new Italmac Zeus 7000 5-axis CNC machine centre has now been completed at the Bromyard based Holden Aluminium Technologies. The machine offers a capability in excess of seven metres long. Its arrival doubles the 5-axis capacity which is supported by several 4-aAxis machines, cut off saws, stretch forming, roll forming and flow forming facilities. 

Cutting & Profiling

  • Biggest UK Subcon Water Jet Cutting Bed Installed

    01 Apr 2006

    Charles Day Limited of Sheffield, a long established specialist profiling and cutting operation with multi-installation laser and flame cutting facilities, has recently placed an order with WJS (Water jet Sweden) for a multi head water jet cutting machine with a cutting bed of 8m x 4m.The new machine will offer the UK’s largest subcontract water jet cutting bed with multi head cutting.  

  • Service Processes Over 14,000t of Steel per Year

    01 Apr 2006

    With sales approaching £18 million, Sheffield based Mayflower Technology processes in excess of 14,000 tonnes of steel per annum supplying laser cut, formed, machined and fabricated components to a wide range of customers and industry sectors. The company has undertaken an extensive investment programme in recent years to extend value added services to its customers. 

  • Laser Specialist Adds Power and Diversifies

    01 Apr 2006

    Laser cutting sub-contractor, Laser Process Ltd of Cannock, has just completed another round of investment in high technology equipment. A Trumpf 6kW laser cutting system gives Laser Process more high power machines than any other flat bed subcontractor. It is the most powerful 'off the shelf' system available anywhere in the world. 

  • Keystone Investment Pulls Together Time and Cost Saving Initiatives

    01 Apr 2006

    Rojac has completed the installation of Lantek, an umbrella CAD/CAM system specially designed for automating the programming of sheet metal cutting machines. 

  • CNC Sheetmetalwork Capability Keeps Alive the Magic of the FA Cup

    01 Apr 2006

    When Burton Albion FC had to deal with a waterlogged pitch 72 hours ahead of the January 2006 FA Cup third round match with Manchester United at the Pirelli Stadium, Guttridge Laserfab were part of the answer. The pitch was turned into a suitable playing surface by Shelton Sportsturf Drainage Solutions, using machinery that includes many parts made by Laserfab. 

Industry News

  • Costs of Engineering Skills Shortages Add Up

    01 Apr 2006

    New research by the Henley Management College for The Royal Academy of Engineering has revealed that over one third of engineering firms in the UK believe that engineering graduate shortages and skills deficiencies are costing them money through delays in new product development and additional recruitment costs. 

  • Systems Approach Monitors New Advances

    01 Apr 2006

    Your technology roadmap, combined with an effective system of monitoring external technological developments, will ensure you are not caught out by your competitors or, more importantly, your clients, says Arthur Richardson, Director, South West MAS. 

  • Thailand's Ascendance Shifts Global Positioning of Automotive Supply Chain

    01 Apr 2006

    In full acknowledgement of Thailand's rapid development as a key vehicle producing country, there will be an Automechanika exhibition in Bangkok for the first time this year, 10 - 13 May 2006. Like all the other Automechanika events, this exhibition will cover all aspects of the automotive components industry from design to recycling. 

  • Missions & Seminars Overseas Programme

    01 Apr 2006

    Karen Finegold of the Engineering Industries Association has been successful in securing subsidies from UK Trade & Investment in order for UK SME companies to promote themselves at overseas engineering events including the following: 

  • New Products and Services at MACH 2006

    01 Apr 2006

    With only 6 week to go until MACH 2006 opens its doors, 15 to 19 May, more than 100 of the exhibiting companies have now been independently verified as having 'New at MACH' products or services at the show. 

Subcon 2006

  • Subon Covers All Areas of Contract Manufacture

    01 Apr 2006

    It's that time, Subcon 2006 is here again. Subcon 2006 runs from 16 to 18 May in Hall 3A at the NEC Birmingham, and aims to make sourcing suppliers easy for any buyer of subcontract manufacturing services. The focal point of the show will be Quicksilver, the craft that will challenge the World Water Speed Record on Coniston Water in 2008. 

Turned Parts

  • Investment in Systems, Flexibility and Capacity, Secure New Business

    01 Apr 2006

    An increasing number of MSP's customers are asking for PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) submissions or nearly PPAP paperwork. While this is essentially an automotive quality tool, customers from other sectors are requesting more on their inspection reports and this level of documentation for their systems means PPAP has now become an MSP standard. 

  • Machining Capability Extended for Price Sensitive Complex Parts

    01 Apr 2006

    Yet another Tornos sliding head lathe graces the shop floor at WML Engineering Ltd later this month bringing the company's fleet of Deco lathes to eight. The lathe, which is also networked into an Object Orientated Parts programming database, enables WML to increase its current capacity while already having part program files written and ready for execution anywhere over the fleet of machines. This facility enables WML Engineering Ltd to produce high precision components with quicker and more flexible turnaround patterns. 

  • Demand for Intricate Components Continues

    01 Apr 2006

    A bulging order book has prompted APT Leicester Ltd to increase its production capacity for close tolerance turned components through the purchase of a latest generation Star SR-20R II sliding head CNC lathe. 

  • Multi-Pallet Machines Add Higher Volume Capacity

    01 Apr 2006

    Continual growth since 1961, has made Ultra Precision Ltd the largest subcontract engineers in East Anglia. Three years ago the company built a new factory with two acres to spare for future expansion, and immediately began supplying the aerospace sector with larger volumes. A general upturn in business has led to recent investment in two additional multi-pallet machining centres, to increase highvolume capacity further. 

  • Buyers Have More Control If Suppliers are Domestic

    01 Apr 2006

    Many subcontract company owners and directors fear that as the skill level and experience of overseas machinists improve further, foreign competitors will secure more of the work that remains in the UK, even the manufacture of highly complex and safety critical components. 

  • Staff Help to Turn The Wheel of Fortune

    01 Apr 2006

    Incorporating Technoset of Rugby and Technoturn of Hastings, the Techno Group is achieving exceptional success as a high precision turned parts manufacturer; much of which Technoturn director David McIlwain says is "down to the skill and commitment of the employees." 

  • Change Adds Flexibility on Larger Components

    01 Apr 2006

    A positive start to 2006 for Inro Turned Parts, Chingford, London, indicates that the company's policy of continual investment is definitely paying off. New customers in motorsport, aerospace, electronics and food & drink have placed a good volume of parts on order. 

  • Gold Standard and £250k Machine Tool Spend Mark Three Years in Business

    01 Apr 2006

    Last month, exactly three years after opening for business, AEL (Dorset) Ltd, of Blandford Forum, received a Gold Standard award from the Mars Corporation for performance in delivery and quality. Since March 2003 AEL's turnover and customer base have grown dramatically, which is a huge endorsement of the company's customer service policy and working culture. 

Turning & Milling

  • Welding Accreditation Compliments CNC

    01 Apr 2006

    Complimenting its frontline CNC turning and milling services, recent investments at Lancashire-based, precision component manufacturer, Merc Engineering UK Ltd, reflect Merc's ambition to be the ultimate one-stop engineering shop. In its new welding department the award of the DIN 6700 standard (relevant to foreign railway networks) has propelled Merc even further ahead of its competitors and opened up new opportunities in the railway industry. 

  • 25% Growth Rate Continues As New Projects Succeed

    01 Apr 2006

    For the second successive Maple Worcester's sales have increased by 25%. The growth is attributed to the success of new tooling projects with existing clients and also to new business in the specialist area of turning larger components. The company specialises in the reliable delivery of high quality precision machined components and assemblies. 

  • Retrofitted Contact Probes Boost Turning Capacity for Aerospace

    01 Apr 2006

    Specialist precision engineering manufacturer and subcontractor, Burcas, is upgrading its extensive turning capabilities by retrofitting contact probes for tooling and component measurement on five of its Boehringer lathes - providing even greater consistency and accuracy, as well as faster turn-around and greater subcontract capacity. 

  • Fully Interpolative 5-Axis Machining Developed

    01 Apr 2006

    Essex subcontractor, Peter Copsey Engineering (PCE), installed its first 5-axis machining centre last month. 

  • £400,000 Machinery Investment Leads to Production Expansion

    01 Apr 2006

    Ely based Shearline Precision Engineering has invested £400,000 in two new Mori Seiki turning machines, which come with larger bar feeds and the ability to carry out greater volumes of work. The company believes the new machines will help speed up production and reduce the need for additional milling. The machines are just one part of the company's continued expansion as it aims to further enhance its reputation as one of the few UK firms to offer a 'Total Manufacturing Solution'. 

  • Services are Structured Around Multi-Axis, Single-Cycle Operations

    01 Apr 2006

    The Hemlock Group, Stapleford, Nottingham has fast growing capability in single-cycle, short lead time, subcontract machining services. 

  • Double Purchase is a Measure of Ambition

    01 Apr 2006

    Following the successful implementation of Bonspiel Engineering's first Star SV32 a second has just been installed taking the investment in these two machines in the last 6 months to £0.33m. 

  • New Sliding Head Adds Productivity as Demand for Small Parts Surges

    01 Apr 2006

    In response to a surge in business for its small precision turned part, Ronco Engineering added a Citizen C16 CNC sliding head auto from NC Engineering of Watford to its existing fleet of two Citizen L20 and one L32 machines last year. 

  • CNC Upgrade Introduces 3D Contour Machining

    01 Apr 2006

    By upgrading from two-axis CNC to a three-axis Acu-Rite MillPWR control system, not only can Consort Precision Engineering leave its Bridgeport knee mill to run unmanned, but the new CNC technology has also opened the door for the introduction of threedimensional contour machining. 

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