Northern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to its regular venue, EventCity Manchester, for the fifth consecutive year from September 27 to 28.
Once again the show provides a unique opportunity meet potential subcontract suppliers and see the latest machines from many leading manufacturers being put through their paces.
Despite being a smaller event than its long-established southern sibling, by virtue of its location in the heart of the UK’s most industrious manufacturing region, Northern Manufacturing is nonetheless a key event for machinery and tooling firms and suppliers of manufacturing services.
Engineering services are one of the key aspects of the show. Once again, the selection of firms exhibiting spans a wide range of engineering disciplines.
Among the many subcontract firms exhibiting is Chesterfield-based Mintdale Engineering, a well-equipped CNC machinist that also offers clean medical assembly, brazing and induction brazing to medical standards. Items produced to ISO 9001-2008 quality standard for the medical, brewery, aircraft and shop fitting industries.
Other well-known names from the subcontract world include Orbital Fabrications and Jenks & Cattell Engineering, specialists in sheet metal presswork, with presses from 10t to 1000t, as well as laser fabrication and welding. Aside from subcontracting, there are also a good number of service-based firms exhibiting. Industrial equipment refurbishment experts UNIS Group-EDMR specialises in industrial electronics and motors, offering a “no fix, no fee” service backed by a two year warranty.
MES(NW) is a Manchester-based engineering services provider with a wide range of in-house expertise in both electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines. The firm has recently been awarded a five-year facilities management contract with a prestigious automotive manufacturer located in the North West.
The show also features a wide range of machining and production hardware.
Two new machines from Haas Automation make their UK debut at Northern Manufacturing 2017; the new 2017 ST-15 turning centre and DM-2 high-speed drill-mill centre. Both will be put through their paces with live cutting demonstrations. The ST-15 is the latest addition to Haas Automation’s line of big bore turning centres, the DM-2 compact drill-mill centre is pitched at high-mix production shops looking to increase throughput, as well as job shops looking for a small, fast 40-taper machine.
Yamazaki Mazak has expanded its presence to two stands for 2017, giving live demonstrations of its Variaxis range of 5-axis machining centres. Combining a compact footprint with the ability to offer simultaneous five-axis machining across multiple surfaces, the Variaxis j-500/5X can be used in a variety of sectors, including aerospace and oil and gas. Its advanced manufacturing capabilities - it comes equipped with a 5-axis version of Yamazaki Mazak’s SmoothX technology - are suited to small batch, volume production or prototype work, says the firm.
Amada will show advances in both standalone and automated press brake technology. Built on the solid foundation of its HFE series, the HFE3i 1003 press brake includes additional production-enhancing features and an innovative touch-screen AMNC 3i interface. Also on the stand will be the HG-ATC (automatic tool changer), designed to load even the most complex tool layout within three minutes, allowing operators of varied experience levels to operate the bending system effectively.
Regular exhibitors Bystronic returns with its Xpert 40 press brake paired with its innovative Mobile Bending Cell. The system is designed to help users to produce quickly by automating as many processing steps as possible while at the same time providing the option to work manually when required. The compact Xpert 40 can be set up and put into operation in virtually any environment, claims the company. Users can set up the robotics system on the Xpert 40 in just a few minutes. When not in use, the bending robotics can simply be moved to one side. Automation also features on the Olympus Technologies stand. The firm’s Universal Robot welding system provides a cost-effective robotic MIG welding solution, ideal for companies who have previously not been able to justify the investment in an industrial robot cell, or simply do not have the space for one.
Following very successful outings at Southern Manufacturing, Devon-based YMT will exhibit its comprehensive range of tooling and workholding at Northern for the first time. The firm’s portfolio encompasses spindle tooling, collets and machine vices, through to angle heads, heat shrink technology and rotary tables. Oil and mist extraction systems are also included. These are supplied to a variety of markets including Formula 1, medical, aerospace and electronics.
Another familiar face from Southern is CNC machine tool service and sales company, Leader CNC Technologies, the main European dealer for Toshiba Machine, and UK distributor for Kitamura, DMC, Gruppo Parpas and FAT Haco machine tools. The firm specialises in factory relocation, preventative maintenance, machine rebuilds, DNC interfacing and the management of complete turnkey projects. Customers include Rolls Royce, Cameron, GE, VTL Group, Caterpillar, Gardner Denver, JCB, Weir Group and Goodwin.
Along with conventional machining, advanced manufacturing is also well represented this year. Laser Lines, a Stratasys Platinum Partner for UK & Ireland, offers a portfolio of over twenty 3D Printer and Rapid Manufacturing systems, together with industrial lasers for cutting, welding, marking and cladding. On display will be a compact laser marker, together with a mechanical marking system. Also exhibiting is Tri-Tech 3D, offering a complete package of services from initial specification and supply of 3D printing hardware and software, to onsite 3D printer installation, staff training and full product support. Rob Pitts of Tri-Tech 3D is also one of the presenters of the show’s free technical seminar programme. In his Introduction to 3D Print Rob will be sharing case study examples of the limitless applications that are being discovered for this new technology across all manufacturing sectors and the new opportunities it could open up.
Some of the other topics under review in the 2017 seminar programme include implementing Lean, CE Marking, the advance of Industry 4.0 and an insight into the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulations that will have profound implications for all businesses, but for which an estimated 30% of UK companies are currently woefully unprepared.
The show’s free entry and free onsite parking for 3000 cars make it possible to easily fit in a visit as part of a working day. EventCity is also easily reached by public transport from Manchester city centre for those wishing to spend a more relaxed day exploring what the show has to offer.
To see a full list of exhibitors, the seminar programme and to register online for free tickets simply visit the show website.
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