With Subcon now less than a week away, here is a taste of some of the subcontractors who will be showcasing their capabilities.
The show runs at the NEC in Birmingham from 5 to 7 June.
More than 4,500 manufacturing and engineering professionals across all industry sectors are expected to attend three days packed with keynote presentations and practical workshops.
According to the organisers, the exhibition will see over 400 companies on the floor, covering every aspect of contract manufacturing and additional services. From machining and die casting to MRP software, lasers and plastics.
Visitors will come from sectors including aerospace, automotive, defence, electronics, energy, materials, oil and gas and rail sectors.
In 2017, Subcon saw a record attendance of more than 4,300 visitors. Research by the organisers showed that 92% of those visitors came to source products and services and included buyers from some of the biggest names in global manufacturing. Subcon 2018 is set to be the biggest show to date.
Subcon has also partnered with Automechanika Birmingham to enable visitors to benefit from attending both events by registering just once for their visitor badge. Engineering Capacity is a media partner to both shows.
Alongside the show, a six-stream, 36-session conference programme will be held across two theatres. Rolls Royce CTO Paul Stein will present the keynote within a programme that also features sessions on digitalisation, robotics, prosthetics, Blockchain, smart materials and technology transfer delivered by some of the UK’s leading engineers and its most innovative disruptors.
More 3D print capacity
Bowman Additive Production (Bowman AP) has significantly increased capacity by adding the latest HP Jet Fusion 4200 3D printer. Coming 18 months after the launch of the venture, this will allow it to dramatically increase the size of their production 3D printing business and complements the company’s existing SLS 3D printer.
With this recent investment, Bowman AP will be able to offer their customers an abundance of benefits, including; significantly lower lead times, increased efficiency, better materials, online ordering, volume discounts and batch production.
As a part of this investment Bowman will be amongst the very first businesses in Europe able to offer customers the latest material from printing giant HP - HP 3D High Reusability PA11 material. Compared to the current industry standard PA12 material the new material has significantly superior strength, stiffness and flexibility. This is especially noticeable in the Z axis – while most 3D print methods result in vastly inferior properties in the vertical axis (between the layers of material from which the part is made) the HP Jet Fusion process results in near equal properties in all axis.
Bowman AP has also added 3D scanning capacity and invested in the latest DyeMansion Powersot S automated part finishing system to cement its place as an industry leading production 3D printing.
Bowman AP was established in 2016 with the aim of using 3D printing as a production process, rather than just a rapid prototyping service.
Stand A43
Networking UK manufacturing
For the third year running, Qimtek has teamed up with Subcon to bring visitors the VIP Buyer's Lounge, where qualified buyers can enjoy free drinks and canapes away from the hustle and bustle of the show. The lounge will serve as a retreat across the entire three-day span of the event, and will also house our annual networking lunch on Wednesday 6th June at 11am.
Qimtek is also hosting a UK Manufacturer's Pavilion, showcasing a selection of its 400 UK-based subcontracting members.
CAD/CAM debut
ZW3D, one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced CAD/CAM solutions for the manufacturing industry will make its debut at Subcon with UK resellers Smart Design Service.
At Subcon ZWSOFT will present ZW3D 2018 and highlight the enhancements in the forthcoming ZW3D 2018 SP.
ZW3D 2018 has struck a partnership with MISUMI, a library for standard components for press dies and plastic moulds to give engineers configurable components to speed up design. Next year ZW3D will integrate VoluMill which is expected to dramatically improve rough-milling productivity.
ZW3D is an all-in-one CAD/CAM solution, designed for the whole process of product development, features the fastest kernel for Solid-Surface Hybrid Modeling, non-solid mould parting and smart CNC Machining tactics from 2-axis to 5-axis.
Stand K11
New machining technology
Dawson Precision Components Ltd (DPC) has always grown its business through continual improvement, constant investment and expansion, especially on the machine tool procurement side of the business. It has now added new technology for difficult materials.
At Subcon DPC will showcase these recent investments which include another Citizen L20 type VIII with the addition of LFV technology and a new venture into the hybrid sliding/fixed head market with a new Miyano BNA42-GTY also featuring LFV technology built in.
This LVF technology gives DPC a competitive advantage when machining difficult materials such as plastics and some stringy aluminium grades. The machines have been installed, trialed and proven and are already bringing advantages to customers.
Stand C44
Quality parts and service
ChinaSavvy says the driving force behind its worldwide success is a passion for quality – quality of parts made and quality of service delivered – and this will be reflected at Subcon.
ChinaSavvy has achieved and maintained ISO 9001 for 10 consecutive years and its portfolio of satisfied customers who return time and time again has continued to grow since the company began 15 years ago.
With a reputation for delivering world-class engineering services to blue-chip and smaller start-up companies, ChinaSavvy will be welcoming to its stand any size of business looking to have metal or plastic products designed and manufactured to the very highest standards.
ChinaSavvy offers 19 different metal forming processes and specialists on the stand will be available to talk to visitors about their casting requirements. Advice and insight will also be available on metal fabrication, precision machining and production using plastics and carbon fibre.
Finally, visitors will learn about ChinaSavvy’s ability to source a variety of precision machining processes and why the company is recognised as an outstanding, world-class CNC machining specialist.
Stand C27
Customer-focused services.
The QSS Group is a provider of cost effective, customer-focused Training, Consultancy and Auditing in Safety, Quality, Environmental and Engineering services. Its stand at the exhibition will focus on the many services it can offer potential customers. Training is a large part of what QSS does and it offers a variety of training courses to meet customers’ requirements and each of the courses will be available to look at in more detail at the stand. Training courses, range from IOSH Accredited courses to Manual Handling training.
David Harris of QSS says: “A key project we have been working on is Bishopsgate Goodsyard, a historic site that dates to the 1840’s! The QSS Group helped in transforming this site regarding health and safety. Our work at Bishopsgate allowed us to be involved in several different events linked to the site, several key events were London Fashion Week 2017 and a major franchise film.
“Aside from the exciting projects we have been involved in, The QSS Group offers Risk Assessments, Common Area Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Assessments to meet your organisations’ needs. Our inspection services range from third party inspections to site safety inspections through our highly competent inspectors, with a vast range of knowledge to assist you in all your needs. HSQE support and consultancy services are another of the services that we can assist you with.”
Stand E4
Multi-axis parts
Sub-CNC Precision specialises in the manufacture of multi-axis turned parts & finished components, supplying to a diverse range of industry sectors.
Celebrating its tenth year in business, the ISO 9001:2015 company has invested heavily in the very latest sliding head equipment and are able to machine components with multi-axis features from 1mm diameter up to 42mm diameter.
The company operates 24/7 utilising the night for an un-manned shift, allowing quick lead times and competitive prices. Stockholding, consignment stock and Kanban are offered to all customers who require volume components with next day delivery.
In 2017 the company was the first in the UK to purchase the revolutionary Low Frequency Vibration (LFV) technology. This enables the machining of difficult materials by creating an air cut and breaking material into small chips rather than stringy swarf, minimising surface scratches.
Stand C42
A Serious change
Subcontract sheet metalwork supplier Serious Engineering has rebranded as RM Manufacturing and will showcase its new brand at Subcon.
This new name underlines the company’s position as part of the Royal Mail Group of businesses.
Lee Farms, Business Development Manager, says: “With the company focused on developing and growing the business, within both new and existing markets, we felt now was the right time to change and move forward.
“Prior to our takeover by the Royal Mail Group, Serious Engineering was owned by several companies and so we inherited and were referred to by more than one brand name. This became confusing to both our customers and employees.
“We have developed a new identity that recognises our history, while promoting the fact that we are part of the Royal Mail Group and showcasing the advantages this brings us as a complete sub-contract metalwork supplier.”
Stand No. F51
Casting in aluminium
With 50 years’ experience, Finalcast (see photo abovve) is the biggest commercial foundry in Slovakia, producing aluminium castings from 0.5 to 50 kg using low pressure die casting, gravity die casting and tilt pouring. This versatility allows it to choose the most suitable technology for each component. As well as casting it offers in-house CNC machining and heat treatment.
The company is currently awaiting delivery of new low pressure die casting machine as its current plant – four machines with a capacity of 21 tonnes – is close to its maximum output.
Recent big contracts have been from Knorr Bremse for railway braking systems and from Edwards for pump components – both new customers.
Stand H2
Specialists in lapping
Lapping Services Ltd is a dedicated Lapping company, specialising in double sided lapping, and allowing for high volume production at precise tolerances. It has the largest double-sided equipment in the UK, enabling high load capacity of a multitude of components, from 4.5mm to 450mm diameter. It specialises in non-ferrous, non-metallic materials and thin shims where grinding can be costly and difficult.
Stand No. E2
Intelligent control
Valuechain has added new capability to its DNA production control software by integrating it with the cloud-based business intelligence tool AnalytiQs to allow it to generate real-time intelligence on business processes.
AnalytiQs consolidates production, sales and customer data into one intuitive platform. to provide a complete overview of a business operations.
Valuechain’s range of production control solutions are designed for subcontract manufacturing and finishing commodities. It provide software to over 500 manufacturing companies, mostly SMEs as well as companies like Bentley Motors and Airbus UK.
Stand F10
Eyeing new markets
PRV Engineering has just completed another £1.5 million investment. Following the award of a substantial, seven-year contract, PRV has invested in further extensions to its premises in Pontypool and the acquisition of two large format machining centres, one high speed machining centre for large aluminium plate and framework and one large heavy duty 5 face machining centre for steel components.
The investments will allow PRV to provide a broader range of services to a wider range of industries and advance further into new and more diverse markets.
Stand: E19
Castings up to 4 kg
Carlton Die Castings Ltd has purchased of a new 500Ton Colosio high pressure die casting machine that together with the acquisition of a Mazak machining centre and supporting technology takes its investment over the past year to £400,000.
A family business established in 1947, Carlton Die Castings Ltd produces gravity and high pressure die castings in the UK and specialises in providing fully machined castings ready for assembly.
This is Carltons second 500T Colosio machine in the space of 3 years and the purchase will help increase capacity for existing customers as well as offering capacity for potential new contracts. The current range of die casting machines can make parts up to 8kg, however the new machine will increase capacity for castings ranging from 1-4Kg where we currently see the greatest demand. The machine has been installed and successfully commissioned and is already producing production parts.
Stand B35
See the full exhibitor list and register for your ticket at www.subconshow.co.uk
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