UK manufacturing demand at level last seen in ’80s
The order books of UK manufacturers are at a multi—decade high, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey. Export orders also improved to a 22-year high, hitting similar peaks to those seen in 2011 and 2013.The survey of almost 500 UK manufacturing companies found that total order books climbed to the highest level since August 1988. This was reportedly underpinned by a broad-based improvement in 13 of the 17 sub-sectors, led by the food, drink & tobacco and chemicals sectors. Export orders also improved to a 22-year high, hitting similar peaks to those seen in 2011 and 2013.Output growth eased to the levels seen at the start of the year, on the back of slowdowns in the chemicals and mechanical engineering sectors, though remained robust historically. Read more...
Paris Air Show delivers £13bn boost to UK aerospace
The amount of aircraft deals announced at last week’s Paris Air Show is expected to contribute some £13bn to the UK economy.
Following the official launch of its 737-MAX 10, Boeing recorded more than 800 orders, commitments and agreements for aircraft across the entire 737 MAX family range – image courtesy of Boeing.The Paris Air Show, which ran from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 June, saw orders, commitments and agreements for more than 1,400 aircraft, with a global value of £130bn. Around 10% of which is due to benefit UK aerospace, the largest in Europe, making it one of the biggest beneficiaries. Deals were announced for 1,220 Single Aisle Aircraft, worth £109bn globally and £9.7bn to UK industry, 79 Widebody Aircraft, worth £17bn globally and £3bn to UK industry and 128 Regional Aircraft, worth £1.8bn globally and £160m to UK industry. Read more...
AMRC develops world’s most accurate large volume machining robot
The most accurate large volume machining robot in the world is being developed in the UK. The highly accurate robot milling system could take some of the workload off expensive machine tools, alleviating a bottleneck on the production line, its developers say. Researchers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, with support from the Aerospace Technology Initiative (ATI), have modified an off-the-shelf KUKA Titan robot to develop the robotic milling system, in an £850,000 project. Read more...
Funding available for innovative circular economy ideas
Scottish manufacturers with innovative circular economy ideas are being urged to access up to £1m of funding currently available from Zero Waste Scotland to unlock new business opportunities. The concept of the circular economy was first raised by two British environmental economists, David Pearce and Kerry Turner. The circular economy is one built from products and services deigned to keep materials in use for as long as possible. It’s a concept growing in prevalence and harnessing the opportunity could see manufacturers realise considerable economic and environmental benefits. It means radically rethinking and reapproaching the manufacturing process – from design, to manufacture, disassembly and then remanufacture. Read more...
BLOODHOUND is set for first test
Britain’s latest World Land Speed Record contender, BLOODHOUND SSC, will be driven for the first time at Cornwall Airport Newquay, in October 2017, twenty years after the current record of 763.035mph was set by wing commander Andy Green in the Thrust SSC.Green will be at the wheel of BLOODHOUND SSC as it is put through its paces this autumn. The runway trials will mark the culmination of a month of tests to prove the car’s steering, brakes, suspension, data systems, as well as the EJ200 jet engine, sourced from a Eurofighter Typhoon. BLOODHOUND SSC is expected to reach speeds of up to 200mph on the 1.7mile long runway. Read more...
Elon Musk has published his vision of a self-sustaining city on Mars
Elon Musk, CEO and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has published plans for the human colonisation of Mars in the peer-reviewed journal New Space. Entitled ‘Making Humans a Multi-Planetary Species’ presents Musk’s vision for future planned trips to other planets and specifically what will be needed to create a self-sustaining city on the red planet. Read more...