Qimtek

Aerospace supplier Arrowsmith Engineering has invested over £200,000 into a new machining centre and collaborative robot (cobot) cell that will help it boost production speed and increase capacity by 50%.

The company is using ‘lights-out’ manufacturing to run a precision engine part 24-hours a day, seven days per week, supplying more than 200 components every month to customers based in Spain and the US.

This new range of PINET concealed internally mounting parallelogram hinges was launched recently by sales partner FDB Panel Fittings for the specialist panel building and related industries. For example, payment terminals, vending machines, timetable boards, special vehicles, gaming machines and of course in our current climate the growing electric vehicle charging terminal markets.

Following a rigorous six-day audit by the Performance Review Institute, Keighley Laboratories Limited has been successful in passing its fifth Materials Testing Laboratory audit having obtained Nadcap accreditation in 2013.  

Debbie Mellor, Managing Director at Keighley Laboratories said,

A new fibre laser with bespoke automation is helping CSM Sheet Metal ship orders as far afield as Oman, Malaysia and Argentina.

Managing Director Paul King says: “I’ve always been a believer in automation, pushing to run machines lights out wherever possible. I don’t understand why more laser users aren’t using it.”

Founded in 1978 CSM specialises in the design and manufacture of sheet metal for a wide range of commercial and retail products on a subcontract basis.

A Protolabs’ survey of industry professionals at Moulding Expo in Stuttgart, Germany, revealed some of the key challenges – and opportunities – facing manufacturers across Europe.

Protolabs asked attendees three key questions about innovation and the future of production to gain an expert insight into the injection moulding industry and low-volume production.

The first question asked attendees how often they faced challenges in developing new products.

Here’s our second look at some of the companies exhibiting at Subcon – see them at the show next week.

Machining capabilities

Lamborghini Aventador SJV owners with money to spare can shave an extra 1% off the car’s weight with a limited edition, pure titanium exhaust in the shape of a bull’s horns.

The VB exhaust weights just 4.66 Kg and its design has been carefully engineered to create a perfect gas flow. Last but not least, says the company, “its shapes embody the horns of the Raging Bull as further testimony of VB’s dedication to Lamborghini history”.

Kevin Moorcroft, M.D. at Challenge Europe, explains some features of different screw drive types.

Anyone regularly using simple slotted drive screws – with a traditional straight bladed screwdriver, will be aware of its shortcomings – with a power driver then even more so. The old-style slotted drive will “cam-out” easily, is almost impossible to centre and if the tool or slot is even slightly worn, then is extremely different to install or remove.

Dyer Engineering now has five new Doosan CNC machines – all ordered on the spot at last year’s MACH exhibition from Mills CNC.

The machines - three Doosan DNM 4500 vertical machining centres, one Doosan DNM 6700 (large-capacity) vertical machining centre and one Lynx 2100LMB lathe equipped with driven tooling and supplied with a bar-feeder - were delivered and installed at Dyer Engineering’s extensive 100,000 square foot split-site manufacturing facility in Stanley, County Durham between April and August 2018.

UK company Physical Digital has become the first and only company in the world to achieve Nadcap accreditation for measurement and inspection using 3D structured light (3DSL).

Nadcap recognises Physical Digital for its commitment to continual improvement in aerospace quality.

Physical Digital has provided 3DSL measurement services to the aerospace industry for many years, completing repeatability studies, batch measurement, inspection and analysis on industrial components from single turbine blades to complete jet turbine engines and full aircraft.

Subcon has revealed the six finalists for its inaugural Launchpad awards for innovative start-ups.

The Launchpad aims to propel manufacturing and engineering-based start-ups by giving them a platform to share their innovations with thousands of professionals with the power to guide them to success. 

The finalists are being given a free stand in the Launchpad area, as well as entered into the inaugural Launchpad Awards. Each exhibitor will be asked to present their innovation on stage to a panel of expert judges and the winner will receive an £8,000 prize package. 

For over 30 years, Darian Global Sourcing (Stand E13) has been helping companies benefit from the advantages global sourcing has to offer.

As purchasing professionals with backgrounds in engineering and manufacturing, Darian have a wealth of experience in low cost sourcing and supply technically challenging, high quality components to the manufacturing industry in the UK and Germany. Darian’s mission is to ensure the lowest comparative production cost for components whilst demanding the highest standards of quality and service from accredited manufacturers.