Omega Plastics, originally acquired in 2006 by British leading engineers Dave Crone & Chris Thompson have recently launched their companies new branding followed by the website and a number of other platforms.

The company which has held a predominant position in the UK Plastic Injection Moulding industry for over 7 years has taken upon themselves to re-brand the company to which best represents their image of quality service and quick tooling lead times.

The company provide four key services:

• Design for manufacture
• Rapid tooling
• Plastics injection moulding
• Assembly

All services are carried out in the expanding units of Blyth or Hartlepool, each with dedicated tooling and moulding facilities like the ISO class 8 cleanroom facility. This independently validated cleanroom houses all electric moulding machines and supports development of medical device components.

Why the change?

Our previous brand projected a positive image to our audience but it’s time to improve. “We’re a key market player in Plastic Injection Moulding therefore our brand needs to represent this” expressed Group Managing Director Dave Crone. “It’s time people knew our real service capabilities; we have them we just don’t show them!” The company is continually investing in new machinery and qualified staff members in various departments to join and contribute to the current success of the business; the brand now represents that continual growth and presents a very positive image to our key audience.

“We intend to make sure our new website portrays the correct image, message and service capabilities to our customers” states our Marketing Officer – Jonathan Galloway. “We don’t just have the website, we have our specialist and experienced team to help our customers take their product to market so this is a great portal to introduce customers to our team – giving them the comfort and confidence to query our services”, Jonathan added.

The new website features basic information for customers who have little or no experience in the injection moulding & mould manufacturing processes, more in depth information for technically involved customers and the support of credible documentation showcasing our abilities to deliver on a whole range of products, services & sectors. In addition you can read some of our project information like the markets we are serving, and the end product we are helping to deliver to the marketplace.

Moving forward

With the approval of Omega customers they plan to demonstrate the projects we work on and the stages taken to get from design to assembly. The injection moulding company work with the biggest and well respected players in the industries including:

• Automotive
• Defence
• Medical
• Product Development
• Personal Health Care

The use of credible case studies like the Flettner Ventilator helping provide a solid understanding of the input of quality assured services and steps taken to provide that finished product.

Additional platforms to reach Omega Plastics include LinkedIn & Twitter which they post short snippets of information on updates on the company and the on-going industry activities. Stay in touch by following and connecting with Omega online.

The post Omega Plastics Launch New Web Site appeared first on GTMA.

Employment continued to grow strongly. The weakness of productivity suggests that the financial crisis may still be weighing on the current effective supply capacity of the economy as well as on demand. The MPC  judges that the growth of both demand and effective supply are likely to pick up gradually over the next year or so, supported by past asset purchases, an easing in credit conditions aided bythe Funding for Lending Scheme, and a continuing improvement in the global environment. But the legacy of adjustment and repair left by the financial crisis means that the recovery is likely to remain weak by historical standards.

CPI inflation remains above the 2% target and is set to edge higher over coming months. Inflation is likely to stay above the target for much of the next two years, bolstered by external price pressures and administered and regulated prices. But inflation is expected to fall back to around 2% in the latter part of the forecast period, as external price pressures fade and a gradual revival in
productivity growth curbs increases in domestic costs.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT

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PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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A new application in the market-leading Edgecam software has been specifically designed for manufacturers to reduce costs, improve quality and hit shorter lead times.

Known as Workflow, it automatically loads a part in the correct manufacturing environment, with datum set. Using the new ribbon toolbars, interactive part set-up, stock and machine manager functions, operators will be able to apply toolpaths within seconds.

Workflow tools aid in loading and positioning the component, choosing the manufacturing method and suitable machine tools, adding user defined stock or stock from a database, importing fixtures, selecting a machine and toolkit, and managing strategies to automate manufacture. At each stage Workflow makes automatic decisions or suggestions as to how the goal is best achieved. However, the user can easily over-ride each automatic decision if required.

Two Workflow webinars were attended by over 1,000 engineers, which highlighted exactly what each stage does:
 File: Adopting the common Microsoft Office 2010 theme, this
area allows users to efficiently manage files and folders
 Set-Up: Dynamically sets up datum position, and adds stock and fixtures through the interactive stock, fixture and machine manager functions
 Features: Using Edgecam’s powerful automatic feature
recognition, many types of manufacturing features can be found in seconds
Machining: Planning board applies a dedicated order to
manufacture, manipulated by drag and drop
 Accept: The toolpath is verified in the full machine simulator, checking for collisions, gauges and limit over travel. NC code
is then generated to complete the five-stage Workflow process.

Many questions about how the new tools aid the manufacturing process were addressed during the webinars:
1. Loading and positioning the component? Fully automatic.
Previously the user had to manually set the environment and use traditional ‘move, translate’ commands before creating a datum
2. Choosing the manufacturing method and suitable
machine tools? The user is presented with a list of suitable machine tools based on the component’s geometry, ensuring machine limits are respected
3. Adding user-defined stock, or stock from a database? A
selection of user defined materials are listed with three categories: Valid, Normal and Invalid, which allows suitable stock to be easily selected
4. Importing fixtures? The user can define fixtures, including
vices, chuck, clamps, etc, which can then be applied through the fixture manager
5. Managing strategies to automate manufacture? Edgecam engineers have derived dedicated methods of manufacture to machine the part on a feature-by-feature basis, with automatic ordering to rough all features before finishing. These methods are used as ‘toolpath accelerators’ where users can have additional input to produce the exact toolpath required for their processes.

Once each section is complete, the user moves seamlessly to the next stage, completing each process in turn, resulting in a fully programmed, fully collision-checked, part with swift and accurate CNC code generated.

Workflow will have a significant impact on shortening programming time, and because it is so simple to operate, the learning curve for new users is considerably reduced. The traditional CAM commands remain available at all times, and the user can alternate between the two.

Edgecam General Manager Raf Lobato says: “Workflow was developed to address the many challenges facing manufacturing today. The driving force behind Workflow was the industry’s need to reduce costs while improving quality and hitting shorter lead times, coupled with a decreasing skilled labour market.

“Customers will benefit from producing programs much faster than if they were using more conventional CAM systems, and their staff will become proficient in using Workflow, quicker.”

The post Workflow – Edgecam’s Latest Game-Changer appeared first on GTMA.

Sharnold share our expertise with all of our customers and provide you with a choice of plastic material, choice of shapes, no fuss production and a low cost high performance end product.

We work in partnership with our customers from the initial injection moulding design stage, right through to the final stages of the making of the injection mould tool.

For Contact Details Please See Their Listing Here

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These characteristics have not only opened up new application areas for laser processing, but also allowed previously impossible features to be created with the added benefit of reducing the amount of post processing required to an absolute minimum.  In addition, new materials can now be processed without damage due to the heat input from the laser.

The highly versatile StarFemto FX, just one of a comprehensive range of ultra-short pulse lasers offered by Rofin, is ideally matched to industrial material processing applications within electronics, semiconductor, micro technology and medical device manufacturing as well as other industries.

(The versatile StarFemto FX – just one of the range of ultra-short pulse lasers available from Rofin)

The StarFemto FX offers wavelengths of 1030nm, 515nm (green) and 343nm (UV) and the pulse duration can be varied between 300 femtoseconds and 10 picoseconds. The system provides up to 200μJ of stabilized pulse energy in a closed loop, with repetition rates ranging from a single pulse (pulse on demand) to 1 MHz.

This compact laser system is available together with beam delivery systems, providing a complete solution for cutting, drilling and structuring applications.

For Further Information Please Contact :-

Mr Dave MacLellan

Sales Manager – Micro

Rofin-Baasel UK Limited

Sopwith Way

Daventry

Northants NN11 8PB

Telephone       – +44(0)1327 701 100

Fax                  – +44(0)1327 701 110

E-mail              – sales@rofin-baasel.co.uk

Web                 – www.rofin.co.uk

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Guest speakers from  Gardner Aerospace, Jaguar Land Rover and Bristol Maid Medical Manufacturers meant that there was standing room only in the 100 seater auditorium.

37 GTMA members from various sections within Engineering & Manufacturing were exhibiting at the show which  meant there was plenty of variety on offer for visitors attending the event

The day’s proceedings also included a tour of  Yamazaki Mazaks production facility as well as live demonstrations in the European Centre of Technology

For further information about forthcoming GTMA events then please contact David on 0121 601 6350 or mail david@gtma.co.uk

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IndySoft announces the release of version 9.0 of their suite of Calibration, Asset and Tool Management Software products.

When it comes to adding industry leading features to their software, IndySoft are certainly up there with the biggest and best of them. The eagerly awaited version 9.0 of their top three main products IndySoft Calibration and Asset Management software, their IndySoft Commercial Lab Calibration software and their IndySoft Tool Management software are all available now for immediate download.

Existing users of IndySoft that have a paid-up support agreement can get this NEW Version for FREE right now. Other users will need to talk to their IndySoft contacts for details on how to get this must-have up-grade.

IndySoft believes that the purchase of a Calibration or Tooling Asset Management System is one of the most important decisions a business can make in relation to their quality program needs. They understand that these are your operations and the right software package is going to be the one that can complement and augment your process, not unflinchingly dictate how you have to run your business. At IndySoft they take the time to understand your business needs and challenges then pull from their extensive experience to offer just the right mix of products and services to meet your long-term goals.

The IndySoft Calibration Management package offers labs a rich feature set to manage your specific quality needs. With support for leading enterprise platforms IndySoft Calibration Management is perfect for deployment in the corner lab of a start-up manufacturing facility or an international quality-driven operation as well as commercial calibration labs that receive all types of equipment from their customers. With the exclusive process modelling engine, companies can configure their own event-driven system with checkpoints; rule sets and documentation at every point along the equipment path, ensuring assets are handled according to existing quality procedures. Businesses can calibrate any type of equipment with IndySoft, generate certificates, calibration stickers with barcodes as well as automate calibration due reminders and distribute these and other user defined reports automatically at a time via email.

Jake Bishop, Managing Director of IndySoft Europe says that “Version 9 isn’t the only innovation coming out of IndySoft. At the start of 2013 IndySoft officially switched to a quarterly release cycle. This means that once a quarter the core product will be released with new features and any pending maintenance issues. There will no longer be “major new versions” at annual intervals… we will be pushing the products forward continually each quarter with some very big announcements as things progress.”

IndySoft have a knack of incorporating the right features into their software just when industry has started to think they will need them. This is why IndySoft are and will always remain leaders in Calibration, Tooling and Asset Management Software.

For more information visit: www.IndySoft.co.uk

End.

IndySoft Contact Details:

Jake Bishop – Managing Director of IndySoft Europe

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Wrexham based plastic injection mould tool maker Associated Toolmakers Ltd re-evaluates Toolox 44 after new machining trials

3 ½ years ago Associated Toolmakers Ltd were asked to make a very high precision plastic injection mould tool for the oil industry. The tool required 1,400 holes which were 7 mm diameter and had to have very tight tolerances, the plastic component was a zigzag shape which when moulded formed a filter system which had to stack on top of each other in perfect alignment.

Because of the complex geometry and close tolerances of the design, using a conventional tool steel was not the preferred choice, the mould needed to be strong and hard wearing but trying to keep to the tight tolerances due to distortion after heat treatment was a major issue. Toolox 44 was the chosen material because its delivery condition was 45 HRC and required no further processes and it is extremely stable after machining.

Unfortunately at that time we were still researching and testing the machining properties on this relatively new grade of material and because the required data was not yet available it proved extremely difficult to produce this complex tool. Using standard carbide drills it took well over 100 hours to drill all the holes and ream them for the tight tolerance, they could not drill more than

10 – 15 holes per drill before they were damaged beyond repair. The time factor and the costs made the job a nightmare but due to Associated Toolmakers skill and determination the mould was finished accurately and has given excellent performance for the last three years.

Their customer now has a new design of a similar mould he would like Associated to make so I was contacted for some guidance. Fortunately we have just produced our new machining brochure which we have worked extensively on over the last couple of years and it includes all the machining parameters for drilling, tapping, milling and recommends speeds and feeds for different size cutters etc. Also recommended are the different types of carbide drills and taps along with which type of tips to use for milling along with photos and examples of the tool life achieved in our tests in Sweden for all the Toolox grades.

After discussions I organised a test piece of Toolox 44 from our agent Carrs Tool Steels to be sent to Associated and they carried out in house machining tests for milling, drilling and reaming following our recommendations in the brochure. The results were amazing, they drilled 356 holes very quickly and easily with just one drill which shows no real sign of wear and should easily drill a lot more holes. They also milled the piece to our recommendations and found it machined much easier and quicker than before giving them the confidence that the new tool will be a much easier and pleasant experience this time.

A very important aspect of this trial is that now they have the confidence and knowledge of how to machine Toolox 44 successfully and they are very happy and interested to look at new applications where Toolox could be the perfect solution giving some major benefits.

The post SSAB Customer Re-Evaluates Toolox 44 appeared first on GTMA.

Cimatron E11 Electrode

Comprehensive electrode design & manufacture with a difference 

Reduce your Electrode process from hours to minutes with Cimatron E11

 By providing you with a set of comprehensive tools that automate each step, Cimatron E11 will shorten your EDM process by as much as 76%

Sounds too good to be true? See the real-life example below.

Timetable: Creation of One Electrode

Creation of One Electrode:

Electrode Design                Before: 10 mins – After: 6 mins   EDM Setup: Before: 12mins – After: 1 minute

Electrode Documentation    Before: 10 mins – Automatic       **EDM Setup- Multiples Electrodes: 180 mins – After: 18 mins

NC Programming                Before: 15 mins – After: 7 mins  * One electrode

Total Time for Electrode Creation: Before: 55 mins – AFTER 13 mins   ** 2 cavity mould / 12 EDM locations, 30 electrodes- 6 double sided

KEY

Beyond the initial savings 

Shorten Delivery time’s                        Improve product quality                     Reduce human error 

Improve customer satisfaction         Take on more projects                       Improve your ability to compete

A SPECIAL offer for GTMA members

Foregone Solutions/Cimatron are offering a unique special offer to all GTMA Members

“Electrode  Solution”

Read and Write of STEP & IGES files

Extract and Document electrodes

1 days training for 1 user support contract to Dec 31 2013

Delivery & Installation by ForeGone Solutions Limited

The list price for this product is £6,300 however, for orders placed before 31st May 2013, GTMA members have a special price of £5,375

“Electrode   Pro”

Read and Write of STEP & IGES files Extract and 3 Axis Machine electrodes Single Standard post processor

2 days training for 1 user support contract to Dec 31 2013

Delivery & Installation by ForeGone Solutions Limited

The list price for this product is £8,500 however, for orders placed before 31st May 2013, GTMA members  have a special price of £7,375

To arrange a demo or evaluation call Tony Grew on 07814 491266

Email:  sales@foregonesolutions.co.uk

The post Reduce your Electrode process from hours to minutes with Cimatron E11 Electrode appeared first on GTMA.

Our primary customers are CNC machine shops of all sizes, that are constantly looking to gain a competitive edge and reduce the impact on the environment from the day-to day manufacturing processes.

For contact details please see their listing here

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In this way, HASCO developed from a trade workshop to an internationally active industrial company within its 80-year history. Even today, at a time of globally orientated markets, this company virtue is a mark of our trade. Courageous, confident and highly motivated, we cope with the tasks that lie before us, together with our partners.

For contact details then please see their listing here

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This approach makes it as easy to program a robot for machining as it is to program a five-axis machine tool.  With the Robot Interface being a fully-associated application inside PowerMILL, users have access to all the multi-axis machining strategies within PowerMILL and can use all the system’s project management options to manage, store and retrieve data.

To see how easy it is to use the PowerMILL Robot Interface, please go to www.delcam.tv/cnc-polystyrene.

The core functionality of the PowerMILL Robot Interface consists of three main steps: programming, simulation (including analysis) and creation of the robot programs.

Robots can be programmed for tool-to-part applications, making them ideal for machining large parts, such as composite panels that need to be trimmed, or for part-to-tool applications, such as grinding or linishing.  The working area can be extended with linear tracks and rotary tables for even greater flexibility over the size and types of parts that can be manufactured.

The PowerMILL Robot Interface can then be used to simulate the complete machining operation and to control the robot’s movements through different variables, such as axis limits, axis priorities and workplane constraints.  Various aspects within the configuration of the robot cell, such as axis limits, tool constraints and home position, can be defined, and the simulation of the robot completed within those constraints.

The robot’s working envelope can be displayed to optimise the position of the part or initial stock, and so give maximum access to the material.  The maximum range of movements required of each axis can be viewed to analyse the robot’s behaviour and movements throughout the operation.

Any issues that may prevent the toolpaths from being completed successfully are highlighted, with notifications of the robot potentially reaching axis limits, singularities and collisions.  Graphs display the axis limits, wrist singularity and axis reversals, to give a better understanding of how the robot will move.  Similarly, the acceleration and deceleration of the robot’s axes are shown on time-based graphs.

Once the results of the simulation have been reviewed, and modified if necessary, the program can be output in the appropriate robot native language, for example for KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa Motoman or Stäubli equipment, eliminating any need for third-party translation software.  Acceleration, smoothing values and other robot-specific parameters can be defined as part of the output.  Full support for external axes, such as rotary tables and linear tracks, can be included, as well as dedicated tools for spindle calibration.

Overall, the PowerMILL Robot Interface helps users to get the most out of any robot type in the shortest possible time.  The simplified workflow makes it easy to program, simulate, review and refine toolpaths, whilst also enabling the robots to achieve levels of accuracy similar to many CNC milling machines when cutting softer materials.

For further information on Delcam’s PowerMILL Robot Interface, please contact: -

Peter Dickin, Marketing Manager

Direct phone: 44 (0)121 683 1081                  e-mail: marketing@delcam.com

Delcam plc

Small Heath Business Park,

Birmingham, B10 0HJ, UK

www.delcam.com

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Delcam will promote its wide range of software and services for the aerospace manufacturing and MRO industries on the Midlands Aerospace Alliance stand at the Paris Air Show to be held from 17^th to 23^rd June.   Delcam can help aerospace companies whenever they need to increase productivity, to reduce lead times or to improve quality and consistency.

The range of support from Delcam Professional Services is mainly intended to help any company whose own engineering resource is needed to maintain its existing operations.  The services provided can vary from supplying extra design and programming resources when existing staff are overloaded, through to developing dedicated software to automate existing manufacturing methods or to establishing completely new turn-key processes for the manufacture of novel designs.

The Professional Services team cooperates closely with its clients to enhance their existing design and manufacturing operations, usually by using a combination of Delcam’s software to develop specific solutions to the company’s productivity and quality problems.  The team often work with a network of suppliers of related technology, including machine tools, cutting tools and inspection equipment, to ensure that a comprehensive turnkey solution can be provided when required.

Many of the projects involve manufacturing process development work within Delcam’s Advanced Manufacturing Facility, which is equipped with production-scale machining and inspection equipment.  As well as allowing thorough validation of all Delcam software before its release, this facility provides an ideal opportunity for companies to test new processes or to produce short runs of prototype parts without any disruption to their day-to-day operations.

Comprehensive in-house testing of its programs on industrial-scale equipment is one reason why Delcam has been ranked as the world’s leading specialist supplier of machining software and services by US analysts CIMdata for each of the past twelve years.  To maintain its leading position, Delcam employs the largest development team in the CAM industry to develop a comprehensive range of systems for every type of machine tool, from simple lathes and 2D mills, up to the most sophisticated five-axis machining centres and multi-spindle, turn-mill equipment.  The company also develops PowerINSPECT, the world’s leading hardware-independent software for the measurement of components, prototypes and tooling against CAD data.

Delcam systems have been used, at some stage, on virtually every major aircraft programme in recent years.  The company’s customers have undertaken projects in all the various areas that go towards producing a successful aircraft, from developing more fuel-efficient engines, to manufacturing airframe components more effectively, and even in designing more comfortable and more attractive interiors.  They have worked on all scales of project, from the manufacture of components for UAVs and helicopters up to the production of engines and airframes for the largest passenger and transport aircraft.

Delcam also supports a large number of MRO operations.  These companies use Delcam systems to enable the fast, efficient repair or replacement of damaged components.  By minimising design and manufacturing times, while maintaining the highest levels of quality, repairs can be completed as quickly as possible, so minimising the time-on-ground of the aircraft.

For further information on Delcam’s software and services, please contact: -

Peter Dickin, Marketing Manager

Direct phone: 44 (0)121 683 1081                  e-mail: marketing@delcam.com

Delcam plc

SmallHeathBusinessPark,

Birmingham,B10 0HJ,UK

www.delcam.com

The post Delcam Exhibit at Paris Air Show appeared first on GTMA.

Our range of products includes modular and special expanding mandrels and sleeves, all types of fixtures both stationary and prismatic, and special design chucks. We have the skills and expertise to meet the most exacting and demanding engineering tasks.

If you have a PTG Client Account, you can now order complete workholding assemblies, accessories or spare parts online. We also supply pneumatic indexers from PTG Precision Engineers Ltd.

Our expanding mandrels, double angle principled for precision expansion, have been proven over a number of years as versatile and trouble-free mandrels for jobs requiring internal chucking where accuracy and positive grip are necessary.

Please See Their Listing In The Supplier Directory Here

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Please see their listing in the Supplier Directory Here

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Please see their listing in the Supplier Directory here

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The Advanced Manufacturing Show, the new event brought to you by MWP, provides a platform for board-level decision makers, production and quality engineers to interact with the latest technology and gain a competitive edge by applying high-productivity solutions to enhance manufacturing performance, efficiency and quality.

Showcasing world class advanced manufacturing technologies, visitors will be able to review, plan and make their investment decisions for machining, tooling, laser, metrology, design and much more.

Co-located with the Subcon Show and a world-class technology and innovation Conference led by The Engineer, this is an invaluable opportunity to gain insight from leading experts on current industry challenges and stay up-to-date on the latest manufacturing developments, best practice and new trends at one venue over three days.

For Further Information & To Register For The Show Then Please Click Here                                                                                                                        

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GTMA ARM Briefing by GTMAAdmin

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Originally established in 1985 as Avon Calibration, the company significantly extended its offering with the acquisition in 2007 of Dynamic Calibration, bringing together two highly respected businesses to provide calibration and metrological solutions in both dimensional and electrical fields.

With such an inclusive offering, it’s no surprise that businesses of all sizes rely upon our services. Whether independent contractor or multi-national manufacturer, all enjoy the highest quality guaranteed products and services in the industry.

Please see their listing in the Supplier Directory Here

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Metalite design and manufacture high-performance injection mould tools for the production of Thin-wall packaging, caps & closures and medical part applications.

The post Metalite Engineering appeared first on GTMA.

We offer a full toolmaking service from component design, mould design, tool manufacture, full 3D mould inspection, component inspection plus first off, and pre-production samples. 

We have years of experience in subcontract machining, with advanced technology to produce complex components whilst meeting tight deadlines.

Our tool repair and modification service can provide emergency repair and corrections to dies or just general tool maintenance.

Please see their contact details here

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The leading brands in engineering come together to create a unique event that will deliver the manufacturing industry an unrivalled opportunity to network and do business.

Subcon, the UK’s national event dedicated to contract and subcontract manufacturing, is the place for design and production engineers, procurement, sourcing and supply chain professionals to source new suppliers, stay up-to-date on the latest manufacturing developments and network with industry peers.

A visit to Subcon will benefit you:

• Meet face-to-face with leading suppliers and get instant quotes
• Discover the latest technology to enhance your product
• Gain expert insight on the latest trends affecting the UK technology sector at The Engineer Conference
• Co-located with the Advanced Manufacturing Show you can meet suppliers from across the UK manufacturing and engineering sector

For further information about Subcon 2013 then please click here

The post Subcon 2013, 4th-6th June appeared first on GTMA.

The Plastics Design and Moulding Exhibition (PDM) has announced it will return to Telford in 2013, after two years at London’s Excel exhibition centre where it successfully attracted a new audience from the design community.

This year’s event, to be held on 18 and 19 June at the newly refurbished Telford International Centre, will feature a bigger exhibition space and a raft of quality paid-for and free seminars, workshops and training opportunities. The highly specialist content for these programmes is currently being developed with PDM’s recently signed partners which include the British Plastics Federation (BPF), the Gauge & Toolmakers Association (GTMA), Polymer Training and Innovation Centre, the Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA) and Smithers Rapra.

Home to over 100 polymer-related companies, Telford has been known for “plastics valley” for over 20 years and was the venue for PDM’s debut show in 2005. The International Centre has recently undergone a £10m refurbishment programme to expand its exhibition and event space by 30%. The facilities now include additional break out suites, a new entrance and public concourse.

Meanwhile £250m has been invested in the adjacent Southwater development which will provide visitors and exhibitors with a choice of bars, restaurants and entertainment on their doorstep. Easily accessible from the M6 and M54 motorways, the Telford International Centre provides free parking for over
1,500 cars.

Julia Moore, CEO of the GTMA, said: “PDM12 was another successful event for us generating both new membership enquiries for the GTMA and business enquiries for UK work for our members. We are delighted to hear the new exhibition and conference format for PDM13, and look forward to playing an active part in next year’s event.”

Tom Gray, CEO, Southwater Event Group which runs the Telford International Centre, said: “We are delighted to welcome PDM back to Telford in 2013. With the area’s strong history in the polymer sector we were thrilled to launch the event in 2005 and now look forward to working with Crain Communications in making the event a huge success going forward.”

Chris Buxton, CEO of the PMMDA (a PPMA Group Association) said: “Anyone who has been to PDM in the past will know that it strikes an excellent chord between a high quality conference and a forum at which new products and services for the polymer and plastics industry can be showcased. I would recommend that any company or individual with an interest in this sector would be unwise to miss this excellent event in 2013.”
PDM’s event director, Steve Crowhurst, said: “An event like PDM shows the UK plastics industry off at its best and we are very excited about what we can achieve in Telford with our event partners in 2013. We are committed to delivering a fresh audience for our exhibitors and quality content for our visitors.”

For further information about PDM and to register then please click here 

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The date of the event will be announced shortly along with times and details of guest speakers.

To register as a visitor to the event then please call David at the GTMA on 0121 601 6350 or mail david@gtma.co.uk

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The venue for this years event is  Bristol City Football Club.

Last years event which was held at CEME saw some 40 GTMA members exhibit at the show which had prestigious guest speakers from Rolls Royce, BAE Submarine Systems and NPL.

Additional information will be posted shortly  but to register as a visitor then please contact David on 0121 601 6350 or mail david@gtma.co.uk

The post Make Measurement Matter – 17th October 2013 appeared first on GTMA.

We ensure the highest level of service, with one on one account management. To date Proactive Personnel have 9 branches all of which are continually networking within the Manufacturing & Engineering sectors.

At Proactive Personnel we aim at staying ahead of developments across industry sectors such as Aerospace, Automotive, and Energy but to name a few

The post Proactive Personnel Ltd appeared first on GTMA.

Tata Technologies has been in this business for two decades. In that time we have learned what works and what doesn’t, and we pass that hard-earned knowledge on to our clients. Our goal is to provide you with a sweeping selection of internally developed and commercially available software applications, as well as powerful data management hardware.

Effective software and hardware selection gives companies more time to focus on innovation and the ability to go to market with a competitive advantage. Choosing which products are going to benefit your company is one of the most important decisions you will make in the planning process – as you consider the impact on your own final product.

For Further Information, please see their listing here

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Our automated production facility operates a computer network that includes off line programming, tools presetting, gun drilling, surface grinding, and finishing all in a clean and temperature controlled environment.

Full machining simulation coming from investment in state-of-the-art machinery and technology guarantee a cost effective 3 and 5 axis milling.

Superior quality plates and reliable delivery times allow us to form long-term partnerships with our customers. Very tight tolerance machining benefits cavity to cavity interchange ability and provides with “added-value” at the assembly stage.

We have celebrated 40 years of Excellence in Year 2012 and we are proud to become a member of the GTMA.

For Further Information Please See Their Listing Here

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This fiber has extremely good thermal, mechanical and chemical properties. Ours is the only fiber on its kind.

This project was started several years ago in a lab scale, and then we step up to a industrial scale, working together with theICG (Galician ceramic Institute) linked to University of Santiago de Compostela (USC).

We now run a stable production in a optimized unit with 50 t/year capacity.

Our primary products are the roving and the chopped fiber.Based on these, we manufacture product like pultrusion bars and profiles, fabrics for laminates of isolation panels, twisted yarn, etc.

For  Contact Details, Please See Their Listing Here

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We are continually evolving our product portfolio to meet the ever increasing demands of today’s industries. Taylor Hobson products are widely used in the development and production of next generation technologies, particularly in semiconductor, hard disk, precision optics and energy technologies.

Taylor Hobson is part of the Ultra Precision Technologies Division of  AMETEK Inc, a US corporation based in Paoli, Pennsylvania. With more than 10,000 employees generating annual revenues in excess of $2.5billion and a strong record of earnings growth and cash generation, AMETEK Inc provides a robust environment to assure Taylor Hobson’s continued success into the future.

For Further Information then Please See Their Listing Here

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3D Scanners UK…. Successfully supplying clients with a range of specialist 3D scanning services for over 14 years.

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Its customers include leading companies and their suppliers in the automotive, defence and aerospace industries, their OEMs and the precision engineering companies which support them.

It sells to them both directly and through a network of value adding distributors throughout the world. Its products are used in gears and gear boxes and by the companies who manufacture them.

See Their Listing In The Suppliers Directory Here

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We have over 25 years experience in the toolmaking industry, and have experience of many different types of mould tool design, from simple open and close tooling, to multi-cavity hot runner tools/2 stage ejection/cylinders/valve gates etc.

We work with some of the country’s leading toolmakers, and are fully aware of the latest manufacturing methods and trends, and design our tools accordingly.

We offer a range of services which will suit both large and small toolmakers, and undertake product design to suit all budgets and time-scales.

See Their Listing In The Suppliers Directory Here

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Established over 30 years, Omnia Multi Lingual Solutions is your dedicated global communications consultant guiding you through every step of translating your message into successful outcomes.

Our mission is to exceed your quality expectations with services that combine talented language professionals and next-generation technologies. We forge lasting partnerships through open and continuous dialogue with our customers, helping you find the solution that best fits your budget and international communication needs.

See Their Listing In The Suppliers Directory Here

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See Their Listing In The Supplier Directory Here

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Killala Precision Components quality management system covers every aspect of it’s operation to ensure first class product quality, service and on-time delivery to ISO9001:2008 standard.

See their listing in the supplier directory here 

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Located in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire we are positioned at the heart of the motorway network.

Our highly skilled workforce have in excess of 50 years experience in the design and manufacture of Precision Mould Tools.

See Their Listing In The Supplier Directory Here

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With over 30 years of experience in the plastics industry, we are proud of our British manufacturing heritage and passionate about plastic.

Use our technical expertise to develop your plastic product, design and manufacture your injection mould tools, create a prototype and manufacture your product.  Involve us at any stage of the product development process from the first sketch through to post assembly processes. Our in-house tool room facilities and our ability to manufacture plastic mouldings and filter-housings on-site gives you a complete package and a complete project.

See Their Listing In The Supplier Directory Here

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You tell us what you want to achieve and by when, and we will work in partnership with you to develop and implement a plan to achieve your goals. You may wish to reduce the cost of running your business and increase your profit. You may want to grow your business by developing additional revenue streams or gain more customers for your product or service. Our challenge is to use our skills, tools, knowledge and experience to deliver the change you need to achieve your goals and have some fun on the way. We realise that our success is driven by your success and thus we thrive on the challenge of improving your business to achieve a profit–profit win for both parties.

See their listing in the supplier directory here

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The diverse range of high pressure dies and associated tooling produced include: high pressure precision dies, plastic mould tools, forging dies, gravity dies, low pressure dies, lost wax dies, rubber mould tools, moulds for glass bottles, blow moulds, vacuum form moulds, extrusion tooling, clip tools and trim tools

See their listing in the supplier directory here 

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Spectrum Metrology is the UK agent for: Taylor Hobson workshop systems (surface roughness, form and roundness), Taylor Hobson Alignment, Angle & Level (Talyvel electronic level, Autocollimators, Clinometers and Alignment Telescopes), Brunson Laser Tracker Accessories, FARO Gage, Dr Schneider Messtechnik dimensional measurement product range, Optimet non-contact measurement range and the Solartron transducer range.

See their full listing in the Supplier Directory here

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Injection Mould Toolmakers rarely of this calibre exist within an Injection Mould company however this superb in house tool room commissions over 60 Injection Mould Tools every year all covered by the companies ground breaking 10 year warranty. From our case studies you can begin to appreciate our capabilities and understand why we have a growing list of regular new customers both small and large from all kinds of industries. For this reason we mould a wide choice of plastic materials from the exotic to the more rudimentary.

For further information about Patterson & Rothwell then please contact Dave Boden on 01616215007 or daveb@patterson-rothwell.co.uk

See their full listing in the Supplier Directory here

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We are experts in tooling, workholding, & metrology and specifically thread gauges from stock in over 10,000 different sizes of calibrated HSS Thread Plug Limit Gauges, plus TiCN coated,  covering threads from 0.5 – 300mm diameter.  Stocdon carry stocks of common sizes of METRIC,  MF,  UNC,  UNF,  BSP,  and NPT in both PLUG LD and RING GR, plus long-life TiCN.

For further information please contact Richard Scally, Managing director on 01242241123

See their full listing in the Supplier Directory here

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For more information on the services offered by NGI Finance, please click here

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See their full listing in the supplier directory here

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We have access to the very best cameras, lighting and vision software available.

STOP leaning your ladder against the wrong wall- and call MVT the vision company you can rely on.

See their full listing in the Supplier Directory here

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EN/AS 9100 for aerospace composites manufacturing and design. Testing laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025.

See their full listing in the Supplier Directory here

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See their full listing in the supplier directory here

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The company is now run by Dr Marcus Steinbichler and are a very professional progressive company keen to develop client applications as required. To date, they have registered more than 170 Patents worldwide, have received numerous awards for innovation and have many accreditations.

For further information about Steinbichler in the UK then please contact Eugene Richer on 07854 966 278

See their full listing in the supplier directory here

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The Annual Report for 2010 is below. Downoad the PDF by clicking here, or review the document embedded below.

Gtma Annual r 2011

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“I am pleased to have this opportunity, to bring my experience to the GTMA’s board and membership,” says Peter Barnes. A fully indentured mould toolmaker, his experience of operating successfully with companies in the Far East began in the mid 1990s while he was tooling manager for the telecommunications giant, Motorola. Subsequent business roles kept him in contact with companies in the Far East, which will provide the GTMA membership with both opportunities and challenges.

Peter Barnes states: “China is a huge potential marketplace with a large spending capacity, and first generation consumer technology is now being launched there. Our mould and toolmakers, as well as moulding companies, have to look at China as a customer not a competitor. Of course they can produce high volume parts at prices we can’t compete with, but on small volume runs we can match and even beat their prices.”

He says that companies in the Far East lack the high level of technical skills and knowledge available in the UK, but are willing to pay for it. “Our skills have to be sold to the rest of the world,” says Peter Barnes. “The MRC can provide the conduit for these skills and to establish long-term business relationships. The large manufacturing plants currently being built in China will need European support within the supply chains as they develop. If we do not get involved the chance will wither on the vine.”

Firsthand experience of the mould tool and moulding industries means that Peter Barnes fully appreciates the challenges and global threats facing the sector. However, he is keen to focus on UK capabilities. “The Victorians established Britain’s exceptional engineering reputation across the globe, now we have to reinforce that message by working beyond our shores. After all every current Formula One car contains British engineering, new technology that has been developed and often produced within the UK,” he concludes.

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F. Vollertsen, H. Schulze Niehoff, H. Wielage, Z. Hu
Bremer Institut für angewandte Strahltechnik – BIAS GmbH

Abstract

Mechanical micro deep drawing becomes a more and more industrial relevant process. But due to size effects new challenges are involved in this process compared to macro deep drawing. The size effects cause an increase of friction and thus hinder the material flow. The change of friction in mechanical micro deep drawing is subject of the presented investigations in this paper. Additionally to this, a new non-mechanical micro deep drawing process is presented, whereby a laser beam acts as a punch. This new laser deep drawing process is based on a totally different mechanism compared to thermal laser forming, e.g. forming by laser induced thermal stresses: The laser produces a pulse with an extremely high power density, which causes plasma generation at the target and thus a shock wave. The shock wave can be used as in explosive forming, but is smaller and easier to generate. Recent investigations showed that using this technology laser deep drawing is possible with a sheet metal out of Al 99.5 and a thickness of 50 ?m. The deep drawing process was carried out with a die diameter of 4 mm and shows promising results.

Download the full technical Paper:

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An RAF fighter pilot, Green was propelled to world acclaim eleven years ago, when he became the first to break the sound barrier on land, in Thrust SSC, at 763.035mph.

A complex combination of jet, rocket and piston-engined power is employed in the 12.8m, 6,400kg Bloodhound SSC in the quest for the ultimate goal, which will unfold over three stages, starting with an 800mph bid in 2009, 900mph in 2010, with the final 1,000mph target being challenged in 2011.

The heart of the hybrid vehicle combine a composite monocoque driver cell, mated to a rear space frame, into which is installed the petrol, jet and rocket motors, with fully-automated self-levelling suspension and solid, 900mm diameter wheels, front and rear

“Bloodhound is the ultimate environment in which to share R&D and knowledge at the very pinnacle of technology. I have no doubt it will significantly benefit the future development of our products and, as a consequence, those of our existing and future customers and beyond,” he concluded.

• If BLOODHOUND SSC achieves its target of 1,000mph (Mach 1.4) it will mark the greatest incremental increase in the history of the land speed record; it will also exceed the low altitude speed record for aircraft (c.994mph).
• The 12.8m long, 6,422kg (fuelled), piston-engined, jet and rocket-powered vehicle will be more advanced than most spacecraft and faster than a bullet fired from a handgun.
• Its 900mm diameter wheels will spin at over 10,000rpm, generating 50,000 radial G at the rim.
• The car will accelerate from 0 – 1,050mph in 40 seconds and at V-max (maximum velocity), the pressure of air bearing down on its carbon fibre bodywork will exceed twelve tonnes per square metre.
• At this speed, Andy Green will be covering a distance equivalent to over four football pitches, or 50m, in the blink of an eye.
• At 1000mph, Green will cover the measured mile in just 3.6 seconds
• The prime objective of The BLOODHOUND Project is to create an unprecedented education and engagement programme, led by a dedicated team of teachers and education specialists. From innovative, curriculum-based lesson plans covering subjects ranging from geography to citizenship, as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, to a schools visitor centre featuring the ‘classroom of the future’ at the team’s HQ in Filton, Bristol, the aim is to make BLOODHOUND SSC accessible to all ages from 5 – 19 and beyond.
• The BLOODHOUND Project is a private venture. Government is part funding the three year education programme but not the build and running costs of the car. These costs are covered by sponsorships, with five founder sponsors already in place
• Richard Noble OBE, Project Director, commented: “There has never been anything like BLOODHOUND SSC before. It is undoubtedly the most stimulating and challenging programme I’ve ever been involved with. The next three years are going to be tough, testing and damned exciting!”
• Andy Green OBE, commented: “I’ve met graduate engineers who are adamant that our previous record was what inspired their career choice as youngsters: that sort of thing makes all the effort worthwhile. BLOODHOUND SSC will be so much faster and, we hope, will also fire up every school kid about the science and technology. We’re going to invite everyone to follow our adventure in this, the most exciting and extreme form of motorsport – the World Land Speed Record. Both as a Mathematician, and as a Royal Air Force fighter pilot, I can’t think of anything better.”

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