In the years to come, MAPAL expects huge growth in machining solutions for electric vehicles. We have focused on ambitious components that will be produced in large quantities in future. With the arrangement of machining options into three solution levels – Basic, Performance and Expert – we can offer a clear classification for tool selection options for a specific part. In doing so, MAPAL giving customers a rough indication, making transitions smoother in practice. ----READ MORE ON THE WEBSITE LINK AT TOP OF PAGE----

At a glance: - Replacing aluminium parts with 3D printed components. - Super strong end use parts. - Lighter components by 50 per cent. - No more compromised design. The Challenge: To build Spectre: A next-generation fighting robot equipped with a state-of-the-art hydraulic crusher as its weapon As the engineering team behind BBC’s Robot Wars, Robo Challenge were barred from competing themselves in the series, so they looked further afield and decided to create Spectre for the King of Bots (KOB) World Championship in China. James Cooper, managing director at Robo Challenge, says, “There is no other industry like fighting robots that takes materials, batteries and motors to the extremes like we do. We have to design and build a 110kg fighting machine that will go into a 110-ton bulletproof arena with three minutes to either destroy the competition or be destroyed. “The difference between designing for automotive or aerospace and fighting robots is that with robots, there isn’t the safety implications of a robot breaking down in an arena and hurting people as there is with Formula 1 for instance. It means we can run things much harder and closer to the tolerances of material specification without the worry of something catastrophic happening.” James Cooper, Robo Challenge says: “Mark3D is an amazing supplier for our Markforged printer and materials. The dedicated team are incredibly helpful in providing us with data sheets and intricate samples of the variety of different materials available. Always fast to respond and very hands-on, they have gone above and beyond to support us when projects with tight deadlines come up – including offering to print a number of Spectre’s components to ensure he would be ready for battle on time!”

Bear Safety will be exhibiting at Advanced Engineering 2025, demonstrating how projected walkways and automated signage are redefining safety in industrial facilities. Instead of relying on painted markings that fade or are ignored, Bear Safety uses high-visibility LED projections and smart sensor activation to create dynamic, real-time warnings where people and vehicles interact. The technology helps prevent “sign blindness” by only activating when needed, remaining visible in dust, glare or low light, and adapting instantly as conditions change. With AI-based detection, systems can differentiate between pedestrians and forklifts, automatically switching from a green crossing to a stop symbol when a vehicle is approaching – helping reduce collisions and improve awareness. Already deployed across major logistics, manufacturing and engineering sites, these solutions offer stronger protection with lower maintenance and faster installation than traditional painted lines. Visitors to Stand M190 can view live demonstrations and discuss how projected safety can be integrated into existing site layouts as part of a forward-thinking safety strategy.

A new discovery found in a flying beetle has shed light on how its wing changes shape in flight using an unusual bell-shaped structure, which is compliant in one direction but almost ten times stiffer in the opposite direction. Results have shown that the structure is an effective one-way hinge that achieves functionality using a single material with no extra mass. The use of the insect-inspired hinge in applications, including easily assembled modular designs, adaptive airless tires, and metamaterials with zero Poisson’s ratio, suggests that the structure can have biomimetic applications over a considerable size range. Mechanical ‘hinges’ and associated asymmetric bending and twisting are widespread in insect wings and, whilst operating in flight, these hinges allow the wings to deform automatically and asymmetrically between the upstroke and downstroke. They also control the precise, complex patterns of folding and unfolding in the hind wings. The hinge has many potential biomimetic applications. Firstly, we created a modular design that could easily be assembled and disassembled, followed by a design for an airless tire, which could have numerous applications across a number of sectors. Tinius Olsen supplied a 1ST UTM equipped with a 500N loadcell, which not only performed the required tension and compression testing but could also be used in combination with the custom setups developed by the University team. To read more follow the link...

Belotti ARC – Automatic Riveting Cell, is a first-on-the-market integrated system, designed in partnership with Cosberg to automatically manage multiple types of Rivets and Time-Sert® with a single device. This new revolutionary robotic cell features an under-patent riveting head designed for the rapid, automated application of the entire range of Time-Sert® inserts and Rivets of different diameters on composite frames and components across multiple industries – including automotive and aerospace – a task traditionally performed manually by the operators. Many parts made of composite materials, including frames, monocoques, doors, roofs, and structural elements for the automotive sector, and wings and various aircraft components, are characterized by thin thicknesses that do not allow for sufficiently strong surfaces to insert fasteners necessary to ensure the assembly of various elements together. Belotti ARC enables a precise application of key elements, ensuring a one-of-a-kind fast, flexible, and under-controlled execution.

Cookson Industrial collaborated with Bentley Motors to introduce 3D-printed solid gold into the exclusive Batur by Mulliner. Using our patented alloys, in-house powder production, and state-of-the-art AM technology, we crafted key driver touchpoints including the Charisma Dial and Organ Stop vents. Each piece was CAD-designed, SLM-printed, and hand-finished by expert jewellers using 100% recycled gold—combining sustainable innovation with unmatched luxury craftsmanship.

Manufacturing software helps production planners, plant managers, and operations teams schedule jobs, manage inventory, and monitor performance. Navigating 430 products, each built for different production models, team sizes, or compliance needs, can be overwhelming. SoftwareAdvice partnered with manufacturing software advisors to select the highest-rated tools.

After interviewing Beyond Math back in Episode 57, Faye catches up with Alan for an update on their progress over the past year, including securing $8.5 million in seed funding, relocating to London, building out the team, and securing commercial contracts. We then segway into the original interview, which covers - The leap from academia to real-world applications. - Building a collaborative culture rooted in “radical candour.” - Strategic focus on industries like automotive and aerospace for rapid validation and growth.

This article details BeyondMath's revolutionary digital wind tunnel, which uses physics-based AI to cut F1 car simulation times from days to moments. This breakthrough enables teams to accelerate innovation and secure a vital competitive edge.

BINDT was delighted to support Lavender International in a recent science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative at the JCB Academy in Rocester, an academy focused on engineering and business, educating students from Year 9 to Sixth Form.    The nine-week initiative began in April with an assembly for the entire Year 10 cohort, where Sam Cunningham, Group Sales Manager at Lavender International and Vice President of BINDT, introduced the challenge. Rebecca Mulholland, BINDT’s Outreach Coordinator, followed with an overview of the Institute and its work in non-destructive testing (NDT). The challenge was designed to complement the students’ curriculum, particularly in areas such as quality control and quality assurance. It aimed to give them a deeper understanding of NDT and its real-world applications within industry.   In May, Lavender International staff, Sam Cunningham and Louie Ashmore, alongside BINDT STEM volunteer Roy Thiis, visited the academy to deliver practical, hands-on sessions in ultrasonic testing, dye penetrant testing and magnetic particle testing. Teachers reported that the students thoroughly enjoyed these sessions, appreciating the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge practically. The students were then tasked with designing and manufacturing a go/no-go gauge to perform quality control on spacer parts and callipers. Utilising computer-aided design (CAD) software and laser cutters, they created their designs on acrylic. Following a class-level competition, where each group tested a batch of spacers and callipers using their gauges, approximately eight groups advanced to the final round.   The final was judged by Sam and Jemma Bevis from Lavender International, alongside Rebecca. Students completed a timed, marked quality control test using their gauges, followed by team presentations outlining their work, learning experiences and insights into quality assurance and NDT.

his strategic location serves as the epicentre for all of our operations across the United States, allowing us to elevate our client services, attract top-tier talent, and forge closer connections with our diverse customer base. As we embark on this exciting journey, we're not only expanding our footprint in established markets but also venturing into promising new territories. We're thrilled to embark on this new chapter and can’t wait to share our progress along the way as Bloc Digital Inc. continues to grow.

Winning gold in the category for our Rolls-Royce Orpheus project, featuring a fire-breathing dragon. The two other awards included ‘Best Data Visualisation’ with Kongsberg Maritime, and ‘Best Innovation’ with Control Techniques. With our directors occupied in America, our team proudly represented Bloc Digital at the awards night in London, where we were honoured to receive three out of three awards. It's a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of our team, whose hard work and creativity continue to drive our success in an impressive variety of industries. All 3 projects show our ability to blend product marketing with cutting-edge technology, captivating audiences and pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling - a result of our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Here's to celebrating our triple triumph and to many more successes in the future!

A successful evening for Bloc Digital, we proudly walked away with not one, but two prestigious awards at the 2023 Derbyshire Business Awards, winning Small Business of the Year and Excellence in International Trade. These accolades recognise our collective efforts, marking a momentous occasion for all of us at Bloc! Winning "Small Business of the Year" is a testament to the team’s collective agility, resilience, and outstanding growth in a competitive landscape. It highlights our ability to overcome challenges and consistently deliver cutting-edge solutions, across multiple industries working closely with a range of multinational blue-chip companies. Equally as exciting is our win in the "Excellence in International Trade" category, shining a spotlight on our commitment to innovation and global expansion. Highlighting how we’ve fostered cross-cultural collaborations and showcased our ability to thrive in diverse environments.

Combined brake housing unites main brake cylinder, brake booster and ABS/ESP in a single part. This component smooths the way for self-driving cars and saves weight. When it comes to machining complex aluminium workpieces, MAPAL’s solution expertise is very much in demand. While self-driving cars are already permitted in various countries, the legal framework for them is still not in place in Europe, where only partial driving automation is permitted. The combined break housing – which unites the main brake cylinder, the brake booster and ABS/ESP in a single part – supports all levels of automated driving. Brake-by-wire is closely related to this, whereby the brake signal is no longer sent hydraulically but rather electrically. While the combined brake housing is a prerequisite for automated driving, it also has further advantages. Because they are applied electronically, the brakes can be operated more quickly, which results in considerably shorter braking distances in an emergency. While the first automotive suppliers have already presented all-electric braking systems, vehicles only use a precursor today – the so-called wet-dry system. This hybrid form uses a hydraulic brake at the front and an all-electric system at the rear axle. This redundancy is made possible by a sophisticated central component that combines both worlds in the tiniest of spaces. Defined chip breaking for short aluminium chips Aluminium with a low silicon content of less than 1% is the material of choice for the combined brake housing. To save costs, extruded profiles are used for the most part. Long chips are created during machining due to the grain flow and the low silicon content. To ensure excellent chip breaking when boring and reaming aluminium with low silicon content using PCD blades, MAPAL makes use of application-specific chip-breaking geometries. ----READ MORE ON THE WEBSITE LINK AT TOP OF PAGE----