Industry News
Here you can find a handpicked selection of the big stories and latest updates for professionals involved in all things related to engineering.
UK Metals Council welcomes focus on the Foundation Industries in new funding competitions.
The UK Metals Council welcomes the focus on metals, as part of the foundation industries, that is being enabled through the Transforming Foundation Industries ISCF Challenge, which will be investing up to £4.7m in a Research and Innovation Hub to be delivered by EPSRC on behalf of UKRI.
11 November 2020
Full story © UK Metals Council
UK Metal Council Launches Peer Networks Programme for business growth
The Black Country Growth Hub, with the support of the UK Metals Council, is launching the Peer Networks Programme for ambitious businesses looking to grow.
11 November 2020
Full story © UK Metals Council
UK manufacturing industry continues its recovery in November
The upturn in the UK manufacturing sector strengthened in November, including growth in output and new business.
1 December 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
EconCore joins Audi and others to develop composite battery casings
EconCore has announced a partnership involving AZL, Audi and others to establish the potential of using composites for battery housings.
24 November 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing
Elesa Smart Working maintains standard component support in difficult times
Elesa are pleased to have played their part by ensuring high stock levels throughout in order to maintain supply chains and support the economy.
27 November 2020
Full story © Elesa
TestaTT 300 to 1500
The range of Temperature testing chambers offer the ideal solution for temperature cycle testing, simulation and exposure to heat, aging and stress testing.
27 November 2020
Full story © Aralab
Non-Nitrogen HALT Systems
Fusing Mechanical Refrigeration and Repetitive-Shock Technologies.
27 November 2020
Full story © Espec
Aralab ATEX Chamber
Alphatech is delighted to have supplied Chell Instruments with a new generation Aralab Testa chamber as part of their ATEX chamber project.
27 November 2020
Full story © Alphatech
ISO Success for GRP Solutions
GRP Solutions is delighted to announce its successful ISO 9001:2015 accreditation by BSI.
24 November 2020
Full story © GRP Solutions
Oerlikon Balzers partners in virus coatings project
Viruses can survive for a long time on plastics, which are widely used in aircraft. Oerlikon Balzers have many years of experience and wide-ranging expertise in developing solutions for specific applications in the medical industry.
23 November 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Manufacturing firm played critical role in NHS COVID-19 response
A Coventry engineering firm has supplied more than 120 miles of medical gas copper pipes in just six months in the pandemic.
20 November 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
Working capital aids Jaguar Land Rover supplier fulfil orders
Working capital supported by UK Export Finance has helped an automotive manufacturer fulfil orders through the pandemic.
18 November 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
Material stops leakage of hydraulic fluid for aerospace applications
Greene Tweed has released its new EPM 953 elastomer for phosphate ester hydraulic systems in aerospace applications.
18 November 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Support for the Packaging Industry – Elesa standard components make life easier with new brochure
Packaging industry machines are usually dedicated to a single task, often under high speeds in difficult environmental conditions where ease of handling is a major factor of importance.
20 November 2020
Full story © Elesa
LK Metrology chooses Sempre as new partner
The Sempre Group adds LK Metrology CMMs to its metrology portfolio
19 November 2020
Full story © Sempre
Diagnostic Tools That Will Revolutionize Industrial Network Maintenance
Preventing unplanned stoppages and simplifying troubleshooting is high on the agenda for anyone maintaining an industrial network. So, today’s launch of not one but ten new diagnostic and monitoring tools by Procentec is sure to spark widespread interest in the Industrial Automation Market.
17 November 2020
Full story © Procentec
Taking better care of medical manufacturers
The benefits of metrology in medical applications.
17 November 2020
Full story © Sempre
Ricoh 3D Reveals New Showroom
Additive manufacturing specialist Ricoh 3D has unveiled its revamped Centre of Excellence after an investment of more than £1m.
16 November 2020
Full story © Ricoh
Creative Composites supply innovative SMC parts for new zero emission vehicles
The UK’s most advanced composites manufacturer – Creative Composites based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland is delighted to be supplying innovative SMC parts for a new revolutionary electric light commercial van.
5 November 2020
Full story © Creative Composites
Smart Cloud Software brings Award-winning cloud-based ERP system to the UK.
Award-winning Digital Transformation Platform enters the UK.
29 June 2020
Full story © Smart Cloud Software
New competition to develop nuclear powered space flight
The British Interplanetary Society has announced a new competition which will see participants come up with the best ideas relating to the storage and handling of antihydrogen.
9 November 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Altair introduces material data centre
Altair announced the launch of the Altair Material Data Center, a modern, comprehensive, and high-fidelity material database for simulation.
5 November 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing
Lab by Transport for Wales ready to showcase second cohort of tech innovators
The 12-week accelerator programme looks to stimulate growth in Wales, offering an exciting opportunity for business innovators to develop their ideas which aim to enhance the railway experience for customers.
2 November 2020
Full story © Rail Business Daily
Sizewell C: New UK nuclear plant close to greenlight as government plans UK energy future
A new nuclear power plant at Sizewell in Suffolk is close to being given the green light by the government.
2 November 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
Nanosatellite manufacturer expands space business in the UK
NanoAvionics, a nanosatellite bus manufacturer and mission integrator, is expanding its space sector business in the UK.
30 October 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
TOWA - PowerGrab Thermodex
PowerGrab Thermo is a light and flexible thermal glove that provides amazing warmth, super dexterity and water repellency.
2 November 2020
Full story © TOWA
Significant water deposits on the moon confirmed
NASA has now announced that the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon.
26 October 2020
Full story © Laboratory News
Collins Aerospace strengthens MRO agreement with Fokker Services
Collins Aerospace Systems have announced the expansion of an existing 10-year FlightSense on-site support agreement for Collins Aerospace’s Integrated Drive Generators.
26 October 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
The wheels of choice for a 331mph hypercar
Forgeline and Dymag co-developed the wheel of choice for the world’s fastest production vehicle.
22 October 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing
Fleet Solid Support Ships to be built by ‘British-led’ teams
Fleet Solid Support Ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary will be built by ‘British-led’ teams which the government has hailed as a boost for Britain’s shipbuilding sector.
21 October 2020
Full story © Naval Technology
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft lands on asteroid in bid to collect samples
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft contacted the surface of asteroid Bennu Tuesday to gobble up pristine samples, a climactic moment in the $1 billion mission to bring asteroid material back to Earth in 2023.
20 October 2020
Full story © Spaceflight Now
Volkswagen buys 2,200 more robots as it steps up electrification
Volkswagen is stepping up the pace of change to electric cars and the conversion of manufacturing plants to adapt.
16 October 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
UK future combat air programme can generate billions for UK economy
Preliminary data has revealed the economic importance of the UK’s future combat air programme, Tempest – predicting it will support an average of 20,000 jobs every year from 2026 to 2050.
15 October 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
UK government nearly doubles amount of British steel bought
The proportion of steel procured within the UK by the government has nearly doubled since last year, the latest documents show.
12 October 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
Carbon fibre aircraft equipment agreement signed
Safran and Saertex have signed a 10-year contract on cooperation for the production of aircraft equipment made of carbon fibre fabrics.
8 October 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Liftronic Mobile - New INDEVA Solution
With the INDEVA Liftronic Mobile manipulator you can easily and safely lift, move and position bags, containers, boxes, etc. on pallets or shelves at different locations.
9 July 2020
Full story © YouTube
Addition Design invests in large-scale 3D component printing
Addition Design has increased the size of its range of services with the installation of an industrial AM machine for the batch production of components in a variety of high grade engineering polymers.
2 October 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing
Aerospace manufacturers target growth by digital transformation
Three aerospace manufacturers in the UK are targeting growth through a new streamlined workshop process that speeds up digital transformation.
6 October 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
Defect detection in the palm of your hand
Industrial metrology specialist, The Sempre Group, has introduced the new GelSight Mobile handheld sensor, to the UK and Irish markets.
23 September 2020
© The Sempre Group
PRF Composite Materials introduce new unidirectional glass prepreg
PRF Composite Materials are delighted to introduce their new unidirectional glass prepreg!
14 September 2020
© PRF Composite Materials
UK manufacturing industry data shows road to recovery
After improvements in output and orders in the last three months, the UK’s manufacturing sector has begun its long road to recovery.
21 September 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
AEHF-6 protected communications satellite completes on-orbit testing
The On-Orbit Test period was successfully completed by the sixth Lockheed Martin-built Advanced Extremely High Frequency protected communications satellite.
18 September 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
McLaren pays tribute to 1995 Le Mans victory with inspired cars
McLaren Special Operations have revealed five unique McLaren Senna GTR’s. Created in celebration of the McLaren F1 GTR race cars that dominated the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in an astonishing display of motorsport achievement that included overall victory.
18 September 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing
NCC partner with Network Rail
The National Composites Centre has partnered with Network Rail to investigate, design and build a composite footbridge.
16 September 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing
Sea Sure named joint winners of innovation awards in offshore wind sector
Sea Sure is delighted to announce that its design for transportation seat hoods has won an innovation contest.
10 September 2020
Full story and images © MAA
All-composite wheel for niche electric vehicles moves to next development stage
The ACRIM-Wheel has moved to the next stage of development with the manufacture of fifty wheels by the end of the year. Its the first commercially viable, affordable, lightweight and composite wheel for niche and electric vehicle applications.
9 September 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing
Airbus selects software development suit for unmanned helicopter system
AdaCore has announced that Airbus Helicopters (France) is using its GNAT Pro tool suite and Ada programming language to develop new software for the VSR700 prototype project.
9 September 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Aerospace sector to invest in green tech despite Covid-19
The key to the industry bouncing back from Covid-19 is to create a greener areospace sector.
9 September 2020
Full story © Production Engineering Solutions
Ricoh 3D printing secures medical certification
3D printing specialist, Ricoh has achieved the international standard certification for production quality management in the medical industry.
2 September 2020
Full story and Images © Production Engineering Solutions
Rolls Royce battles for survival
In a bid to recover financial losses that have resulted due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rolls Royce are planning on selling £2 billion worth of assets.
28 August 2020
Full story © The Financial Times
Bristol based company unveil pioneering flying taxi
With cruise speeds of 150mph and a flyable range of up to 100 miles, passengers could travel from London to Brighton in approximately half an hour.
26 August 2020
Full story and images © Production Engineering Solutions
Superstrata’s 3D printed e-bike has raced past initial crowdfunding targets
Superstrata, a Silicon Valley-based bicycle brand, has unveiled its flagship product, a 3D printed e-bicycle with an impact-resistant unibody carbon fibre frame.
20 August 2020
Full story and images © Composites in Manufacturing
"Thank you for flying SpaceX - have a nice day"
One step closer to reaching full commercial space capability was proven on the 3rd of August 2020
3 August 2020
Full story and images © BBC News
Did Mars ever host life? The answer could lie in the rocks
NASA’s Perseverance robot has left Earth on a mission to try to detect life on Mars
30 July 2020
Full story © BBC News
Nanocomposite innovation set to increase air passenger safety
Developed for aircraft interior applications, this advance in materials promises better fire, smoke and toxicity performance, and reduces costs. What’s not to like?
29 July 2020
Full story © Composites in Manufacturing magazine
Ultraviolet cleaning system a 'potential game changer' for JetBlue
About the size of an aircraft beverage cart, Honeywell’s virus-killer system is just our cup of tea …
29 July 2020
Full story © Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Just, wow - peek inside Virgin Galactic's craft for space tourists
Welcome, at least virtually, to the cabin of VSS Unity. If you’re lucky enough to ever sit in the real one, we salute you. There are still tests to run before then of course, but powered test flights are about to begin, so it’s going to be happening sooner than you may think.
28 July 2020
© BBC News Image: VIRGIN GALACTIC
AEO, AEV and ESSA secure go-date for exhibitions
A combined group of members from the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the Association Event Venues (AEV) and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), led by the associations, has today secured the long-awaited go-date for the exhibitions industry for the 1st October 2020.
© Production Engineering Solutions
The wheels are beginning to turn again at Vauxhall
Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing site will resume manufacturing activity on 17th August, parent firm Groupe PSA has announced.
15 July 2020
© Production Engineering Solutions
Business jet facility underway for Bombardier in UK
Work has begun to construct the Biggin Hill airport-based aircraft service centre
15 June 2020
© Aerospace Manufacturing
Government thought to be working with Tesla for Big EV facility in the UK
The Department for International Trade is scoping out a large area for EV R&D and Manufacturing believed to be in Somerset. Although it has not confirmed which company is involved, it is thought to be TESLA (Image courtesy Production Engineering Solutions magazine and Tesla)
8 June 2020
© Production Engineering Solutions
20% weight reduction using revolutionary thermoplastic composite
A leader in lightweight thermoplastic honeycomb core technology, and Tier 1 automotive supplier, have developed innovative technology which has reduced the weight of the Hyundai Creta’s trunk floor by 20%.
1 June 2020
© Composites in Manufacturing
Advances with UV light for cabin cleansing
Airbus and Boeing study ways to detect and deactivate viruses in cabins between flights using UV light and robots. Could this be a key route to the aviation industry to get travel safe again?
1 June 2020
© Aerospace Manufacturing
GKN signs agreement for all-electric plane
GKN Aerospace is to be involved in design and manufacture of wings, empennage and electrical wiring for Alice all-electric aircraft. Already a key partner in the Airbus ‘Wing of Tomorrow’ programme, GKN Aerospace is an ideal candidate to help change the way people travel with the Alice plane, which aims to make journeys of up to 650 miles more sustainable.
20 May 2020
© Aerospace Manufacturing
Planning application for UK's first waste-to-jet fuel plant given green light
A planning application backed by Shell and British Airways to create the UK’s first commercial-scale waste-to-jet fuel plant in North East Lincolnshire has been granted planning permission.
© Edie
Boeing picks STS for UK Wedgetail conversions
Boeing Defence UK has named STS Aviation Services as its conversion partner for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) future fleet of five 737NG-based E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, after Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group withdrew from the project.
20 May 2020
© Flight Global
Go-ahead for largest new station ever built in UK
Joint venture contractors Balfour Beatty, Vinci and Systra have got the green light from planners to start work on HS2’s west-London super hub, Old Oak Common.
© Construction Enquirer
US no 1 automaker should emerge with permanently reduced costs post-pandemic
Boeing Defence UK has named STS Aviation Services as its conversion partner for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) future fleet of five 737NG-based E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, after Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group withdrew from the project.
2 June 2020
© Reuters
AMTE Power and Britishvolt sign MoU for UK's Landmark GigaFactory
AMTE Power and Britishvolt are pleased to announce plans to investigate collaborating to build the UK’s first full cycle battery cell GigaPlant, servicing the automotive and energy storage markets. Both parties have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focussed on each other`s complementary ambitions to create and expand an onshore manufacturing supply chain.
22 May 2020
© IDTechEx
The stealthy little drones that fly like insects
Start-up company studies biomechanics from dragonfly to use flapping wings powering more weather-resistant and flight-efficient drones
21 April 2020
© BBC News
Boeing set to resume Dreamliner production next month
South Carolina facility prepares to welcome back majority of its workforce for the 787
16 April 2020
© Reuters
European factories begin to reopen
VW’s HQ sports a logo squashing the virus Pac-man style, as it plans to welcome back workers on Monday.
27 April 2020
© Business Insider
BMW places massive 5,000 robot order with KUKA
Great news for the industry and KUKA, as the latter’s robots, including innovative linear units, will be used in auto manufacturing for BMW around the world.
19 April 2020
© Robotics and Automation News
Innovative start-ups to receive £1.25Bn government support package
Chancellor believes start-ups will be key to driving growth coming out of COVID-19
20 April 2020
© BBC News
Solvay signs long-term supply agreement with Honda Aircraft
Honda’s business jet models to benefit from Solvay’s innovative composites & adhesives over coming decade
17 April 2020
© Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Approved for NHS: new Penlon ventilator upscaling for mass production with help from Airbus and F1
A consortium including Siemens, Airbus, Ford and several Formula 1 teams worked with the medical device maker, to adapt its ventilator so that it could be mass-produced quickly.
16 April 2020
© BBC news
Rising demand for Ceratizit tooling driven by ventilator collaborations
Formula 1 teams, and many others throughout the supply chain approach Ceratizit for support in production.
14 April 2020
© Aerospace Manufacturing
50% growth for Rockwood Composites over 6 months
Aerospace, including interiors, and defence are biggest drivers, but medical is an important sector too.
8 April 2020
© Elsevier
Fiat Chrysler and Honda plan to reopen sites for N. American production in May
Fiat Chrysler’s statement says that it “intends to progressively restart its U.S. and Canadian manufacturing facilities beginning May 4.”
6 April 2020
© Reuters
Ex Dassault Systèmes Simulia exec joins MSC as new CTO to lead innovation
Working across the Hexagon technology portfolio to develop synergies, Bruce Engelmann will be responsible for technology and solutions across MSC design and engineering product line.
3 April 2020
© Aerospace Manufacturing magazine
Third Dimension launch first in new range of GapGun handheld feature measurement tools
Third Dimension have taken the industry standard to a new level with the GapGun Pro2 and T series sensor heads. Designed for the increasing needs of automotive metrology and quality control professionals, a dedicated team of engineers have spent 3 years to build cutting-edge technology into the 25+ year established GapGun.
1 April 2020
© Third Dimension Advanced Manufacturing
YOUR NHS NEEDS YOUR PPE
Many NHS hospitals have run out of face masks for their staff. GRP Solutions has been supporting a number of hospitals around the country giving them what we have but have now nearly exhausted our supplies.
31 March 2020
© GRP Solutions
Dyson vacuums up thousands of orders for its new ventilator prototype
The companies will start making up to 30,000 ventilators from next week to help the NHS fight Covid-19
30 March 2020
© The Guardian
Welsh hospital creates new purifying ventilator for self-care, releasing specialist nurses for other duties
A new ventilator, a virus-killing snood and a hands-free door pull are just some of the innovations coming out of Wales to tackle coronavirus.
24 March 2020
© BBC News
London start-up OneWeb launches more satellites, and its online network is more important than ever
A Soyuz rocket lifted off from Baikonur, carrying 34 more spacecraft into orbit to continue the build-up of the firm’s broadband internet constellation.
21 March 2020
© BBC News
Repurposing of manufacturing to beat virus is not limited to engineering firms alone
Firms including Zara, Nivea and Dyson are switching output to make needed equipment.
20 March 2020
© The Telegraph
Scott Bader launches new structural adhesive
Crestabond M7-04 is a toughened, two component 1:1 acrylic structural adhesive designed for bonding composites, thermoplastics and metals.
10 March 2020
© Scott Bader
Can this company have discovered the future of car production?
Proprietary AM techniques combine with smart thinking to eliminate hard tooling for the astronomically fast 21C Hypercar.
9 March 2020
© Production Engineering Solutions
Dr.Cedeno-Campos, Prof. Fairclough and Mr. Jaramillo and the Composite Systems Innovation Centre
Composites are lightweight but strong materials. Their applications range from aircraft and automotive parts, wind turbines to bespoke sports equipment. However, to create bespoke designs or one-off production, making moulds is expensive. We research parts production without moulds but that tailor the fibre alignment in order to retain the strength
© University of Sheffield
British Science Week coincides with welcome government investment in STEM
Future scientists, mathematicians and engineers from all backgrounds are set to benefit from the government’s £179M investment announced this month.
© Production Engineering Solutions
New UK electric van prototype reflects GEELY's £500m investment
LEVC’s new hybrid-electric van prototype comes out of its Coventry facility, with a 30% lighter body, and ability to absorb twice the crash energy of mild steel.
7 March 2020
© Production Engineering Solutions
SMMT calls for solid UK-EU deal to drive growth
There is understandable concern about the figures published by the SMMT this week showing an auto slow-down in 2019; but there is evidence for great potential too, not least from the demonstrable growth in alternatively fuelled car output. The SMMT is pushing to achieve a world class FTA to maintain and grow this vital part of the UK economy and capability.
30 January 2020
© SMMT
Uber's deal with Nissan to benefit Sunderland and the Capital
Uber’s recent order of 2,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles not only provides more business for the North East plant, but benefits Londoners by adding to Ubers goal for every London car on the app to be fully carbon-free from 2025.
24 January 2020
© Production Engineering Solutions
New composites tech could speed up aircraft manufacture
MIT researchers have devised a way to manufacture autoclave-formulated aerospace-grade advanced carbon fiber composites without using applied pressure from an autoclave or oven.
23 January 2020