INDUSTRY NEWS
New Spanish smart manufacturing association
A new Spanish smart manufacturing technologies association , STECH , was agreed by the AFM Board of management ( the association behind AFM Cluster ) on 16 December 2021 . It aims to represent and group together companies that offer digitalisation , automation and robotics , and maintenance services for advanced manufacturing . The new association will bring the current members of AFM Cluster closer to a collective of businesses that are active players in the transformation of the industry into Industry 4.0 .
AFM Cluster represents the interests of advanced and digital manufacturing in Spain through six industrial associations . From its headquarters in San Sebastian , and its set-up in Tianjin ( China ), AFM Cluster works to promote the internationalisation , industrial development , strategic positioning and training of people in its associated companies . The recently formed STECH association joins the AFM , ADDIMAT ,
AFMEC , ESKUIN and UPTEK associations to bring together more than 600 businesses that provide employment to 16,500 individuals and turn over more than three billion euros .
“ The new association begins its journey with the aim of accelerating development of the manufacturing industry , adding the group of smart technology companies for advanced manufacturing to the AFM Cluster . The search for synergies and meeting points with other industries represented within the AFM Cluster ( such as machine tools , additive and 3Dmanufacturing , contract manufacturing and
ZYGO opens Italian office
3D optical metrology and optical component ( senior field engineer ) and Luca Grisoni ( sales manufacturer , Zygo Corporation ( a business manager ) — helping the company to service its unit of Ametek , Inc .), has opened a new growing customer base in continental Europe . office in Italy . This builds upon its extensive The opening of its new Italian office is in network of offices and partnerships addition to its German office and growing throughout Europe . partner network throughout the United The Italian office will be led by two new Kingdom ; France ; the Czech Republic ; Turkey additions to the ZYGO team , Marco Pagano and Romania .
Register for MACH 2022
MACH 2022 ( 4-8 April 2022 at Birmingham ’ s National Exhibition Centre , UK ) has demonstrated the strong momentum being generated in the UK manufacturing sector by selling almost all its exhibition space . The landmark exhibition is now more than 90 % allocated .
Show organiser and national trade association , the Manufacturing Technologies Association ( MTA ), welcomed this success . The show attracts around 25,000 visitors and over 600 exhibitors . Co-located at MACH 2022 will be subsidiary exhibitions Air Tech ; Fluid Power & Systems ; Drives & Controls ; Plant & Asset Management , the Smart Industry Expo and the three-day Engineering Supply Chain Show .
James Selka , CEO of the MTA , commented : “ MACH is the UK ’ s national manufacturing and engineering show and , as a content-led event , brings together the latest advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies in operation under one roof …..
“ Showcasing live , digital production systems in one space , it is not to be missed . Hundreds of millions of pounds worth of business is discussed , secured and completed at
James Selka , CEO of the MTA .
the exhibition , making it the must-attend event in the UK manufacturing calendar ,” he added .
For 2022 , there are extra incentives in place for companies looking to invest in the latest machine technology , principally the Super Deduction initiative announced by the UK Chancellor last year . Running until 31 March 2023 , the scheme means that UK companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets will be able to claim a 130 % superdeduction capital allowance on their plant and machinery investment , plus a 50 % first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets .
The UK Office for Budget Responsibility ( OBR ) has predicted that the scheme could encourage manufacturers to bring forward investment plans originally scheduled for much later in the decade .
The MTA is collaborating with other mechanical engineering , hand tools etc .) is the lever to move faster towards industry 4.0 ,” commented AFM ( Advanced Manufacturing Technologies ), the founding association whose members provide the industry with machine tools and other equipment for the manufacture of components , accessories and cutting tools .
The association is open to include all companies offering hardware , software and services , related to digitalisation ( IIoT ; connectivity ; monitoring ; data analytics ; simulation ; artificial vision ; machine learning ; AI and platforms etc .); automation and robotics and advanced maintenance and assembly with specific applications for manufacturing . n
ZYGO has a 50-year heritage in the precision metrology and optics manufacturing sectors . Over 750 issued patents have been issued to ZYGO scientists and engineers who are actively engaged in professional societies , standards committees , university collaborations and professional publication activities . n
. zygo . com
associations in the sector , many of which are taking pavilions at the MACH show . These include the MMMA , which represents the needs of the UK metalworking sector .
“ MACH is not just a showcase for the manufacturing technologies sector , but a celebration of the manufacturing industry at its best - the development of the digital factory , new automation solutions and connected manufacturing processes , power by the hour and the cost efficiency solutions that will dramatically improve production processes and help shape the industry over the next decade ,” explained the MTA .
Other themes during the show will be decarbonisation , new opportunities for the UK manufacturing supply chain and the drive to secure a net zero economy . The MTA believes a more sustainable approach to the UK supply chain , with more intelligent sourcing of product from within the UK , will benefit the entire economy .
“ Those visiting MACH can optimise their show experience by using the new online platform , Map Your Show Planner ,” added the MTA . n
. machexhibition . com
16 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR March 2022