EVENT REPORT
On the HVM Catapult Trail at MACH 2022 , with a Caterham car as the centrepiece of the AMRC ’ s Project ELLI .
Annual Investment Allowance ( AIA ). Running until 31 March 2023 , the Super Deduction scheme means that companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets will be able to claim a 130 % super-deduction capital allowance on their plant and machinery investment , plus a 50 % first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets .
The super-deduction scheme allows companies to cut their tax bill by up to 25p for every £ 1 they invest . The incentive scheme is intended to jump-start the manufacturing sector as it looks to bounce back from the pandemic-induced recession .
Key industry themes
Delivering the exhibition ’ s keynote speech on the first day was Katherine Bennett CBE , chief executive of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult . During her speech , she addressed two of the key themes of the show – the importance of sustainability in manufacturing and the drive to Net Zero , alongside the importance of the advanced engineering sector .
Speakers also addressed other important topics relating to the sector including the development of digital manufacturing technologies , the emerging role of additive manufacturing , the importance of cybersecurity and investment strategies .
Key market intelligence was provided by Rhys Herbert , senior economist at headline sponsor Lloyds Bank , who delivered his presentation ‘ UK Manufacturing - Better Times Ahead ’ on 7 April 2022 . David Holmes , director of operations and technology for Air BAE Systems , spoke about the manufacturing technology requirements that BAE needs to remain competitive in a global market .
Lugano Kapembwa , co-founder and CEO of Loopcycle , used his presentation to help steer the B2B manufacturing sector through the unlocking of the circular economy through digitisation .
MACH 2022 also focused strongly on encouraging more young people into the industry , with special displays and a dedicated exhibition zone showcasing the changes that are taking place within manufacturing and highlighting what makes it one of the most exciting industries .
The Education & Development ( E & D ) Zone , sponsored by Sandvik Coromant , featured special displays from Airbus Defence & Space ; University of Wolverhampton Formula 3 Race Team ; Vex Robotics ; the Bowers Group Mobile Metrology Centre ; F1 in Schools and the Engineering Development Trust ( EDT ).
The core strengths of the UK ’ s metalworking industry were on display in what was one of the largest themed zones at MACH 2022 . The Metalforming Machinery Makers ’ Association ’ s ( MMMA ) Metalworking Village occupied 650m ² of floorspace and showcased the skills and expertise of more than 20 association members . This included an array of new presses , software , monitoring systems and self-locking wedge clamps .
Innovative companies developing the emerging technologies that will help to shape the future of the UK ’ s manufacturing industry also had their own showcase at MACH 2022 . The AI Innovation Zone , supported by Made Smarter Innovation , showcased the work of 12 start-ups and scale-ups utilising the power of data analytics , Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) and Machine Learning ( ML ) to turbo-charge digital technology innovations , enabling manufacturers to be more productive and sustainable .
This year , the Manufacturing Technologies Association ( MTA ) sponsored a special Tooling Clinic at MACH 2022 , which attempted to resolve any tooling issues for visitors to the exhibition . The Tooling Clinic , run by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre ( AMRC ), enabled visitors to identify the solutions that are right for them through open discussion of the manufacturing challenges within their tooling applications , cutting strategies , parameter optimisation , virtual machining and other high-value manufacturing methodologies and technologies .
HMV Catapult Trail
The strong focus on the future of manufacturing technologies was highlighted at MACH 2022 by the return of the popular High- Value Manufacturing ( HVM ) Catapult Trail .
“ The HMV Catapult is the go-to place for manufacturing technologies in the UK , supporting organisations of all sizes in their success ,” said the MTA .
The Catapult Trail , consisting of four stands across the exhibition , demonstrated how HVM Catapult can help companies to harness key Industry 4.0 technologies to improve their bottom line . All seven of the HVM Catapult ’ s leading centres of innovation were on display along the trail , with special features on the future of machining , additive manufacturing , digitalisation and automation .
With the continued push in the sector towards ( near ) net shape manufacturing , the Manufacturing Technology Centre ’ s ( MTC ) expertise in additive manufacturing was on show , with a carbon fibre printer producing components throughout the event .
Travelling along the trail to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland ( NMIS ) stand , visitors could discuss Machining 4.0 . Supported by an Intereg-funded project , the NMIS Group showcased how small to mediumsized businesses can innovate with new machining and digital technologies , including hybrid systems and additive manufacturing .
The Catapult Trail ended with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre ’ s ( AMRC ) display of its lightweighting , battery module , additive manufacturing and advanced machining capabilities . The focus of the stand was an eye-catching Caterham sports car which formed the centrepiece of the AMRC ’ s Project ELLI ( Electrification and Lightweighting in Industry 4.0 ).
For more information on MACH 2022 , visit :
www . machexhibition . com
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