Revive steel to thrive
The value of the Scottish Steel sector in relation to the rest of the world , as well as the UK specifically , has been analysed by researchers from WMG , University of Warwick , who have found investment could be the key to reviving it into a thriving industry .
Steel has played an important part of Scotland ’ s economy since 1751 . The nation ’ s industrial heritage has relied upon steel , which has been a key part of shipbuilding , energy , rail and civil engineering industries . There have been 12 iron and steel works in Scotland with Ravenscraig as the last major one to close in 1992 .
“ There are currently 266,500 people employed in Scottish steel using industries , while indirect employees in the supply chains can be estimated at around 800,000 , making a total of 1.06 million people – around a third of Scotland ’ s working population . The steel markets account for 31.2 % of Scotland ’ s turnover , essentially meaning just under one third of the population rely on steel for income ,” said the researchers .
“ Between 2015 and 2030 , the steel market across the UK is set to increase by 1.5 million tonnes , worth a total of £ 3.8- billion to the UK economy with demand expected to increase in construction , machinery and engineering , and yellow goods ( earth-moving equipment ).”
However , whilst demand for steel is increasing , it is predominantly increasing for crude steel which Scotland does not produce in large parts . Scotland has produced less than 6000 tons of crude steel per year in the last three years .
Dr Russell Hall , from WMG , University of Warwick commented : “ The world ’ s population is set to increase from 7.7bn people in 2020 to 9.7bn in 2050 , therefore the demand for steel will continue to increase . This provides an opportunity for Scotland to revive its steel industry and boost its income , however this will require coordinated government intervention and leadership into steel-making capability . This could be in the form of direct investment , indirect support such as the reduction of energy costs or an increase in skills provision for steelmaking . This means that Scotland could manufacture new steel types , expand current steel-making capabilities and reduce the operating costs for steel makers .” He also highlighted the green advantages of this move . See bit . ly / 3FA9ZV1 to read the report . n
INDUSTRY NEWS
Safran chooses Unison benders
UK-based Safran Landing for the material ’ s high yield
Systems OE ( Original strength . Unison was also
Equipment ), part of the global flexible in working around
Safran group , has taken our incredibly demanding delivery of two new all-electric production schedules . We
‘ Breeze ’ CNC tube bending have produced right-firsttime components since day machines from Unison Ltd . The Unison Breeze one with our new Unison machines ( 16mm and Breeze machines , which our
30mm maximum tube operators rate highly . Unison diameter models ) will be used also fully understood our to precision bend thin-wall section titanium need for prompt support in the unlikely event tube for the manufacture of 3 / 8-inch ( 9.53mm ) of a breakdown . to 3 / 4-inch ( 19mm ) diameter hydraulic brake “ In particular , the technology opens and actuator pipes for commercial aircraft up opportunities for us to streamline our undercarriage systems , including those used workflow from Design Engineering through on Airbus A320 , A330 and A340 models . to Production , with electronic translation of They replace two hydraulically-operated tube a CAD model into a bending program . This bending machines at the company . dramatically reduces the lead time of new Unison Ltd arranged for SLS to visit an product development from around eight existing customer ’ s facility at Farnborough months to just three days and improves the and observe titanium tube being bent . On accuracy of the finished pipe to the initial the strength of the visit and the testimony design intent ,” he added . provided by that customer , trial parts were The Unison Breeze all-electric 16mm and produced at Unison ’ s UK-based manufacturing 30mm tube bending machines purchased centre , the order was placed and master by Safran can manipulate exotic alloys such pipe samples were supplied to Unison Ltd in as titanium and Inconel , used in the aviation readiness for machine set-up and sign off . industry , and provide thin wall bending .
A double-first for Taiwan
For the first time , two major machine tool exhibitions in Taiwan , the Taipei International Machine Tool Show ( TIMTOS ) and Taiwan International Machine Tool Show ( TMTS ), will be held at the same time as TIMTOS x TMTS 2022 . The integrated show will be held from 21-26 February 2022 in Taipei , boosting the international status of Taiwan ’ s machine tool industry .
“ Total exports of Taiwanese machine tools from January to August this year reached US $ 1.755 billion , a phenomenal increase of 22.2 % over the same period last year . TIMTOS and TMTS , two key exhibitions in Taiwan , recently reached the consensus that they will work together to host both shows at the same time , in the same venue , with the common goal of helping Taiwanese companies explore global markets ,” explained the show organisers .
Over the years , the two trade shows have
been held separately in Taipei and Taichung and kept growing in scale . However , due to the pandemic and venue issues in Taichung , both TIMTOS 2021 and TMTS 2020 were presented online instead of as physical exhibitions . As the global machine tool industry is recovering from the pandemic and demand is increasing , industry players are eager for physical events .
Mr . Jong-chin Shen , Vice Premier of Executive Yuan , therefore urged the organisers of TIMTOS and TMTS to work together and maximize trade opportunities for all exhibitors and visitors . This cooperation marks a milestone of unity for Taiwan ’ s machine tool industry . n
ISMR November 2021 | sheetmetalplus . com | 13