EoW January 2008

english corporate news

Increase profitability and speed up development

Metals and manufacturing businesses are being invited to take advantage of new rapid manufacturing technologies that are designed to speed up new product development and increase profitability. The Rapid Manufacturing Programme (RAMP) is funded by Yorkshire Forward and is led by TWI from its base on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sheffield, UK, with support from Castings Technology International (Cti), NAMTEC (National Metals Technology Centre), the University of Sheffield IMMPETUS Centre, Keyworth Institute at the University of Leeds and Materialise. RAMP involves rapid prototyping of finished components using integrated computer aided design (CAD) or computer aided manufacture (CAM), which means that manufacturers can respond quickly to customer requirements, reduce production times and wastage and eliminate risk. One very popular and successful technique in the programme is layer manufacturing, which is a method of rapid prototyping where a shape can be produced in a single process by adding successive layers of materials. New sales manager Shaw Inspection Systems, specialists in real time, digital non-destructive testing systems, has appointed Stuart Wright to the newly created position of sales manager. In his new role he will be responsible for extending the company’s international sales of sophisticated x-ray imaging and analysis systems for industrial NDT applications. Shaw Inspection Systems Limited – UK Fax : +44 1493 603 347 Email : sales@sis.shawcor.com Website : www.shawinspectionsystems.com Kerry’s new role Central Wire Industries has appointed Kerry Buck to its sales department, responsible for internal and field sales for the greater Toronto area. Prior to joining Central, Buck held a similar position with Roechling Engineered Plastics. Central Wire Industries Ltd – Canada Fax : +1 613 267 5617 Email : info@centralwire.com Website : www.centralwire.com

With layer manufacturing it is possible to produce the prototypes in a wider range of materials, with final products manufactured in a matter of days instead of weeks or even months. This process is quicker and less expensive as it eliminates the need for tooling, setup and assembly processes, and can produce parts of superior quality and complexity to meet a customer’s specific requirements.

Since layer manufacturing enables the integration of computer control into the manufacturing process through CAD and CAM, it is now possible to have a manufacturing cycle with seamless transition through computer design, simulation, modelling and fabrication. NAMTEC – UK Fax : +44 1709 724999 Email : info@namtec.co.uk Website : www.website.co.uk

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EuroWire – January 2008