Hello everyone, I am looking for a solution to implement traceability in our production, maybe via barcode scanning. This solution should enable in the same time to provide the necessary work-instructions at the workstations and give the possibility to enter the results from quality controls for each sub assembly in order to standardize all processes. Another desired feature is to gain an overview about KPIs, either manual or best automated. We are manufacturing electric devices, so we have a lot of electric related tasks. Mainly PCB boards which have SMD components but also...

Stephen Phipson CBE, Make UK CEO, will be a key contributor at the "Leaders' Opening Panel" at the Industry 4.0 Summit & Expo which is the UK’s largest event for the 4th industrial revolution in Manchester between 10 and 11 April 2019. A combined conference & trade exhibition, since its launch in 2017 it has attracted visitors across the UK manufacturing spectrum eager to see the latest technologies & solutions to make their operations smarter. Visitors can gain an insight to government policy, get support & access to finance, understand the latest business models, hear about large- &...

Hello Everyone, In early 2019 Contracts Engineering moved into our new factory in Sittingbourne, Kent. We are a customer-focused subcontract manufacture, our capabilities include 3D CAD design, fabrication/manufacture and assembly. We have had very strong growth over the past several years and in 2017 we identified a larger footprint as critical to our continued growth. In fact, I posted on the Make UK Community nearly two years ago seeking advice from others who have moved their manufacturing facilities (click here). So we wanted to write about our experiences and suggest some tips...

Title: Considering Process Variations in Injection Moulding Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019 Time: 03:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time Duration: 30 minutes This webinar is for engineers and designers looking to further understand the process variations that occur when designing for Injection moulding, and learn how prepare for these variations effectively. Where Stephen Dyson will discuss:

Many of our customers require finished parts straight from the plastic injection moulding or CNC machining process. Many others, however, want or need additional ‘secondary operation’ performed on their manufactured parts. These operations are what are known as ‘Secondary Services’ and they can be an integral part of a customer’s project requirement. Why Secondary Services? Secondary services may be required to meet the process control, functional or cosmetic (typically branding or labelling) needs for a specific project. The necessity of these additional services are determined by that...

Hi All, Robotic process automation (RPA) and/or robotic desktop automation (RDA) is using "software based robots" to emulate and complete certain work on behalf of people. This technology has been used by large enterprises / multi-national organisations to improve productivity. If you're a medium-sized (i.e. 50 - 249 employees) business and you're looking at what you can do to improve productivity, then is RPA / RDA one of the options you're considering? Thanks in advance, Charles

Hi Everyone As part of our review of current benefits we are looking at allowing employees to have a paid day of for their Birthday. I wondered if any of you had this benefit currently and what you have put in place to make this work ? Any comments welcome thanks

Customs intermediaries and traders completing customs declarations can now apply for grants to support training and IT under an £8 million investment from government. As part of this investment, £5 million in funding is now available to help businesses, based in, or with a branch in, the UK to meet the costs of employee training and IT improvements. Businesses who will benefit from the funding are encouraged to apply early. Applications will close on 5 April 2019, or earlier once all the funding is allocated. Businesses can apply for one or both grants: There is £2 million available...

Does your business receive an Horizon2020 grant? UKRI needs you to register onto their portal In September 2018, UKRI launched a portal as its first step towards supporting the continuity of funding for UK organisations which have been awarded grants from Horizon 2020. Grant recipients are asked to input basic information about their awards into the portal. This will ensure that UKRI can keep UK researchers and businesses informed of the next steps if the government needs to underwrite Horizon 2020 payments. Since its launch in September 2018, UKRI has had a steady stream of...

Hi all, I'm just getting some advice for a plastic injected models I would like to create. FYI - I am not an expert and far from it. Just getting advice at this stage. I have multiple models that are tile like models with a dimension of approximately 304mm x 304mm x 100*mm(max) (* range of 10mm - 100mm - this is variable, as the height of the model has contours and a sand like texture with rock formations and terrain sitting on the tiles). I'm also happy for the models to be hollow rather than a huge block of plastic. eg. 5mm thickness all the way around. My questions are;