December/January 2019

| NEWS | 11 th | 12 th | 13 th FEBRUARY FARNBOROUGH | Hants | GU14 6XL 9.30am – 4pm (3.30pm close Thurs) Where Industry and Innovation converge PRE-REGISTER TODAY for your Fast Track Entry Badge, Preview Magazine and Event Catalogue at www.industrysouth.co.uk SOUTHERN MANUFACTURING & ELECTRONICS is an ETES event organised by European Trade & Exhibition Services Ltd Tel 01784 880890 · email philv@etes.co.uk Meet over 800 national and international suppliers at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre this February at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics (inc AutoAero) 2020. See live demonstrations and new product launches of machine tools & tooling, electronics, factory & process automation, packaging & handling, labeling & marking, test & measurement, materials & adhesives, rapid prototyping, ICT, drives & controls and laboratory equipment. Free industry seminar programme online @ www.industrysouth.co.uk The exhibition is free to attend, free to park and easy to get to. Doors open at 9.30am on Tuesday 11th February. Supported by: FREE SEMINARS FREE PARKING OIL & GAS I DEFENCE FOOD & DRINK I AUTOSPORT MARINE I AEROSPACE I PACKAGING LOGISTICS I ELECTRONICS AUTOMATION I ROBOTICS I MEDICAL COMPOSITES I SPACE ENGINEERING RAIL I TRANSPORTATION igus has announced the official opening of its automated assembly line for readycable at its UK facility in Northampton. Representing a significant investment for company, the new line uses fully-automated machines and lean manufacturing methods to streamline its manufacturing process to deliver fully-harnessed drive cables shipped within 24 hours of order placement. Matthew Aldridge, managing director, igus UK commented: “A few years ago, our sole focus was on selling plastic bearings, energy chains and cables with little assembly work. “More recently we have stepped into robotics and automation based on our component parts and are now investing in automation ourselves to enable us to move into assembly within the UK.” Historically, igus used to assemble cables manually by cutting back the outer jacket, teasing out the shielding, then stripping the jackets off each of the inner cores and adding crimps; this is a time consuming and laborious process. Now these operations are fully automated using the new readycable line, which also gives 100% quality of assembly. Aldridge added: “We have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on machines to automate this process, cutting lead times from 6 or even 10 weeks down to 24 hours. The chainflex cable is cut to length from our extensive stock held in Northampton and all common connector components are available ex stock. This total package means that customers will usually receive their readycable the next working day, fully-tested with a guaranteed service life…All this automation does not mean that we will be shedding jobs, this automated assembly line will enable us to grow our business, creating more jobs for the area.” igus invests in automation to reduce lead times