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Time to update on moulding technology

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Oct 20, 2003

"Technology is here to stay - if we don't grab it someone else will" That was the message from Roger Onions, GTMA President, at the conclusion of the GTMA Technology Day.

"Tecnology is here to stay - if we don't grab it someone else will" That was the message from Roger Onions, GTMA President, at the conclusion of the GTMA Technology Day, held at SECO Tools (UK) on 7th October.

A packed agenda included seminars on the latest advances in materials, machining, CADCAM and automation, supported by live demonstrations and an exhibition.

The event clearly showed the importance of interaction between technical advances in different fields towards increasing overall productivity.

Speakers stressed the need for active co-operation and partnership through the supply chain and the necessity for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to work with companies further down the supply chain to optimise the cost-effectiveness of the end-solution.

Often the adoption of the apparently "cheapest" solution in one part of the process leads to increased cost, and therefore reduced competitiveness, of the final product.

Worryingly, many overseas competitors are already taking up these technologies and using them to their advantage.

Concluding the event, Roger Onions discussed how advances in technology are opening up new opportunities for UK manufacturing, particularly in the field of nano-technology, creating products for the medical sector, where accurately machined parts that would be dwarfed by an insect as small as an ant, are increasingly being designed, manufactured and used.

His message was clear; by working more closely together all those involved in the UK manufacturing supply chain can gain comfort, confidence and real competitive edge.

No-one can successfully work alone in the global market and everyone involved in the manufacture of tomorrow's products needs to be fully informed in order to take advantage of the many new opportunities that advances in technology are bringing.

The next GTMA Technology Day will be held at on 5th November, at Yamazaki Mazak, near Worcester,UK, and will focus on the topic of Heat Treatment.