Meeting delivery deadlines has always been important in manufacturing, but within the defence sector, responsiveness is becoming an increasingly valuable competitive advantage. Whether producing components for aerospace, land systems, naval applications or unmanned vehicles, manufacturers are under constant pressure to reduce lead times while maintaining quality and reliability. One area that often goes unnoticed is [...]
As defence investment continues to grow across the UK and Europe, many engineering and manufacturing businesses are exploring opportunities to diversify into the defence sector. For machine shops, precision engineering companies, fabrication specialists and advanced manufacturers, the opportunity is significant - but so is the competition. Winning defence work isn't simply about having spare production [...]
Industrial 3D printing has evolved far beyond prototyping. Today's engineering-grade materials allow manufacturers to produce production tooling, fixtures, inspection aids, end-use components and replacement parts that perform reliably in demanding industrial environments. As additive manufacturing has matured, the question has shifted from "Can this part be 3D printed?" to something far more important: "Which material [...]
For many years, industrial 3D printing has focused on one primary objective: producing strong, functional parts that solve engineering challenges. Mechanical performance has rightly been the priority, with materials selected for their strength, stiffness, temperature resistance or chemical compatibility. However, as additive manufacturing becomes more deeply integrated into everyday production environments, manufacturers are beginning to [...]
Universities are under increasing pressure to deliver world-class research, secure external funding and strengthen collaboration with industry. Industrial additive manufacturing is becoming an important part of that strategy, enabling research teams to develop, test and refine ideas faster while reducing dependence on traditional manufacturing methods. Engineering research often depends on custom components, experimental fixtures, laboratory [...]
Engineering has changed. Not so long ago, students would design a component in CAD, send it to the workshop and wait for it to be machined. Today, the process is far more connected. A physical part can be scanned in minutes, converted into an editable CAD model, redesigned for additive manufacturing, produced overnight and digitally [...]
For many engineers, the biggest mystery surrounding metal additive manufacturing isn't how the part is printed - it's what happens afterwards. Does it need machining? How are the supports removed? How much finishing is required? With the Markforged FX10 Metal, the journey from printed component to production-ready part is surprisingly straightforward. Understanding each stage helps explain why bound metal filament [...]
Manufacturers today face increasing pressure to deliver products faster while managing supply chain disruption, skills shortages and rising production costs. For many engineering teams, tooling and production aids can become a hidden bottleneck, delaying projects and limiting the ability to respond quickly to customer requirements. As a result, more manufacturers are turning to composite 3D [...]
SMART Manufacturing 2026 brought together manufacturers, engineers and technology providers from across the UK, providing a valuable opportunity to discuss the challenges, opportunities and priorities shaping the industry today. While conversations varied across sectors ranging from food production and packaging through to aerospace and advanced engineering, several common themes emerged throughout the event. What was [...]
For many manufacturers, one of the biggest barriers to keeping production moving isn't machining capacity, material availability, or even labour shortages. It's missing information. A component fails unexpectedly, but the original CAD model can't be found. A legacy assembly requires modification, yet the available drawings no longer reflect what is actually installed. A replacement part [...]
