Page 10 - Industrial Technology March 2020 issue

INDUSTRY NEWS

Skills shortage set

to have big impact

THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WILL LIKELY PROVE A CHALLENGE IN THE
ENGINEERING SECTOR AS SKILLS SHORTAGES BEGIN TO BITE Igus expands 3D printing
service by injection
ver a third of UK engineers are concerned that
moulding with printed tools
their business will be affected by a lack of
skilled workers, according to research by MPA.
OThe study of 250 UK engineers, examined any designers in the industrial sector
some of the biggest challenges presently faced by the rely on wear-resistant, high-performance
sector and perceptions around the industry’s approach to plastic parts for use wherever there is
innovation. Mfriction between two surfaces. To ensure
With research indicating that the current shortage of they get their special plastic part, Igus has integrated
employees with STEM skills is costing UK businesses its Print2Mould process in its online 3D printing
£1.5bn a year in recruitment, it is no surprise that skills service. With a printed tool, the component is
shortage is cited by the sector as the factor likely to have manufactured by injection moulding. To do this, the
the biggest impact, with close to two in five (37%) user simply uploads the STEP file of the part into the
agreeing it will have an effect. The factors that UK 3D printing service, selects the material and requests
engineers feel will have the biggest impact on their sector Reasons for not claiming the funding vary, but the most a quotation. Specifications on the material properties
over the next five years are: skills shortage – 37%, common answer given by engineers is that they don’t as well as the precision, flexural strength and the
automation – 22%; development of new materials – 17%; believe their companies are eligible (10%). price help with the choice.
data usage – 10%; and cybersecurity – 4%. Nigel Urquhart, senior technical analyst at MPA, said: The designer can select from any of the 55 iglidur
The research also reveals that businesses are missing “Engineering companies in the UK are respected all over material. These include, the FDA-compliant materials
out on potential funding opportunities. 56% claim that the world for their quality and innovation, but we need to iglidur A350 and A181 for use in the food industry,
their company doesn’t tap into sources of R&D funding or ensure that as an industry we are recruiting the best and iglidur L500 for the automotive sector, and iglidur X
support, such as Innovate UK, crowdfunding or Local brightest minds into roles across the sector. STEM for high-temperature applications. In addition to the
Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). education and training support are vital for making sure materials used in the Print2Mould process, the
Further, the research found that one in five (21%) the UK’s economy continues to thrive and will play a key designer has the opportunity to print their part using
innovation active engineering firms are not taking part in ensuring the UK reaches the current government the SLS process in iglidur I3 or iglidur I6 or using the
advantage of the government’s R&D Tax Credit scheme, target of 2.4% of GDP being spent on R&D by 2027. FDM process with iglidur filaments.
which allows companies to claim back up to 33p for every “The UK is currently lagging behind the rest of the The price for production, including the costs for
£1 spent on R&D activity. On average, engineering world when it comes to innovation, research and the injection moulding tool as well as information
companies invest £386,000 a year on R&D activity, development, and this could be because so many eligible about the material, precision and flexural strength are
meaning they are potentially able to claim £100,360 in companies are not utilising the financial support available. shown online. After selecting the appropriate
funding. Initiatives like the R&D Tax Credit scheme allow material, the designer can enter the quantity and
With over 100,000 UK engineering firms not claiming, businesses to free up vital funds that can be used to fund directly request a quotation from Igus. Parts are
despite describing their company as innovation active, a further innovation, which could help ensure UK delivered after 10 working days.
staggering £10.2 billion is going unclaimed each year. engineering stays at the forefront of the industry.” MORE INFORMATION: www.igus.co.uk/iglidur-designer

Festo invests to meet growing demand from electronics sector

esto has invested significantly in its core product tubing and fittings. Many of the components marked with
range and related manufacturing and supply the star are ready to be shipped just 24 hours after the
network to ensure that its components for the order is received, while configurable products are ready for
Felectronics sector are readily available worldwide, delivery within five days.
offer a long service life and are attractively priced. Particularly attractive for the electronics industry are
“Large quantities, high speed, worldwide availability ADN compact cylinders, the DGST mini slide and the DFM
and attractive prices are the minimum requirements for guided drive, as well as matching proximity sensors,
automation technology in the semiconductor industry and VUVG valves and the MS2 series of service units. All
electronics manufacturing, as well as many other sectors. products enable a pneumatic control chain with a very
Festo has therefore doubled its production capacity compact design. The hallmark of the latest components is
worldwide with a focus on Asia, which means it is fully the collaboration between the design engineers and
prepared for the high demand for electric and pneumatic production planners at Festo. They worked closely
standard products,” explains Festo’s Arian Scholz. together during the development of these products to
The automation components mentioned are part of the 2,200 components for every phase of the pneumatic and ensure that the components can be manufactured in
Festo core product range, with its distinctive blue star electrical control chain: from compressed air preparation, the Festo plants with a high degree of automation.
livery. These ‘Stars in Automation’ comprise more than valves and cylinders to accessories, such as matching MORE INFORMATION: www.festo.com/electronics

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • March 2020
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