Industry & Business

The Mid West’s thriving aerospace and aviation industry will feature strongly at Manufacturing Solutions 2018, Ireland’s manufacturing supply chain conference and trade show, hosted by the GTMA* and Limerick Institute of Technology. Guest speakers from Boeing, Shannon IASC and Enterprise Ireland will discuss this growth industry which already employs over 1,600 people in more than 40 aerospace and aviation companies based in the region. Cook Medical’s guest speaker will present a talk on the all important Industry 4.0,  INCASE, and innovation partnership projects.

Manufacturing Solutions 2018 will also facilitate the unveiling of the €600,000 state-of-the-art, CNC Penta Machine during the conference and trade show at LIT’s Moylish Campus on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

Taking centre stage at the event, or more accurately taking over the 12 x 6 metre marquee erected to house it, the 15 tonne, eight metre long, two metre high Penta machine, acquired by Panalok Ltd, Ennis, will be delivered to the conference at LIT’s Moylish Campus by a specially commissioned crane.

The machine, which has previously been on show in Chicago, Milan and Birmingham, will be onsite at the Limerick conference demonstrating its ability to make a range of very small, high precision nuts and fasteners for the aerospace industry. After June 13, the Penta machine will be transported to Panalok’s production factory in Ennis, where it will take up the production of fasteners for new aircraft and aircraft maintenance.

More than 500 hundred people attended Manufacturing Solutions Ireland 2017 at Limerick Institute of Technology – the first ever manufacturing technologies and engineering solutions roadshow to be held outside the UK. Pictured during the GTMA manufacturing solutions event are: Kristina Viburyte of Fastform Research along with James Pointer of Fanuc.

Charlie Coughlan, Director Panalok Limited, said: “This new CNC Penta machine represents a significant investment by Panalok into the future. Its five different spindles and 31 CNC axis of movement is the equivalent of five machines in one. This multi-spindle machine is designed to machine difficult materials high in Nickel and Chrome which are particularly hard and tough. Being able to machine these materials opens up new markets for Panalok and will help grow jobs and expand the activities of the company in Ennis.”

Programme leader in Precision Engineering at LIT, Ciaran O’Loughlin, said: “Manufacturing Solutions 2018 will focus on major market sector technologies from aerospace and automotive to medical and materials. We are particularly pleased therefore to have companies such as Cook Medical, Shannon IASC, Boeing and Enterprise Ireland available as guest speakers this year. These presentations, plus the large number of exhibitions and demonstrations makes this an event not to be missed.”

GTMA Chief Executive Officer, Julia Moore, said: “Last year’s Manufacturing Solution event was  the largest of its kind in the history of the GTMA. Already this year the number of exhibitions is up by 25% on 2017, pointing to a very busy and a productive day at LIT this June.”

Manufacturing Solutions 2018 will take place in LIT, Moylish Campus on Wednesday June 13, 2018 from 8.30 am to 5 pm. The conference and roadshow is supported by Shannon IASC, Cook Medical, Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Limerick Chamber, Shannon Chamber and Regional Skills.

For more information and to register for the showcase, please visit www.manufacturingsolutions.ie.

* The Gauge and Tool Makers Association (GTMA) is a UK-based trade association representing leading companies in precision engineering, rapid product development, toolmaking, tooling technologies, metrology and other critical manufacturing related products and services. It embraces technology, procurement and supply chain initiatives to offer solutions across a full range of business needs. It also has a committed strategy to focus on major market sector opportunities, from aerospace and automotive to medical and marine.

CAPTION:

Pictured (from left): Maria Kyne, Head of Department of the Built Environment Management, LIT; Professor Vincent Cunnane, President, LIT; Julia Moore, Chief Executive Officer, GTMA; and David Beattie, General Manager, GTMA. Picture: Diarmuid Greene.