MSC Industrial Supply Co UK, a premier distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) services to industrial customers throughout the UK, has announced plans to open a new Technology Centre to support manufacturers and drive engineering excellence.
The technology centre, located within MSC’s Wednesbury facility, is designed to enable manufacturers to test new engineering methods for the production of parts without disrupting production, in keeping with MSC’s pledge to help customers reduce cost, improve productivity and increase profitability through engineering excellence. MSC UK expects to open the facility by the end of the month.
David Darby, MSC UK managing director, said: “We understand that customer production time is precious and disrupting operations to demonstrate a proposed solution is not always feasible. Through the new MSC UK Technology Centre, manufacturers will be able to carry out much of this activity off-site, enabling them to understand and realise the benefits sooner while avoiding costly downtime.”
With many manufacturers moving to digital solutions requiring significant investment, the Technology Centre will provide immediate insight into the benefits of new machining technologies in optimising existing processes without the need to make large-scale investments.
The facility will include two Colchester CNC machines, a Typhoon L65M and a Storm 1050 VMC with a bolt-on Detron 4th/5th-axis table. In addition, the Technology Centre will be home to a range of auxiliary equipment, including a Colchester laser marker, EVOSET tool presetter, Bilz heat shrink machine, Ultimaker 3-D printer and MSC’s ControlPoint inventory management solution. Visitors can also make use of Autodesk Fusion 360 cloud-based CAD/CAM software and Vericut collision avoidance software.
Mr Darby said: “For many manufacturers, investing in new machinery and equipment isn’t always possible in a highly competitive environment. However, this does not mean they cannot drive operational improvements and achieve growth. Our Technology Centre has been designed so that we can help our customers adopt best practices and make the most of their existing assets.
“In sharing our engineering capabilities and partnering with customers on projects, tests and trials at our Technology Centre, we will be able to help them identify cost-saving opportunities.”
It will offer engineering insights free from OEM affiliation and brand bias and focus on the best solution for each customer’s individual needs. In addition to helping manufacturers leverage technology and best practices to develop product improvements and machining strategies, the facility will serve as an educational and event space for customers, suppliers and the manufacturing industry.