Sandvik Coromant, the global metal cutting leader, has officially inaugurated its new state-of-the-art Sandvik Coromant Center in the UK. Based in Halesowen in the Midlands, the Center forms part of the global network of Sandvik Coromant Centers, a growing number of facilities that allow the organisation to share engineering expertise with its customers in a physical environment. The new Center, which is also home to Sandvik Coromant’s UK headquarters, has undergone a significant investment and will operate as a national hub for metal cutting expertise.
The modern facility contains two education stations with two machines equipped for tooling demonstrations, application training and engineering projects. They are a 5-axis DMG MORI DMU 80 eVo milling machine, and a Mazak Integrex i-200S AG lathe. The equipment is modern and incredibly versatile and ensures the Center is prepared to demonstrate any turning or rotating cutting application. Within the education stations, Sandvik Coromant’s engineers, known as yellow coat experts, are on-hand to deliver training and demonstrate trials and tests of cutting tools for customers and partners.
Machine demonstrations at the education stations space include the CoroTurn® Prime for all-directional turning, which can be programmed with Sandvik Coromant’s specialist PrimeTurning™ methodology and in combination with the CoroPlus® Tool Path software. The Center is well-equipped to demonstrate Sandvik Coromant’s expanded digital offer and their knowledge of metal cutting applications. The product technical specialist and the team of yellow coat specialists are enthusiastic about knowledge sharing and helping customers solve their metal cutting challenges. In fact, prior to the inauguration, the Center has already hosted over 7,200 interactions, 120 activities and successfully trained more than 6,800 people in 2022.
“We operate in the industry we serve, which puts us in a great position to help our customers solve their challenges,” explained Magnus Ekbäck, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Sandvik Coromant, during the opening ceremony for the new Center. “Sustainability is a great example of this. Using our own methodologies, Sandvik Coromant has achieved 80% circularity and a 50% reduction in emissions in 2023.”
At the ceremony, Michael Eneberg, Vice President of Global Sales at Sandvik Coromant, continued to explain the added value of the Sandvik Coromant Center to the wider engineering community.
“We want to be part of the effort to improve efficiency of machine tools,” said Eneberg. “Sustainability is one area, but demographics and skills shortages are another huge challenge. Plugging the skills gap is essential, and upskilling our customers is key to achieving this. In addition to hosting customers physically at our Centers, we can also provide digital live machining (DLM) sessions. These virtual sessions use technology to give customers an interactive experience of the Center, including multiple cameras inside the machines that provide live two-way dialogue between customers and our global specialists.”
The DLM sessions were demonstrated at the opening ceremony. Using integrated cameras, multiple views of cutting demonstrations were visible on screens across the Center. Not only does the technology provide a closer look at cutting demonstrations, it can be used for remote consultations with customers that cannot attend the Center physically. The DLM sessions will also be used for educational purposes.
Other equipment in the Center includes the CoroPlus® Tool Supply, an automated tool vending machine with software that enhances the shop floor’s inventory control for improved profitability, productivity and sustainability.
Ekbäck also discussed the potential for innovation at the Center. “Digitalization underpins many activities for our customers and will be essential for the sector to progress into Industry 4.0. Many of our customers are already in the design stages of using digital twins and automation in their metal cutting processes. Collaborating and supporting customers at our Centers places us at the centre of this innovation.”
David Harborn, Sandvik Coromant Sales Director for the UK and Ireland, discussed the significance of remaining in the Midlands during his opening speech at the inauguration.
“Sandvik Coromant’s ties to the Midlands go back over 100 years. The investment and revival of this site signifies our commitment to serving the metal cutting industry in the UK, but also reinforces our presence as a flagship employer and business in the local area,” explained Harborn.
“Remaining at the historical Halesowen site holds significant importance, both strategically and socially. We take our community involvement very seriously, and continue to sponsor several community projects in Halesowen, Dudley and across the wider Midlands. Moreover, Sandvik Coromant has strong customer relationships, strong partnerships and links to academia in the region.”
In addition to the Sandvik Coromant Center, the facility will provide working space for the company’s UK employees, containing flexible desk space for 100 office-based workers. The site also boasts an eco-conscious design, with installed solar panels and a number of electric vehicle (EV) charging points, plus dedicated EV parking spaces.
“We have operated at this site in Halesowen since 1958, and this revival has been a long time coming,” continued Harborn. “Our ambition is that customers, both present and future, can immerse themselves in the Sandvik Coromant experience and will receive a world-leading level of support. Our vision is to create a true innovation hub for metal cutting in the UK.”
Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
