INDUSTRY NEWS
Astemo, a global designer and manufacturer of automotive componentary, has invested in new inverter production lines at its Bolton facility. According to the company, this will create and safeguard 200 automotive engineering and manufacturing roles at its facility. The new inverter lines will support the
next-generation of electric vehicle (EV) powertrains from April 2027. The production lines are backed by the UK Government via the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), led by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre. Under the Government’s new DRIVE35 programme, the ATF will continue to unlock private investment in strategic zero-emission vehicle technologies in the UK. Astemo senior executive VP, Toru Kamioke,
commented: “We are honoured by the UK Government's support, which reflects the high regard it has for our electrification technology. This investment in our Bolton plant will
DASSAULT SYSTÈMES’ TO ADD ASCON QUBE TO ITS DELMIA PORTFOLIO
The acquisition of Ascon Qube from Ascon Systems Holding is set to accelerate Dassault Systèmes’ leadership in delivering premium industry solutions to model, simulate and optimise virtual twins of an entire factory. This advance enables companies in automation- intensive industries to program machine-specific software through an AI-powered platform approach and optimise production processes. Dassault Systèmes will integrate Ascon Qube
technology into its DELMIA portfolio, deployed worldwide and powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE knowledge and know-how platform. With a focus on eliminating the inefficiencies
of hard-coded PLCs and rigid, heterogeneous production systems, the SaaS-ready Ascon Qube technology leverages AI to plan, build and control production through a model-based software platform. This provides unparalleled interoperability and flexibility across industrial automation processes. In a factory with hundreds of machines,
software programming and reconfiguration can delay production quality, changeovers and product delivery. Software-defined automation enables companies to mitigate these challenges by accelerating their ability to change production, improve quality, and maximise asset use. This is a concrete milestone in accelerating the
delivery of Dassault Systèmes’ next-generation 3D UNIV+RSES environment, combining virtual twins, training AI engines, and protecting customer IP. The technology will materialise in new Experiences as a Service (Xaas) to model, simulate, optimise and execute manufacturing to a new level of granularity.
www.3ds.com JULY/AUGUST 2025 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 7
ASTEMO IN BOLTON INVESTS IN NEW INVERTER PRODUCTION LINES, SAFEGUARDING OVER 200 ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING JOBS Adding to this, Astemo UK managing director,
mark the fourth country in which Astemo manufactures electrification products, following Japan, the US and China, and is an important landmark in our global electrification supply
Lee Owens, said: “The creation and safeguarding of over 200 jobs will expand and develop our highly skilled workforce and will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the local community. We are committed in delivering a world class product and growing the Bolton plant into a UK hub of excellence for power electronics manufacturing.” Business and trade secretary, Jonathan
Reynolds, said: ”Astemo investing over £100 million into its UK site is a huge win for Bolton and Greater Manchester and a vote of confidence in our Plan for Change. It will create and safeguard more than 200 jobs, putting more money in local people’s pockets. “We’re helping British auto manufacturers get
chain. Through the supply of products from the Bolton plant, we will respond to Europe’s EV market growth, while contributing to job creation and the development of the UK automotive industry."
to the front of the pack by working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive zero-emission vehicle supply chain in the UK.”
www.astemo.com AI-POWERED RESEARCH TO DEVELOP ADVANCED STEELS
ADAPT-EAF (Accelerating the Development of Automotive and Packaging steel Technology for Electric Arc Furnace production) is a new research initiative from Tata Steel UK. This, the company explains, is aimed at developing a new generation of advanced steel products from its EAF technology, set to transform the future of automotive and packaging applications – from car bodies to food cans. The ADAPT-EAF programme will address one of
the key challenges of using high-recycled-content steel: how to control and optimise residual elements that can affect performance in demanding applications such as some automotive components and packaging. The project will develop an AI-powered platform to predict how different scrap types and compositions impact steel quality and processability. This will be integrated with rapid
alloy prototyping and testing to generate the data required, as well as to pioneer automotive and packaging steel grades suited to EAF processing. This work will reinforce Tata Steel UK’s efforts to
produce cleaner, high-performance steels in the UK, while building local expertise and sharing best EAF steelmaking practices, product knowledge, and robust processes across the Group. Backed by significant £7 million funding
investment from Tata Steel UK, three partner universities and with a contribution from the EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships programme, the project will drive innovation in high- performance, low-carbon steels but also support the UK’s clean growth ambitions.
www.tatasteeluk.com
COMPETITION TO FIND THE OLDEST WORKING HYDROVANE COMPRESSOR IS LAUNCHED
CompAir has launched a competition to find the oldest working Hydrovane compressor. The Hydrovane brand was established in the early 1960s and is renowned for its durability
and long lifespan, with many models designed to last over 100,000 hours of operation. The competition is free to enter and is open from 4th August 2025 through to 19th September
2025. Entrants can email James Searle (
james.searle@
irco.com) with a photo of the compressor’s data plate and the machine in situ along with their name, telephone number, company name and location. Colin Mander, European distribution director for Ingersoll Rand, said: “While the Hydrovane design delivers excellent longevity and performance, we are also using the competition to remind users of the importance of regular maintenance from factory-trained engineers, using genuine spare parts. A well-maintained Hydrovane machine can have long intervals between servicing - sometimes thousands of hours between major maintenance tasks. “We’d like to encourage any business with an old, working, machine to get in touch and
showcase the staying power of Hydrovane! We look forward to celebrating British engineering durability and long-lasting performance with everyone.”
www.compair.com/en/ * For T&Cs, visit:
https://designsolutionsmag.co.uk/compair-competition-hydrogen-compressor/
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
