As the 2026 Commonwealth Games unfolds in Glasgow, vital performance technology may be almost invisible: hidden inside a handlebar, beneath a swimming cap or within an adapted grip made precisely for one athlete.

Additive Manufacturing UK (AMUK) says elite sport is one of the clearest proving grounds for additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing. From Formula 1 and track cycling to swimming and para-sport, AM allows engineers to remove weight, create aerodynamic forms, integrate internal lattice structures and manufacture individualised components without expensive tooling.

British cycling programmes have used additively manufactured cranks, seatposts, handlebars and fittings to pursue greater stiffness, improved airflow and rider-specific fit. Formula 1 teams use the technology to accelerate aerodynamic development, produce tooling and create functional parts at racing pace.

"Elite sport shows why additive manufacturing has moved far beyond a prototyping niche. When fractions of a second matter, engineers need lighter parts, faster design iteration and geometries that conventional manufacturing cannot easily deliver. Those same capabilities are strengthening production, supply chains and innovation across UK industry. Sport makes the benefits visible, but the industrial opportunity is much bigger," said Joshua Dugdale, head of AMUK.

The impact is especially powerful in para-sport, where equipment can be built around an athlete’s anatomy, movement and ergonomic requirements. AMUK member company 76 Additive designed and manufactured a combined grip and computer mount for British paratriathlete Claire Cashmore, used at Tokyo 2020. It has also produced lattice-structured aero bars for Drag2Zero, used by Britain’s Olympic gold medal-winning triathlon mixed relay team, and the EZ Gains Hydroglide, a swimming aid manufactured from rigid Multi Jet Fusion nylon and elastomer lattice Carbon DLS parts.

"Additive manufacturing lets us start with the athlete and the performance problem, rather than the limitations of a mould or cutting tool. Whether it is Claire Cashmore’s adapted grip, an aerodynamic cycling component or a hydrodynamic swimming product, we can refine fit, stiffness, weight and function rapidly, then manufacture the finished component repeatably. That is not novelty 3D printing; it is practical, high-performance production," stated Rob Johnson, founder and owner of 76 Additive. 

AMUK is encouraging spectators to look more closely during Glasgow 2026. Behind the medals and records, the decisive engineering advantage may be a component-built layer by layer.

additivemanufacturinguk.org.uk

The culprit? The new operating speed ran right into a structural natural frequency at 18.4 Hz, exciting the Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) motor and fan structure. Vibration levels soared to a worrying 14.09 mm/s RMS - well into the danger zone for long-term mechanical reliability.

Instead of accepting high wear-and-tear or avoiding the new process speed, the team at JPS Reliability designed, manufactured, and installed a custom Vibration Dynamic Absorber (VDA).

The results speak for themselves 

By clamping and tuning our bespoke VDA to the structural support, we changed the structural response of the system. Look at the dramatic drop in our live strip chart and time waveform:

• Before VDA: 14.09 mm/s RMS (Heavy, violent cyclic energy shaking the motor NDE)
• After VDA: 3.869 mm/s RMS * The Verdict: A massive 72% reduction in overall vibration levels!

Swipe through the images to see the VDA in action, the dramatic drop-off on the trend line, and the incredible reduction in the time waveform (Red = Before, Blue = After).

Why this matters

High vibration isn't just a nuisance; it's a ticking clock for bearing failure, structural fatigue, and unplanned downtime. By tackling the root cause (resonance) with a mechanical tuning solution rather than throwing expensive spare parts at a symptom, we've secured the asset's reliability at its new optimum process speed.

Got a stubborn vibration or resonance issue on your ACCs, cooling towers, or heavy rotating plant? Let’s talk.

👉 Contact JPS Reliability today to keep your plant running smoothly.

#VibrationAnalysis #ConditionMonitoring #ReliabilityEngineering #EnergyFromWaste #PredictiveMaintenance #MechanicalEngineering #JPSReliability #AssetManagement #ACC #PowerGeneration

For more information:

www.jpsreliability.com

[email protected]​

The new building also includes Motive Power Depot (MPD) offices and accessible welfare facilities. Designed as a dedicated learning environment, the MIC provides a space where experienced footplate crews volunteer their time to pass on specialist knowledge to volunteers and staff looking to develop their skills, gain practical experience and increase opportunities. 

This project was part-funded by the UK government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, via North Yorkshire Council, with a £350k grant, alongside a £250k donation from Peter Best, a long-standing benefactor of the NYMR.

The facility replaces a Portakabin classroom that served the heritage railway for more than 30 years. The previous accommodation, along with the MPD offices and welfare at Grosmont, had become increasingly cramped and no longer met the needs of the workforce.

"As someone who is passionate about both preserving our heritage and securing our future, the opening of the MIC was a particularly special day - it represents the very best of our industry’s culture, and I am incredibly proud that we are continuing that legacy for future generations," said Laura Strangeway, CEO at NYMR. 

"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to North Yorkshire Council and Peter Best for their funding support, which has enabled us to create a dedicated space for learning, development, and the sharing of railway knowledge and skills. Their investment will help ensure that this proud tradition of education and professional development continues to inspire future generations.

"Days like today remind me why heritage railways matter. We are custodians of extraordinary history, but we are also innovators, educators, and a community united by passion, skill, and ambition," she added. 

MIC facilities have a rich heritage within Britain’s railways. Established during the Industrial Revolution, they enabled railway workers to educate one another by sharing technical knowledge, pooling resources, and teaching practical skills. While these societies gradually disappeared across the industry during the 20th century, the NYMR has preserved the tradition, making its new facility the last remaining MIC of its kind in the world.

www.nymr.co.uk

Unlike traditional industrial AI that monitors equipment or predicts failures, the third layer of IntelliAM’s Industrial Intelligence Platform, Enigma, utilises agentic artificial intelligence to understand production-line performance in context. 

"Britain's future productivity gains will come less from building new factories and more from improving the performance of the assets we already have," said Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM AI. "Manufacturers do not have a data problem; they have a decision problem. The opportunity now is to use agentic AI to turn trusted industrial data into better operational performance."

The tech platform, a complete AI ecoystem, also directly addresses severe labour shortages. With vacancy rates in food and drink manufacturing remaining well above the wider sector average, the platform optimises existing human resources rather than trying to replace them.

IntelliAM already partners with half of the world’s top 12 food and drink manufacturers and Enigma was developed using over a decade of domain expertise alongside live deployment trials with leading brands like Müller, Hovis, and SKF.

At today’s London Stock Exchange launch, executives from Müller will speak about the tangible operational uplifts from their live trials. Across customer deployments, IntelliAM's technology has already delivered massive reliability gains, including a 215% improvement in the mean-time between failures at a single Müller site over a 12-month period.

IntelliAM’s comprehensive Industrial Intelligence Platform processes more than 16 billion industrial data points annually. Built on real factory-floor data rather than generic AI models, the complete ecosystem now seamlessly links three core capabilities:

• IntelliAM 53: Generates trusted, clean industrial data.

• Decipher: Provides deep operational understanding.

• Enigma: Deploys agentic AI to initiate intelligent operational action.

"Agentic AI represents the next stage in industrial transformation," Clayton continued. "With the Industrial Intelligence Platform, we have cracked the code of industrial performance. This is how people and machines will be managed.  This technology is about helping scarce expertise goes further.”

intelliam.ai

TV star Steph McGovern, a former apprentice engineer at Black+Decker in Teesside, is set to host the event, which will incorporate celebrations from workplaces and colleges across devolved nations and regions.

The new initiative, powered by the former Sector Skills Council Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, is designed to shine a spotlight on the important contributions of vocational training and skilled trades to the nation's prosperity. 

Vocational Celebration Day, set to be observed every year on the first Thursday of August, honours those whose passion, expertise, and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society.

"The team at Teagle is looking forward to hosting this important celebration right here in Cornwall," said MD Tom Teagle. "Apprentices now make up 10% of our workforce, demonstrating the important role the programme plays within Teagle which was recognised by Enginuity during a recent fact-finding mission.

"As a mainstay for skills provision in our Advanced Manufacturing operation, our programme is central to shaping the future of our business."

The first Vocational Celebration Day is seen as an important milestone in bringing about a seed change in parity of esteem between academic and vocational pathways to work.

"I am delighted that the great work being done here in Cornwall to ensure sustainable skills provision is being recognised at a national level," stated Eric Nichols of the Cornwall Manufacturers Group. "This is a big boost for all those working tirelessly to get young people in to work and those helping manufacturers across the county secure growth and prosperity for all."

A special edition of the hit podcast Steph on Skills: Powered by Enginuity, goes live on 6 August, streamed live on YouTube and social platforms at 10.00 and will be fed to news networks. The programme will feature young learners from across the country, employers, educators and government leaders.

Devised and driven by Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, Vocational Celebration Day aims to raise the status and profile of the thousands of young people who are doing their bit to build a better, more prosperous Britain. Although Enginuity and EAL operate in the engineering and manufacturing sector, they welcome involvement from the entire skills spectrum.

"This is brilliant news and long overdue," McGovern affirmed. “Why should academics have all the fun and glory? We have graduation days, A-Level Day, GCSE Day - now Vocational Celebration Day. I’ve been banging on for years about the need to celebrate vocational qualifications in the same way we do purely academic success stories. Let’s face it, vocational learners are the lifeblood of our country and yet have been left in the shadows.

"We want to make sure that this changes and these brilliant people get to celebrate in style," she added. 

Enginuity CEO Ann Watson characterised Vocational Celebration Day as "our gift to the entire skills and vocational community". "Congratulations to all those qualifying this year - this is a major achievement for those pursuing vocational careers. Take a bow, enjoy your moment in the spotlight and celebrate in the knowledge that you are well on the way to securing a rewarding career, that will be of benefit to you, your family and the country as a whole."

Across the United Kingdom, millions of individuals dedicate their careers to vocational pursuits: whether as skilled tradespeople, technicians, carers, culinary professionals, or creative artisans. These roles are the engine of progress, responsible for everything from keeping our lights on and our buildings safe to caring for our loved ones, crafting our cuisine, and driving innovation across sectors.

Vocational Celebration Day calls attention to the inherent value of learning by doing. As the world of work evolves, vocational training ensures that learners are ready to meet tomorrow's challenges, supporting economic growth, reducing skills gaps, and ensuring no talent goes untapped.

One of the defining strengths of vocational education in the UK is its inclusivity and social mobility. Vocational routes offer accessible pathways for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. From school leavers and career changers to those upskilling later in life, vocational training welcomes everyone with the ambition to learn and the desire to make a difference.

The flexibility of vocational learning, through apprenticeships, part-time study, and work-based training, ensures that opportunity is within reach for all. This inclusivity is vital for a fair and thriving society.

Behind every skilled professional is a story of ambition, determination, and achievement. Vocational Celebration Day highlights the journeys of individuals who have transformed their lives, and the lives of those around them, through vocational learning.

Vocational Celebration Day is a call to action for all individuals, employers, educators, and communities.

How to get involved:

• Employers can host open days, offer work experience opportunities, and share success stories of their workforce.
• Schools, colleges and training providers are encouraged to organise workshops and events that showcase vocational pathways and the talents of their students.
• Individuals can participate by sharing their vocational journey on social media using our dedicated hashtags: #VocationalCelebrationDay #CelebrateVocational

www.enginuity.org

www.eal.org.uk

 

ATMO Approved, introduced in 2022, is the industry’s global gold standard for measuring and recognising leading manufacturers and contractors of natural refrigerant solutions, which are responsible for powering heat pump systems, chiller and refrigeration systems around the world.

To achieve ATMO Approved status businesses must meet strict criteria and demonstrate impact. These criteria include highlighting evidence of reduced CO2 and TFA emissions, showcasing investment in training, and providing customer testimonials that demonstrate reliability and performance. Companies must also show proof that natural refrigerants are a core part of the business.

In practice, demonstrating impact means showing how their natural refrigerant technologies help reduce CO2-equivalent emissions while avoiding TFA emissions associated with many synthetic alternatives.

Since 2022 only 20 companies, out of more than 90 that have applied, have been successful in approval and re-approval. Güntner has achieved successful re-approval every year since the benchmark’s inception.

"Receiving the ATMO Approved Label again for 2026 reinforces the direction we have taken at Güntner. Advancing natural refrigerant technologies and high-efficiency heat exchange systems is essential to reducing the climate impact of cooling," said Michael Freiherr, head of technologies and Innovation at Güntner Group. "Our six sustainability pledges guide this work, from transitioning our product range to eco-friendly substances to reducing the environmental footprint of our manufacturing operations. This recognition highlights the role our technologies play in enabling more sustainable cooling worldwide."

guntner.com

Bridgnorth Aluminium, the UK’s last remaining aluminium rolling mill, revealed the new thin gauge slitting line at a special party held this weekend to mark 25 years of ownership by Viohalco Group, a Greek industrial powerhouse.

More than 500 members of staff, local dignitaries and key stakeholders enjoyed live music, games and a guided tour of a site that is now viewed as being critical to the UK’s sovereign manufacturing push.

Originally formed in Wolverhampton as Star Aluminium 90 years ago, the company has bounced back from a difficult trading period to return to 24/7 production, creating 35 new jobs in the first six months of this year.

It has traditionally served customers in printing, packaging and construction, with recent diversification efforts seeing it now provide specialist aluminium coils for use in energy and cleaner mobility.

The latter was typified with its recent 5-year deal to supply specialist material to Lotte Aluminium USA for use in battery development.

"We are firmly committed to production in the UK and respect the special role Bridgnorth Aluminium plays in local life, providing employment for several generations of family," said Giorgos Drakos, board member of Bridgnorth Aluminium, part of the Viohalco Group. "With this in mind, we wanted to mark 25 years of ownership by celebrating our tremendous workforce and the recent challenges we have overcome with Covid, tariffs and rising energy prices."

"The turnaround in fortunes after a very difficult 2023/24 has been phenomenal and we now have a platform to win work both at home and overseas. Consistent investment has created an advanced rolling mill and a unique national asset.

"Saturday was the opportunity to say thank you to the heartbeat of the business and to start writing a new chapter in the next 25 years of our history."

As part of its celebrations, Bridgnorth Aluminium has reinforced its commitment to the local area by donating £25,000 to charities and community groups, including a dedicated £15,000 boost to the Shropshire Community Foundation to reduce loneliness in rural areas.

This cause was chosen after it came out on top of a major survey of the workforce carried out earlier this year.

It has also agreed to renew the firm’s commitment to the community garden created on the former Hazeldine Foundry in the town, a site where renowned 18^th-century engineer Richard Trevithick developed his first fee-paying steam locomotive.

BAL had originally funded the project to mark the passing of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II and to celebrate close ties between the Greek owners and the Royal Family.

"The community garden is such a fantastic place for local people to relax, unwind or socialise and we have agreed to invest £6000 every year into its annual maintenance," added Adrian Musgrave, head of sales. "We are proud to be a Bridgnorth business and recognise that our factory has touched the lives of thousands of people in the town and will continue to do so as we expand. The garden is one of our ways of saying thank you."

www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk

This makes the housing ideal for systems with limited space, particularly in the medical, industrial, and test and measurement sectors. Both ODU-MAC Blue-Line frames and ODU-MAC White-Line frames in size 4 can be installed. The connector is available as standard in black or orange housing options, allowing it to blend in well with your device.

The space-saving spindle locking and the half shell design ensure easy assembly, component replacement, and proper cable routing. To ensure enhanced stability and durability, optional perforated metal sheets are used for strain relief.

Its key features include not only its robust and space-saving design, but also its high contact density, the flexibly adjustable cable outlet, and the flush mounting of the receptacle. For the proven ease of use, the built-in ODU-MAC Blue-Line modules have high mountability and can be installed and removed without tools. In addition, the connector is available complete with cable assembly, in line with the company's 'one-stop shop principle', where the interface, termination technology, and cable are all provided directly by ODU.

odu-connectors.com

The appointment reinforces its commitment to the Italian industrial market and strengthens support for customers, OEMs, and distribution partners.

In his new role, Caranti will lead the commercial strategy for IMI Industrial Automation in Italy, with responsibility for driving business growth in the OEM sector, deepening engagement with key customers, and further developing the company's partner network.

"It’s great to be joining such a customer-focused business as IMI and be able to lead the development of business opportunities across Italy through our team’s expert support for customers," he stated. 

Caranti brings extensive international experience across the industrial sector, having held both global and regional leadership positions with multinational organisations including GE and Emerson. His background spans industrial automation, software solutions, and complex machinery, with a strong track record in business development and commercial leadership.

The appointment forms part of IMI Industrial Automation's ongoing investment in the Italian market. The company aims to strengthen its presence across key industrial sectors, expand relationships with OEM customers, and further develop its distribution network to deliver increasingly application-focused, engineered solutions tailored to customer requirements.

"Italy is a strategically important market for our business. The appointment of Martino Caranti reflects our continued commitment to supporting customers with innovative solutions that improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability," said Mario Wrase, president EMEA at IMI Industrial Automation.

"Martino's extensive industry experience, customer focus and leadership capabilities will help us accelerate growth in the Italian market while strengthening our proximity to customers, distributors and partners. We welcome Martino to the team and look forward to building on our strong position in Italy and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the industrial sector."

www.norgren.com

The new initiative, powered by Enginuity - the former Sector Skills Council - and awarding organisation EAL, is designed to shine a spotlight on the important contributions of vocational training and skilled trades to the nation's prosperity. 

This day, set to be observed every year on the first Thursday of August, honours those whose passion, expertise, and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society.

The first Vocational Celebration Day is seen as an important milestone in bringing about a seed change in parity of esteem between academic and vocational pathways to work.

McGovern, who was an Apprentice Engineer at Black+Decker on Teesside, is set to host the proceedings with a live televised event which will incorporate celebrations from workplaces and colleges across devolved nations and regions.

The programme, a special edition of the hit podcast Steph on Skills: Powered by Enginuity, goes live on 6 August 2026, streamed live on YouTube and social platforms at 10.00 and will be fed to news networks.

The programme will feature young learners from across the country, employers, educators and government leaders.

Devised and driven by Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, Vocational Celebration Day aims to raise the status and profile of the thousands of young people who are doing their bit to build a better, more prosperous Britain.

Although Enginuity and EAL operate in the engineering and manufacturing sector, they welcome involvement from the entire skills spectrum.

"This is brilliant news and long overdue," said McGovern. “Why should academics have all the fun and glory? We have graduation days, A-Level Day, GCSE Day - now Vocational Celebration Day. I've been banging on for years about the need to celebrate vocational qualifications in the same way we do purely academic success stories. Let’s face it, vocational learners are the lifeblood of our country and yet have been left in the shadows. We want to make sure that this changes and these brilliant people get to celebrate in style."

Enginuity CEO Ann Watson explained the new event "is our gift to the entire skills and vocational community". "Congratulations to all those qualifying this year, this is a major achievement for those pursuing vocational careers. 

"Take a bow, enjoy your moment in the spotlight and celebrate in the knowledge that you are well on the way to securing a rewarding career, that will be of benefit to you, your family and the country as a whole," she added.

Across the United Kingdom, millions of individuals dedicate their careers to vocational pursuits: whether as skilled tradespeople, technicians, carers, culinary professionals, or creative artisans. These roles are the engine of progress, responsible for everything from keeping our lights on and our buildings safe to caring for our loved ones, crafting our cuisine, and driving innovation across sectors.

Vocational Celebration Day calls attention to the inherent value of learning by doing. As the world of work evolves, vocational training ensures that learners are ready to meet tomorrow's challenges, supporting economic growth, reducing skills gaps, and ensuring no talent goes untapped.

One of the defining strengths of vocational education in the UK is its inclusivity and social mobility. Vocational routes offer accessible pathways for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. From school leavers and career changers to those upskilling later in life, vocational training welcomes everyone with the ambition to learn and the desire to make a difference.

The flexibility of vocational learning, through apprenticeships, part-time study, and work-based training, ensures that opportunity is within reach for all. This inclusivity is vital for a fair and thriving society.

Behind every skilled professional is a story of ambition, determination, and achievement. Vocational Celebration Day highlights the journeys of individuals who have transformed their lives, and the lives of those around them, through vocational learning.

Vocational Celebration Day is a call to action for all individuals, employers, educators, and communities.

How to get involved:

• Employers can host open days, offer work experience opportunities, and share success stories of their workforce.
• Schools, colleges and training providers are encouraged to organise workshops and events that showcase vocational pathways and the talents of their students.
• Individuals can participate by sharing their vocational journey on social media using our dedicated hashtags: #VocationalCelebrationDay #CelebrateVocational

www.enginuity.org