Element opens Sheffield testing laboratory
05/04/2019
Element Materials Technology has opened a new 20,700 ft2 testing laboratory in Sheffield, UK.The new centre of excellence for non-destructive testing and inspection has been developed in this region, which has seen major investment in aerospace manufacturing, in response to its science and innovation strategy.
Following the deployment of new technology, the facility, which is strategically located close to Sheffield’s successful Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), will provide customers within the aerospace and oil & gas industries with the benefit of new equipment, expertise and technical support all within one site.
The facility complements the existing Magna Way laboratory, which offers a well-equipped machine shop with up-to-date computer numerical control (CNC) machining facilities and sample heat treatment capabilities, mechanical and chemical analysis, metallurgical testing and force calibration services.
Element has invested £250,000 in equipment for immersion ultrasonic testing (IUT), as well as dye penetrant inspection (DPI), eddy current testing (ECT), magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and on-site positive material identification (PMI). In preparation for the opening of the laboratory, the company, in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield, has trained five new engineering support and machinist apprentices. The apprentices will work closely with the skilled on-site technical team and will all be based at the new facility.
The centre of excellence was opened by Charles Noall, President and Chief Executive of Element, who marked the occasion by unveiling a plaque and welcoming employees and visitors to the new state-of-the-art laboratory.
To mark the opening, Element employees across all of the company’s Sheffield locations are raising £5000 for the local Bluebell Wood children’s charity, with the company matching the money raised by the team through step targets and other fundraising.
