Spincraft UK £1M Investment Expands Aviation and Space Capabilities

Newcastle-upon-Tyne GB: May-2017: Spincraft ETG, based in the heart of northeast England, recently received £1M funding from their parent company Standex. As a provider of metal-forming solutions, this funding will allow the manufacturing plant to further expand its capacity and breadth of services, especially within the Aviation and Space markets.

What makes the Newcastle-based Spincraft plant unique is their metal forming capabilities including CNC Spin Forming, Sheer forming and Pressing (using cold and hot forming). The substantial investment will permit the creation of a brand new aeronautics manufacturing cell, allowing the Newcastle plant to offer its customers full turn-key solutions in-house.
Mike Hutchinson, Spincraft’s Operation Director said:

“Matching our investment with our customer’s long term needs is crucial for the future of the Newcastle plant. Our highly committed and experienced teams are anxiously awaiting the new cell”
The initial stage of the investment includes the following processes within the vertically integrated cell:
• Vertical Turning • 5-Axis milling • CMM and Control Room • FPI Inspection • Laser Faro Scanners • Shadow Graph & Part Marking
Cell construction is well underway, and initial segments are expected online as early as summer 2017.
Catherine McKinnel, currently standing as candidate for Labour Member of Parliament for Newcastle North, recently visited Spincraft to learn more about the plant’s capabilities and future plans. McKinnel toured the Newburn facility and had the opportunity to meet with management and factory employees.
Catherine reported:
“It’s really exciting to know that world-leading technology developed and manufactured here in Newcastle is winging its way into space – but even more so to learn that we could be playing a leading role in this growing international industry in the years to come. I am looking forward to supporting Spincraft’s plans for the future.”
McKinnells full review of her Spincraft ETG visit can be found at
www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk
About Spincraft, Standex Engineering Technologies Group
SPINCRAFT and ENGINETICS form Standex’s Engineering Technologies Group (ETG). Six facilities across the US and UK provide global manufacturing solutions via collaborative engineering efforts. Precision metal forming technologies are supported by vertically integrated manufacturing processes. ETG solutions support Aviation, Defence and Space-System markets. For more information about Spincraft and Enginetics, visit www.standexetg.com
About Standex Standex International Corporation is a multi-industry manufacturer in five broad business segments: Food Service Equipment, Engineering Technologies, Engraving, Electronics, and Hydraulics with operations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, South Africa, India and China. For additional information, visit the Company’s website at www.standex.com/

Dr. T. Kent Pugmire Inducted to the AIAA Class of 2016 Fellows

June 15, 2016: AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala, Washington DC.

Standex ETG Technical Representative, Dr. T. Kent Pugmire, was recently honored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) as a Class of 2016 Fellows.

Pugmire has worked with Spincraft / Standex ETG for 20+ years as Technical Representative and Consultant to the Space Systems market. Members of the ETG team were on hand for the celebration, joining several of Pugmire’s family members and business associates at the AIAA Spotlight Awards Gala held in Washington DC June 15, 2016.

AIAA Fellows are recognized as “persons of distinction in aeronautics or astronautics, who have made notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology thereof.” The AIAA board of directors elects only 1 Fellow per 1,000 members; with 24 Fellows appointed to the 2016 Class.
Pugmire was acknowledged by the Institute for his ‘ pioneering contributions to the design, development, and application of in-space propulsion systems, and a half-century of service to AIAA’.
A member of the Institute for 55 years with over 70 publications, Pugmire, a 30 yr. active member of the Liquid Propulsion Technical Committee, has organized and chaired over 50 Joint Propulsion Conference sessions. He developed arc heated reentry test facilities for primes and NASA followed by invention and development of electro-thermal heated engines and propulsion systems for 40 spacecraft, commencing operational use of electric propulsion for spacecraft. One of Pugmire’s electro-thermal concepts is the ongoing basis of over 250, long life, station keeping engines.
ETG President, Len Paolillo, commented: “The recognition Kent received for his contributions to AIAA and to the Aerospace community was overdue and very well deserved. Kent has long been a key contributor to ETG with his technical expertise and business acumen, and a trusted adviser to me personally for a number of years. The entire ETG team is honored and proud to have Kent as our colleague.”