The MACH 2022 exhibition is a biennial event showcasing all the latest innovative manufacturing technologies and was a great opportunity for workshop staff and engineering apprentices from the University’s Technical Apprenticeship Programme to experience all of them in one location.  

The five-day April event, which can see a footfall of 25,000 visitors, took place at the NEC in Birmingham, where the space was transformed into a manufacturing hub, dividing the industry into different areas with zones for Welding, Surface Finishing, 3D Printing, Automation for Manufacturing, Digital Solutions, and lasers to name a few. It displayed a whole variety of exciting products and equipment of epic manufacturing proportions that ranged from milling machine cutting tools that were so small only a laser could measure them, to machining centres bigger than several apprentices’ bedrooms.  

Exhibitors were allowed to demonstrate a selection of their machines in action and show off their capabilities. These machine demonstrations included: milling detailed human heads out of aluminium, 3D printing giant t-rex skulls, and a robotic arm capable of switching a washing machine on and off – all very important applications! It also looked at the finer features that can go into making a workshop run well such as alarm lighting systems to signal information about machines, or cabinets for an organised workspace.  

Apprentices had the chance to speak to different delegates from an assortment of companies, some of whom the university has worked with before, to see the contemporary state of the manufacturing sector.  

As well as a few free pens, apprentices also gained an interesting insight into where the potential for future development is, and what skills would be needed to support and enhance them in their job roles.  

Alisha Quinn

Post written by: Nafeesah Hussain 
Date: 26th April 2022

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