Alternative Open House brings machine tools and education together

Taking place on 14 January at the Dartford-based UTC, which is located just a few minutes from the Kent side of the Dartford crossing, doors open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The event will showcase the wide range of machine tool and ancillary equipment supplied by RK International, along with the state-of-the-art facilities at The Leigh UTC, which are designed to develop the next generation of engineers. The UTC has invested heavily in modern manufacturing technology supplied by RK International and, in addition to the manual and CNC equipment that is permanently in the workshops, Erith-based RK International and its machine tool technology partners will also be showing machines installed specifically for the event. These include a Colchester Tornado EL CNC lathe, a Kingsland Steelworker, a HACO guillotine, a Joemars EDM machine, plus static displays of Heidenhain controls and Pratt Burnerd workholding. Apart from being able to view and discuss production equipment, visitors will be able to learn about The Leigh UTC and how they can work with it in the training of engineers. Only opened in September 2014, the college already says it is gaining a reputation for its engineering and IT courses, with the current intake of students setting a benchmark for those that follow. To maximise these young engineers' potential, the college is looking now for local companies to take on day-release students. For more information on the event, visit www.rk-int.com; email sales@rk-int.com; or telephone 01322 447611. Alternatively, just turn up on the day, as there's no need to register.