Innovation in machining has become easier than ever, and is not the "big bad wolf" at the door, according to Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) president, Mark Ridgway.

Mr Ridgway was speaking at the start of the Global Manufacturing Festival, hosted at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing.

He told delegates attending a seminar on Advances in Machining, organised by the AMRC, in partnership with the MTA, that machining might seem to be a mature industry, but it had the ability to develop new technology, new markets and new supply chains.

Speakers from equipment manufacturers Starrag, DMG Mori Seiki and Hermle backed his message up with examples of new innovations, including:

• Cryogenic cooling technology, capable of reducing tool temperatures from 160