Manufacturing & Engineering Production Magazine - July 2023

MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION

COMPRESSED AIR FLUKE PRECISION ACOUSTIC IMAGER ENABLES AIR LIQUIDE TO CUT COSTS

INTERVIEW WHY WOMEN’S GROUPS ARE IMPORTANT

Deadline Nearing to Enter 2023 Create the Future Design Contest

Time is running out to enter the Create the Future Design Contest, an exciting challenge — sponsored by Mouser Electronics — to engineers and students worldwide to create the next great thing. Mouser, which has sponsored the contest for ten years, is joined again by valued manufacturers Intel® and Analog Devices, Inc. as co-sponsors. The competition is produced by SAE Media Group, an SAE International Company. COMSOL is also a principal sponsor of the contest. The deadline to enter is July 1.

The grand prize winner receives worldwide recognition and a cash prize of $25,000 for an innovative product that benefits society and the economy. Previous contests have produced more than 15,000 design ideas from engineers, entrepreneurs and students in more than 100 countries.

The Create the Future Design Contest brings attention to product designs that enhance humanity, improve healthcare quality or help provide sustainable solutions. Previous grand prize-winning entries include self-destroying plastics, a selfcontained organ and limb transport device, and an economical rapid screening device to prevent foodborne illness.

The contest was created in 2002 by the publishers of Tech Briefs magazine to help stimulate and reward engineering innovation.

The grand prize winner will be chosen from the winners in seven entry categories: Aerospace and Defence, Automotive/Transportation, Electronics, Manufacturing and Materials, Medical, Robotics and Automation, and Sustainable Technology.

For more information, visit https://eu.mouser.com/ createthefuture/.

Manufacturing Growth Programme delivers 12,435 SME jobs as it targets new-look funding landscape

One of the UK’s most successful industrial business support programmes comes to an end in June after helping the manufacturing sector to create or safeguard 12,435 jobs since 2016.

The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which is designed and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, will see funding from the European Regional Development Fund end and is now urging the Government and local authorities to ensure that tailored advice for manufacturing SMEs is quickly put in place.

A recent independent evaluation of the programme found that MGP has delivered excellent value for money and achieved real results.

The report revealed that over 95% of companies surveyed expected their business to grow in the next five years because of receiving support from the programme, with 63% identifying the development of new products as one of the key areas.

In addition, 63% said they had already seen an increase in turnover, while 52% cited improved productivity as the main outcome of the support received.

MGP was established in October 2016 to address some of the main barriers to growth experienced by SME manufacturers.

Since then, it has been providing grant funding for business improvement/capital projects and specialist mentoring from industry experts, with 4564 companies assisted across the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber and the South East.

Its dedicated team of

Manufacturing Growth Managers has delivered more than £13.9m of grants that, in turn, have unlocked over £25.7m of private sector investment. Importantly, it also generated £42,073 Gross Value Added (GVA) per employee in the companies it supported.

The Manufacturing Growth Programme is the UK’s largest and leading business support programme for SME manufacturers, delivering consistent, tailored support across 183 local authority areas. The findings of this latest evaluation report have proved that the MGP model has worked effectively to address market failures.

The report additionally highlighted how Oxford Innovation Advice adapted the programme during Covid-19 and Brexit to continue delivering high quality business support and effectively assist manufacturing SMEs through these difficult circumstances.

Oxford Innovation Advice has over 30 years of experience in designing and delivering effective business support programmes that generate growth for businesses, local communities, and the economy.

The team has supported over 33,000 SMEs across the country and developed a suite of innovative resources and tools for businesses, policymakers, and funders.

For more information on Oxford Innovation Advice, visit www.oxfordinnovationadvice.co.uk

For more information on the Manufacturing Growth Programme, visit www. manufacturinggrowthprogramme. co.uk

44 per cent of manufacturing workers find their work exhausting

44 per cent of manufacturing workers are finding their work exhausting with more than a quarter (26 per cent) feeling emotionally frustrated. These are the findings from O.C. Tanner’s 2023 Global Culture Report which collected and analysed the perspectives of over 36,000 employees, leaders, HR practitioners, and business executives from 20 countries around the world, including 2,792 from the manufacturing industry.

The report suggests a number of reasons why manufacturing employees are suffering both physically and emotionally, with a poor balance between their working lives and personal lives more likely to result in exhaustion and potential burnout. In fact, when an employee doesn’t have the balance right, they

are 89 per cent more likely to suffer burnout. An organisational culture that doesn’t prioritise staff recognition will also increase the odds of poor mental health, with employees who feel appreciated for their efforts and results, 80 per cent less likely to suffer burnout.

If employees are to obtain a healthy balance between their work and personal lives, the report recommends that leaders give their people a say in how they work, as well as what work they do. Organisations must also establish pragmatic practices and expectations that support balance, while ensuring employees have opportunities to take time away from work without feeling any pressure, guilt, or obligation to work during their time off. Ensuring senior leaders communicate and demonstrate the importance of

balance is also key, thereby making it a normal, natural part of everyday culture.

The culture must also be one of support and appreciation, in which frequently and authentically recognising employees’ efforts, achievements and career milestones becomes commonplace.

Totalkare’s ergonomic positioners are single or double column devices that enable the lifting and rotation of a product during welding and assembly operations.

With overall capacity from 2,000 - 90,000kg to suit, they are both compact and flexible.

Caribbean Blinds expands installer partnerships after successful debut at FIT Show 2023

Outdoor shading manufacturer, Caribbean Blinds, has partnered with a number of new installers following their successful debut at this year’s FIT Show – the UK’s only dedicated event for the window, door, hardware and flat glass industry.

As the country’s number one fabricator and installer trade exhibition, the FIT Show celebrated its ten year anniversary at the NEC Birmingham from the 23rd to 25th May. Acting as the perfect platform to showcase their entire award-winning range of luxury external shading systems including patio awnings, louvered roofs and external blinds, Caribbean Blinds’ stand allowed installers to see and feel the superior quality and finishing touches of their products firsthand.

Magnetic Analysis Corp. Celebrates 95 Years of Leadership in Developing NDT Instruments and Solutions: The MAC® Edge Now Includes a New Milestone

Magnetic Analysis Corp.

(MAC®) is celebrating its 95th Anniversary in business this month, a milestone that commemorates nearly a century of service to the metals industry.

The company, which was founded in a small facility in Long Island City, New York, in 1928, is a recognized global leader in nondestructive testing. Today, operating on an international scale, MAC helps metal manufacturers around the world meet demanding specifications for Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, Phased Array Ultrasonic, and Flux Leakage test systems, along with application specific material handling,

The 95-year milestone is a testament to MAC’s longstanding dedication to customer service and technological advancement. “As we celebrate this anniversary,” says Dudley Boden, MAC’s President and CEO, “we focus on tomorrow’s opportunities.” Boden affirms that “testing demands placed on the metals industry will undoubtedly become more exacting and complex throughout the next five years, but the MAC team is dedicated—as we always have been—to meeting the highquality standards of our customers

and staying one step ahead of the curve.”

Joseph Baldauff, MAC’s Vice President of Technology, adds that “our continual upgrading of existing products and solutions reflects MAC’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative, powerful, and robust solutions for NDT applications. Our success and longevity are due in part to the advanced capabilities we have brought to the market for nearly a century.”

MAC’s nondestructive test systems can be found testing wire, tube, and parts in mills throughout the world.

Three facilities form the backbone of the company: MAC’s ISO 9001-2015 certified manufacturing and engineering headquarters in Elmsford, NY; a manufacturing and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 laboratory- certified plant in Boardman, Ohio; and Magnetic Analysis Nordic’s manufacturing plant in Östersund, Sweden.

With the support of its subsidiaries and field engineering network, MAC serves customers throughout North America, Europe, Scandinavia, South America, India, Korea, China, and Australia.

The Sudbury based firm also introduced their latest awning and pergola sales aids, including sample kits that enable installers to effortlessly sell their products. Caribbean Blinds’ louvered roof pergolas attracted the most interest from installers over the course of the three-day event, with a total of 239 installers registering as partners at the show, and 10% investing in sampling there and then.

Caribbean Blinds is committed to helping installers maximise sales of external shading in conjunction with glazing and providing a profitable additional revenue stream as a result. The team strongly believes that the reason for the high registration rate was due to the ease of adding their products to any range, including their dedicated installer academy, the use of their own delivery vehicles and their two-week UK manufacture guarantee.

Since completing on its 10,000sq/ ft factory extension at the end of 2022, Caribbean Blinds has not only onboarded six new members of staff – with plans to recruit six more – but the company’s ability to hold much higher levels of stock has reduced both price volatility and lead times.

For more information, visit www.cbsolarshading.co.uk

Manufacturing and supply chain solutions group in £5.5m refinancing deal

A specialist manufacturing and supply chain advisory group has secured a £5.5m finance package from Frontier Development Capital (FDC) to support its growth nationwide.

The funding will enable Rugby-based Sirius A Corporation to consolidate its position as one of the UK’s largest outsourced suppliers of laser cutting, fabrication, precision machining and supply chain solutions services. It will also allow directors Bill Boswell and Ben Cufley to complete the management buy-

in they began in 2018.

Sirius, which now employs 160 staff at six locations, was founded in the 1970s when it made one of the first laser cutting machines in the UK. The business has grown steadily over the years as a result of increasing demand for low volume, high precision components used in industries such as cleantech, aerospace and non-automotive vehicle electrification.

As a result of a successful buy and build strategy, it operates under a number

£2m press investment for SDE Technology

A Shropshire-based pressings and assemblies specialist has invested more than £2m in acquiring its largest ever progression press.

SDE Technology has installed the impressive 1000-tonne Chin Fong press and coil handling line at its Brixton Way factory in Shrewsbury, an installation that will allow larger die usage and help create larger products for use in the automotive sector.

The press, which has a bed size of 4.5metres x 1.8metres, has capacity for over £2m of new revenue, with the management team already in discussions with larger OEMs and tier 1s looking for security of supply and

opportunities to de-risk the supply chain.

Eight new jobs have been created and tens safeguarded because of the investment.

“This is our largest ever progression press and one of the largest in the UK automotive supply chain,” explained Richard Homden, Managing Director of SDE Technology.

“It is a fantastic time to invest in this new capability. Yes, there are current headwinds, but for the bold there are also opportunities, with lots of reshoring, electrification and carbon reduction projects currently being discussed.

of different brands. They include Sirius Supply Chain Solutions and Precision Laser Processing in Rugby, Intec Project Engineering in Redditch, Laser Process in Cannock, Quality Components in Pontefract, LaserIT in Bristol and Essex Laser Job Shop.

Advisors on this deal include Debrett’s (Will Mason), Clarke Willmott (Kim Klahn), Browne Jacobson (Paul Ray) and Dains (Rob Wilson).

“The £2m investment will be a game-changer for our business and the West Midlands as a whole.”

SDE Technology is one of the largest manufacturers of pressings and assemblies in the UK, employing more than 130 people across its core production business and at Salop Haulage Ltd.

The company has overcome tough trading conditions, the pandemic, chip shortages and energy costs to secure several new opportunities in the automotive sector and is now planning on maximising its latest Hot Form Quench (HFQ®) process.

This is a revolutionary hot forming process for producing high strength aluminium parts for use in the automotive, aerospace, and renewable sectors and gives designers the freedom to create parts that offer significant weight savings, yet still deliver higher structural strength.

It also delivers improved formability in six and seven thousand series alloys that cannot be formed cold. In some instances, it can also reduce the part counts from multiple components to just one.

Chris Greenough, Commercial Director at SDE Technology, concluded: “The Chin Fong investment comes off the back of two earlier press installations, offering 100 and 200-tonne capabilities.

“These have been put in initially to deliver pressings for the white goods industry, but they could also be used to support other tooling projects going forward.”

For further information, please visit www.sde.technology

Aquaterra Energy seals multi-million riser deal with BP

Aquaterra Energy, a leader in global offshore engineering solutions, has secured a multi-million subsea riser contract through a competitive tender with BP for a subsea well development project located in Trinidad and Tobago. Aquaterra Energy will provide a complete end-to-end managed service as a fully independent riser system and connector OEM.

The contract will see Aquaterra Energy deliver a subsea riser system to BP’s Cypre Project, off the southeast coast of Trinidad and Tobago. The system will be operated from a jack-up rig, supporting gas exploration from seven development wells in a water depth of around 80m. As part of the project, Aquaterra Energy will be providing local in country content, working alongside

local fabricators, and transferring knowledge to teams. Drilling activities are expected to commence in 2023 with gas production to begin in 2025.

James Larnder, Managing Director of Aquaterra Energy, said: “This contract cements our position as one of the leading riser system specialists globally. We’re proud to say we won our first riser contract with BP back in 2010, and 13 years on we continue to work together. BP chose us because we could deliver a fully integrated approach with access to solution driven engineers. This is one of the reasons why our riser project experience continues to grow, and I am looking forward to the next part of that journey.”

Andrew McDowell, Operations Director at Aquaterra Energy comments: “The win further demonstrates our

team’s global riser system expertise and collaborative approach to project delivery. We’re looking forward to sharing this experience and working closely alongside engineers in Trinidad and Tobago, sharing our knowledge and building on existing local capabilities.”

Aquaterra Energy will provide an integrated package of equipment, including rig modifications and personnel for full end-to-end delivery, focusing on enhanced offshore efficiency and improved safety.

Autonomous vehicle specialist lays foundations for growth with encouraging post IPO results

The company behind the driverless Auto-Pod and a new autonomous luggage/cargo dolly for aviation has posted a promising first set of results since it listed on AIM.

Aurrigo International plc saw revenues reach £5.3m for the year ending December 31st and has immediately set-out ambitious expansion plans to maximise new contracts in its automotive division and an exciting multi-year partnering agreement with Changi Airport Group

(CAG) in Singapore.

The company, which was founded by brothers David and Graham Keene thirty years ago, successfully raised £8m in the IPO last September and will be using the financial backing to roll-out its industry-leading transport technology in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.

More than 30 jobs have already been created since the listing, with a fresh recruitment drive just beginning to take the workforce at its Coventry

Advanced Engineering Centre and international offices past 100 for the first time in its history.

There has been significant progress in all areas of the business since the IPO, with continued investment in R&D helping to bring to market the eagerly anticipated Auto-Dolly Mk3 and AutoDolly Tug Mk3 - the latter focusing on delivering an electric-powered tug that can be converted to autonomous in the future.

Both are currently being tested airside at Changi Airport as the aviation sector explores new ways in which it can become more efficient and, importantly, meet global commitments to improve environmental performance by reducing emissions.

Aurrigo’s autonomous technology offers solutions in both areas with the two vehicles designed to reduce baggage and cargo loading and unloading times, improve movement efficiencies around the airport and boost health and safety by eliminating a lot of the manual operations.

The fact that both are electric powered is a big ‘green’ positive, especially when you consider that they will increasingly replace old fleets of tugs that are diesel fuelled.

For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com

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Why There’s No Such Thing As A OneSize-Fits-All Compressed Air Solution

A new White Paper by HPC Compressed Air Systems is challenging the notion that Variable Speed Drive (VSD) screw compressors are suitable for all applications.

Selecting the right compressor for a facility’s compressed air demands is vital.

Many compressed air providers will have customers believe that VSD screw compressors are the best option, no matter the application. But is this always the case?

In its White Paper, titled ‘Fixed Speed Drive vs Variable Speed Drive Screw Compressors’, HPC argues that VSD screw compressors are not the onesize-fits-all compressed air solution that VSD proponents would have customers believe.

Customers need to analyse their unique compressed air demands first, it says, to determine whether a Fixed Speed Screw Compressor, VSD Screw Compressor, or a combination of the two is right for their application.

In many cases, VSD Compressors will not be the most efficient or cost-effective choice.

Ultimately, what matters most, the White Paper says, is the compressed air system’s efficiency - and the key to a compressor’s efficiency is its Specific Power.

To ensure the best Specific Power, the White Paper recommends an Air Demand Analysis (ADA) is completed to

determine the customers individual air requirements.

Based on the ADA profile, it will be possible to identify the most economical and efficient configuration, whether that is a single or multiple Fixed Speed solution, a VSD solution, or a combination of the two.

What’s Inside HPC’s White Paper

HPC’s White Paper covers some of the most important considerations when choosing the right compressed air solution, including:

• The differences between Fixed Speed and VSD Rotary Screw Compressors

• How Fixed Speed & VSD Screw Compressors work

• Which type of Screw Compressor is the most efficient (and under what conditions)

• VSD Harmonics

• Motor energy losses

• Specific Power variances

• Energy savings

• The value in Compressed Air Energy Audits.

HPC KAESER: “More Air, Less Energy”

HPC KAESER’s strategy to specifying a compressed air solution boils down to “More Air, Less Energy”. HPC KAESER compressor stations are designed to ensure they have the best Specific Power to save customers on energy costs.

And HPC and its nationwide network of Authorised Distributors are experienced and qualified to design, install, and tailor the compressed air system to meet customer’s individual requirements while maximising efficiency.

To download the ‘‘Fixed Speed Drive vs. Variable Speed Drive Screw Compressors’ White Paper, visit: www.hpccompressors.co.uk/ white-papers

Find out more about HPC’s compressed air solutions and other services by visiting www.hpccompressors.co.uk

Fluke Precision Acoustic Imager enables Air Liquide to cut costs, reduce waste and improve pipeline efficiency

Sustainability targets are encouraging industries globally to further improve the efficiency of operations. Advanced ultrasonic measurement devices are providing the required insights to reduce waste in gas distribution.

Air Liquide, the multi-national company supplying industrial gases and services to the health and industrial sectors has cut costs, reduced waste and boosted the efficiency of pipelines in Italy through the use of advanced ultrasonic measurement devices from Fluke

Air Liquide has benefited from the ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager, designed by Fluke to make it easier, faster and safer to carry out highsensitivity detection of gas, corona and partial discharge (PD). Suitable for use by operators with minimal training, the point-and-shoot device can also detect compressed air, gas and vacuum leaks, making it ideal for detecting leaks in gas distribution systems.

Strong sustainability agenda to drive energy efficiency

Driven by a strong sustainability agenda, Air Liquide wanted to increase energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint by tackling costly

leaks of air and nitrogen at its dual mixed refrigerant (DMR) refinery in Syracuse, Sicily. The company chose to carry out measurements every two years on all pipelines around the refinery – 7,000m for compressed air and 9,435m for nitrogen – as well as 5km of interconnecting pipelines. Leak detection and repair (LDAR) checks are also required every 12 months by Italy’s environmental regulator ISPRA. With a frequency range of 2kHz to 100kHz and 64 digital MEMS microphones, the ii910 makes it possible to locate leaks rapidly, detecting a 0.005 cubic feet per minute (CFM) leak at 100PSI from up to 32.8 feet (a 2.5cm3/sec leak at 7 bar from up to 10m). The acoustic imager also incorporates a 1280 x 800 resolution (1,024,000 pixels) LCD display and offers a battery life of more than six hours in the field. Finally, by eliminating the need for secondary cables or other devices, the ii910 gives operators the ability to swap easily between detecting the leak or PD and fixing them.

Several leaks rapidly identified Air Liquide called on the services of Belgium-based Intero – The Sniffers who carried out all the required measurements using the ii910 acoustic

imager. Thanks to highly sensitive sensors on the device that work with Fluke’s SoundSight technology, the imager’s ultrasonic signals quickly revealed several leaks on the refinery’s air pipeline and multiple leaks on the nitrogen system. This enabled Air Liquide’s engineers to take immediate action to minimise the leaks and achieve instant efficiency gains.

Says Sebastiano Carpinteri, Process Engineer at Air Liquide Priolo, says: “Because our Syracuse refinery operates on a 24-hour basis, avoiding downtime is essential. That means tests for leaks must be carried out as easily as possible and results analysed in the shortest time. Using Fluke’s ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager, measurements over the entire pipeline can now be assessed from a static position by just one person. The intuitive device clearly identifies leakages, enables measurements to be carried out without any kind of infrastructure required and makes it easy to produce up-to-date and accurate reports on the locations of leaks.”

More information on Fluke’s ii910 Precision Acoustic imaging equipment is available on the website.

Ward CNC Continues Commitment to After Sales & Support with Key Appointment

T W Ward CNC Machinery Ltd (Ward CNC) are delighted to announce the appointment of David Cockbill who has joined the company in the position of Head of After Sales and Service.

David joins Ward CNC with a wide range of technical engineering knowledge and skills as well as a wealth of experience in after sales. David started his career as an Electrical Engineer with progression to more recent roles of heading up After Sales and Service departments with responsibility for driving the customer experience.

Operating from both Ward CNC’s Sheffield & Redditch showrooms, David’s responsibilities in managing the After Sales and Service team includes the overall responsibility for the company’s growing team of Field Service, Internal & Application Engineers, Projects & Installations, Quality/Health & Safety in addition to Customer Service & Spare Parts.

Commenting on his appointment, David states “I am privileged to have recently been appointed as Head of After Sales & Service with this well established and market leading Sheffield and Redditch based machine tool company. I am pleased to see even from my first few days with the company such a high performing team with a first-class reputation for After Sales Support.

“I would encourage both existing

and potential future customers to contact myself or one of our team to discuss all your After Sales and Service requirements.”

Speaking of David’s appointment, Executive Director Stephen Bodsworth states “We are delighted with the appointment of David which is fantastic news for our customers and colleagues alike.

“Working alongside Head of Technical Engineering Mario De Vito, we believe we have the structure and performance driven culture in place to ensure our customers receive the very highest level of After Sales & Service Support.”

Managing Director Simon Whitworth adds “David joins us at a very exciting time as we continue the investment into our stock portfolio, infrastructure, showroom facilities and people. In addition to the recent enhancements of our After Sales team, we have recently had further expansion of our UK-wide network of Regional Sales Managers.”

Epicor Appoints Chief Product & Technology Officer

Epicor, a global leader of industryspecific enterprise software to promote business growth, today announced Vaibhav Vohra has been appointed Chief Product and Technology Officer. With this move, the Product Development and Product Management teams will be unified under Vohra’s leadership, further enabling Epicor to deliver customer-centric SaaS solutions and continued innovation through AI, automation, and design.

“In his time at Epicor as Chief Product Officer, Vaibhav has been instrumental in driving our product strategy and spearheading the Epicor vision for the connected Data Supply Chain,” said Epicor CEO Steve Murphy. “We are confident that with Vaibhav’s leadership, we will continue to deliver the innovations and intelligence our customers across the Make, Move, and Sell industries require to compete in today’s marketplace.”

This transition comes after a collaborative succession planning effort alongside Bill Wilson, who over the past year has served as Chief Technology Officer leading the Product Development organization, delivering best-in-class, industry-focused technologies for Epicor customers. Wilson will continue serving as a technical advisor for all products and overseeing key customer initiatives, including leading the Retail product teams.

We are delighted with the appointment of David which is fantastic news for our customers and colleagues alike.

DF Capital appoints new managing director for commercial assets

DF Capital, the specialist commercial lending bank supporting dealers and manufacturers with working capital solutions, has appointed David Witherspoon as managing director - commercial sectors. David is responsible for all lending activity across agriculture, industrial and transport asset types and leads the bank’s sector manufacturer programme and client management teams.

David has over 30 years’

experience within the equipment finance lending space. For the past three years he has run his own consultancy delivering value added services to manufacturers, vendors and distributors as well as their financial services providers. Before that, he worked at DLL for almost 18 years in a variety of senior global roles. Earlier in his career, he also

worked for GE Capital, Woodchester Credit Lyonnais, Sabre Leasing and Mercantile Credit.

David Witherspoon, managing director - commercial sectors at DF Capital, commented: “It’s a pleasure to be joining an ambitious business which places great importance on its partnership approach to working with customers. My experience stretches across all the sectors DF Capital operates in today, so I look forward to getting to know my colleagues, our partners and hitting the ground running.”

Carl D’Ammassa, CEO at DF Capital, commented: “I am delighted to welcome David to the DF Capital team. David has depth of product and commercial sector experience having successfully led similar lending business at a local, regional and global level. As well as David’s proven leadership experience, his strategic mindset will be put to work to help us further grow the reach of our lending products across more sectors and asset classes so that we can support more manufacturers and dealers working capital needs.”

24/7 boiler room performance monitoring with Babcock Wanson’s Navinergy

Now available from industrial process heating specialist Babcock Wanson is the Navinergy digital platform for 24/7 boiler room performance monitoring. This innovative system allows customers to monitor their boiler room from any device, anywhere in the world, to optimise energy and water efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The Navinergy platform integrates all the components needed to supervise and operate the boiler room, including control, regulation, recording, visualisation and communication.

Navinergy is available with all Babcock Wanson firetube boilers and is fitted as standard with Babcock Wanson’s BW7DAYS seven day unattended boiler operating system.

For more information, including a short video on the benefits of Navinergy, go to www.babcock-wanson.com/2023/02/09/ navinergy-the-connected-boiler-room/, or contact Babcock Wanson on 020 8953 7111 / info@babcock-wanson.com

Attitudes to funding…

At Close Brothers Asset Finance we regularly survey business owners in the sectors we fund, including Manufacturing. Taken from our latest survey, in this piece we focus on attitudes to ‘funding’, finding out, for example, if firms are planning on seeking funding, and if they’re confident about getting access to the loans they need to grow their business.

A key finding is that only half of Manufacturing firms are aware of Asset Finance, meaning a large number still haven’t taken advantage of the many benefits to be gained from leveraging value from their existing assets.

Access to funding

A third of Manufacturing business owners say getting access to funding is a ‘major challenge’ and more difficult now than it was a year ago. A further 56% tell us it’s a ‘moderate challenge’ and as difficult now to access finance as it was a year ago. Only 5% say it’s become easier.

Exactly 40% admit to having been declined access to finance by a bank in the last six months, but despite the additional challenges, 77% of Manufacturing firms are planning on seeking funding for investment in 2023, although 63% have delayed their investment decisions because of market uncertainty.

Funding options ranked in order of popularity: 1.

Unfortunately, 47% of Manufacturing respondents to our survey stated they had missed a business opportunity in the last 12 months because of a lack of available finance.

Impact of energy price rises

The increases in the cost of doing business, compounded by significant energy price rises, has had a major impact on businesses in all sectors, including Manufacturing, leading to 47% of firms in the industry needing to take out finance just to cover higher energy costs.

Nearly seven in 10 (67%) business owners disclosed that their energy bills had risen, with a further 59% stating it had impacted their profitability. As a consequence, 91% have implemented various energy-saving measures, including (in order):

1. Switching off lights

2. Lowering the thermostat

3. Turning off air conditioning

4. Insulation

5. Switching providers

Interestingly, well over half of firms polled said they’d consider moving to a four-day week to save on energy costs, which is well below the UK average of 57%.

For more information, please visit: closeasset.co.uk/manufacturing

A third of Manufacturing business owners say getting access to funding is a ‘major challenge’ and more difficult now than it was a year ago.

Nearly seven in 10 (67%) business owners disclosed that their energy bills had risen, with a further 59% stating it had impacted their profitability.

SUPPORTING THE UK MANUFACTURING

• Unlock the value of existing assets

• Invest in new equipment

• Create positive cash flow

All lending is subject to eligibility, status, and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved.

Tech Tips – Why the VOLLMER VGrind 340S is the machine of choice for medical industry tool manufacturers

As one of the world’s most heavily regulated industries, the medical sector and the manufacture of everything from pharmaceuticals and healthcare aids to surgical instruments, implants and prosthetics to dentistry – everything has to adhere to the most stringent of standards. So, when it comes to surgical cutting tools for the industry, the leading OEMs and their supply chain rely upon production machines from VOLLMER.

With a pedigree unsurpassed in cutting tool production, the latest VOLLMER VGrind 340S is the machine of choice for the medical industry. Here, Rotary Tooling Application Engineer and VOLLMER of Americas resident medical expert, Carlos Becerra explains why.

Whilst many industry segments utilise tools manufactured from materials like HSS, carbide and PCD; tools for surgical applications and orthopaedics are often manufactured from stainless steel. The main reason is that when surgeons are undertaking procedures like bone and cartilage drilling, grinding or shaving; carbide tools have the propensity to break or create excessive heat during operations. The ultra-hard characteristics that make carbide perfect for many manufacturing processes – are also the same attributes that make them unsuitable for invasive procedures. Surgical tools are generally manufactured from 174PH, 420, 440A, 455 or M2 tool steel with lengths from 50 to 250mm and diameters from 0.3 to 12mm. And here lies the challenge…

With small diameters and a stainless grade with a likelihood to deflect during machining, precision production can be a challenge.

The Steady Rest & ‘Run-Out’

The steady rest is the single most critical factor in producing cutting tools to a standard beyond that made on rival machines. The innovative steady rest on the VGrind 340S supports the tool and prevents tool deflection during grinding. Any tool deflection will have an adverse impact on not just the precision of the tool, but also the ‘runout’. Surgeons’ hand tools typically operate at high speeds, exacerbating the ‘run-out’ impact of cutting tools. Run-out can result in reduced accuracy and even excess heat generation if a tool is rubbing against a bone instead of cutting. This can adversely affect the well-being of the patient. Run-out of up to 5mm is common in tools that are not precisely manufactured with a supporting steady rest to prevent deflection. Not only can excessive run-out generate excessive heat, but it

can also diminish precision where and when we need it most. Furthermore, excessive vibration in the surgeon’s hand tool can lead to….well let’s not think about those consequences.

To categorically eliminate this obstacle, the steady rest on the VGrind 340S provides support under the tool to prevent deflection – but it also provides a supporting finger over the tool body support to eliminate movement. However, VOLLMER has taken this innovation a step further, providing two steady rest points, and not just one. The steady rest system supports the cutting flutes of the tool as well as the cutting tip of the tool. With typical tool shank diameters for hand tools being 4.5mm and the cutting flutes often much smaller, the potential for deflection grows with decreasing tool diameters.

As you would expect from VOLLMER, we have doubled down on eliminating deflection, such is its importance and potential for disrupting the quality of cutting tools manufactured on the VGrind 340S. To eliminate deflection, VOLLMER has also introduced automated tool run-out compensation. Integrated into the NUMROTO control software, the run-out compensation cycle will utilise a measuring probe during operation to probe tools in multiple positions around the diameter of the tool. Taking live ‘in-cycle’ measurements, the VGrind 340S will automatically measure the tool and re-calibrate the programme to accommodate and eliminate any tool deviations caused by deflection. This in-process cycle can be programmed to run at intermittent periods throughout a production cycle. So, for tools with critical dimensions, probing can be integrated into the production of every tool, or if the operator prefers – every 10, 20 or 50 tools.

The innovative steady rest on the VGrind 340S supports the tool and prevents tool deflection during grinding.

Automation

The OEM recipients that specify medical and surgical procedure tools often require high production volumes that can be in the region of 5,000-off. To support precision volume production, the VGrind 340S is supported by the HP160 automated tool loading system that can accommodate up to 900 tools. The HP160 loading system on the VGrind 340S facilitates 900 tools with the medical standard 4.5mm diameter shanks. The number of tool positions decreases depending upon the shank diameter.

Not only does the VGrind 340S accommodate up to 900 tools, but manufacturers can also set the machine to run multiple programmes sequentially without manual intervention. So, if a company needs to run a batch of 50 3-flute tools and then 500 2-flute tools of different diameters and geometry that are then followed by other tool variants - the VGrind 340S can easily accommodate this. The result is unmanned operation, reduced costs and around-the-clock production – all

technology and process stability –running through the very DNA of the machine is a high level of flexibility. The VGrind is the only machine to incorporate multi-level machining with two spindles located on its A-axis. Feeding this paradigm leap in innovation is a grinding wheel package that accommodates up to 8 wheel sets. With 8 different wheelsets, the VGrind 340S can automatically change from a flute grinding wheel to a gashing wheel, cup wheel, a 1A1 wheel for relief and OD grinding or any other type of wheel.

with complete process stability. Having supported medical companies for several years, I can comfortably say that the technology in the VGrind 340S has been able to manufacture 100% of the tools that I have encountered to date.

Flexibility

To produce 100% of the tools that I encounter daily, the VGrind 340S not only delivers astounding productivity,

This flexibility enables the VGrind 340S to produce an unparalleled variety of cutting tools with zero manual intervention. With in-process grinding wheel probing and automated wheel dressing; long periods of precision lights-out production can be achieved – regardless of the multiple tool types required. The flexibility of the VGrind 340S is complemented by the next-generation V@DISON IoT digital solutions and the NUMROTO tool grinding software to enable customers to stretch their imagination with cutting tool design.

The OEM recipients that specify medical and surgical procedure tools often require high production volumes that can be in the region of 5,000-off.

Revolutionary Electroform technology from Holdson set to disrupt manufacturing industry

Holdson, a UK-based electrochemical polishing machine tool supplier, has announced the launch of its flagship product, the Electroform machine.

Powered by a one-of-a-kind dynamic contour electrode and utilising machine learning algorithms, Holdson’s Electroform technology ensures optimal polishing for additively manufactured components.

These cutting-edge, patent-protected machines are designed to address the challenges of traditional mechanical polishing, offering significant cost savings and increased throughput while being more environmentally friendly.

Holdson’s Electroform machines operate up to six times faster than competitor machines, and their unique technology allows for superior control over material removal rates helping to achieve extremely precise surface finishes. Furthermore, the technology is protected by patents, ensuring Electroform’s competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The company’s commitment to sustainability has meant that the electroform machines have been developed to use recyclable consumables and electrolytes. This closed-loop system eliminates hazardous waste and reduces the risk of exposure to hazardous materials.

Developed with the medical, automotive, and aerospace industries in mind, Holdon’s Electroform series of machines act as a cost-effective and high-quality solution for post-processing metal

components that have been additively manufactured.

Holdson has been developed over the past several years by a team of experts with decades of combined experience in materials technology, metallurgy, and precision engineering. The company’s team is dedicated to creating a sustainable and efficient manufacturing process that provides high-quality results for its clients.

Neil Dickinson, Chief Technology Officer at Holdson said: “We’re thrilled to finally launch Holdson and introduce our patented Electroform series machine to the market.

“Our machine is a game-changer for the manufacturing industry, providing a faster and more efficient solution for post-processing metal components. And with our focus on sustainability, we’re confident that we’re providing a responsible and effective solution for our clients.”

Holdson has already secured significant traction in the marketplace, with firm orders and commitments for multiple machines. Furthermore, the company has formed part of a major InnovateUK collaboration, showcasing the innovative and disruptive nature of its technology.

Chantelle Brandon Reeves, Senior Innovation & Growth Specialist at Innovate UK EDG said:“Innovate UK EDGE are proud to be supporting Holdson on its growth journey. The innovative business is poised for rapid growth in the coming years. We look forward to seeing what the future holds

for this company, and are positive that Holdson’s revolutionary product offer can make a significant impact on the medical, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors.”

Holdson is now accepting orders for the Electroform series machine, with delivery expected to begin later this year. With a commitment to sustainability and a focus on innovation, the company is poised to become a leader in the electrochemical polishing industry.

Robert Woollin, Industrial Engagement Manager at AMPI said: “I am thrilled to see Holdson launch their innovative Electroform machines, which have the potential to revolutionise the electrochemical polishing industry. AMPI looks forward to supporting Holdson’s growth through its UKRI Strength in Places Fund innovation programme and building a strong relationship over the coming months.”

For more information visit: www.holdson.co.uk

Pentagon, pro-actively supporting you from the early stages of design assistance right through to mould tool manufacture and repeat production of your injection moulding project. Your new or existing plastic injection moulding project will benefit from years of technical moulding experience!

Canadian-based ice resurfacing specialist Resurfice Corp (“Resurfice”) has returned to Thordon Bearings (“Thordon”) with a repeat order for its grease-free SXL and ThorPlas-Blue polymer bearings for Resurfice’s Olympia range of ice arena resurfacing machines.

In a relationship dating back almost thirty-years, Thordon has supplied more than 700m (2296.6ft) of the robust material to Resurfice – enough to span the length of eleven ice hockey arenas – with Resurfice usually placing two orders each year.

The most recent order is for 22m (71.2ft) of SXL and 4m (13.1ft) of ThorPlas-Blue, held in stock for quick and easy machining to Thordon’s specifications for installation to existing and newbuild machines, including the self-propelled, all-electric Olympia Millennium E.

Each ice resurfacer takes six to ten SXL bearings in the augers that gather the ice chips off the rink and then lift them into the hot water tank. Resurfice has also started using the heavy-duty ThorPlas-Blue material in the Olympia steering linkage assemblies.

Greg Auger, Commercial Director at Millstream Engineering, Thordon’s authorized industrial distributor in Ontario, Canada, said: “These machines return from arenas all over the world for a major overhaul every ten years or so, but will also use the

bearings for servicing and refits as well as for new machines. The use of polymer grease-free bearings has certainly been an important factor in the evolution of ice resurfacing technology.”

“Thordon’s proprietary bearing polymers have been hugely successful in our ice resurfacers,” said Lisa Schlupp, Purchasing Manager at Resurfice Corp. “They are very durable, resulting in minimal maintenance for our ice stadium customers. If you’ve got oily, greasy bearings and the grease drips onto the ice rink, then you end up with a mass of black spots trapped in the ice. Hockey players, skaters, and other winter sports enthusiasts expect a clean, smooth, and debris-free arena and that’s why these machines have to use grease-free bearings in their rotating components.”

Scott Groves, Thordon’s Vice President, Sales, said: “Ice resurfacing is very much a niche market; a niche within a niche. As with other types of industrial machinery, our greasefree polymers check all the boxes. They are durable, robust, and selflubricating, and easy to machine which saves manufacturers and operators considerable time and money. We have had a long relationship with Resurfice, which, like Thordon, is a family-owned business with a solid reputation for quality, reliability, and environmental sustainability.”

Ice resurfacers are large electric or mechanical machines used in winter sport arenas to scrape, clean, smooth and polish the ice surface. The main components include a “snow box,” hot water tank, wash water tank, a conditioner, and a broad bush.

As the resurfacer moves around the rink it cuts away a razor thin layer of ice, lifting the flakes into the snow box. At the same time, any dirt and debris are lifted into a waste tank, as clean water sprays the surface to “condition” the ice layer and even out any skate marks and grooves, leaving a smooth, glossy finish.

Resurfice Corp has been at the forefront of ice resurfacing technology for more than 50 years. In 2016, the company unveiled the OLYMPIA Millennium H, representing a quantum leap forward in performance, precision control, and fuel efficiency. The company’s first fully electric OLYMPIA Millennium E was launched in 2008.

Resurfice machines keep the ice clean and smooth with Thordon grease-free bearings

Tiger·tec® Gold

Fascinating milling work. Exciting solutions.

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Application - Aircraft Screwdriver Fastener Torque Control

Interface Force was recently approached by an Aircraft manufacturer who wanted to ensure the correct torque and clamping force were being applied to fasteners during assembly.

The Customer’s Challenge

An aeroplane manufacturer needs a solution where they can control the torque when fastening screws on their aeroplane models. They do not want to create any damage to materials or apply too much torque when plane components are being fastened together.

Interface’s Solution

Interface’s Model T15 Hex Drive Rotary Torque Transducer can be attached to the fastening workbench, measuring and recording torque, rotational speed and angle of the screwdriver. The LWCF Clamping Force Load Cell is installed, measuring the forces applied on the screw being fastened.

Interface’s Model T15 Hex Drive Rotary Torque Transducer can be attached to the fastening workbench, measuring and recording torque, rotational speed and angle of the screwdriver.

Results are sent to the SI-USB4 4-channel USB Interface Module, which is connected to the customer’s PC or laptop where data is logged, graphed and displayed.

The Results

The aeroplane manufacturer was able to calibrate their screwdriver by measuring its torque, rotational speed, and angle when attaching components to their aeroplane. They were also able to measure the forces being applied to the screw, to ensure it was not applying too much torque to the components.

Items Used to Complete the Test

• T15 Hex Drive Rotary Torque Transducer

• LWCF Clamping Force Load Cell

• SI-USB4 4-channel USB Interface Module

• Customer PC or Laptop

How It Works

1. The T15 Hex Drive Rotary Torque Transducer is attached to the screwdriver fastening bench.

2. The LWCF Clamping Force Load Cell is placed beneath the bolt head.

3. The T15 Hex Drive Rotary Torque Transducer measures the screwdriver’s torque, rotational speed and angle, for the customer to determine the right amount of torque needed to be applied to the screw to prevent any damage to the materials being fastened together.

4. The LWCF Clamping Force Load Cell measures the forces applied to the screw, so the customer can determine the maximum torque it can take.

5. The measurements and results are sent to the SI-USB4 4-Channel USB Interface Module, where the customer can record the results when connected to their PC or laptop.

For more information about the force and torque sensors mentioned in this application note or how Interface Force Measurements could help with your force, torque or pressure measurement challenges please email us at info@interface.uk.com or visit our website www.interfaceforce.co.uk

How Sensors Are Used to Enable Smart Factories and More Efficient Manufacturing, Reports IDTechEx

With the high inflation, increasing labor costs, labor shortage, energy crisis, and hybrid working, the manufacturing industry experienced significant turmoil in 2022. Although some of these have started to get eased, 2023 is still expected to be a challenging year for the manufacturing industry.

Forbes recently published an article, “The 5 Biggest Business Trends In 2023 Everyone Must Get Ready For Now”, listing a few key transitions in the manufacturing industry. One of the most interesting transitions in the manufacturing business is the trend toward digital transformation. Digital transformation, along with Industry 4.0, has been a buzzword for many years. However, despite the fancy name, digital transformation is often a vague concept for manufacturers. IDTechEx believes that digital manufacturing can be deconstructed into two main themes: safe human-robot interaction (HRI) to achieve higher productivity and an increased level of autonomous mobility for material and goods transportation. These themes are ultimately enabled by cutting-edge sensor technologies.

Safe HRI to Achieve Higher Productivity

Safety has always come as the overarching priority when it comes to using robots/machines in the manufacturing industry. Robots can pose a variety of hazards to workers. For example, while industrial robots are designed to operate at a safe distance from people, these devices traditionally lack the sensory skills required to identify

adjacent humans. Recently, with the fast adoption of collaborative robots (cobots), human operators are directly exposed to the workspace of robots, which can lead to further collisions, risks, and dangers. In order to mitigate safety concerns, IDTechEx has seen multiple sensors, such as force and torque sensors, LiDAR, and tactile sensors being installed on robots to equip them with better environmental perception and collision avoidance capabilities. One of the critical applications of sensors in robots is proximity detection and collision detection. Proximity detection can be achieved using photoelectric sensors (photoelectric fences), LiDAR, and capacitive proximity sensors. Photoelectric sensors/light curtains can be an ideal solution for industry robots. A safety light curtain is made up of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter transmits modulated infrared light, which is received by the receiver to create an array of light beams (also known as a light curtain). When a human operator enters or is blocked by the protection net, the light receiver circuit replies through the internal control circuit, which outputs a signal to the machine, causing the machine to slow down or stop its operation, thereby preventing the occurrence of a potential collision.

By contrast, force and torque sensors are commonly used for cobots when it comes to collision detection. Unlike industrial robots, cobots work in the same workspace as humans, meaning that a physical light curtain/fence would not suffice. IDTechEx noticed that the majority of commercialized cobots are equipped with at least one force/torque (F/T) sensor at their joints. F/T sensors have two main functions, including force measurement and collision detection. F/T sensors are typically installed around the robot’s end-effectors to measure the force. Depending on the tasks, the range of forces needs to be preset, and when the collision happens, the force or torque

Analyst at IDTechEx Safety has always come as the overarching priority when it comes to using robots/machines in the manufacturing industry. Robots can pose a variety of hazards to workers.

-

Wang

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detected by the sensor will exceed the pre-determined range, thereby informing the robot to stop its operation. With the increasing safety requirement of HRI, more F/T sensors are expected to be installed. Most cobots have one F/T sensor installed at this stage, typically around the end-effector. However, IDTechEx has noticed that a few cobot OEMs (e.g., Franka Emika) are starting to incorporate more torque sensors on all the joints to enable better force control and collision detection.

Increased Level of Autonomous Mobility

Autonomous mobility is one of the most important parts of a robot’s autonomy. Autonomous mobility requires the robot to have the capabilities of navigating, localizing, and avoiding obstacles. In the context of the manufacturing industry, mobile robots, especially automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), will be used for material transportation. The autonomous mobility function of mobile robots is enabled by sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors. Different sensors have benefits and drawbacks, and in reality, multiple sensors are usually used in combination with each other to achieve the best overall performance. For instance, LiDAR is relatively easy to use, and they are immune to poor weather. However, LiDAR usually comes with a high cost.

By contrast, cameras or imaging sensors are the only ones that can be used for object classification/recognition, but they have poor performance when it comes to adverse weather or limited

visibility. In terms of the manufacturing industry, IDTechEx believes that cameras will be increasingly adopted because those robots tend to work in a well-controlled indoor environment with stable illumination. At this stage, IDTechEx believes that many indoor AGVs in the manufacturing industry can perform on level 3 autonomy, meaning that the robotic onboard systems can achieve most of the autonomous driving tasks and multiple AGVs can be monitored simultaneously by one operator. With the trend toward level 4 and a higher level of autonomy, IDTechEx believes that more robust sensors will be incorporated. A detailed analysis of the market forecast can be found in IDTechEx’s latest research, “Sensors for Robotics 2023-2043: Technologies, Markets, and Forecasts”.

To find out more about this IDTechEx report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/ rosensors

Autonomous mobility is one of the most important parts of a robot’s autonomy. Autonomous mobility requires the robot to have the capabilities of navigating, localizing, and avoiding obstacles.

- Yulin Wang

Farnell raises

Turnbull & Scott win the 2023 Sustainable Development Award!

£4000

for Leeds hospice in memory of much-loved colleague

Farnell colleagues have raised more than £4000 for a Leeds hospice after completing a charity walk in memory of a colleague who sadly passed away last year.

Jason Stokes joined Farnell in 2012 in the role of Technical Content Editor before going on to deliver the role of Product Manager. On 20th November 2022, Jason died after bravely battling a rare form of cancer and, in his memory, colleagues from Farnell have undertaken a charity walk to raise funds on behalf of St Gemma’s Hospice, where Jason spent his final days.

Starting at Farnell’s head office, 21 colleagues completed the 21 mile route around Leeds in 6.5 hours, taking in some landmarks across the city that were significant to Jason including his first house, Headingly cricket stadium, St Gemma’s Hospice and Elland Road, the home of his beloved Leeds United. At the time of writing, a total of £4,157 + £596 in GiftAid has been raised.

Joshua Ahern, Farnell Product Manager for Interconnect, said: “Jason was a muchloved colleague and friend to many at Farnell and we are proud to have raised so much money for a fantastic cause in his memory.

“The money donated will help fund the amazing team at St Gemma’s Hospice and, although the care they gave Jason in his final days can never be repaid, we hope that the funds donated will help.”

Everyone at Turnbull & Scott is extremely honoured to be recognized by Scottish Engineering as the Sustainable Development Award winners. We are continually committed to investing in innovative products and in our dedicated workforce so that we can help our customers solve and deliver the solution to their comfort or process heating, drying, cooling, chilling, and energy saving challenges. In doing so, we are increasingly passionate about helping companies work toward a NetZero future.

This award comes as a great birthday present for the company as we celebrate our 90th Anniversary this year and reaffirms our belief that we are on the right track to have another successful 90 years ahead!

Our Managing Director Peter Murphy commented on the award win, “We are delighted to be receiving this award in 2023, the year we celebrate our 90th birthday.

“We have been quietly helping our customers to reduce their heat energy consumption for much of that time and to receive the

Sustainable Development award is a huge honour, particularly in 2023 with so many companies doing so much wonderfully innovative engineering to solve the climate change challenge.”

Winning the award rounded off a great week for Turnbull & Scott after exhibiting at the 2023 All-Energy event in Glasgow. It was great to connect with so many amazing people across the two days and discuss the creative ways in which we can help customers with their energy saving challenges.

We have been quietly helping our customers to reduce their heat energy consumption for much of that time and to receive the Sustainable Development award is a huge honour.

Events & Awards News

Manufacturers scoop eco innovation awards following groundbreaking R&D programme

Three manufacturers have scooped awards for eco innovations developed as part of a groundbreaking R&D programme.

Relic Plastic CIC, based in Heysham, ELE Advanced Technologies, based in Colne, and City Centre Commercials, based in Liverpool, were recognised for their climate change action at the Eco Innovation awards, organised by Eco-I North West (Eco-I NW), a research and development programme to create new sustainable technologies, products and services.

The programme is delivered by a consortium of universities - Lancaster, Central Lancashire, Cumbria, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester Metropolitan - and will have given more than 330 SMEs access to the extensive knowledge base, cutting-edge research facilities, built new networks to drive innovation, and supported the development of innovative solutions which will save 3,850 tonnes of CO2.

Relic Plastic CIC, based in Heysham, who manufacture high-quality, handmade products such as shower combs, knife handles and furniture using postconsumer plastics such as DVD cases, bottle tops, sweet tubs, and industrial plastic waste.

Working with University of Central Lancashire and Lancaster University it has been able to increase its partnership with the community including 50 businesses, schools and community groups to reduce plastic waste in landfills

and increase awareness and sustainable action.

The ‘Most impactful undergraduate’ award went to Lee Ollerenshaw from the University of Central Lancashire, who worked with ELE Advanced Technologies, a high precision parts manufacturer based in Colne. The project focussed on improving resource optimisation and waste management and supported the company’s net zero roadmap.

The ‘Best concept in development’ award went to City Centre Commercials, based in Liverpool, who worked with Liverpool John Moores University to manufacture and test its novel GeoBrick, a clay-free unfired brick which is made from recycled aggregate from construction, demolition, and excavation waste.

Eco-I NW, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), was led by the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation (CGE) team at Lancaster University.

Gühring Celebrates 50th Anniversary

On the 19th of May, Guhring UK celebrated its 50th anniversary in style with a celebratory event at its Birmingham headquarters. Hosted at the state-ofthe-art manufacturing site in Estone Drive, Guhring welcomed technical partners, customers, suppliers as well as esteemed guests such as Chairman of the Board Oliver Guehring.

Guhring UK was founded 50 years ago in a rented facility a few miles from its existing site as an operation that was only selling drills to local manufacturers with a trade counter for ‘walk-in’ ordering. Wind forward to today and the company operates from a 60,000sq/ft manufacturing facility that produces solid carbide and HSS round tooling as well as PCD tools with a complete service for bespoke specialised tooling production, regrinding and service, coating, tool design and much more. Opening proceedings, Guhring UK Managing Director

Chris Weston presented the company’s first product catalogue from 50 years ago and discussed the journey from a small local supplier to one of the UK’s most successful cutting tool manufacturers. Chris said: “Today, the range has grown exponentially. We can now offer almost every rotary cutting tool from drills, reamers, taps and milling cutters in HSS, carbide, PCD and Cermet along with grooving tools, tool holders and vending and tool management systems. Most of these tools are manufactured here in the UK and we also hold up to £5m of inventory of standard product lines for next-day delivery.”

Looking to the future, Chris continued: “Moving to this fantastic facility in 2017 was a huge leap forward and it will be the springboard to help us grow over the next 50 years.

“We have 35,000sq/ft of land to expand our manufacturing capabilities – futureproofing our business for the long term future.”

Altus Introduces

a New High-Resolution Quins Inspection

Solution to Meet Growing Demands in the Electronics Industry

Altus Group, a leading supplier and service provider of capital equipment for the electronics industry, is pleased to introduce the innovative new Quins HR inspection solutions to its customers in the UK and Ireland. Developed by Quins with customer feedback in mind, these new high-resolution units are designed to effectively address the increasing challenges faced by manufacturers due to the shrinking size of components and the growing demands of inspection requirements. With the widespread adoption of 01005 components, the need for the highest level of accuracy in inspection

has become crucial to ensure fault detection and traceability for production support. The Quins LC20HR and LC20HR/UV units offer unparalleled image quality and resolution and is equipped with the LS30 Quins box boasting an impressive 4800 dpi capability. The system is accompanied by an upgraded SL300 computer, delivering enhanced data processing capabilities to handle the increased demands of modern inspection applications.

The enhanced resolution of the Quins LC20HR and LC20HR/UV units ensures that even the smallest components can be accurately inspected, meeting the stringent quality standards of the

New Cesium Atomic Clock Provides Autonomous Precise Time of 100 ns Holdover for Months

From everyday applications such as mobile phones and banking to complex underwater defense missions, the need for synchronized precise timing and frequency solutions is critical to safeguard and process data as intended. Many of these applications rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to provide that precise time and frequency, but GNSS is susceptible

to jamming and spoofing attacks. To provide multiple industries— including telecommunications, data centers, metrology, aviation and defense—with a long-term and precise timing and frequency solution, Microchip Technology announces the 5071B cesium atomic clock that can perform autonomous time keeping for months in the event of GNSS denials.

Microchip’s 5071B is the nextgeneration commercial cesium clock to the existing 5071A, which has been the primary contributor to international time for more than three decades. The 5071B is available in a three-unit height (3U) 19-inch rackmount enclosure, providing a compact product to work in environments where it can be easily transported and secured versus a larger

industry. The higher computing power also supports the enhanced processing required to maintain efficient production operations. Additionally, the modular software employed in all Quins variants makes inspection easy and stress-free for new product introduction (NPI) and smallscale production runs.

Anthony Oh, Operations ManagerInspection Products at Altus Group, said: “We have had a great run since we partnered exclusively with Quins to support the UK and Irish market with their processes. Their products are really enjoyable to support, our customers find their products very interesting and valuable to use throughout the production process. What is ideal about Quins is that a single unit can be used for so many inspection processes to generate returns. This latest variant catering for 01005 components will only ensure that the offering of Quins remains complete and future proofed for many sites.”

“We are always listening to customers and trying to stay ahead of their needs,” said Quins CEO Klaus Kornhaas. “We are seeing more and more applications with 01005 components stretching inspection apparatus at production facilities.With Altus, we have significantly grown our market presence over the last years due

alternative designed specifically for laboratory environments.

The 5071B has upgraded electronic components to address possible obsolescence or non-RoHS circuitry. The product provides 100 ns holdover for more than two months, maintaining system synchronization when GNSS signals like GPS are denied. For example, this capability would enable a 5G network to remain fully operational for months without GNSS.

As a cesium beam tube product with no deterministic long-term frequency drift, the 5071B provides absolute frequency accuracy of 5E-13 or 500 quadrillionths over all specified environmental conditions for the life of the product.

For military applications requiring rapid deployments for system radars, 5E-13 stability eliminates the need for the acquisition of external synchronization sources prior to radiating. In satellite communications, this enables the user to broadcast and transmit over very small frequency bands without drifting out of band for

to their extensive network in the industry. This high-spec machine will certainly be needed and do well within the UK, which has such a large market of Contract Electronics Manufacturers (CEMs) with brand new high-value electronics.”

The new Quins LC20HR and LC20HR/ UV inspection solution offers a significant improvement in resolution compared to previous units, with a maximum of 4,800 dpi and 2,400 dpi for an image size of approximately A4. reaching 4,800 dpi for images of A5. The HR system’s computer features 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD drive, along with an external 2TB USB SSD backup drive.

The Quins LC20HR and LC20HR/ UV units provide the same versatile functionality as the standard solutions but with optional double or even quadruple magnification capabilities to meet the demands of intricate inspections.

Website: www.altusgroup.co.uk

the entire duration of the product.

When deployed, a product like the 5071B could maintain and better synchronize the critical communication between an aircraft and control tower. Air traffic control in the United States utilizes the Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) and Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) to precisely locate the position of aircraft across the nation’s airspace. The stability of the 5071B enables more accurate locations and continued operation during GNSS outages.

The 5071B is now fully compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), making this product available in regions where regulatory policies are in place.

Microchip provides the broadest portfolio of clock and timing systems in the industry. Its state-of-theart solutions are based on the company’s long heritage in the field of synchronization and timing and vertical integration of its core timing technologies.

Revolutionary new board-to-board connector technology launched

Interconnect specialist manufacturers, EDAC, in conjunction with OpenLX SP Ltd, have today launched their latest innovation in board-to-board connection technology, Clipzin™.

Clipzin™, the patent-pending PCB-mounted edge connector allows simple fixing of single board modules, such as the Raspberry Pi® Pico, to a host PCB. As a surface mount connector, Clipzin™ simplifies manufacture and facilitates easy and rapid connection and disconnection of sub modules, while the retention clip ensures nothing shakes free during use. This makes Clipzin™ the ideal solution for the development environment, whilst also providing reliability in mass production applications.

The Clipzin™ connector, fitted to the host PCB and hailed as a modern successor to the card-edge connector, mates directly with the PCB by making use of castellated pads along the edges to provide the connection. This simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacture for the modules, makes the entire assembly slimmer and lower profile and, without connector pins protruding, there is no risk these can be damaged.

Available in 20, 17 (15 live), 8 and 6-way variations, Clipzin™ can be used with modules such as the Raspberry Pi® Pico and Arduino® Nano Connect, as well as sensor,

radio, and a myriad of modules and sub-assemblies for multiple applications across a wide range of industries.

“For some time, we have challenged ourselves to find solutions to overcome the costly and lengthy development process in the very competitive electronics market”, explained EDAC Sales Director, Chrissy Cooper. “The creative minds at OpenLX together with our own engineering and manufacturing expertise has brought to market a simple, yet hugely flexible solution that can not only accelerate new product design but will revolutionise how production manufacturers can expand the capabilities of their own equipment, allowing effortless customisation for different functions, regions and markets.”

The versatility of Clipzin™ allows customers to quickly modify equipment on the production line to, for example, conform to local regulations by simply removing one Clipzin™-compatible card and replacing it with another. In addition, with the current pace of electronics innovation, equipment can also be upgraded as new features become available, even in field-installed systems, meaning modules can be reused which will contribute to improved environmental credentials. Clipzin™ is available via leading distributors, Farnell and CPC.

We are always listening to customers and trying to stay ahead of their needs.

-

Oliver Packaging Applies AI to Infor CloudSuite Industrial to Help Provide Critical Food Supplies to Senior Meals Programs, Healthcare Organizations and Schools

Integrated solution enabled leading manufacturer of food equipment & meal packaging systems to optimize its inventory 30 times faster while boosting customer and employee satisfaction

Infor®, the industry cloud company, announced that Oliver Packaging & Equipment Co. — a leading manufacturer of premium food equipment and meal packaging systems — is leveraging its integrated Infor CloudSuite Industrial and artificial intelligence (AI) solution to help provide critical food supplies to senior meals programs (including Meals on Wheels America), healthcare organizations, schools, grocery stores and more.

The integrated solution enabled Oliver Packaging, headquartered in Walker

(Grand Rapids), Michigan, to optimize its inventory 30 times faster while boosting customer and employee satisfaction.

“The pandemic created greater demand for packaged meals, combined with supply chain challenges,” said Mitch Summerfield, president of Oliver Packaging. “With

Infor CloudSuite Industrial in place, we were able to meet these challenges and improve our business significantly across the board — margins, NPS (Net Promoter Score), on-time delivery, and employee satisfaction. Now, with Coleman AI integrated into some of our key processes, we can stretch them even further simply because we’re able to better project what products we need.”

With customer purchase patterns continually changing, Oliver Packaging knew there had to be a better way to detect these changes so that the right products were delivered at the right time — to improve the bottom line and customer experience.

Leveraging integrated Infor Coleman AI services with Infor CloudSuite Industrial, Oliver Packaging implemented anomaly detection algorithms to identify abnormal

The pandemic created greater demand for packaged meals, combined with supply chain challenges.

- Mitch Summerfield

customer orders and amounts quickly and more accurately. Daily processing of these anomalies, using machine learning, is delivered to the Oliver Packaging team in a user-friendly dashboard, where it reviews and analyzes the variances for sales and operations to make critical, real-time business decisions.

Implemented in less than 90 days, the AI solution has helped Oliver Packaging realize the following business benefits, in addition to optimizing its inventory 30 times faster to keep pace with shifting customer demand:

• 90 percent reduced employee workload in identifying customer order anomalies

• $1.3 million in revenue variance (across 15 percent of its customers, where the ordered amount was less or more than normal) identified in just two months

• Lower costs by reducing the need to ship more expensive, alternative solutions or to expedite delivery when the right item is not in stock

• Better customer retention, with sales able to quickly contact customers to address new requirements

• Improved customer satisfaction by providing the right product instead of shipping alternative solutions

Oliver Packaging could implement the solution in less than 90 days because the Infor OS technology platform enabled the company to automate the process of collecting, analyzing and consuming data. Customer orders from Infor CloudSuite Industrial

are automatically collected and managed in the Infor Data Lake, with integrated services to build, deploy and consume AI-driven insights. The Infor OS platform includes tools for data integration, data management, reporting and analytics, and enterprise performance management, as well as tools for machine learning and AI solutions, so that Oliver Packaging can deploy data-driven applications in weeks instead of months.

As a data-driven company, Oliver Packaging has been closely tracking the company’s return on investment in moving to the cloud with Infor CloudSuite Industrial.

“Every ERP integration has its challenges, but what’s critical is

ensuring that you have the right partner with industry expertise to work through those issues,” Summerfield said. “We now have a system that has greatly improved our operations, and we’ve seen significant margin improvement simply because we’re able to better project what products we need. This company is light years from where it was four years ago.”

Four years ago, Oliver Packaging worked with Infor and its implementation partner, Decision Resources, Inc. (DRI), to move to the cloud. Since then, both customers and employees are happier because customers can get the right products at the right time and employees can take advantage of the operational efficiencies now in place. This has resulted in Oliver Packaging achieving:

• A 55 percent increase in on-time deliveries

• A 15-point increase in its Net Promoter Score (NPS)

• A 15-point increase in employee engagement

Watch this video to see how Infor CloudSuite Industrial with Infor Coleman AI is helping Oliver Packaging optimize inventory via anomaly detection and forecasting, while improving customer service, productivity and margins.

Allpack Launches grip® Taper - The Innovative Water-Activated Paper Tape Dispenser

Allpack is excited to announce the launch of its latest product, the grip® Taper. The innovative wateractivated paper tape dispenser is designed to make packaging processes more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The grip® Taper allows operators to use biodegradable reinforced paper tape anywhere with ease. The device is handheld and battery-operated, providing the freedom to pack parcels anywhere without the limitations of bulky desktop machines. The taper has a multitude of settings, enabling users to adjust the tape length and speed as required.

The grip® Taper is a compact and mobile device, weighing just 2.188KG when loaded. With a run time of approximately 8 hours (depending on usage), a tank capacity of 350ml and comes with an 8.4V battery included, ensures the new grip® Taper can pack parcels throughout the day with ease.

The grip® Taper is designed to make packaging easier and more efficient than ever before. With its unique, patentpending design, the grip® Taper allows users to easily apply water-activated paper tape to their packages with one hand while holding the package with the other. This frees up the other hand, making packaging faster and more ergonomic.

One of the standout features of the grip® Taper is its use of proprietary grip® demineralised water. This advanced technology ensures that the tape dispenser functions at its optimal level and produces reliable and secure seals. Operators can improve their carbon footprint by using reinforced paper tape and grip® demineralised water while maintaining high security and productivity standards.

The latest dispensing innovation from grip®, the Taper is part of the grip® Stack System, which elevates and clears messy and disorganised packing benches, improving packing processes’ efficiency and reducing stress for operators.

This easy-to-use taping solution is an excellent alternative to traditional desktop tape dispensers, taking up only half the space while being just as effective. The device’s multiple tape lengths and speed settings provide greater flexibility and control over the packaging process.

“We are very excited to introduce the grip® Taper to the market,” said Allpack’s Sales Director, Marcus Clarke. “We believe that this product will help revolutionise the packaging industry by making packaging faster, more ergonomic, and more sustainable.”

He went on to add “The grip® Taper is a handheld, battery-operated, and automatic water-activated tape dispenser that offers many advantages over traditional tape dispensers. By using biodegradable reinforced paper tape and grip® demineralised water, the device provides a more environmentally friendly and secure packaging solution. With its compact design, adjustable settings, and long-lasting battery life, the grip® Taper is a must-have for any packaging operation looking to improve efficiency and help reduce its carbon footprint.”

To book your demonstration of the new grip® Taper, please contact us today on 01543 396 777 or via email at sales@allpack.uk.com or for more information visit www.allpack.uk.com/grip-taper

We believe that this product will help revolutionise the packaging industry by making packaging faster, more ergonomic, and more sustainable.

- Marcus Clarke

The Grip® Taper is an automatic, water activated, hand held, tape dispenser, enabling biodegradable reinforced paper tape to be used by operators anywhere on the go.

The taper has a multitude of settings, enabling the user to adjust the tape length and speed as required. The machine is compact and mobile meaning it can be used both on the go and takes up less space on the packing bench.

Grip® Taper benefits:

• Hand held & battery operated

• Compact in size

• Run time of approximately 8 hours*

* Dependant on usage

Walter presents Supreme solid carbide drills

The market for micro drills keeps growing. This is largely driven by the increasing desire for ever-smaller technology as well as intricate components, such as those used in medical technology, watchmaking, the food and drink industry or

mechanical engineering. Premium manufacturers such as Walter are responding to this trend by constantly expanding their range of cutting tools.

The latest additions to the Walter range are the Walter DB133 and DB131

Supreme solid carbide drills. When used in combination with the DB131 Supreme fully coated micro pilot drill, the DB133 Supreme deep-hole drill in particular delivers impressive surface quality, tool life and process reliability. Specialist flute geometries are designed to optimise chip breaking to ensure that chips are kept short and therefore easy to remove.

Suitable for a wide range of materials and universal application, another integral factor in the solid carbide drill’s performance is the point angle and diameter tolerances (p7/h7).

Magna-Power Introduces Pitel Paste: A High-Performance Thermal Paste for Power Electronics Applications

Magna-Power Electronics, a leading programmable DC power supply and electronic load manufacturer based in Flemington, New Jersey, introduced Pitel Paste™, a high-performance thermal paste for use in power electronics applications. The first formula introduced, Pitel Paste AZ-01, has been formulated and refined over the past eight years, balancing thermal transfer performance with an ease of dispensing and cost, making it attractive for wide range of electronics manufacturers. Pitel Paste AZ-01 is available in seven different containers ranging in volume from 1 ml to 19,000 ml. Syringe, container, and tube packaging is available to support various dispensing methods.

A thermal interface material between two metal surfaces can offer

up to two orders of magnitude drop in thermal resistance. With higher power densities afforded by new galliumnitride (GaN) and silicon-carbide (SiC) wide-bandgap semiconductors, thermal transfer considerations in power electronics are more crucial than ever.

Pitel Paste AZ-01 achieves a thermal resistance of 6.5 x 10-6 K·m2/W (ASTM D5470), which benchmarks void-filling thermal paste performance for power semiconductors, measuring how easily heat can be conducted between two surfaces. A lower thermal resistance allows product designers to achieve greater power densities by providing better transfer of heat from power semiconductors to the heatsink. Magna-Power evaluated and iterated on its own thermal paste formulation through the lens of power electronics applications. Today,

Pitel Paste plays a critical role in the company’s ability to deliver among the most power dense programmable power supplies on the market.

With internal capabilities that include sheet metal and heatsink fabrication, CNC machined surface finishing, and power module assembly, Magna-Power is uniquely positioned to address power semiconductor heat extraction with a vertically integrated approach. Through a series of white papers, Magna-Power will be sharing its thermal paste technical experience and application techniques. The first white paper, titled Thermal Paste Surface Application in Power Electronics Manufacturing, is now available and discusses various dispensing methods, with considerations for automation, volume precision, placement precision and setup costs.

Pitel Paste Formula AZ-01 offers excellent performance in power electronics applications with minimal separation and a long shelf-life, all while supporting a variety of dispensing mechanisms, such as: spatulas, stencils, and volumetric dispensing. Today, with over 15,000 Magna-Power DC power supplies and electronic loads in the field utilizing Pitel Paste, Magna-Power is pleased to offer power electronics manufacturers the same benefits it has achieved with a well-balanced high-performing thermal compound: Pitel Paste Formula AZ-01. For more information, visit pitelpaste.com or for samples contact sales@pitelpaste.com

Latest Product Launches

Both drills are tailored to suit one another so that the pilot drill can deliver the best possible results for the deep-hole drill. The newly developed Walter processes, such as those for rounding the main cutting edges, increase the precision of the drills. This is particularly important in mould and die making, for instance, where fine tempering channels often have to be inserted close to the surface.

After all, lateral ‘wandering’, which is far more commonplace with HSS drills than with solid carbide drills can result in extensive damage to the component. Furthermore, the drills perform around six times faster than a gun drill. Both the DB131 Supreme and the DB133 Supreme are suitable for reconditioning and re-grinding. The solid carbide drills are available in diameters starting at 2mm. Walter can also offer intermediate sizes for delivery within a number of weeks via its Walter Xpress service.

MRO event in Atlanta is the perfect platform for Carter bearings

The recent MRO Americas Exhibition and Conference in Atlanta USA proved to be the perfect opportunity for precision bearings and tooling specialists CARTER MANUFACTURING USA distributor Carter Americas to promote their range of high quality bearings and tools.

This annual event, which focuses on commercial aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) enables suppliers like Carter Americas to meet the growing demand as the global aviation industry recovers from the recent challenges.

Carter Americas demonstrated their value in the PMA bearing space market by displaying their range of needle, roller, and spherical plain bearings, all uniquely aligned for PMA and DER repairs.

The demand for this niche service was evident with many existing and new customers being impressed with the combination of Carter’s manufacturing lead times, technical expertise and product quality for PMA bearings.

The event also provided new opportunities for future projects such as; main shaft turbine roller bearings, gear box roller bearings and a female threaded slot loader style rod end bearing project among many others, all of which fit Carter’s capabilities.

Additionally, the significant increase in demand occurring in the MRO industry is resulting in increased interest for Carter’s specialist aviation products and services including; bearing swaging, cutting, proof load testing and torque test tools.

Of particular interest was Carter’s All Access Proof Load Tool Kit which is an ideal solution for proof load testing bearings on-wing, or in challenging locations such as blocker doors and ailerons.

Suitable for a wide range of materials and universal application, another integral factor in the solid carbide drill’s performance is the point angle and diameter tolerances (p7/h7). Both drills are tailored to suit one another so that the pilot drill can deliver the best possible results for the deep-hole drill.

Microchip Releases Updated Programmer and Debugger Development Tools

As programming and debugging continue to be vital—and manually time consuming—processes for embedded designers, Microchip Technology has launched two tools offering fast, affordable and convenient solutions. The new MPLAB® ICD 5 and MPLAB PICkit™ 5 in-circuit debuggers/programmers both feature remote programming capabilities for an enhanced user experience.

The MPLAB ICD 5 in-circuit debugger/programmer offers advanced connectivity and power options for developers of designs based on PIC®, AVR® and SAM devices and dsPIC® Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). Because it reduces the need for power cables, this development tool can be used in environments where efficient use of space is necessary.

Powered by a USB Type-C® connection to a PC or Power over Ethernet (PoE)+, the MPLAB ICD 5 in-circuit programming and debugging tool is fast, flexible and convenient. PoE+ allows the device to be powered by the same cables that are used for

data communication without the need for additional power cords. In addition to the flexibility that PoE+ offers, the Ethernet connection allows for remote development and isolation from environmental conditions.

Remote debugging and programming over Ethernet, power monitoring to optimize designs for power, and integration with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/ CD) systems provide a feature-rich development experience bolstered by the strengths of the hardware and connection capabilities.

Users can reduce their development time by using Arm® Single Wire Output (SWO) trace and a variety of

programming and debugging interfaces.

The MPLAB PICkit 5 in-circuit debugger/programmer is a more flexible version of its predecessor and can be used both while connected to a computer with MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or in the field.

Compatible with all architectures offered by Microchip, this fast and portable tool is capable of remote programming via Microchip’s updated Programmer-to-Go (PTG) smartphone application. It uses a wireless Bluetooth® Low Energy radio to allow developers to connect to the device through their smartphone via the PTG app.

With the PICkit 5, multiple program images can be selected on the SD card through the app so the user can program different images in the field.

Previous tools were only capable of programming the image within MPLAB X IDE or MPLAB IPE before the user headed into the field.

Both tools are supported by MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the MPLAB Integrated Programming Environment (IPE), Microchip’s highly configurable software program and user interface.

An updated, 6.10 version of MPLAB X IDE will be rolled out with these products and will simplify the design process for customers who may need to migrate from one Microchip device to another to meet the needs of various applications.

For further information visit: www.microchip.com

Combination measuring fixture for transmitted light and multi-sensor measuring machines

A newly developed combination measurement system from Witte especially for transmitted light and multi-sensor measuring machines promises a significant increase in flexibility, speed and convenience in everyday practice.

The core of the innovation is the extremely easy-to-handle spring system for holding and fixing the components to be measured. Centering cones that can be replaced without tools adapt to different diameters - even hollow shapes, such as pipes. Optional versions also allow the combination with, for example, an ALUFIX hand chuck that can be rotated and staked out. The spring force, which can be adjusted from 26 to 36 newtons, keeps even heavier workpieces safely in position.

The adjustment range of the new 160 mm combination measuring

fixture enables objects with a component length of up to 145 mm to be accommodated. The adjustment to the workpiece length is carried out extremely conveniently via the slide, which can be moved and locked by means of locking bolts via pawl rails and linear guides.

The combination measuring fixture, which is assigned to the modular clamping system ALUFIX by Witte, has system holes compatible with the ALUFIX size AF16 - the construction on the respective measuring table can also be realized thanks to a specific connection hole pattern.

Devices and measuring setups realized with ALUFIX are reliably reproducible. The consistent implementation of the modular system allows unlimited, long-term multiple use of virtually all standard elements installed in fixtures.

Science and Technology

Nuclear Science and Technology

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time part time Certificate for CPD

MSc - 2 or 3 year part time

MSc - 1 year full time

PG Diploma • PG Certificate

MSc - 2 or 3 year part time (Taught and Distance Learning)

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Designed

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For more information:

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KEB drive controllers make servo pumps more efficient

Performance, pump protection and high precision control without compromise – all this is provided by the servo pump control function integrated in KEB Automation’s drive controllers. In combination with KEB’s DL4 and TA series servo motors, they can also save energy.

By controlling the pump drive, pressure and flow can be optimally adapted to the requirements of servohydraulic machines at any time. This is the case, for example, in injection moulding machines where cycle times are key. Here, the COMBIVERT F6 drive controller and S6 servo drives from KEB come in. With the precise and high performance solution for pump control, they ensure continuous control, as well as faster cycle times, to increase the productivity of injection moulding machines.

Another goal of the control: the hydraulic valves are to be protected and the service life of the pump is to be extended. For this purpose, there are various parameters in the firmware of the drive controllers whereby the lifetime and availability of the injection moulding machines can be significantly increased.

Designed for high requirements

Various features that have been specifically integrated into KEB’s drive controller firmware are proving useful in practice. “Among other things, we have considered ‘anti-cogging’ in our solution,” says Michael Schulz, application engineer at KEB.

“This enables KEB’s inverters to equalise disturbing cogging torques, which are system-immanent in permanent magnet motors. The result is significantly improved concentricity on the motor axis. In combination with the notch filter from the Wizard, which serves to avoid resonances in the hydraulic circuit, the result is highly precise and very good control of flow and pressure. Furthermore, there is the additional feature that the PQ control can be switched on and off by setting a bit. The user therefore has a regular KEB drive in place. This can lead to cost savings.”

Basically, the choice of servo pumps is always a sensible idea when hydraulic systems are confronted with highly dynamic or highly constant control requirements. These include various areas of plastics processing, hydraulics and bending presses, but also applications in the field of lifting technology. Here, according to Schulz, the stability of the KEB system and the performance of the software solution are particularly evident in the control of pressure and flow.

Website: www.keb.co.uk

Michael Smith Engineers expands territory for Viking Pumps

The UK’s leading pump specialist MICHAEL SMITH ENGINEERS (MSE) is delighted to announce the expansion of its sales territory for VIKING PUMPS to include Scotland, with effect from 1st June 2023. MSE is now the only authorised distributor for Viking Industrial Pumps in mainland United Kingdom and this extension of geographical coverage underlines its excellent relationship with Viking Pump since the partnership was formed in 2006.

As a leading supplier of specialist pumps, MSE have been providing innovative, application-specific pumping solutions to challenging liquid handling applications for over 50 years and Viking Pump has become one of their best performing products.

Viking specialise in the design, manufacture, and application of standard and custom-built gear and vane pump products and are dedicated to helping customers achieve the best performance from their systems.

The team at MSE can provide Viking Pump users with a wealth of practical and technical expertise for the entire range of Viking positive displacement pumps, having benefitted from extensive product training at Viking’s European facility in Shannon, Ireland.

Commenting on the new agreement, Barry McMahon, Viking’s Regional Sales Manager for Europe, said “We are delighted to have Michael Smith Engineers on board as our new Viking Industrial Distribution partner in Scotland, now increasing their coverage for Viking Pump products to all of mainland UK. With a strong customer focused philosophy and a team of experienced pump professionals whose goals & standards are very much aligned with Viking.”

The result is significantly improved concentricity on the motor axis.

New PC-GO software from Danfoss Power Solutions cuts propel subsystem development time by up to 35%

Danfoss Power Solutions, a leading global supplier of mobile and industrial hydraulics as well as electric powertrain systems, has launched its PC-GO propel solution for single pump/motor hydrostatic transmissions. Comprising the new PC036 safety controller and PC-GO propel software, the ready-to-use platform cuts propel subsystem development time by up to 35% while simplifying compliance with environmental and safety regulations. The software is ideal for a wide variety of applications, including wheel loaders, telehandlers, dump trucks, street sweepers, and forestry equipment.

PC-GO is a fully developed propel system software solution that’s configurable using the Danfoss PLUS+1 service tool for quick and simple customization. Housed on the PC036 controller, the system is designed to work with Danfoss hydrostatic pumps and motors, offering easy and seamless

integration of the entire propel system. This results in short and focused development cycles with fast machine startup.

PC-GO offers multiple adjustable drive modes, including an ECO mode feature that maintains the desired vehicle speed in transport mode while reducing engine speed. This reduces idle losses of the work function hydraulics, lowering fuel consumption and noise, and can

allow for engine downsizing.

PC-GO offers numerous built-in protections, including engine overspeed protection, pump and motor overspeed protections, mode-dependent speed limitation, cold start protection, and temperature protection. In addition, the software includes pressure limiting, cruise control, and anti-stall, as well as robust error monitoring.

With its PC036 safety controller, PC-GO is a PLd SIL 2 functional safety compliant system. It features fully integrated safety functions and has been tested, validated, and documented for compliance with international safety regulations such as Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

The PC036 controller’s robust housing offers reliable performance in harsh environments. It can be mounted inside the engine compartment or elsewhere on the vehicle, providing greater installation flexibility.

To learn more, visit the propel controllers and software webpage.

How To Read a Pump Curve

Pump curves are vital to displaying a pump’s performance and helping to find the right pump.

Knowing how to read a pump curve (also called ‘pump flow curve’ or ‘pump performance curve’) is essential to understanding the performance of a diaphragm pump within a specific set of operating conditions. The pump curve displays a selection of variable indicators to identify whether the pump can achieve the required flow rate at a certain pressure difference. This is critical in selecting the right pump for a specific application. We will provide instructions on how to read a pump curve correctly while looking further into the definitions and the variables each can display.

What Is a Pump Performance Curve Chart?

A pump performance curve chart is a graphical representation to illustrate a pump’s performance capabilities across a rated flow and pressure range at various operating points. Understanding how to read a pump curve chart will help determine all possible operating points of a pump and allows the proper pump selection for a specific application.

A typical curve chart will show pressure on the x-axis, and flow rate on the y-axis.

The flow rate is usually measured in l/min for both gas pumps and liquid pumps alike. While pressure for gas pumps is usually measured in bar or PSI, the metric mH2O can be used in addition to bar or PSI when displaying liquid pump curves. The curve may also show a central vertical line separating the diagram into two sections, depending on the application. The left side represents vacuum applications and the pressure on the x-axis is presented as absolute pressure at the suction side of the pump. For this application, the outlet pressure on the pressure side is kept constant at 1000 mbar (ambient pressure). The right side represents pressure applications. Here, the x-axis shows the outlet pressure of the pump, displaying relative pressure to an ambient pressure of 1000 millibar. In this case, the inlet pressure is kept constant at 1000 mbar. For gas diaphragm pumps, the pressure is measured in bar and for liquid pumps it is measured in mH2O or inHg.

The farthest two points along the x-axis indicate the ultimate vacuum (on the left) and the maximum pressure (on the right) the pump can reach. At each left and right point, the flow rate drops to zero. Depending on the pump type and its permissible operating range, these points may not be displayed in every

chart, as they only focus on the relevant operating ranges.

The highest point of the curve is where the two curves meet the central line. This is the pump’s free (or maximum) flow rate and indicates there is no restriction or pressure difference between suction (inlet) to pressure side (outlet) of the pump.

To use a pump performance curve chart, first determine the required application (vacuum or pressure), the required flow rate and pressure difference between pump inlet and outlet for the necessary application. Locate the points on the curve chart that correspond to these values and ensure that the pump can operate effectively. When choosing a pump, you might also have to consider the pump’s behavior at this operating point, its power consumption, and any other factors depending on the specific application. In case you are searching for a pump that has to transfer media from vacuum to pressure, a pump flow chart cannot provide easy answers. Here, KNF sales engineers are happy to assist in finding the ideal pump.

The Importance of Reading Pump Curves

The importance of reading pump curves is vital and should not be underestimated. A pump performance curve chart is a valuable tool for selecting and operating a pump in a specific application, providing the data for optimal pump and system efficiency and performance.

It should be noted that pump curves will differ between different pump types as they have different internal workings. Therefore, correctly reading a pump curve chart is crucial to effectively selecting and operating a pump, allowing for more informed decisions, and helping extend the pump’s life by avoiding overloading or operating the pump outside its optimum range. These factors help achieve better performance, efficiency, and cost savings.

LEFT: This flow chart of KNF N 96 shows minimal and maximum flow rate as well as ultimate vacuum and current draw.

How To Read a Diaphragm Pump Curve

Correctly sizing a pump to the application requirements can be a complex and often confusing process. But doing so will account for multiple factors, including fluid types, ambient temperature, fluid temperature, elevation changes, the tubing’s length, diameter and type, and any joints or bends in the hydraulic system – all of which require a complex understanding.

In certain circumstances, estimated flow and pressure difference requirements may already be known. In this case, a pump curve chart can provide additional information to understand if the pump

Pumps & Valves

LEFT: Even though FK 1.1100 could technically achieve pressures beyond 60 mH2O, this area is not included in its flow chart as this is outside of the permitted operating pressure.

These include the flow rate and any resistance factors, such as changes in elevation or the number of bends in the fluid system. The horizontal x-axis indicates pressure on the pump curve chart.

• Current draw: More detailed pump curve charts show the pump’s current draw along all operating points. The current draw is measured ampere (A) or milliampere (mA).

can operate effectively within the boundaries of the application. A pump curve chart can be used for diaphragm pumps to narrow down the choice and make a fast decision.

To read a diaphragm pump curve chart correctly, we have listed the following definitions to better understand the terms used and the variables to look out for:

• Title box: This area at the top of a pump curve chart provides detailed information about the pump model, its size, and other specific identifying criteria, such as the pump material (stainless steel, PP, PVDF, PTFE, etc.). When inspecting the performance of an existing pump, always ensure the pump matches the relevant curve chart.

• Flow axis: The flow rate of the pump refers to the volume of liquid or gas it will transfer per minute. It is usually measured in liters per minute (l/min) and indicates the volume of gas or liquid moved in a particular time. The vertical y-axis indicates the specific flow rate.

• Pressure axis: The pressure axis is divided into two sections: vacuum (left side) and pressure applications (right side). For vacuum applications, the x-axis defines the absolute pump inlet pressure whereas the outlet pressure is set constant to 1000 mbar absolute. For pressure applications, the inlet pressure is kept constant to 1000 mbar and the x-axis defines the relative outlet pressure to the inlet pressure. When calculating the pressure requirement, other factors should be considered.

• Minimum flow: Some charts also show the pump’s minimum flow which is the minimum flow rate at which it can operate effectively. When the flow rate is too low, the pump may not maintain sufficient suction to transfer the required volume of liquid or gas. Unlike many other pump types, diaphragm pumps cannot be damaged by operating below their minimum flow rate, but backflow might occur, and the pump will not transfer the media properly. Therefore, some pump curves show the minimum flow.

Please note that the data provided in flow charts are approximate values. Measured and tested onsite, pumps can vary in their performance due to several factors such as testing conditions and pump setup.

Pump Performance Matters With KNF

This article should explain how to read pump curves, the terms used, and the variables they can display. As manufacturers of highquality diaphragm pumps for OEM use, process applications, and lab use where detailed performance pump curves are essential, our KNF technical experts have indepth knowledge and experience to help our customers understand them better.

If you have questions regarding gas or liquid diaphragm pumps, their performance curves, or finding a pump that will suit your application requirements, contact our KNF experts to learn more. We can provide detailed answers and information based on your specifications.

A pump performance curve chart is a valuable tool for selecting and operating a pump in a specific application, providing the data for optimal pump and system efficiency and performance.

Why women’s groups are important in the world of manufacturing

Today, women make up at least half of the global workforce. And whilst women are better represented in manufacturing, only 37% of women still make up the manufacturing workforce globally over other STEM industries.

In a sector that is flourishing, why are women so vastly underrepresented? A multitude of factors plays a part in this. Girls are sometimes discouraged when considering a career in STEM at a young age, as the sector is typically viewed as only “for men”. Women often don’t consider a career in manufacturing, or if they do there’s sometimes little inspiration.

To switch this image of the industry, changes need to be made. That old-fashioned notion of physical working is “jobs for boys” needs to be scrapped. Perception can’t change overnight, but manufacturing companies and groups need to act now. That could mean changing recruitment processes and developing women’s career progression in the industry.

Some manufacturers have already started to demonstrate to women that working in manufacturing is an aspiring and fulfilling career. One that’s supportive, empowering, exciting, and collaborative.

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in female groups, which are aimed to support, empower, and give confidence to women in their professional careers. Groups like WECAN are providing women with the opportunity to network with others, whilst providing growth through mentorship.

To highlight women’s importance in manufacturing, we spoke with Managing Director, Louise O’Brien, with 20 years of manufacturing experience and Office Manager, Magdalena Biziewska who has been working in the industry for six years at Greyhound Box.

What’s it like to be a woman in the manufacturing world, and how has this changed over the years?

It can be difficult at times as you need to have some engineering, and technology skills and apply logic to most things. It is male dominated so you have to be able to think and speak strategically, whilst staying determined and resilient. I do see a lot more females in STEM now and I believe there is a lot of encouragement to enter the industry.

Do you feel there are more opportunities now for women in manufacturing?

Yes, definitely and I think they are valued; it has brought more creativity to manufacturing. Relationships are key and I believe females have a lot to offer on emotional intelligence. -

It certainly feels that way however there is still a lot to do to make manufacturing a more diverse sector. There is a perception that jobs within manufacturing are conducted in dirty and unsafe environments. In fact, this is far from the truth as the manufacturing industry is very innovative and it is getting more modern. -

I do see a lot more females in STEM now and I believe there is a lot of encouragement to enter the industry.

- Louise O’Brien

Which groups are you a part of, and why do you feel these groups are important? How have they impacted your career?

Groups we are both a part of include, Make UK, Made in Group, Business Value, Expansion Group, Yorkshire Leadership Group, Leeds Manufacturers Alliance, Help to Grow Mentor and WECAN.

These groups provide me with mentoring, understanding the current landscape in business and not just in manufacturing. Sharing ideas and issues is very valuable especially through the pandemic. -

mentoring for any woman who is wanting to excel in their career. -

What’s the best advice you’ve been given about being a woman in business, specifically the manufacturing sector?

Manufacturing is a great and exciting industry to be involved in using so many skills like maths, and strategic thinking with people always top of the agenda. The good thing is that you can transfer any skills from other industries, and they will always be relevant. It is a showcase for using efficiency skills and increasing productivity is so rewarding. - Louise

Being member of these groups provides me with ongoing support, whilst expanding my knowledge in various areas of the business. Groups such as WECAN allows likeminded women to network, gain confidence and provides a range of exciting opportunities.

Why should other women join these groups?

These groups provide endless energy. The courses available provide direct

Always stay resilient and be determined to go forward. With this positive mindset you will achieve a lot in the sector. -

to adapt our operating hours to accommodate a more flexible worklife balance. Although this was for the wellbeing of all our staff, this small but vital change has allowed our female members of staff spend more time outside of work. Whether that’s with their loved ones, enjoying a hobby or simply creating ease with childcare. -

Women typically face barriers when working in STEM industries, as a business owner how have you overcome these?

It starts by recognising the barriers women still face in the first place. At Greyhound Box we took the decision

Manufacturing companies and industry groups must commit to taking decisive steps to create gender diversity. Increasing women’s access to STEM, providing training, and offering female benefits, will allow women to succeed and businesses to hire the female talent they need.

Always stay resilient and be determined to go forward. With this positive mindset you will achieve a lot in the sector.

-

Biziewska

Suncombe range of effluent decontamination systems upgraded and renamed EDSbatch

Suncombe, pioneers in the development of innovative solutions for cleaning in place and bio-waste decontamination, has recently added new features to it range of Effluent Decontamination Systems (EDS) incorporating connectivity, sustainability and efficiency improvements required for the mid 2020’s and the post-COVID era. As a result the systems, which utilise the batch methodology, and have been supplied for over 25 years under the EDSPlus™ brand, have been renamed EDSbatch®.

Chelton Takes Flight with Infor CloudSuite

UK aerospace & defence manufacturer selects Infor to streamline and scale for growth.

Infor®, the industry cloud company, today announced that antennas, avionics and land equipment manufacturer for the aerospace and defence industry, Chelton, has selected Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defence as its ERP platform. Supporting Chelton following a restructure and rebrand, the cloud solution, powered by AWS (Amazon Web Services), will facilitate a standardised, scalable platform from which to streamline operations, and support greater visibility and risk management.

Following a divestment from global defence leader Cobham, Chelton selected Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defence to replace a heavily customised, unsupported legacy system that was beginning to present challenges. The decision was made based on Infor’s experience and credentials in the sector, combined with the out-of-the-box industry capabilities the system provides.

“As we adapt to a new organisational structure in the wake of ownership changes, we needed a best-in-class, scalable platform to enable us to drive efficiency,

mitigate risk, optimise reporting, simplify processes and enable datadriven decisions,” comments James Burke, Chelton VP of operations.

“We were impressed by the in-depth industry-focused functionality of the system, crucially without the need for customisations, and with regular updates via the cloud to ensure we’re always on the latest release and fully supported. This also means we get immediate benefit from new capability and innovation, helping us to scale, flex and grow as our markets and customers demand.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Infor on this strategic project to transform our ERP system and are excited about its potential,” comments Jason Abbott, president of Chelton. “Infor’s approach is enabling our teams to identify a range of business improvements, best practices and areas for development. A modernised ERP platform will allow us to effectively manage our supply chain, swiftly adapt to industry changes and continue to deliver exceptional service and support to our customers for many years to come.”

Learn more about Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defence: https://www.infor.com/ products/cloudsuite-aerospace

These are heavy duty, validateable batch biowaste decontamination systems used for biological hazardous effluent decontamination and growth media sterilisation for BSL levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. The new EDSbatch branding is a registered trade name and applies to the entire range of larger EDS supplied by the

A/S chooses 2D/3D laser profile scanners from Micro-Epsilon to optimise the quality of weld seams

Inrotech, a designer and manufacturer of automated welding solutions for shipbuilding, renewables, offshore and heavy industries, has chosen 2D/3D laser profile scanners from MicroEpsilon for use on its ‘InrotechCrawler’ welding robot, which calculates welding processes in advance before carrying them out.

company. They are used for the treatment of effluent and waste generated by research, laboratory, production and bio-containment facilities from a single laboratory to a large multi-user facility, as well as for production and process waste decontamination. The new name was chosen as it is more representative of the product and highlights the developmental changes in the new equipment.

Proven Design

Using proven design principles, the Suncombe EDSbatch biowaste decontamination kill systems use a combination of thermal and elevated pressure processes. These are designed to deactivate and sterilise waste, while securing absolute containment and protection of the external environment, to ensure that the target microbiological agents in the effluent are inactive before release.

The fully automated batch processing functionality now includes additional control facilities for user passwords, active directory, audit trails and electronic batch reports for local or network storage. Larger interface screens for operators have been incorporated to make process visualisation simple, intuitive, clear and comprehensive, says the company. Advanced features include

A scanCONTROL 2900 laser profile scanner from Micro-Epsilon is mounted on the Inrotech-Crawler and measures the geometry of the seam to be welded before the actual welding process starts. Only these high precision profile measurements enable the welding process to be automated. Due to its compact, lightweight design with integrated controller, the scanCONTROL 2900 is ideally suited to this measurement task. In this particular application, the laser scanner has a measuring width of 100mm, a measuring rate of 300Hz and a resolution in the Z-axis of 12µm. Various connectivity options offered by the SDK (Software Development Kit) enable Inrotech to directly transmit the profile data, from the sensor, calibrated to their own software via the scanCONTROL DLL. The Weldlogic technology from Inrotech then calculates, among other things, the number of weld passes, the position of the weld seams, the weld speed and the oscillation width required to produce a quality weld. Directly after the calculation, the Inrotech-Crawler automatically performs the welding process.

The welding robot enables the scanning of weld geometries such as plates or curves with various

the ability for remote monitoring and software complying with FDA 21CFR and EU GMP regulations.

Integration

Redevelopment of EDSbatch has enabled further seamless integration with the Suncombe SUNpH™ neutralisation systems, often used for neutralising acids and alkalis and to buffer and control the outgoing effluent stream. A single, dual redundant, self-diagnostic connection is made between the two systems to allow them to operate together.

The entire suite of systems have been developed so that they can be preconstructed off site into containerised units. This can improve space utilization and reduce the commissioning, validation and maintenance periods as the modular equipment is supplied in a “ready to operate” state, needing only utility connections on site. Containerised units can speed up projects and reduce capital costs by minimising the infrastructure requirements, whilst enabling easy relocation.

Designed for mobile applications, the Inrotech-Crawler is ideal for different environments, for example, for pipeline welding tasks in the oil & gas industry, offshore, shipbuilding, wind turbines and building construction.

characteristics. Based on the optimal exposure time control and high resolution, the laser profile scanner reliably measures almost any measurement object.

Designed for mobile applications, the Inrotech-Crawler is ideal for different environments, for example, for pipeline welding tasks in the oil & gas industry, offshore, shipbuilding, wind turbines and building construction. A resistant sensor is the base requirement in this and many other environments. The scanCONTROL 2900 laser profile scanner is ideally suited to these requirements and is integrated into a protective housing by Inrotech.

The scanCONTROL 29x0 series of 3D laser profile sensors are designed for industrial measurement tasks where compact design and high accuracy are required. Due to their high resolution,

self-contained housing, versatility and excellent price-performance ratio, the scanners are particularly suitable for static and dynamic applications, for example, on robots. The scanners measure and evaluate a variety of geometrical features such as angles, steps, gaps, distances and extreme values.

Get It Made launches new fund to champion women in innovation

London-based manufacturing specialist, Get It Made, has launched a new 2023 grant to support the potential of women in innovation and to boost the growth of female employment within UK industry.

To mark International Women in Engineering Day on 23rd June, the initiative is tailored exclusively to female-led, engineering, design, tech and manufacturing enterprises, including start-ups, with the grant recipient set to receive £5,000. In addition to financial support, Get It Made will also be offering its expertise to help guide young female-led businesses through the challenges facing any young company in a challenging economic environment.

First launched last year, the initiative attracted hundreds of applicants from all over the UK and will once again champion female entrepreneurship in traditionally maledominated sectors.

The grant is available to femalefounded or female-led engineering

enterprises with fewer than 10 employees. Applications for this grant close at midnight on 31st July 2023, and can be submitted through the website here.

Jenny Button, Founder and CEO of FemTech start-up Emm, which is creating a menstrual health wearable and app, and was last year’s grant winner, said: “The grant has allowed us to rapidly iterate designs and bridge the gap between prototyping and production tooling, especially for an application that is so intimate and challenging.

“Innovation isn’t easy so this funding enables us to do much more for less; we hope it will encourage more women in innovation to get their ideas further, as well as draw more investment to underfunded areas such as female health and wellbeing.”

Luke Smoothy, Founder of Get It Made, commented: “For the second year running, we are delighted to be able to offer our support again to the continued efforts of increasing female representation within UK industry – namely the engineering, design, tech and manufacturing sectors. Grants such as ours are aimed at removing the barriers which are still standing in the way of female-founded enterprises. We’re gradually seeing some encouraging signs - for instance, research last year showed that 16.5% of those working in engineering are female, compared to 10.5% as reported in 2010. However, it’s not enough; this growth also needs to be reflected across all areas of work where women are underrepresented.”

Website: get-it-made.co.uk

Net Zero gains

One of the UK’s leading strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialists has seen a surge in demand from clients looking to gain ‘early mover’ advantage in the low carbon economy.

PP Control & Automation (PP C&A), which employs 230 people at its world

class manufacturing facility in the West Midlands, has started working on projects worth more than £2million in the last year alone, projects that are all involved in renewable energy, energy storage and building machines for electrification across a myriad of transport sectors.

This has involved working with OEMs building new machines and ‘early disruptors’ that are looking to bring new technologies to market that will both modernise the existing National Grid infrastructure and support the move to Net Zero, through the development of new and exciting technologies.

All are turning to outsourcing as a way of reducing manufacturing costs, overcoming recruitment challenges and accelerating time to market, the latter so crucial when trying to secure competitive advantage with new opportunities.

Tapping into specialised expertise to overcome design and build issues has also been a key consideration, as management teams struggle with the

balance of being an ‘early mover’ with ensuring the technology delivers the required performance.

A member of the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN Group), PP Control & Automation is one of the most experienced outsourcing specialists in the country, helping build machines that robotically milk cows, provide everyday packaging solutions, protect your phones from water damage and cut parts that are used in F1 cars and the world’s airlines.

In addition to established machine builders, the company is increasingly supporting ‘disruptors’ through its innovative PP+ offer, which offers an ‘ecosystem’ of support that will help them scale quickly.

This gives clients access to a trusted network of experts in business growth, sales, marketing and PR support, as well as a clear pathway to academia, legislative bodies, engineering groups and investors.

For further information, please visit www.ppcanda.com

£Multi-Million green opportunity for PP C&A as machine builders and ‘early disruptors’ target

Natwest to provide £1billion in additional lending to UK manufacturing to support net zero transition

NatWest has announced that, from today, it aims to provide an additional £1billion in lending to the UK Manufacturing sector by the end of 2030, aiming to stimulate growth in the sector and help manufacturers invest in cleaner, more efficient forms of energy generation and use, with lending deployed through loans, asset finance, and overdrafts.

The assets, activities, companies which are eligible for this £1 billion lending are those aligned with NatWest Group’s Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing Inclusion Criteria.

Manufacturing in the UK is responsible for nearly 10% of total economic output, and over 8% of all employment in the UK. However, it is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with over 12% of the UK total attributed to the sector. With the industry likely to remain energy intensive, NatWest is aiming to offer support those in the sector that includes lending, partnerships and tailored financial advice.

The bank is also partnering with Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) to pilot with customers the opportunity to join their Business Energy Aid Toolkit programme, which identifies the energy use involved in their business’ processes and production. The programme then recommends actions to reduce emissions, alongside estimates of the impact these would have on overall emissions. Businesses who have completed the programme to date have seen minimum energy savings of 12%, with an average saving of 21%.

The bank also offers its free Carbon Planner tool, which allows businesses to measure their carbon footprint and build a plan to reduce their emissions on a simple online portal.

The announcement comes as NatWest holds its first Regional Growth Conference today at Wolverhampton’s Molineux Stadium, bringing together over 250 business leaders, policymakers and experts to help drive growth, collaboration and investment in the West Midlands.

Rushlift GSE celebrates

10 years with opening of new Gatwick facility

Rushlift GSE, the specialist airport ground support equipment and services provider, has celebrated its tenth anniversary with a grand open-day event held recently at its new state-ofthe-art Maintenance & Service facility at Gatwick Airport. Attended by over one hundred special guests – including customers, suppliers, Rushlift staff and management – the newly opened service centre provided the perfect venue to celebrate the company’s great success story, to date.

Illustrating Rushlift GSE’s recent successes, the company has just secured a 56-month extension to its successful, long-running GSE contract with Europe’s leading short-haul airline, easyJet. The new multimillion pound deal continues a pre-existing five-year agreement with Rushlift GSE to supply, manage and maintain easyJet’s ground-handling fleet at London’s Gatwick Airport. In total over 600+ ground support assets are managed by Rushlift GSE under a progressive program of innovation and equipment enhancement, which includes an on-going transition from diesel to electric vehicles.

Further success came less than two years ago with Rushlift GSE’s entry into a six-year

global framework agreement with airport ground services company, Menzies Aviation, to supply GSE equipment. Under the arrangement, Rushlift GSE initially leased 650 brand-new vehicles to Menzies Aviation’s ground handling operations at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

The new Maintenance & Service Centre is a longterm investment by Rushlift GSE involving a £250,000 comprehensive upgrade of the facility: including the installation of LED lighting, an uprating of the electrics with a move to three-phase power, the provision of vehicle charging points, a pumped waste-oil tank, and a vehicle exhaust extraction system. To further increase operational resilience, the number of on-site service engineers working across the three Rushlift GSE sites will be increased to 41.

For further information on Rushlift GSE go to https://www.rushlift.co.uk

Has the Upswing in Female Lift Truck Instructors Begun?

RTITB, the leading accrediting body for workplace transport training, has observed a small but significant increase in registered female Lift Truck Instructors in the past 6 months.

In the 24 weeks leading up to the end of February 2023, 2.1% of all delegates qualifying as RTITB Lift Truck Instructors or Pallet Truck Instructors identified as female. This is well above average, considering that overall, only 0.37% of all current RTITB Lift Truck Instructors are female.

“Workforces in the logistics and warehousing industries continue to be male dominated,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB. “With a shortage of skilled people to fill vacant roles, it’s vital that our industry is seen as a more attractive option, with great career opportunities. And that those opportunities extend to people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.”

However, feedback from women working in the industry shows that there is still work to do to engage more females in materials handling Instructor and Operator roles.

“When I have gone to the courses, the males look at me as if to say, ‘What is a woman doing here?’ I was the only female on any of the courses I have been on,” says Linda Currey, a Lift Truck Instructor with Transport Training Academy in Manchester. “Likewise, we get a small percentage

of females for our forklift operator training, but those that come through do very well.”

Nicola Dugdale, Managing Director of Specialist Training and Consultancy Services Ltd, has been a qualified RTITB Lift Truck Instructor since December 2000. She says: “The main challenge really is dealing with people’s expectations. These expectations are not only about being female but also young too. I first became qualified as a RTITB Forklift Instructor when I was 25.”

“At the end of a training day, I’ve often had a comment saying they

were initially surprised to see a female instructor but in fact they enjoyed it and it was probably the best course they’d attended!” she adds.

In total, there are still fewer RTITB female Lift Truck Instructors than there were 10 years ago. However, perceptions of the industry may be changing, which could positively impact this.

“I have found the younger generation don’t have the same expectation that Instructors will be male. Therefore, new female Instructors may not have the same experience I did, and any obstacles may eventually diminish,” says Nicola Dugdale. “If someone is passionate about the sector, I recommend they give becoming an Instructor a go, whether they are male or female.”

Linda Currey agrees: “As many roles are still dominated by males, it may put females off. Or perhaps women don’t think they could do it. However, I would recommend this skill to any woman and encourage females to upskill in the industry as it is very satisfying.”

With nationwide shortages of candidates to fill Lift Truck Operator positions, the industry is now keen to train more new operators to meet demand. This is evidenced by the number of trained Lift Truck Instructors joining the RTITB Register of International Instructors increasing across 2022.

“To get more operators into the workplace, businesses need more Instructors. When upskilling their team, they should be open-minded about who might be a good candidate to become an Instructors. There may be experienced male operators that don’t have the right attributes to be a great trainer,” explains Laura Nelson.

“Though females still make up a small percentage of Instructors overall, we hope that the increase we have seen recently will be a sign of further change to come,” she continues.

To find an RTITB Accredited Instructor Centre for Lift Truck Instructor training, visit www.rtitb.com and view the Course Locator.

The main challenge really is dealing with people’s expectations. These expectations are not only about being female but also young too. I first became qualified as a RTITB Forklift Instructor when I was 25.

- Nicola Dugdale