Engineering Update - April 2015

ENGINEERING UPDATE

APRIL 2015

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DESIGN & TEST

COMPONENTS & POWER

NATIONAL ELECTRONICS WEEK BIRMINGHAM NEC 21st – 22nd April 2015

www.new-expo.co.uk/newuk EMBEDDED & SOFTWARE

PRODUCTION & EMS

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Don’t miss the UKs most comprehensive electronics event PXI Show Test & Measurement Masterclass

Meet new companies and experience their products first hand Meet with suppliers, manufacturers and distributors Find out about the latest news and innovations from the industry Get involved in the free technical content and seminar programmes Meet face to face with new and existing contacts to secure the best business deals and relationships

ECSN Technical Seminars Fortronic Forum

Exhibitors include:

Vehicle Electronics Conference Embedded Masterclass NPL & Smart Group Printing & Assembly Automatic Optical Inspection Experience Hand Soldering Competition

Find out more:

Our partners and associations include:

www.new-expo.co.uk/newuk

Call 01483 420 229 or email info@new-expo.co.uk

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Electronic Components Supply Network

Man and Machine Training Academy

Man and Machine offer an extensive range of Autodesk training courses

Man and Machine specialise in Autodesk training for Manufacturers, Engineers, Architects & Product Designers.

All courses are taught with the official Autodesk courseware and includes one month’s free post training support.

Autodesk AutoCAD courses include: • • • • •

AutoCAD Essentials AutoCAD Electrical Fundamentals AutoCAD Advanced AutoCAD 3D Drawing & Modelling AutoCAD Mechanical Essentials

E: marketing@manandmachine.co.uk W: www.manandmachine.co.uk T: 01844 263 700

Connect with us

April 2015

CONTENTS Editorial Assistant

At the forefront of digital marketing, Engineering Update strives to bring its readers the latest in industrial engineering, in a format that provides the best usability and ease of use for it’s readers.

Jenna Burridge 01843 448 443

Publishing Director

Every monthly issue of the publication brings the latest in news, event information, as well as extensive features that encompass every aspect of the engineering industry.

Tony Little 01843 448 443 tony@engineering-update.co.uk

Publication Manager Tim Johnston 01843 448 443 tim@engineering-update.co.uk

Publishing House Jet Digital Media Ltd Spratling Court Farm Manston Kent CT12 5AN

4 News 8 Editors Choice 14 Flooring 25 Pumps 30 Valves 36 Events 54 Robotics www.engineering-update.co.uk

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Motors Efficiency Legislation

Motor Bearing Constructions & Types

Cable Connections for DOL

Cable Connections for Soft Start Control

Your Motor Mounting Options

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News

April 2015

The Weetabix Food Company drives down its energy costs Weetabix have reduced energy and maintenance costs for producing Weetos by replacing DC drives and motors with ABB AC equivalents Accurate end-product sizing, lower maintenance costs, quieter operation and reduced energy bills are the results of replacing DC drives and motors with their AC equivalent across two extruder lines used in the production of the breakfast cereal, Weetos.

Product is fed into a hopper and is measured into the extruder screw. The extruder mixer transfers the product forward through the barrel under a controlled temperature and pressure through a faceplate. From here it is extruded into a long hollow tube before being cut into short lengths prior to cooking. There are two types of extruders, named as BC92 and BC72.

Extruder BC92 uses two motors rated at 250 kW and 132 kW respectively while BC72 consists of four, 64 kW and two, 90 kW motors. A speed signal from the system’s PLC to the motors, synchronises the extrusions with the rotating cutter.

As part of The Weetabix Food Company’s ongoing improvements program in partnership with system integrator MCS Control Systems Ltd, energy and productivity reviews are undertaken on various aspects of the electrical, mechanical, control and automation systems throughout the year. It was during one such review that MCS Control Systems suggested inviting its variable-speed drive partner, Sentridge Controls, to carrying out an energy appraisal. Whilst looking at all applications from vacuum packing to air compressors, an area of high energy use was the extruders. Up to 30 percent of the site’s energy consumption is taken up by the extruders. Portable energy loggers were installed to the incoming supply to monitor and measure kW, kVA, kVAr, power factor, current and voltage.

As a result, eight ABB industrial drives,

Following the installation, further measurements were taken and a 20 percent drop in energy consumption was observed. The results showed that by changing to AC drives, Weetabix has saved some £28,000 per year, with a payback within three years.

From an engineering perspective Weetabix have eliminated maintenance on the drive train, as there are no carbon brushes to replace, no forced cooling, and feedback devices are eliminated as the gearboxes are protected by implementing a torque limit control on the AC drive. It is estimated that engineering maintenance cost and plant downtime are reduced amounting to nearly £20,000 per year.

This provides an overall estimated cost saving of £48,000 per year.

Apart from energy savings, there were MCS Control Systems’ site engineer describes: “The new AC drive technology brings greater torque control and speed accuracy, thanks primarily to the motor control platform, direct torque control (DTC). Unlike DC drive technology which needed a tachometer feedback arrangement to maintain accuracy, using DTC, no encoder feedback is needed, which reduces complexity and cost; yet we are able to get a far better control of the process resulting in a constant extrusion rate.” explains Allan Norman, Manufacturing Manager at Weetabix’s extruded line, “is that the end-product – the Weetos – are produced with consistent length, thickness of the tube and density. DC drive technology is subject to surging

low voltage ABB motors, rated from 0.75 kW to 250 kW were installed during a two week phase, part of which was the plant’s shutdown period. The equipment was selected as the incumbent drives

Because the speed and torque control are now so accurate, the rotating knife that cuts the extruded wheat, can do so in a more uniform manner. This means that the cooking time of the endproduct is optimised; there is minimal

motors matched pair.

saves energy.

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Using the old DC drive technology, installed in 1980, lead to carbon brushes being replaced every two-and-a-half weeks, with total reconditioning taking place every 18 months.

Meanwhile a by-product of the AC motors is that the noise and heat levels have fallen. Working in the area of the DC drive train would require ear defenders, with noise levels as high as 130 dBA, yet now the levels are within the regulation 80 dBA. “A key factor in our choice of drive and motor controls remains the engineering skills of the people involved,” says Allan Norman. “MCS Control Systems and its drive partner, Sentridge Controls, have excellent engineers, that know what timely advice. They provide the same team and are prepared to tackle and explore any new engineering avenues The overall installation was supplied with guaranteed cost savings- or money “This probably accounts for the fact that, following installation, we started the extruders on Sunday evening and they Friday night.”

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 140,000 people.

Street

News

April 2015

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Editors Choice

April 2015

Cutting Edge Piping Systems Design Plastic Valve Manifolds It is rare that pipe systems solely have one inlet and one outlet. The diversity of process applications means that piping is forever splitting, diverting, separating and rejoining. Whether it is that need to be allowed into pipe systems to clean, sections, elbows and connectors are often mated together as a manifold usually spread out in 2d and created entirely from a 2d P&ID drawing.

The usual view of manifolds is simple. Inlets, cross connections & outlets often mounted across a backboard, wall or cabinet.

However, the latest development in 2d manifolds is to make them in 3d and in one piece!

At the forefront of this unique way of assessing plastic manifolds is GEMU. They have literally pioneered the concept of machining manifolds and valves into a single piece of plastic block material.

Example: Chlorides injection into water with double block and bleed.

Advantages of multi-port valves

Normal layout includes 2 Tees, several pipe pieces, 3 valves, cutting, layout, jointing and testing. It also means more time, potential leaking joints and careful measuring of piping to make the correct dimensions.

customer based on an injection moulding process. This leads to substantially lower unit costs. Of course they also develop and manufacture the moulding tools for themselves. GEMU therefore have control over the whole process, which is requirements.

Or why not use extendable blocks to mix and match a manifold! made in sections so they can be clamped together. This makes for “a la carte” valve manifolds whereby the assembly might use components to produce 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more inlets and outlets. Typical application is in skid building for chemical

The GEMU solution from the skid may be single or multiple pipelines.

and less joints to leak!

Solutions are developed together with the customer GEMÜ supports its customers at the planning phase with ideas and initial drafts. The drafts are laid out for design purposes into the GEMU 3D CAD system, agreed in close cooperation with the day, the GEMU Design Centre turns out new customised block designs.

Another example: Distribution Manifold Time consuming fabrication removed using one block. Quick installation, less leak paths, simple ordering, stocking and less space!

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Time and cost optimized The bodies of plastic multi-port valves are made as standard of PVC-U, PP, PP natural, PVDF, PEEK or PTFE but designs are also possible using other materials.

Multi-port valve blocks are generally produced by machining from a solid block of plastic material. In the case of larger quantities, GEMÜ can develop individual solutions together with the

To view more details about GEMU plastic blocks see the GEMU GROUP YouTube links below.

It Video GEMU Plastic Valve Manifolds Or see Gemu on the internet Gemu website Or email us direct customer.support@gemu.co.uk

April 2015

VOCs – why speciate?

The Quantitech stands (Nos. 44 & 51) at AQE 2015 in Telford, the air quality

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T +49 2961 7405-0 T +44 1234 783366

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Colworth Science Park | Sharnbrook | Bedfordshire | MK44 1LQ, United Kingdom F +44 1234 783367 | info@rembe.co.uk | www.rembe.co.uk

April 2015 Get off to a Racing start at The FAST Engineering Show 22nd April 2015!!

bespoke and stock hinges from the UK’s No 1 specialist manufacturer

We hope you can join us at the FAST Engineering Exhibition which will be held this year at Silverstone Innovation Centre, an iconic venue rich in sporting history that will excite and inspire you.

hinges

for every application

As the UK’s only dedicated fastening, bonding and assembly exhibition for design engineers, production professionals, senior manufacturing managers and fastener buyers, we would welcome you and your colleagues to our stand where we will be displaying our extensive range of space saving Smalley springs and Spirolox® wound retaining rings.

examples of our Smalley products which can be produced to suit diameters between 6-2,000mm. They are available in a wide range of materials including carbon steel, AISI 177,302 & 316 stainless steels, Inconel, A286 and other exotic alloys. Since all our products are produced by 'edge-winding' they can be manufactured with short lead times but without expensive tooling costs and are ideal for small prototype production demands and for high volume requirements.

The FAST Engineering Show provides an ideal opportunity

edge will be on hand to provide expert

bespoke hinge design full range of standard hinges presswork and sub-assembly services

visit www.goldwassallhinges.co.uk quality hinges for over 200 years 01827 63391

The steady growth in sales of these unique products has led us to produce a brand new 116 page engineering and parts catalogue.

Packed with over 50 standard series retaining ring and spring types, along with a host of useful applications and design data relating to our unique 'no-tooling' method of manufacture, our new catalogue will be available on our stand for you to collect.

Also included will be extensive

and design-in problems.

We look forward to seeing you there!

www.fastenerexhibition.co.uk

Crest-to-Crest Spring

Laminar Seals Spirolox Rings

Engineering Design Solutions

Innovative spring and ring products see us at

FAST EXHIBITION 22nd April

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call now to speak to our expert team

+44 (0)1435 866011 www.tfc.eu.com

THE POWER TO REALISE YOUR VISION NVIDIA® QUADRO® K6000

Combining breakthrough performance the Quadro K6000 GPU enables leadings organisations such as Pixar and Nissan to tackle visualisation and analysis workloads of unprecedented size and scope.

With Quadro K6000’s 12 GB of memory, I am now able to load nearly complete vehicle models in RTT Deltagen and have stunning photorealism almost instantly.

“

“

Dennis Malone, Associate Engineer, Nissan North America Elmtec is a distributor of NVIDIA graphics in the UK. Contact us now to find out where to buy

E: sales@elmtec.co.uk

T: 01844 263750

W: www.elmtec.co.uk

Elmtec is a trading division of

Flooring

April 2015

INDUSTRIAL FLOORING Creation are used to delivering in industrial environments where many things may be

PumpFlor™ - where damaged or uneven slabs need to be repaired and/or levelled It is also possible to level and repair poorly formed or rain

ResinFlor™ anything from an epoxy coating through to PU self levelling system Creation ResinFlor™ encompasses a diverse range of resin systems that can be applied in most BS or RAL

An installation can also include walkways, line markings

HygieneFlor™ - for environments where considerations A Creation HygieneFlor™ is a BS Floor Type 8 polyurethane is ideally suited to environments where food or drink is

DiamondFlor™ CX - for dustless, life long, A Creation DiamondFlor™ CX is a concrete installation that is further enhanced by diamond polishing to achieve

Creation DiamondFlor™ CX is available in a range of choice to expose aggregates and create a natural terrazzo

been researched and approved by The Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association Group and also

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Flooring

April 2015

Quality Industrial Floorings Professionally Installed 0800 393 779

Industrial Floor Coatings

Solvent Free Epoxy Floor Coatings and Primer Coats Elgood Industrial Flooring now have an easy to use Industrial Epoxy Floor Coating designed for clients who wish to improve

Price 12 inch

Frame and roller

12 inch

Replacement roller

12 inch

Paint tray Mixing paddle

Colours coatings are equipped with clear instructions and technical

Epoxy Floor Coating – Instructions

Industrial Epoxy Floor Coatings

area to prove your preparation is adequate and that

Epoxy Floor Cleaner

Whilst drill mixing add one to two cups of Elgood

Pour the mix into a paint tray and apply using a

Industrial Floor Coating Slip Resistant Additive Fine/Medium Grade 70

Industrial Epoxy Floor Coating * Industrial Epoxy Floor Coating

Coarse Grade 20

Industrial Floor Coating

* Industry Standard Finish

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www.elgood.co.uk

Flooring

April 2015

Ecotile’s proven track record

Ecotile has been designed to cope with heavy vehicle

Telephone 01582 788 232 or email

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INDUSTRIAL FLOORING

s 0UMADUR 0UMAmOR AND 0UMATHANE Specialist Resin Flooring Systems s 3EALANTS AND #OATINGS Resurfacing of badly worn floors and new build installations Impact, abrasion and point load resistance Anti-static, anti-bacterial, slip resistant, chemical resistant & suitable for heavy traffic plus high bay category one and two Fast installation for minimum downtime Integrate corporate colour schemes, colour matching and corporate logos into the same hardwearing and durable flooring For a complete Nationwide service from FREE survey and recommendations, to preparation and installation with single source, uncomplicated warranties…

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Flooring

April 2015

Small World Beers in Yorkshire

Small World Beers is a brand new brewery in the heart of "Last of Summer Wine" country which uses water drawn from a natural spring deep in the heart of Yorkshire to produce the beer.

any cross contamination. Altrocrete PU HD, heavy duty, All process rooms were to be housed in bunded areas where block walls were built and protected with a polyurethane render to fully protect them from the brewing sugars, with Altrocove to ensure a completely hygienic working environment.

In a small world, ACC Flooring, situated less than 12 miles solution at a tired old site.

Even Spike the Hedgehog - the company logo - got in on the act being incorporated into the Brewery Entrance, to

The unit had seen many uses and indeed changes throughout its long life. The site was a bare shell with Dave Hill, was going to realise the plans for his brewery business.

allow all the systems to fully cure prior to installation of the heavy brewing equipment.

ACC Flooring listened carefully to the client's needs to fully understand his requirements, the business and the

Due to all the drain excavation works and the need to

of Altro Floors, utilising no less than twelve products, to meet all the varying needs of the operation.

waste was produced, but ACC’s recycling initiative meant that 98% of all the waste was recycled on this project,

Stainless steel drains were cut into the existing concrete

that will provide many years of service.

www.ferfa.org.uk 18|

April 2015

Identify any cable or component As an installation professional you know what a nightmare

Wrap around labels in multiple colours equipped with a quality adhesive are the most popular solution to professionally identify

cable termination, slide the sleeves into position and heat shrink to

Don’t forget your components!

With a quality Brady printer and a few cartridges of your favourite is easy and prepares your installation for fast future upgrades or

solutions!

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April 2015

Seton UK awarded Google Seton UK, a leading manufacturer and distributor of health and safety and facilities management solutions, was recently selected to join the

To help shoppers identify online

eÂŹcommerce sites that demonstrate

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April 2015

Loss Prevention Bulletin dies in process The leading source of case stu ar archive of lessons safety with access to a 40 ye aluable resource for learnt from accidents. An inv ety. anybody concerned with saf Company wide licences available to this valuable resource

www.icheme.org/lpb sales@icheme.org 0951_14

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What is SketchUp? SketchUp Pro is like a pencil with superpowers. Start by drawing lines and shapes. Push and pull surfaces to turn them into 3D forms. Stretch, copy, rotate and paint to make anything you like. More advanced? Start modelling from CAD and terrain data, photographs or even hand sketches.

New to SketchUp 2015 New tools

Performance

SketchUp Pro licensing is now friendlier than ever before. Every SketchUp 2015 download starts with a 30-day trial of Pro features. Even better, 2015 Pro licenses can be used on a Mac or a PC.

Contact Elmtec, Sketchup’s distribution Partner in the UK

E: sales@elmtec.co.uk

T: 01844 263750

W: www.elmtec.co.uk

Pumps

April 2015

The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and Pump System Audits The British Pump Manufacturers’ Association (BPMA) says that big businesses are

energy costs – and therefore account performance scheme has been designed

each year they don’t need. their energy consumption

Assessments” as referenced in the scheme understand their documents

energy audit.

is referenced as an auditing

BPMA

accepted by “Lead Assessors” www.bpma.org.uk

of company energy audits.

|25

Kecol Inflatable Drum Wiper System TAPERED DRUMS

UN-INFLATED SEAL

KECOL INFLATABLE WIPER SYSTEM INFLATED SEAL

www.kecol.co.uk/video

Kecol Pumping Systems Ltd Phone: +44 (0)1746 764311 Fax: +44 (0)1746 763375 sales@kecol.co.uk

PARALLEL DRUMS

FIBRE DRUMS

Kecol has a new follower plate system for use with all its priming systems, which incorporates an inflatable wiper seal. Manufactured from FDA approved materials, the inflatable wiper system is suitable for drums with different internal diameters, including tapered drums and drums with liners. As well as the standard system, Kecol can manufacture customized inflatable drum wiper seal systems to suit almost any size of drum or vessel. The system can also be added to existing Kecol priming units (Maxiprime, Powerprime, Megaprime etc.).

Contact Kecol today for more information.

April 2015

Precise engineering

WORLD’S BEST MOTION CONTROL PLATFORM

Polaris Motion Controller, for high-speed control and synchronisation of Servos, Galvos and Lasers.

Ideal for advanced machinery and instrument markets.

AEROSPACE & AUTOMOTIVE

LASER MATERIAL PROCESSING

SOLAR TRACKING

ROBOTICS

DIAMOND MACHINE TOOLS

WAFER STEPPING AND SCANNING

To arrange a visit and meet the team call:

+ 44 (0) 1256 365600 LG Motion Limited

Feedback perfectly packaged An incremental encoder sandwiched between the motor and gearbox to deliver feedback across the range.

Call or visit our web-site to find out about this revolutionary concept produced with engineers in mind.

Unit 1A Telford Road, Houndmills Estate, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6YU United Kingdom T // + 44 (0) 1256 365600 E // info@lg-motion.co.uk

www.lg-motion.co.uk

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Valves

April 2015

Training

Careful Thought Needed Established in 1939, the British Valve and Actuator Association (BVAA) represents the interests of 200 British companies who are responsible for over £1 billion sales each year. Here BVAA’s Director & CEO Rob Bartlett comments on the importance of Training in the Valve Industry…

BVAA is the industry body for manufacturers, distributors and repairers of valves, actuators and related products. We provide our members and their customers with a number of important and invaluable services, one of which is Valve & Actuator Training.

‘In my frequent discussions with employers, both within the valve industry and also those in end-user industries, I never cease to be amazed at the tremendous variability in the levels of consideration given to Training,’ commented Rob.

A BVAA Safety Valve Course

‘A simple Introduction Course could well be the answer for some very alarming and indicative of “ticking employees,’ Rob noted. ‘Here at boxes” rather than informed personal/ BVAA we also train some very senior personnel development.’ engineers, from Blue Chip engineering houses, who have an enlightened ‘The fact is that most people in the valve approach whereby a greying temple isn’t necessarily regarded as indicative ‘At one extreme, either myself, my formal valve Training,’ he added. It’s of true valve expertise. Indeed our team or the lecturer concerned are called a “chain” for a reason and is only booming industry is attracting many comprehensively grilled by employers as strong as the proverbial weakest link. on a certain course’s content, training is vital, at all levels, as valve applicability of training materials to ‘Even those individuals perceived to and particularly actuator technology the individual student attending, prior be on the lower rungs of corporate constantly evolves. The key to success knowledge requirements, etc. While hierarchy can sometimes have supply however is ensuring the right person occasionally time consuming, I always or indeed specifying responsibility attends the right course for them. way beyond their current knowledge. commendable and reassuring.’

What can sometimes appear a Rob Bartlett concluded, ‘Being minor deviation to the uninitiated ‘At the other extreme, the booker seems could however lead to catastrophic has no vested interest in any particular more interested in how many folk they consequences for a valve user if it all can get on the course, with an urgency goes wrong! Careful thought re: training solution and our lecturers are typically that implies an imminent budget expiry is needed in this complicated and semi-retired experts with a lifetime of is the main driver! While I imagine it’s nuanced industry. experience. It usually pays to talk to the possible they have done extensive right people!’

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research prior to ringing, I confess I

World Class Independent Valve & Actuator Training 1) (%< training courses *520 /)%(-1+ industry professionals 1()3)1()17 '2856)6 2 6%/)6 3-7', just quality 7)',1-'%/ 75%-1-1+ These courses are a MUST *25 7,26) -192/9)( -1 7,) )1+-1))5-1+ -1(8675< :,2 1))( 72 .12: %&287 9%/9)6 %1( %'78%7256 " 9%/9) '2856)6 %5) ()/-9)5)( &< 285 /)'785)56 :,2 ,%9) 75)0)1(286 .12:/)(+) %1( );3)5-)1') 2* 7,) -1(8675< !,) 6)66-216 %/:%<6 5)68/7 -1 '200)176 2* 7,) ,-+,)67 35%-6)

BVAA Training Courses: 35-/ 8/<

Introduction to Valves 21(%<

7, 35-/ 21(%< 1( 81) Members Price: > = Non Members Price: >

Introduction to Actuators !8)6(%< 7, 35-/ !8)6(%< 5( 81) Members Price: > = Non Members Price: >

Control Valves #)(1)6(%< 7, 35-/ #)(1)6(%< 7, 81) Members Price: > = Non Members Price: >

Introduction to Hydraulics !,856(%< 7, 35-/ )/( %7 %7-21%/ /8-( 2:)5 )175) #25.623 Members Price: > = Non Members Price: >

Safety Valves !,856(%< 7, 35-/ !,856(%< 7, 81) Members Price: > = Non Members Price: >

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25 *8// ()7%-/6 21 )%', '2856) 9-6-7 www.bvaa.org.uk/training_courses.asp 5-7-6, "%/9) %1( '78%725 662'-%7-21 -0-7)( ? %1&85< *@') "-//%+) ? 25%/ #%< ? %1&85< ? $

Tel:

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Valves

April 2015

Sun Yeh launch new range of Stainless Steel electric actuators AND housing options.

October 2014 saw the launch of a 316 stainless steel housing for the OM series of quarter turn electric actuators.

The new housing is further evidence that the global manufacturer is continuously developing the range of quality electric actuators. Sun Yeh have launched the new housing as allow the actuator to be used within a hygienic application. The range will cover OM1 through to OM6 covering ready made at the factory enabling range will be enhanced early next year once the ATEX approval is ATEX approval on the Linear and Spring Return range, Sun Yeh will soon add the OM series to the range of approved products. This enabling ATEX approved electric quarter turn actuator.

In addition to the above, Sun Yeh also have at their disposal housing options for the OM series of electric actuator.

Also available to enhance the standard

salt spraying applications, coastal actuator is exposed to sea water and many more.

If you werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure what other options through the Sun Yeh range, they include;

upgrade and epoxy/ED undercoating.

Adjustable speed control option allows the user to not only increase

submerged in water for example, operational whilst submerged with full test reports available. To enhance this

time solutions are available, we are

option which sees an epoxy coating applied to the housing and base of the actuator (includes local control unit if installed) to allow the actuator to be installed in corrosive atmospheres and applications. Sun Yeh has developed this option further in recent years to add an undercoating to the the actuator from corrosion. Should the epoxy coating become damaged for any reason, this would expose the standard aluminium housing and cause corrosion. However, with the undercoating this prevents this from happening. Applications where we have supplied these actuators include

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products on show. Adam Chapman, Director of Allvalves Online explains

actuator, another with a 3 second 3

voltages, modulating controller with selectable control signal of 4-20ma and 2-10v all in one board. Local control units for local open / close control of the actuator.

Dusseldorf this December as part of the BVAA and will have many of the

is open to new features, constant what our customers want is fantastic.

Following a recent visit to the factory it is clear that the quality is at the highest level and the number of global brand actuators for them is incredible. The biggest names trust in Sun Yeh, as do we and we are sure that together we will produce the complete range of electric actuatorsâ&#x20AC;?

YOUR ONLINE VALVE, ACTUATOR AND FITTINGS SUPPLER

-

Valves

Reducing Costs Through Correct Valve By choosing the correct design and

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April 2015

Valves for non Hygienic Application â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Case Study

April 2015

Is HAVS causing you issues?

The Vexo Hand-Arm Vibration Meter

Bulk solid level it’s time to focus

enough to measure the most difficult of bulk solids products in the most challenging environments.

For an application demo: info.uk@vega.com

LI

M I T FE ANTY

a non-contact level sensor focused and sensitive

ANTY

RR

VEGA introduce the latest high frequency radar:

RR

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Events

April 2015

PROFINET in action at a major plant of AUDI The paper describes the successful deployment of a diagnostic and monitoring solution for the provision of network perfomance status based on PROFINET diagnostics. The implementation took place in a major plant of AUDI, one of Germany’s leading car manufacturers.

AUDI’s decision to standardize on PROFINET as communication protocol within its plants was in accordance with the recommendation of the German AIDA organisation (an initiative of the leading German car manufacturers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and Porsche) to introduce PROFINET for automation projects in the German Automotive Industry in 2004. implementation of the PROFINET communication protocol went beyond the scope of typical network diagnostics and included the following: Provision of network and error statistics as well as diagnostic information read from devices Access to topology and asset information Detection of added or failed devices and the creation of a reference measurement Availability of the communication metrics for Graphical display of possible changes Secure access from the overall network – managed by the IT department – to the automation network Presented by: Bernd Kremer, Head of Sales – Industrial Network Diagnostic, Softing Industrial Automation GmbH For more information visit our website:

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DESIGN & TEST

COMPONENTS & POWER

EMBEDDED & SOFTWARE

PRODUCTION & EMS

PXI Show Test & Measurement Masterclass ECSN Technical Seminars

Vehicle Electronics Conference

ce 9 Le ft

NPL & Smart Group Printing & Assembly Automatic Optical Inspection Experience

Birmingham NEC - The Pavilion Hall 21st - 22nd April 2015

Fortronic Forum

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NATIONAL ELECTRONICS WEEK

Embedded Masterclass

Hand Soldering Competition

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Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most comprehensive electronics event

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Meet with suppliers, manufacturers and distributors Meet new companies and experience their products first hand Find out about the latest news and innovations from the industry Get involved in the free technical content and seminar programmes Meet face to face with new and existing contacts to secure the best business deals and relationships Exhibitors include:

www.new-expo.co.uk/newuk Call 01483 420 229 or email info@new-expo.co.uk

twitter.com/NEW_expo

facebook.com/NationalElectronicsWeek

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Our partners and associations include:

Electronic Components Supply Network

Events

April 2015

Technology on show at Utility Week™ Live

incorporating IWEX

A must attend event for engineering professionals, Utility Week™ Live incorporating IWEX is a new exhibition

Combining CPD technical seminars, an extensive exhibition space and various networking opportunities, the show is designed to aid organisations and utility companies approach long-standing challenges with fresh ideas and concepts.

As Utility Week™ Live incorporating IWEX prepares to open its doors from 21 to 23 April 2015 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, here’s a look at the huge range of products and technologies on show in the exhibition space.

Exhibition space Building on the huge success of the long running IWEX exhibition, Utility Week™ Live incorporating IWEX is forecast to be bigger and better, welcoming more than 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest equipment, software, technology and services to the utilities industries.

Companies launching new products and services at the show in 2015 include Megger Ltd, Belzona Polymerics, Brindley Chains Ltd, Delta Fire Ltd, Drallim Industries Ltd, Other launches will take place from Quantum Engineering Developments Ltd, Radio Data Bonut Engineering, ABB Group, Albion Community Power LC, Draeger, Steelway, plus many more.

Other show features With so many products and innovations to see, four Topic Trails will help visitors maximise their time at the exhibition. The Trails will provide a useful guide around the challenges and concerns.

Other show features not to be missed include the Institute of Water Drilling & Tapping Championship. Now in its 27th year, the competition will see water engineers test their wits and their skills as they race to connect a property to the mains water supply.

Conveniently co-located with Utility Week™ Live incorporating IWEX is Sustainability Live – incorporating NEMEX and Energy Recovery, the UK’s leading exhibition for innovative energy management and sustainability– opportunities all under one roof (NEC Birmingham from 21 to 23 April).

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21-23 APRIL 2015 NEC BIRMINGHAM UK INCORPORATING

The new event dedicated to the UK’s water, electricity and gas utilities

WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT

Utility Week™ Live incorporating IWEX will be the UK’s first (and only) event dedicated to the business, operational and technical needs of the UK’s water, electricity and gas utilities, from upstream, transmission and distribution through to domestic and non-domestic retail.

Building on the rich heritage of IWEX - Faversham House’s long-standing water and wastewater exhibition - Utility WeekTM Live incorporating IWEX will provide an important information exchange and market place for the UK’s multi-billion pound utility industries and an ideal environment for exhibitors to do business.

GENERATION

Whether your organisation is selling specialised equipment, technology or know-how into a specific segment of the market - or your expertise is equally relevant across utilities Utility WeekTM Live incorporating IWEX will deliver the audience you need to succeed.

METERING & MONITORING

Why you should exhibit: Extend your competitive advantage by exhibiting your products and services in an environment dedicated to the UK utility market, or engaging with the audience via sponsored features and networking opportunities; Do business and network with thousands of relevant, engaged buyers; Leverage your ROI further across Faversham House’s extensive portfolio of business information products.

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To book your stand or request further information, please contact the sales team: Rachael Lyon – water sector +44 (0) 1342 332097 rachael.lyon@fav-house.com

Nicky Shaw – energy sector +44 (0) 1342 332070 nicky.shaw@fav-house.com

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Events

April 2015

Quantum technologies A new era for the UK A new strategy shows how the UK could take a world-leading position in emerging multi-billion-pound quantum technology markets

A new strategy to guide UK investments in emerging quantum technologies markets over the next 20 years has been published.

Physical Laboratory (NPL), in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

The partners have already invested in a number of programmes including:

It aims to create a coherent government, industry and academic quantum technology community that gives the UK a world-leading position in the emerging multi-billion-pound new quantum technology markets, and to substantially enhance the value of some of the biggest UK-based industries.

The strategy has been drawn up by the Quantum Technologies Strategic Advisory Board (QT SAB) on behalf of the quantum technologies community and is published

by Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

a series of quantum technology hubs and centres for doctoral training set up

by EPSRC investment by MOD in demonstrators for quantum navigation and gravity imagers funding from Innovate UK for businesses exploring the commercial possibilities of quantum technologies New products with astounding properties Emerging quantum technologies promise a new generation of products with telecommunications sectors and have the potential to improve imaging and computing in ways that cannot be predicted.

The government announced a £270 million The strategy makes a number of recommendations aimed at the wider quantum investment in the UK National Quantum technologies community that seek to: Technologies Programme in its 2013 Autumn Statement, to be championed by QT SAB. ensure a strong foundation of capability in the UK stimulate applications and market opportunities grow a skilled UK workforce between the Department for Business, create the right social and regulatory controls Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Innovate UK and the National Download the ‘National strategy for quantum technologies’.

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@innovate_uk

Events

April 2015

Innovate UK is preparing the groundwork for the launch next year of two new Catapults.

In 2015, the spotlight will be trained on energy systems and precision medicine for the next raft of Catapults where businesses, scientists and engineers work side-by-side to address challenging issues and bring their ideas closer to the market.

Established under the remit of the UK Technology Strategy Board, now re-branded Innovate UK, these Catapults consist of a network of seven technology and innovation centres covering a range of sectors – high value manufacturing, satellite renewable energy, future cities, transport systems and connected digital economy.

These industry-changing Catapults have prompted experts to identify the challenges and create new working models which have, in turn, attracted new investment, forged strong partnerships and engaged with thousands of businesses large and small.

The total public and private sector investment in Catapults will amount Now energy systems and precision medicine are next in line to be launched, with Kevin Baughan, Innovate UK’s Director of Technology and Innovation, the man charged with delivering the two new Catapults.

Kevin enjoyed a distinguished career with Virgin Media, where he held a number of leadership positions, most recently focused on Broadband Big Data and the development of their Metro Wireless propositions, including the roll-out

“My career has been centred on the creation of new business opportunities from the application of cutting-edge technologies, which is exactly what Catapults are all about,” he said.

“The UK is the global leader in innovation technology where you see cutting-edge ideas turn into businesses. It is part of our culture, it is part of our environment with world class research and innovation.

With precision medicine, the challenge is to tackle a health service straining under haemorrhaging budgets and an even greater demand from a growing population which is living longer.

According to Kevin, this Catapult will focus on more personalised identifying and deploying the right treatment for individual patients, all approach.

“It is part of the UK psyche. We just need to get even better at it and we need to look at adapting and managing risk.

“At Innovate UK, we are harnessing this cutting-edge technology to achieve economic growth. Our promote investment because there is enough certainty. It is about creating new combinations and enabling opportunities.

“Now is a good time for this to happen because people are interested in investing and achieving high growth. It is an exciting time to be doing this job.”

With the energy Catapult, Kevin explained how the focus was to change a structure which had become “siloed with a lot of intertia”, a structure which now has to be brought together in an organised way.

The goal is for UK businesses to create systems capable of handling future energy demand and supply, both in domestic and overseas markets.

It will play a part in accelerating the market viability of technologies that underpin whole energy systems. market for integration and control technologies at up to £1.6 trillion by 2050. The new centre will work closely with others in the Catapult network, especially the transport,

Improved diagnostic tools will mean better and faster care for patients and will help companies to devise new treatments.

Innovate UK has been working on this area some time, with an innovation platform backed by £200million worth of investment.

With this great head-start, it is believed that this strategy will improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare.

“The budgets are not sustainable,” added Kevin. “The amount of care which people now need has exceeded current budgets using traditional methods, and the current model is not yielding the think again.

“What this Catapult will be looking more with less inside the health care environment.

“I hope that in two years’ time we will have delivered on our commitments we have made. We have got these two new Catapults and our existing programme as part of a delivery plan.

“We need to raise the bar higher again to achieve a level of economic growth.”

energy Catapults.

www.events.ukti.gov.uk/innovate-uk-2015

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Events

April 2015

PPMA Show set to return to NEC for largest event in recent history The organisers of the PPMA show, the UK’s premier freeto-attend complete production line event for processing and packaging machinery, are expecting this year’s space already up by more than 2,000m² compared to preparations for the 2014 show, this time last year.

Returning to the NEC, Birmingham, the show runs over three days (29th September – 1st October), and will see more than 300 exhibitors display the latest technologies and product launches from across the UK’s manufacturing industries. New features will include a robotics and Industrial Vision zone showcasing the latest inventive and quirky uses of robotic technology as well as the return of the PPMA Show seminar theatre, which last year included presentations from the likes of CocaCola Enterprises, Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon, M&S, Tesco and Wykes Farm.

The show will also welcome back last year’s headline sponsor, Lloyds Bank, which will provide visitors operating in the manufacturing sector. Lloyds Bank has pledged to lend an additional £1bn each year until 2017 to the manufacturing sector. The bank is also behind the Manufacturing Technology Centre’s new training hub, which is due to launch in September, and will support 1,000 new apprentices in high-value manufacturing roles.

David Atkinson, Head of SME Manufacturing at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The PPMA Show is a major landmark in the manufacturing sector calendar.

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edge engineering technology, the event will no doubt thrill and inspire a thriving industry. Our dedicated manufacturing team are already supporting many of the exhibitors in bringing their products and services to market and helping them capitalise on growth opportunities.”

Grant Collier, head of marketing for the PPMA Group, said: “Having seen the event return to the sole ownership and management of the PPMA Group last year, we were absolutely delighted with how successful the show was.

Following the positive feedback we received from visitors and exhibitors at last year’s show, we’re looking forward to this year’s event which we’re hoping will be one of the most successful in our history.”

For more information on the PPMA Show 2015, please visit www.ppmashow.co.uk or join the conversation on twitter (@PPMAshow #PPMA15) or the PPMA Show LinkedIn group

Events

April 2015

www.mtiexpo-uk.com

MTI EXPO 2015

engineering is core April 29-30, Ricoh Arena, Coventry sees the next edition of Med-Tech Innovation EXPO take place – and engineering is the thread that runs through the whole show.

Colin Martin, Med-Tech Innovation Magazine Publisher and Expo 2015 founder and director says that ‘the four main facets of our MTI Expo 2015 are 100% focused on engineering and manufacturing requirements in the medical technology sector – research, development, design and manufacturing.’

In addition, all the major medtech industry sub-sectors will be covered at MTI Expo 2015 next month, including plastics moulding, packaging and sterilization technology, radio therapy equipment, cardiovascular devices, drug delivery systems, orthopaedic devices, medical electronics, the dental sector, surgical and hospital hardware, imaging technology, wound care, in vitro diagnostics, and much more.

Martin says that ‘the whole thrust of our re-launched communications work at MTI EXPO is dedicated to fostering engineering and manufacturing talent and growth, here in the UK and Irish med-tech sectors.

With a £17 billion turnover, this is no small sector - and the opportunities are extensive. Connectivity is key: Our website, magazine and EXPO – these are all platforms to introduce networking between buyers, sellers, SMEs, Academia, Government agencies and buyers.’

Martin adds that ‘there is much work to do in helping engineers create

44|

synergies, contacts and bridge building, thus strengthening the medtech supply chain. Better-engineered med-tech products also have a key role to play in helping the creation of value-added and innovation, for consumption in UK home markets and in export sales.’

Seminars/workshops on special med-tech interests will take place through the MTI EXPO two days at the Ricoh Arena and engineers will be able to pick and choose from a mix of technical and commercial topics; attaining ISO standards, issues of sterilization and packaging; energy management and so forth. Audience numbers for these seminars are registration is needed to qualify.

MTI EXPO 2015 will see the important Medilink network – representing over 1500 med-tech manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, and rising – taking two exhibition stands and, in addition to the seminars, also helping to pull the Manufacturing Conference together. The conference will provide helpful topics and resources to manufacturers on the subjects of; internationalization and exporting, NHS adoption, supply

and other topics.

And, thanks to the generosity of 3D printer supplier Stratasys, every MTI EXPO 2015 pre-registered visitor will get the chance to win a Stratasys ‘Mojo’ 3D printer worth over £7,000. Simon Brandon, Stratasys Marketing Manager, notes that ‘the medical device industry is at the forefront of using 3D printing to innovate in product development and manufacturing. Stratasys sees the upcoming exhibition as an excellent way of getting closer to medical device manufacturers and working together to develop life-changing products of the future.’

Engineers and manufacturing suppliers to the med-tech industries can rest assured that the exhibition, conference, workshops and the Medilink Innovation Awards dinner will provide an excellent networking and business environment.

Colin Martin says that ‘we are determined to showcase as much med-tech manufacturing excellence as possible to the wider medical and healthcare communities. We urge all engineers to exhibit, visit and generally take part in the and dynamic sector.’

and training; working with AHSNs

!

E T A D E H T E V SA OVE

100R

EXH

11th & 12th November 2015 | Exhibition Centre Liverpool

IBIT

LiftEx is the market leading event for the lifting industry. Now in its 11th year, it is being revamped and redesigned for 2015, with new features such as the LiftEx Industry Conference and Innovation Fast Pitch expecting to attract over 1,500 dedicated industry professionals 2 days.

All set in a fantastic, brand-new, purpose built exhibition venue on the waterfront in Liverpool.

Exhibition

Conference

See products and services from over 100 participating companies

Hear high level presentations

Innovation Fast Pitch in the industry

lifting industry

Why visit LiftEx 2015?

Discover the latest products and services and innovations from market leading companies in the lifting industry Hear high value educational content and industry updates See real demonstrations from key lifting suppliers Network with your industry colleagues and make valuable supply contacts Get the latest advice and training from the industry experts in the LEEA team Platinum Sponsor

For more information about taking part in LiftEx 2015 as a sponsor, exhibitor, conference delegate or visitor, please contact: Leah Phelps Email: enquiries@liftex.org Tel: +44 (0)7795 110646 For more information, visit

www.liftex.org

Visitor Guide Sponsor

ORS

!

April 2015

AltAir technology conference World leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover and the team behind supersonic land vehicle, Bloodhound SSC will present visionary keynote addresses at the 9th UK Altair Technology Conference on the 16th June 2015 at the Stratford Manor in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

They will discuss the current business challenges facing UK industry today, and will highlight the importance of driving innovation using the latest technologies. The keynote presenters will include:Dr Matthew Orchard, Vice President, Head of Airframe Engineering Competence Centre, Airbus Andy Richardson, Head of Simulation, Jaguar Land Rover Richard Noble OBE, Project Director, Bloodhound SSC In addition, this highly renowned conference has also attracted a list of high quality technical presentations from Airbus, Assystem, BMW, Force India, Gestamp, Jaguar Land Rover, Plaxton, RUAG, Vertu and more. These speakers will showcase examples of how they have deployed Altair’s latest revolutionary software solutions including design for additive manufacturing, next generation computational among other current industry hot topics.

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“Our Technology Conferences have gained a reputation for presenting highly innovative and successful simulation year’s event is no exception”, said Hakan Ekman, Managing Director, Altair Engineering Ltd. “I am pleased that we are able to provide our audience with great value during the day and ensure they leave with plenty of interesting, valuable and new knowledge about simulation technologies”.

Registration is now open and details of the agenda can be found at: www.altair.com/atcuk15.

About Altair Altair is focused on the development and broad application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimise designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance.

Privately held with more than 2,300 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA and operates in more more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit

www.altair.com

Events

April 2015

PD+I 2015 Join the celebrations

W

ith the 2014 conference for industrial designers heralded by many as the best yet for its brand rich line up of speakers such as Gadi Amit, Richard Seymour, Sir John Hegarty and Robert Brunner; delegates could be forgiven for wondering, how can this could birthday and the show is once again set to deliver on the 20th and 21st May, with speakers from big name brands including McLaren, Bacardi, Kinneir Dufort, Whipsaw and many more.

New for 2015 is the appointment of Chris Lefteri as Conference Chair, who will be building on the fantastic work carried out by predecessor Kevin McCullagh, whilst also bringing his own slant to proceedings. The conference is also taking place at an exciting new venue - the America Square Conference Centre in Tower Hill, London, still only a stone’s throw from the iconic Design Museum.

PD+I 2015 will allow delegates to truly get under the skin of the hottest new trends, technologies, materials and processes as well as discover new opportunities and how to apply them to future commercial growth. With more than 200 delegates expected to attend, the potential for networking and building invaluable contacts within this specialist sector is second to none.

The programme itself is available to view at conference.pdesigni.com/pdi2015/programme, and it promises a wealth of relevant topics, with particular focus on wearable tech and mobility.

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Speaking about his involvement in PD+I 2015, new Conference Chair Chris Lefteri comments: “PD+I has always had a high level of quality, with some really great speakers over the years, and I’m excited to build on this, particularly at an international level. At the end of the day, people are hungry for knowledge and want to learn, and PD+I is a great place in which to do this. There is the opportunity to hear from people who have done things well, and also to get involved in debates and of course network. I’m enjoying being involved so far and look forward to May 2015.”

Early Bird delegate rate of £285 + VAT for one day or £525 + VAT for two, if you book before 11th April 2015, after which prices will be £345 + VAT for one day and £625 + VAT for two. Take advantage of the early prices by registering online today at: conference.pdesigni.com or by contacting Yvonne Nartey on ynartey@crain.com / +44 (0)20 8253 9602.

Events

April 2015

PDM’s 10th Anniversary

Brings Plastics Industry up to Date The Plastics Design and Moulding Exhibition and Conference (PDM15) returns to the Telford International Centre on 16 and 17 June, where the event will celebrate its 10th anniversary as the UK’s premier annual event for the plastics industry.

The two-day PDM Conference focuses on a range of the industry’s most topical issues including skills shortages, EU membership, sustainable design, automotive lightweighting and 3D printing. Highlights include: An overview of the UK Auto industry by Luke Hampton, supply chain director at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Plastics, lightweighting saviour; welding of automotive plastics components. Best practice and assessment of joint integrity by Farshad SalamatZadeh, Chartered Polymer and Adhesive Engineer and Senior Project Leader at TWI Failure in Polymer Products - it doesn’t just happen! by Justin Taylor, Principal Consultant, ipolytech, Telford Material innovations in injection moulding by Dr Mark Barnett, Head of Warwick There will also be a number engineers, providing practical expertise in areas such as moulding techniques and machine care.

A popular feature of previous shows that returns for 2015 is the Plastics Consultancy Network’s Plastics Surgery. Visitors are invited to bring along questions they may have relating to plastics design and moulding and PCN’s consultants will be on hand to

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Major names from every part of the UK their presence at PDM15 including Distrupol, Plastribution, Negri Bossi, Premier Moulding Machinery, Billion UK, BMB Plastics Machinery, Kuka Robotics, Luxus, Mouldshop, Rutland Plastics and Chess Plastics.

Companies exhibiting at PDM for UK, Cad2parts, South West Polymer Supplies, Hotset UK and Kongskilde UK. Other exhibitors include product design companies, rotational and blow moulding machinery suppliers, toolmakers, rapid prototyping specialists, moulders and mouldmakers, masterbatch specialists, software suppliers and materials testing specialists.

Organisers have also reported a new level of interest from overseas businesses keen to showcase their capabilities to the UK market, now regarded as the growth area in Europe.

Such exhibitors include Italian-based M.P Srl, Austrian-based Meusburger Georg GmbH & Co Kg, Swiss company U-NICA Gruppe, 3D Design Technologies Ltd (Cad2parts Ltd) from Turkey and Luxembourg-based CODPRO.

The Sumitomo (SHI) Demag team will provide practical advice on how to make the switch to all-electric injection moulding, focusing on how to able to preview the newest Series 5 IntElect ‘Smart’ machine, which further enhances and advances precision, part can also discover how the new ejector technology has solved the issue of components cascading out of an eIMM mould and ricocheting into opposite cavities. time its new modular Metro G range of hopper loaders. It will also demonstrate its new disc dosing unit with an updated touch screen control for ease of use and the advanced Luxor - a adaption to material throughput, moisture content and other conditions.

Vero Software will be showcasing the latest release of VISI 21 includes more than 340 product enhancements and a continued emphasis on intelligent solutions for mould making and stamping die industries.

Industry support for the PDM event continues to grow with the Society of Plastics Engineers UK & Ireland (SPE) and Rubber & Plastics Research Association (RAPRA) now joining existing partners British Plastics who want to create structurally robust Federation (BPF), the Gauge & prototypes or small batch components Toolmakers Association (GTMA), for tests in real-world applications or IOM3, Polymer Training and Innovation solutions. Suitable for use with any Centre and the Polymer Machinery 3D printer that has a heated nozzle, Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA), Polymer material is up to 50 times more resistant Society and WRAP. to wear and abrasion than products To register to attend PDM15 visit: made from conventional 3D printer www.pdmevent.com materials, such as ABS and PLA.

Exhibitor Highlights

April 2015

NEC hosts 12th Railtex show Engineering technology covering many disciplines will be on show at the 12th Railtex exhibition, which opens its doors at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, UK, from 12 to 14 May.

Highly regarded throughout the rail industry, this is the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier assets and rolling stock. And with more than 430 companies taking part, the Venue Investment in the UK rail network is running at unprecedented levels and with headline-grabbing projects like HS2 in the pipeline, there are great opportunities in the market in terms of both business and careers.

Centre, Birmingham Opening times

serving the UK rail market. Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transportation, Hitachi Rail Europe and Siemens will all be present, along with numerous Entry Free to pre-registered visitors; ÂŁ20 for non-registered

Full supporting programme As well as learning more about the latest products and systems from suppliers, visitors will be able to attend a wide-ranging programme of presentations will address topical themes that provide valuable insights into trends in policy and technology. These sessions, details of which appear on the website, will be open to all, free of charge.

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" #

12th INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF RAILWAY EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS & SERVICES

Railtex is the all-encompassing showcase for technological innovation across all sectors of the rail supply market - the platform for people from throughout the industry to meet face to face, make connections and do business.

Regist for FR er EE at www.r ailtex.c o.uk saving ÂŁ20 the do on or

Hundreds of exhibitors will present thousands of products and services to the industry. See the latest innovations and hear updates on key projects and developments

Tel + 44 (0) 1727 814400 info@railtex.co.uk Supported by:

www.railtex.co.uk Media Partners:

Robotics

April 2015

A fresh perspective Chris Sumner, MD of FANUC UK, considers why robotic uptake within the fresh produce segment has been lower than that in other manufacturing sectors.

To meet the tight deadlines required by supermarkets and retailers, it’s critical that a fast, high production through-rate is achieved. For the fresh produce sector in particular, this raises issues of quality and the need to minimise damage throughout the production process. There can be fairly hefty penalties if damaged produce hits retail shelves and the producers will be held responsible. Groceries Code Adjudicator, Christine Tacon, receives a customer complaint relating to the product.

Automating a line is the ideal solution but traditionally price has been the biggest hurdle to overcome. However, investing in - such as agency workers or labour. In recent years robotic is 7% lower compared to its predecessor, yet has a 12% increase in payload capacity.

It’s important that each product is looked at individually, without applying a broad brush solution to automating a production line.

If a punnet of strawberries needs to be moved from A to B and then put into a retail tray, fast movement can cause horrendous damage to the product, so by the time they’re in the tray, juice is already coming out.

So how can robots help? For picking and placing a punnet of strawberries, a Fanuc LR Mate 200iD 7L would be ideal. The sixaxis robot has a reach of up to 911mm and, because it’s only about the size of a human arm, it minimises space requirements. Its diversity enables it to handle a broad range of unwrapped goods such as single root vegetables which need to be topped and tailed.

The next level up, the LR Mate 200iD 7L, is a six-axis robot with a reach of 91mm. A successor to Fanuc’s LR-Mate200iC, a new slim arm design was engineered to minimise interference to peripheral devices and it can therefore operate in much narrower spaces than traditional robots. In pick and place applications, it is with a diverse range of produce, in this instance root vegetables.

For picking up polybags of onions or potatoes and placing them into retail trays or trolleys, Fanuc’s M20 high performance the highest wrist movements and inertia in its class. This larger work envelope, allows for two lines to be simultaneously serviced.

Produce can go in one direction into a cardboard box and the other direction into a retail tray.

so economical and by removing the possibility of human error, the risk of damaged produce is minimised. For the fresh produce sector, this is vital when supplying goods on ever tightening deadlines.

www.fanuc.eu 54|

April 2015

The challenge R A Labone, a plastics injection moulding manufacturer, wanted to install an automated system for the production of its tyre pressure sensor housings which would meet the volume and price demands of its blue chip customer whilst enabling the manufacture to be based in the UK. A solution was required for the whole end-to-end manufacturing process, including loading inserts, moulding, insert-present testing, cooling, decay testing, and packaging.

The solution RNA, a leading automation integrator, partnered with FANUC UK, the world’s largest robotics and automation solutions provider, to produce a fully automated system for manufacturing, testing and packaging. Two FANUC M10iA robots were integrated into the automated system, which includes the following steps: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Two types of component parts (Insert and Antenna) are fed and orientated via two vibratory bowls and linear feed systems.

The components are fed into two independent precession shuttle mechanisms so that the Insert and Antenna are always in a known repeatable and accurate positional location A FANUC M10iA robot is used with a double gripper mechanism to pick four inserts and four antenna from their locations The inserts and antennas are placed in the correct orientation within the four-cavity moulding tool An Arburg 1200T vertical moulding machine with a two position rotary index table is used to enable simultaneous loading of inserts and antennas while the moulding process takes place On completion of moulding, the two position rotary index table actuates and presents an open mould tool to a second FANUC M10iA robot The mouldings are taken through an electrical test to check inserts are present.

Leading automation integrator partners with FANUC UK to transform R A Labone’s insert moulding process.

8.

The mouldings are moved to a specially developed cooling system based on a rotary table and cooling fans to ensure parts are cool before leak decay testing.

9. The mouldings are placed on a leak decay test station 10. The mouldings are placed into automated packing area.

11. Empty boxes are fed from an in-feed conveyor to the conveyor system.

Following the installation of the automated system at the R A Labone plant, FANUC and RNA deployed engineers to educate employees around how to set up, operate and maintain the automated system.

The automated solution provides a fully integrated and compact system increasing productivity, ensuring consistent product quality, reducing costs and minimising waste. The system also increases precision, speed and accuracy when placing the inserts and antennas into the moulding tool. Reliability of positioning components is also ensured by high precision and accuracy of the handling processes.

Outcomes required targets as a result of the automated system, with 24 hour production 5 days per week.

Alan Edmonds, head of technical sales, RNA said: “We chose FANUC due to the speed and accuracy of the FANUC robot and as part of a recommendation from R A Labone who already use FANUC’s products and services.

The automated system has completely transformed production capabilities for RA Labone and we have had success.”

|55

Robotics

April 2015

a packing system along with the palletising Blu-Robot which has of the line.

Howzat!

Originally Binder’s Loams were manually stacking 25Kg bags onto 5,000 pallets

Pacepacker in all-rounder with Binder Loams When a leading provider of turf dressings and topsoil needed to improve the throughput of its line, the solution needed to be speedy, but also address the back-breaking task of manually stacking bags onto 5,000 pallets within a six week period.

Essex based Binder Loams counts Lord’s Cricket Ground and the Oval as its esteemed clients, in addition to thousands of local cricket clubs and county grounds. For the last 10

Binder Loams’ director, Frank Marta, explains: “We spend six months of the year getting ready for six weeks in September when the cricket club season ends and they do their end be left in the bag for too long, not only because it could germinate, but also because it takes up a very large amount of space in our modest a year, all in the yard, waiting for one big rush of collection and delivery.”

Binder Loams once again turned

topsoil into 25kg bags. Up until this year, palletising the bags was a manual process. However, due to the the company has just a short window to process and distribute these cricket dressings, making it a labour intensive task for the team. With business booming, Binder Loams took the leap and invested in an automated Blu-Robot palletiser from

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to complement the sack placer recommended installing a second user Blu-Robot, which is half the cost of a new robotic palletiser. “I knew I wanted a robot from the get Frank explains. “Our work is very seasonal and we didn’t want to employ extra people for the whole year just for the task of palletising.”

dramatically increased throughput but also helped to reduce wastage, which often occurred during the rush of manually palletising the bags. controlled by the operators manually palletising the bags, with natural pauses as they changed pallets and loaded more bags. “It took three or four men on a 10 hour shift to palletise around 100 pallets,” Frank notes.

Now the pace is controlled by the bagging line and robot, with the operator being able to change pallets and load bags onto the system means around 140 tonnes can be palletised in the same 10 shift period with just two workers manning the line as opposed to four.

visit: www.pacepacker.com

Robotics

April 2015

Integrating robotics into our systems – and our thinking Omron’s Robert Brooks (Product Marketing Manager Motion & Drives) argues that robotics should be thought of as just one of many ingredients in the ever-richer recipe behind automation.

For managers in those parts of consumer goods manufacturing where robotics have not made is likely to conjure up images of a huge standalone system.

systems are being integrated into sitting among multiple functions on the popular image of a robot may be a six-axis giant working in the opportunities for them to play a role dovetailed into complex lines helping electronics and packaging lines.

This is especially true of the Delta-style robot which is now an established part pick-and-place speeds of up to 150 cycles per minute. These robots have

electromechanical systems. In many

Sysmac components is via on-board

the link between two processes or machines.

also included for communications with higher level systems.

components allow manufacturers not

course applications where a heavierduty robot makes sense. Omron

about plugging a gap in the market.

They are likely to permit a far wider pack formats or size options.

There are precedents for this sort of shift in thinking. Only a few years pharma and packaging equipment was thought of – in some quarters component in any high-speed line aiming to combine compact design with precision and repeatability.

Within

the

Omron

automation

communications system as other servo drives and connect to the temperature control – and more – all linked by the same software. Despite these Delta robots can handle the vast majority of products within the aforementioned industry able to handle payloads of up to 3kgs.

Maybe it is time we saw robotic systems as just one more component in the mix of automation solutions –

end users and machine builders who embrace robots as an integral part of when they are used to replace less

50kg.

operators who are comfortable with servos are likely to feel the same way about integrated Delta robots. Setup and operation are straightforward.

Delta controller will run up to eight of motion. A single controller makes motion for the entire machine and reducing space requirements.

The synchronisation of multiple machines or lines can be fully programmed thanks to a powerful command set developed especially for pick and place applications that use

ability to combine robotics with integrated vision is already proving invaluable in high-accuracy pick-andspaced product presents itself on an infeed conveyor. Gripper technologies mean that even potentially fragile products can be safely manipulated this way. fast-developing as the other elements streamlined automation: a multi-bit But if there remains a stubborn feeling that robots are in fact

as the programmability of robots

be few other single components which the Sysmac Studio software package – the same package used to program all other Sysmac components. The software includes a comprehensive robotics library to make it simple to set up sophisticated robot motion

safety – as well as the potential cost

website: www.industrial.omron.co.uk

|57

April 2015

Tour Dates

3D Scanning experts Central Scanning Limited and Steinbichler UK Ltd have teamed up with 3D printing experts Tri-Tech 3D to tour the UK throughout the course of 2015 with a unique roadshow.

The tour stretches from Glasgow to London, taking in Manchester, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Solihull, Reading and Bristol along the way. The morning conferences will include live demonstrations of the equipment, and will allow attendees to get up close and personal with high tech equipment. There will also be opportunities to ask any of the 3D Scanning/Printing experts any questions and discuss how the technology is being used in your industry.

Central Scanning will be showcasing their wide range of 3D Scanners including the hand held show is the Artec Eva. The Artec Eva is similar to a video camera which captures in 3D. The scanner captures up to 16 frames per second and each frame is a 3D image. This hand-held device will be useful in situations where you need to scan outside or to travel to objects that cannot be transported (like a museum).

The second Artec Scanner to be demonstrated is the Artec Spider. The Artec Spider is a 3D Scanner with high resolution, high accuracy and ability to see sharp edges. Such features make Artec Spider the perfect solution for mass production and industrial design where higherprecision scanning of objects with sharp edges and intricate details is required. The Artec spider captures up to 1000000 points per second, and scans a dozen times faster than a laser scanner!

Central Scanning Owner Nick Godfrey said ‘’this joint venture allows us to demonstrate the quality 3D Scanning and 3D Printing. In a world where new barriers are broken every day, 3D Scanning and Printing is still a ‘dark art’ for many.

We’re looking forward to showing a number Printing can improve the way they work’’ provided, there will also be some giveaways, an opportunity to win a 3D print of your head and catherine@central-scanning.co.uk.

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6th March

Eastwood Hall, Eastwood,

Nottingham

13th April

Horwood House

Milton Keynes

8th May

The Met

Leeds

12th June

Grand Central

Glasgow

7th September

St Johns Hotel

Solihull

19th October 2nd November 11th December

Reading Cotswold Water Park

Bristol

Grand Connaught Rooms

London

High Precision MEMS Inertial Sensors and IMUs

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April 2015

Guyson Spring Cleaning Both Guyson machines have been installed to perform a dual function of providing higher levels of automation, whilst also improving product quality, during the production of compression springs. With the Microsolve 350 solvent cleaner used to remove mineral drawing oil from the formed springs before heat treatment, and then subsequent descaling in the T50 Tumbleblaster to produce an

Autotrans usage also enables reduced running costs by controlling speed of

Guyson’s ‘Kerry’ Microsolve 350 CoSolvent cleaning system provides two ultrasonic cleaning stages, both with

A range of safety enclosures, designed to suit machine positioning and

and freeboard drying.

hydrocarbon solvating agent removes the mineral oil from the compression springs. Large quantities of dirt and particularly suitable for heavy duty cleaning.

In stage two, pure HFE distillate removes any residues left on the springs carried over from the primary transducers powered by a Guysonic generator, coupled with Primewave controller; this combination delivers both a very robust cleaning activity is followed by rinsing in the vapour dwell in the freeboard zone to dry the springs.

All Guyson’s Microsolve’s attain the running costs low. Solvent retention features unique to the Microsolve optional auto top-up and solvent monitoring. Full automation of the cleaning process is achieved through roller load and unload conveyors.

60|

vapour zone, thus reducing solvent drag-out and losses to atmosphere caused by disturbance of the vapour repeatable quality, reducing reject rates and increasing throughput.

These combined features also mean that Microsolve systems are able to operate with low solvent usage and customers enjoy low, predictable running costs.

is provided with all Microsolve machines, ensuring that systems are safe to operate and fully comply with the highest environmental and safety legislation.

fully adjustable arms, allowing optimum blast coverage and a speedy batch time. The has 2.5 mm perforations to allow blast media through and a series of internal paddles mounted on the component tumbling action. Airwash is also provided so the springs can be of blast media.

pointing directly downwards in-line Then a steel chute is clipped in place,

After processing the springs in the Microsolve 350 the springs are now clean of mineral drawing oil, so when they go through the subsequent heat treatment process there is less underlying scale on them than was previously the case. Now batch descaling in the Guyson T50 time than previously and less scale production time and less blast media usage.

The installed Guyson Multiblast T50 tumbleblast machine, has been to increase the height of the cabinet, allowing a delivery shute mechanism to be installed underneath. Now when descaling a whole batch of springs can be despatched directly out of underneath the machine via a shute that is clipped in place for the purpose, thus reducing manual handling.

The

T50

Tumbleblaster

has

a

and each batch is blasted by a cluster of three Guyson model 900 blast

springs descend into the catchment

machine is ready to go again.

Completing the blast system is and Model C800 dust collector.

The cyclone separator maintains a consistent grit size within the media stream to achieve consistent roughness level and is coupled to the cabinet via hard wearing rigid carries the heavier re-usable particles to the outside of the rotating air stream which collect in a storage hopper ready to be re-used, whilst the lighter media are separated and collected in the Guyson C800 twin cartridge dust collector.

Other spring manufacturers are encouraged to contact Guyson for free trials on their products and to see

New TC Model t 500 - 2000kg/hr t Touch control screen t Full modulation feature 50-100% firing t Natural Gas, Light Oil, LPG and Bio Fuel t Automatic facility option t PM5 Facility option t Pressure range up to 32 barG t >98% Efficiency * t Remote compatible with Profibus/ CANbus etc. t Steam in 3 minutes t Compact construction t Lightweight t Suitable for mezzanine floors t Factory tested prior to dispatch to site t NOx Gas reduction option t Dual fuel option

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Electrical Range t Compact t 8 - 160kg/hr Steam output t Modulating ouput t Skid mountable t Steam in 3 minutes t Automatic facility option

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April 2015

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Show Time!

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Utility Week Live 62|

Directory

Street Crane Co Ltd Chapel-en-le-Frith High Peak SK23 0PH Tel: +44 (0) 1298 812456 www.streetcrane.co.uk email: sales@streetcrane.co.uk

ECi Software Solutions Si One, St Ives Business Park, Parsons Green, St Ives, PE27 4AA

Email: eu-sales@ecisolutions.com

Man and Machine Ltd Unit 8 Thame 40 Jane Morbey Road Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3RR www.manandmachine.co.uk marketing@manandmachine.co.uk

New Progress House

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April 2015

Quantum Controls 6a Dukes Way Low Prudhoe Northumberland NE42 69Q 0330 9000 247 sales@quantum-controls.co.uk

Fraser Anti-Static Techniques Ltd Scotts Business Park Bampton, Devon EX16 9DN www.fraser-antistatic.co.uk sales@fraser-antistatic.co.uk +44 (0)1398331114

Hone-All Cherrycourt Way, Leighton Buzzard. LU7 4UH. Tel: 0845 5555 111 E-mail: sales@hone-all.co.uk www.hone-all.co.uk

Wallington, Surrey SM6 9AA

Ecopac (UK) Power Ltd Unit 4, Ridgeway, Crendon Industrial Area, Long Crendon, Bucks, HP18 9BF

Tel: 020 8773 8111 Email: christine.jordan@ppma.co.uk

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