Manufacturing & Engineering Production Magazine - March 2023

MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION

INTERVIEW

MPE MAGAZINE SPEAKS WITH ANNE-MARIE, CEO OF STEMETTES

TECHNOLOGY

SUSTAINABILITY BEYOND THE FACTORY FLOOR

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!

invests £100,000 into new ‘Recycle’ offer to support greener packaging solutions Interview - MPE Magazine speaks with Anne-Marie, CEO of Stemettes News - Outsourcing could solve industry’s ‘people puzzle’ predicts PP C&A chief Exhibition - Records broken at successful Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2023 Technology - Responding to the future: empowering manufacturing with tech innovation

Editors Note

Welcome to the latest edition of Manufacturing & Production Engineering Magazine.

We have two upcoming shows at the end of this month which we are looking forward to attending. Both IntralogisteX and Robotics and Automation are taking place on 28th & 29th March at NEC Birmingham. It is always exciting to see new innovations and to speak with leading names in the industry regarding their applications.

In this edition we have several articles focusing on sustainability, always a topic at the forefront of a company’s decision making. We hear from Umair Ejaz, from Visual Components, who tells us what steps that are being taken in the manufacturing industry to help reduce the carbon footprint.

We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, if you have any news that you would like to feature, please email details to editor@mpemagazine.co.uk

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Manufacturing & Production Engineering Magazine however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufactures or contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

Midtherm lasers in on growth after £1.2m machine investment

A specialist sub-contract laser cutting and forming specialist is reaping the operational and environmental benefits of a £1.2m machine investment.

Midtherm Laser, which employs 45 people at its factory on Peartree Lane in Dudley, has increased its capacity and speed of processing thanks to the installation of a new Bystronic Bystar Fiber 12kW laser with part automation.

One of the largest purchases in its 23-year history introduces the next level of power in fiber laser cutting and will help the company deliver high cutting dynamics and thin to thick

cutting capabilities to a customer base that spans aerospace, automotive and decorative work to food processing, agricultural and conveyors.

It has also made a massive difference to the firm’s environmental performance, with the Bystronic model replacing two older CO2 machines and is already delivering a 50% energy saving – the equivalent of powering 2100 average homes every month.

Midtherm was originally established in 1968 by Ray Andrews and operated through sister companies offering powder coating, enamelling and UV flues. There was a laser cutting machine that was occasionally being used at one of the factories and the decision was taken in 2000 to put it to better use by creating a ‘laser’ business that initially employed just three people.

With orders starting to take off, Ray’s son Richard Andrews moved the business to its current 20,000 sq ft factory on Peartree Lane in Dudley in 2004, with the next big milestone taking place in 2018 when Mark Hannon replaced Dean

Midtherm was originally established in 1968 by Ray Andrews and operated through sister companies offering powder coating, enamelling and UV flues.

Cockayne as Director and took over the operation alongside Richard and Kate Birt.

Today, Midtherm Laser works with more than 500 companies across 20 different sectors, cutting or forming various sheet metal from 0.5mm to 30mm to a +/- 0.25mm tolerance. It is also the only sub-contract laser provider that can offer the cutting of non-ferrous materials without the risk of cross contamination for industries, including food processing and chemical manufacture.

For further information, please visit www.midthermlaser.co.uk

SHD Group announce new factory in Slovenia

SHD

d.o.o. relocate to new 1500m² manufacturing premises.

SHD is delighted to announce that as part of their Group’s ongoing growth plans, and absolute commitment to the highest levels of quality and service in

the prepreg industry, SHD Composite Materials Europe d.o.o. has relocated to new manufacturing premises.

The new factory is a short distance from the original site in Krsko, Slovenia, however the 1500m² factory provides a major increase in

capacity and facilities which creates a substantial foundation for SHD to further expand in support of its dynamic customer base across Europe.

This expansion will immediately double production capacity, enabling the company to maintain its short leadtimes and providing significant scope for longer term growth. The SHD team moved into the facility in September, successfully commissioning all new equipment and have received quality certification following the Group annual AS9100 audit.

Steve Doughty, Managing Director, said: “We are very proud of our new Slovenian plant and the highly skilled team that are based there. Our customers know very well of our 100% focus on excellence in service and quality. This new facility means we now have a solid foundation to support our customers for the foreseeable future. Please feel free to come and visit the plant to see what we do.”

Composite Materials Europe

Wire specialist completes MBO and sets sights on record year

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of round, flat and profile wire has completed a management buy-out, as it looks to target £15m annual sales for the first time in its 77-year history.

Alloy Wire International (AWI)’s senior management team, comprising Managing Director Tom Mander, Technical Director Andrew Du Plessis and Finance Director Adam Shaw, has purchased the business from the current owners, cementing the Black Country firm’s long-term future.

The deal will see all 33 members of staff become shareholders in the business, reinforcing a company-wide commitment to each other and its 6000-strong global customer base.

The trio have also pressed the button on a near £1m investment drive that will see new wet drawing and single hole dry drawing machines arrive during the course of the year, along with an annealing line spooler and several hundred tonnes of raw material.

Alloy Wire International manufactures round, flat and profile wire in over 60 Exotic alloys, such as Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, Nimonic and Waspaloy.

Founded in 1946 by John Stockdale in an old ambulance station in Old Hill in the Black Country, the company’s founding principles of ‘manufacturing quality, delivering reliability’ has stood the test of time and remains a crucial part of how it deals with its international customer base.

Today, the firm continues to operate across 15 different market sectors and, despite global supply chain disruption, is still delivering material in just four weeks from the order being placed.

Mark Venables, who led the previous MBO in 2013, is delighted that the new owners have come from within the company.

Alloy Wire International has been supported in the MBO by Andy Wyeth, Corporate Relationship Director at HSBC Corporate Banking’s West Midlands Team, with the company’s existing accountant, BSN Associates, helping structure the deal.

Legal representation for the owners and buyers was by FBC Manby Bowdler and George Green LLP respectively.

For further information, please visit www.alloywire.com

headcount

Manufacturo, a SaaS provider of a cloud-based manufacturing execution system (MES) designed to help manufacturers optimize and synchronize production processes in complex manufacturing industries, announces 360% growth in revenue year-on-year. As well as significant revenue growth, Manufacturo has also nearly doubled the size of its innovation department to continue investing in enhancing its solution’s functional and technical capabilities.

In what is a record year, the company has celebrated significant milestones, including winning deals with new clients in the aerospace, laser communications, and renewables sector, and expanding the Manufacturo product portfolio to 12 applications.

The Manufacturo cloud-based MES solution was designed by a team of SpaceX alumni who have immense experience building software that streamlines the production of rockets, satellites, and user terminals. Manufacturo provides highly configurable and out-of-the-box applications for multiple manufacturing modelsfrom fully automated high-volume

innovation

production to complex manual operations - to efficiently optimize and synchronize production processes at scale. Ultimately, Manufacturo offers end-to-end traceability, rich process planning, and operations synchronization.

VP of Solutions at Manufacturo, James Montgomery, said:

“2022 was a massive year for Manufacturo, as it saw us secure six new key customers, each of whom we consider true partners, as well as expanding the software’s capabilities considerably. Our goal is to make manufacturing processes more efficient for hightech emergent players – many of whom are start-ups or SMEs – and our mission is to enable them to bring their products to market quicker and speed up the time it takes to manufacture at scale.

Andea developed the initial concept of its modern manufacturing SaaS solution in 2018. Two years later, after significant effort spent on concept refinement, design, and testing and with tremendous input and vision from James Montgomery and Kenzo Takai, Andea started building Manufacturo, a solution geared for the rapidly growing, high-tech emergent manufacturing markets.

Manufacturo doubles

team

and increases revenue by 360%

GIC and Stourgarden celebrate 21 years of working together

Packaging machine manufacturer GIC and Stourgarden are this month celebrating 21 years of working together, in which time one of the UK’s leading suppliers of onions has seen demand grow by over 500 per cent!

Stourgarden was established by brothers Bill and John Rix in 1995 when they won a contract to supply Tesco.

Today, the third-generation family business still grows onions on the Essex and Suffolk border, as well as sourcing onions locally and from around the world to ensure a year-round supply.

In 2002 Bill approached GIC for a quote to add a vertical form fill and seal packaging machine to Stourgarden’s single packing line. At that time, just 45 tonnes per week were leaving Stourgarden’s site near Colchester. Today, that volume has increased to more than one million packs per week.

The first GIC machines – two VFB2000s – were bought in August 2002 and installed at Stourgarden’s Lodge Farm packhouse in early 2003. Both

VFB2000s featured maintenance-free full servo drive systems, Markem Smartdate coder, discharge pack elevator and a stainless steel drip tray.

As demand for Stourgarden’s onions increased, the company upgraded the VFB2000s to VFB8000s in 2007. Two years later, Stourgarden added a third packing line and ordered another VFB8000. All three machines were upgraded in the summer of 2016, with three GIC8000s being installed. The GIC8000 is a high-speed continuous motion vertical form fill and seal packaging machine capable of handling 65 packs of onions per minute.

The latest generation features maintenance-free Allen Bradley Rockwell servo motor drives for all machine movements, including film feed, crimp jaw opening and closing, and crimp jaw vertical motion.

The ten-inch operator-friendly HMI colour touch screen controls are complemented by tool-free size changing, a fully-integrated coder station, reel run-out detection, and an

glasses, polymers, compounds, composites and other materials to meet the research, development and specialist production requirements of science and industry.

expansion

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of specialist metals and materials has signed a new commercial agreement with Advanced Energy Minerals (AEM) to support its growing order book in the academic and research sectors.

Goodfellow Ltd, which recently delivered materials to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for the Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough that shook the world, will work with the Canadian company to build high purity alumina powders into its growing range.

The transatlantic deal gives the Huntingdon-based firm exclusivity for sales denominations of up to 20kg per line, covering nine high purity alumina powders, 5 gamma powders and 4 alpha powders.

Goodfellow is a leading global supplier of metals, alloys, ceramics,

Located on Ermine Business Park in Huntingdon, the company has an extensive range of 150,000 catalogue products in multiple forms available off the shelf, most subject to free delivery within 48 hours and with no minimum order quantities.

It also offers a comprehensive range of bespoke processing services, effectively operating as an

out-of-tolerance temperature sensor on the Heat Seal Crimp Jaws.

Such is the build quality of GICs machines that all of the VFB models supplied to Stourgarden are still operating at other food manufacturers today.

As well as supplying the machines, GIC has also serviced them for 21 years, ensuring that the machines operate efficiently and with minimal downtime.

Currently, Stourgarden is supplying Tesco with over a million onions every day. However, in the pandemic’s first week, this reached over two million per day!

For further information: www.gic.uk.net

extension of a customer’s production team to develop custom-fabricated components in any quantity required.

Mark concluded: “Our in-house team comprises fellow scientists and engineers with extensive knowledge of materials and processing.

“Through their technical expertise, and a supporting range of specification tools, we have built an unrivalled reputation for finding solutions to the most challenging of research problems.”

For further information, please visit www.goodfellow.com

International deal paves the way for Goodfellow’s scientific industry

Lesters invests £100,000 into new ‘Recycle’ offer to support greener packaging solutions

One of the UK’s leading large packaging specialists is introducing a new service that will help companies improve their environmental footprint and their bottom line.

Lesters has invested more than £100,000 into creating its dedicated ‘Recycle’ offering that sells used cardboard boxes to existing and new clients looking for a greener and more cost-effective way of transporting their products.

The Burntwood-based company, which now employs 60 people after a recent recruitment drive, is already working with customers in the home and commercial removals and manufacturing sectors and expects sales to double in this area to more than £500,000 over the next twelve months.

Bosses at the family-run firm believe an increasing number of companies will tap into the sustainable benefits of reusing high quality boxes

for moving their goods, with the cost of each box typically 50% less than buying a brand new one.

There is also a host of environmental benefits attached to this approach and these can be factored into a business’ commitment to becoming Carbon Neutral or Carbon Negative.

Interest in this latest offer from Lesters has surpassed initial expectations and the company is now actively looking to buy back boxes it has sold whilst also purchasing used boxes manufactured by other firms.

A new marketing and social media campaign is being launched to raise awareness and educate other businesses on the benefits of looking at alternative packaging options.

It has been a whirlwind period for Lesters over the last two years, with fifteen staff taken on across production and in admin/support, whilst a second shift has been introduced to keep up with demand.

This has helped support the design and manufacture of a growing range of products, including octabins, pallet boxes, heavy duty packaging, bespoke die cut units, corrugated cartons, and retail ready packaging.

The ‘large packaging’ specialist is also keen to innovate the materials it uses, as well as looking for new applications outside the world of packaging.

For further information, please visit www.lestersrecycle.co.uk

Tugdock Limited has announced a partnership with Sarens, the global leader and reference in crane rental services, heavy lifting and engineered transport. To support the further growth of Tugdock, Sarens have invested in the start-up company, which is based in Cornwall, UK. The partnership will enable the two companies to offer a novel solution to the fast-growing floating offshore wind industry.

Lucas Lowe-Houghton, Director of Business Development for Tugdock, explains: “The floating offshore wind

sector is expected to continue to grow rapidly. However, very few of the world’s ports have sufficient water depth and assembly quay space to build the huge turbine floaters required and conventional dry docks are not wide enough as they were originally designed for ships. Tugdock’s patented marine buoyancy bag technology solves this issue. It allows floating dry docks to be delivered by road in modular form and assembled at the port to dimensions far wider than most of the world’s existing dry docks.”

Lucas continues: “Our submersible floating dry docks can operate with as little as 5 metres draft, enabling more efficient wind turbine floater construction. The platform is then towed to deeper water for launching of the turbines. More than 8% of the total cost of a floating offshore wind farm is accounted for by assembly and installation. So, any innovation that allows this process to be carried out more efficiently and quickly will have a big impact on profitability for developers.”

Floating offshore wind turbines are located in areas where there is deeper water and higher winds than fixed wind turbine structures, enabling them to generate higher levels of power. This means they are expected to play a key role in the transition to net zero. Over 20 gigawatts of floating offshore wind power is expected to be commissioned globally

by 2035, requiring over 2,600 wind turbines.

Carl Sarens, Director of Technical Solutions, Projects & Engineering at Sarens, said: “Through this partnership with Tugdock, we are able to streamline the solution we offer to developers.

“By significantly reducing time and costs, our alliance will deliver a step change for wind turbine construction. In addition, Tugdock’s flexibility and reusability is useful to global developers as the units can be reused from one port or project to another regardless of changes in turbine size or foundation weight.”

Shane Carr, CEO of Tugdock, said: “Working in partnership with a large multinational such as Sarens will accelerate our development, enabling further innovation to keep us at the forefront of the floating offshore wind industry.”

Simon Cheeseman of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy) said: “Tugdock have created a brilliant innovative solution to enhance port capacity and meet one of the most significant infrastructure challenges facing the fast-growing floating offshore wind industry. Their partnership with Sarens will accelerate use of this solution by floating offshore wind developers across the world.”

Pioneering partnership to deliver innovative solution for floating wind industry

Galvanizing process futureproofs leisure centre

A multi-million-pound, state-of-theart leisure centre has been unveiled in Helensburgh which will withstand the elements – being located right next to the sea.

Hosting a swimming pool and gym, the main contractors responsible for the project, Heron Bros Ltd, commissioned Walter Watson to create the structure of the large building. They created the framework using steel, but due to its seafront location, sought assistance from Scottish Galvanizers Ltd to ensure the components would be protected against rust and corrosion for years to come.

The steel was fabricated in sections –some of which were up to 11.6m long –before being sent to Scottish Galvanizers to be hot-dipped in its molten zinc galvanizing bath. As no other coating process has the ability to cover all areas of the steel and without the need for regular maintenance, galvanizing offers the greatest resistance to damage and corrosion – crucial to endure the sea air.

Trevor Irvine, General Manager of the Structural Division at Walter Watson, said: “This was an extremely exciting project, and a facility we hope will be enjoyed by the local community for many years. To ensure this, we wanted to guarantee that the steel framework would be protected from the elements and called on our long-standing partners, Scottish Galvanizers, to assist. We’ve worked with them many times, and can always rely on Paul and his team in Glasgow. Despite the issues and delays the construction industry has faced over the past few years, they always deliver on time and to the highest of quality”.

Paul Tait, Sales Manager at Scottish Galvanizers Ltd, added: “It’s been a great pleasure to be involved and play a part in this project. We’re sure the leisure centre will be enjoyed by many people within the local community for years to come – and, thanks to the galvanizing process, it’s fit for purpose”.

Scottish Galvanizers Ltd is part of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, the largest hot-dip galvanizing organisation in the UK with a history dating back over 150 years. With 14 plants strategically placed across the country, the firm offers a truly national galvanizing service.

For further information please contact Wedge Group Galvanizing on 01902 601944 or visit www.wedge-galv.co.uk

More than 8% of the total cost of a floating offshore wind farm is accounted for by assembly and installation.

Compressed Air Pumps & Valves

Achieving Pneumatic Cylinder Longevity in Harsh Environments

By Japh Humphries, UK Sales & Commercial Manager, Matara UK Ltd

Pneumatic cylinders are an efficient, reliable and clean solution for moving loads in a linear direction (back and forth or up and down), with good levels of force and speed.

Pneumatic cylinders use compressed air as the input source to move a load. There are various pneumatic cylinder types, including single-acting, double-acting and rodless. Most contain a piston inside the cylinder, and the compressed air is pushed in at one end of the cylinder and acts upon the piston within the contained environment to translate the energy into movement, using a rod to move the external load. In the case of rodless cylinders, these are engineered to perform as a self-contained linear actuator with the piston moving within a cylinder bore, for improved flexibility.

Unlike a hydraulic cylinder which uses fluid and therefore comes with a risk of leakage or cross-contamination, a pneumatic cylinder relies solely on air, making them suitable for use in a vast array of mechanical applications (although generally in fixed installations as moving large air compressors around is not ideal or easy!).

At the heart of a linear motion system

Cylinders are often the most important component of a linear motion system. If the cylinder fails, the linear motion system is unable to function and, in most instances, the machine it is part of and even the entire production line is out of action until the cylinder can be replaced.

This downtime is undesirable in any setting, but in a harsh environment where contaminants are heavily present,

standard cylinders are going to fail all the more frequently, resulting in greater downtime. Cylinders can be contaminated internally from the air supply or externally from the operating environment. In the case of the latter, seals become damaged from particles and corrosive elements in the immediate atmosphere, which are then able to enter the main workings of the cylinder, reducing the effectiveness and life of that cylinder.

What environmental factors impact cylinders’ longevity?

Airborne particles in the form of dust and grit are the most obvious threat to cylinders. If this penetrates a nose seal, it builds up and sits in seals and bearings with a similar effect to sandpaper. In a normal environment, with regular preventative maintenance, standard cylinders can cope well with basic levels of dust, but where these contaminants are prevalent, such as flour mills, mines and quarries, a more robust cylinder must be considered.

Water may not be deemed a contaminant in the usual sense, but when it comes to pneumatic cylinders it is very much a problem as where there is compressed air, there is water vapour. Furthermore, there are a number of industries, including food and pharmaceutical, where washdowns are conducted regularly and very thoroughly. In these situations, the water collects within system components where it can block the flow of air through orifices, dilute or adulterate lubricants, corrode the barrel or rod finish and, of course, freeze in cold weather.

Contamination from synthetic oils used to lubricate the air compressor can have a similar impact on cylinders to water, in that it can block orifices, as well as causing seals to swell. In harsh environments, greater quantities of lubricant are often used, which makes the contamination situation worst.

In applications where extreme heat is used, and/or where chemicals, paint or weld splatter are present, the piston rod and rod-seal are prone to damage.

Cylinders are often the most important component of a linear motion system.

- Japh Humphries

So, these are the problems, but what are the solutions?

Selecting a cylinder for harsh applications

First and foremost, invest in cylinders that are manufactured and sealed to a high quality from a well-established, recognised manufacturer. You really do get what you pay for!

However, for really harsh environments you will need to look to a more customised cylinder. The good news is, most of these customisations are relatively straightforward and represent a good ROI.

Let’s start with the cylinder seals, these being one of the most important means of preventing the ingress of dirt and water. Standard seals can be replaced with specialist versions to meet the needs of your specific application. Viton™ - a fluoropolymer elastomer and synthetic rubber compound - seals, for example, have been designed for use in some of the harshest environments,

where temperature extremes and chemical interactions are common. These can readily be used in Matara’s standard rod type pneumatic cylinders and rodless pneumatic cylinders.

Moving further into the cylinder construction, with rod type pneumatic cylinders a rod seal/wiper can be incorporated to both stop contaminants from entering the inner body of the cylinder, with the wiper removing larger particulates from the rod. For added protection the rod can be fitted with a rod bellow/gaiter which keeps contaminants away from piston rods.

When it comes to corrosion prevention, then you may need to consider going further than just swapping out seals for more tougher versions. For corrosive environments, including those where regular washdowns are conducted, the choice of rod material may need to be reconsidered. Standard rods are mostly manufactured from chrome, but swapping to stainless-exercised steel rods and fasteners, or even a stainlesssteel rod, will provide extra protection against corrosion. This will impact the cost, usually by an additional 10% of the overall cost of the cylinder. For complete corrosive protection, Matara offers a range of 100% stainless steel pneumatic cylinders.

The other option is to stick with existing materials but use specialist coatings or epoxy paints. There are a good range of options here, including Armoloy TDC® coating, which we use on our linear rail and ballscrews for maximum longevity in

demanding applications and locations. Armoloy TDC® is a hard (78Rc), thin, dense chromium coating with a micronodular surface texture which provides corrosion protection equal to 440 series stainless steel.

Maintenance matters

Having selected the right cylinder type for your environment, it’s important to conduct basic preventative maintenance to a regular schedule. This should include the regular cleaning of external parts of the system so that visual inspection of seals and other parts is straightforward; inspection for wear and tear; draining of air line filters and checking that the water traps are operating as they should; lubrication of the cylinder, rod seal, piston seals and surfaces; checking for air leaks and resealing where required; and last, but not least, replacement of air filters.

Harsh environments make for difficult operating conditions, but by selecting quality pneumatic cylinders customised to your specific site, you can costeffectively prolong the service life of a cylinder and reduce costly downtime.

Matara designs and manufactures pneumatic and linear automation products, which are available from stock or can be custom built to order.

Invest in cylinders that are manufactured and sealed to a high quality from a well-established, recognised manufacturer.

- Japh Humphries

Sustainability high on Manufacturing SMEs’ agenda despite economic headwinds

• 81% of the UK’s Manufacturing SMEs are actively moving to become more sustainable

• 77% believe their firm already behaves sustainably

• 73% say being a sustainable business is important

The message about needing to move towards a more sustainable future is being heard by the UK’s Manufacturing SMEs as they actively plan for a ‘greener’ way of doing business, according to the latest independent research from Close Brothers Asset Finance and Leasing.

The data reveals that 73% of those polled state being a sustainable business is important to them while a further 81% believe their firm already behaves sustainably.

Over four in five firms are actively enacting plans to become more sustainable, while 60% have set goals to make their firm greener and more efficient, providing hope that the ‘green revolution’ is beginning to gain traction among the UK’s smaller firms who aren’t waiting for larger businesses to take the lead.

According to the CBI, the UK risks falling behind Europe, the US and Asia in the race towards investing in green technology if more action isn’t taken soon; however, according to the research, 63% of firms have already invested in technology to help them become more sustainable. This finding

clearly demonstrates the willingness of business owners to spend capital on green technology in spite of the many challenges they face, including inflation, interest rate hikes and subdued demand.

“These results make for very encouraging reading,” said Steve Gee, CEO of Close Brothers’ Industrial Equipment Division. “The message about the need to move to a greener way

of living has landed and is being heard loud and clear.

“Every business has a clear duty to act responsibly towards the environment and we are working with firms across the UK on renewable energy projects, from onshore wind farms, solar energy installations, battery storage projects and landfill CHP projects, to name a few. Clearly, action needs to be taken across the board but, speaking with our customers, there is a huge amount of innovation taking place.”

Myles McCarthy, Group Head of Sustainability at Close Brothers added “With the rising cost of energy and a clear trajectory for a more sustainable UK economy, it has never been more important for UK businesses to unlock the benefits energy efficiency and renewable energy can deliver. Savings in energy use not only help financially but also demonstrate to a company’s stakeholders (including its customers and staff) that it is meeting its climate goals and responsibilities.”

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

Record year delivers a perfect 30th birthday present to Spillard Safety Systems

The UK’s largest specialist safety equipment provider is celebrating thirty years in business by securing a record sales boost and drawing up plans for a new facility.

Spillard Safety Systems, which was founded by Vic Spillard in his garage in 1992, has just completed its best-ever 12 months, with the launch of the pioneering Spillard Live platform driving orders past the £7m mark.

The intuitive cloud-based platform captures and streams real time video and analytics simultaneously from multiple cameras fitted to plant equipment and commercial vehicles, reducing risks, protecting lives, and saving industry millions of pounds.

AF Blakemore, Lomas Distribution, Carlsberg Marston’s, Flannery Plant Hire and Severn Trent have already signed up to the technology, joining over 300 other companies and 12,000 vehicles connected to Spillard Live.

The surge in demand has seen the company take on ten

CGTech Celebrates 35th Anniversary

CGTech, developer of VERICUT CNC machine simulation software, is proud to celebrate 35 years of growth and innovation in CNC simulation and optimisation in 2023.

new people across all areas of the business and put in place plans to expand into an additional 27,000 sq ft site later this year.

‘Spillard Live’ is based on an award-winning Internet of Things (IoT) platform that can track a vehicle in real-time with live video and analytics.

It captures, processes, and learns from multiple sources and has been designed so that it is compatible with any device capable of transmitting datasets.

The data received is analysed using complex algorithms to improve driver behaviour, so much so that audible alerts can be sent to notify employees that their actions are being recorded - a feature that has been proven to have a positive effect on their behaviour.

This all helps companies with their compliance and accountability, two increasingly important features of doing business.

For further information, please visit www.spillard.com

“Whether it’s milling, turning, millturning or any other CNC-machining, VERICUT® is the industry standard to simulate CNC machines, as well as optimise and verify NC programs,” says Margaret Schmitt, President of CGTech.

“For 35 years, CGTech’s technology leadership and experienced team have helped VERICUT evolve together with our customer base.

“CGTech’s solutions are deeply entrenched in the aerospace industry’s history, and adopted today across industries ranging from oil and gas to Formula 1 racing.

“People are at the heart of CGTech’s success and have made it what it is today: an innovative software company driven by team spirit and customer care.”

CGTech was founded by Jon Prun in 1988, when he recognised the need to verify NC tool path programs without taking valuable machining time to prove-out a part. VERICUT was the first widely available method to test machine tool paths in a virtual environment. The software has grown to be the leader in the NC program verification space and has since expanded its original capabilities to include physics-based optimisation with its Force module, composites programming and simulation, as well as additive and hybrid processes.

VERICUT is 100% developed in-house by software engineers and leaders experienced in manufacturing and the CAD/CAM space.

Improvements are made with each release to support complex multi-axis kinematics, further reduce cycle times, increase tool life, and further optimize the simulation. New features are also continuously being developed, including live CNC machine monitoring features, tool performance optimisation, and more.

Science and Technology

Nuclear Science and Technology

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time part time Certificate for CPD

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PG Diploma • PG Certificate

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

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For more information:

Creating efficiencies in your automotive processes from the start

The automotive industry is in the middle of a shift towards conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines. The move towards hybrid vehicles has rapidly picked up pace over the last few years and plug-in hybrids are becoming even more popular. The future is battery electric or fuelcell electric vehicles, referred to as NEV – New Electric Vehicles. These changes in the automotive industry require new types of components, including electric motor housings, new types of gear housings, new examples of covers and all accessories related to E-mobility. There will be increased demand for re-tooling, new tooling and processes to produce these components. High volume will remain key to the industry, and cycle time – cost, seconds and pennies – will always be a concern, so it’s important to get things right from the very beginning.

Getting it right from the start

Every step in the process – engineering, design, CAM programming and machining – should be inspected, verified and optimised. Simulation software ensures programs are error free and all operations work together as intended, and optimisation ensures the whole process is operating as efficiently as possible to save time and money. Developed by CGTech, VERICUT is an independent CNC machine tool simulation, verification and optimisation software that enables users to link all the machining operations end-to-end

to evaluate and improve the entire manufacturing process.

The priority in automotive production is increasing output, while minimising costs. Manufacturers typically have very high volume, so cost per unit and cost control are extremely important. Focus is on planning production efficiently from the start.

Mistakes can be costly. Consider the production environment – the machines, their automation, the required floor space, raw materials and invested capital – and the initial information required for accurate process planning – machining operations, required tools, the cycle time, production rate and requirements. This is where VERICUT comes in to play. It has the ability to analyse the process before any machining takes place or before cutting material – in essence, it reduces prove-out time.

Prove out

The major challenges facing automotive

manufacturers when proving-out parts on a machine for the first time can range from scrapped parts, broken tools and holders, to fixture or spindle repair, or replacement. Ultimately, this can result in machine down-time, schedule disruption, insufficient capacity and lost contracts. VERICUT simulation and verification can resolve these issues and eliminate factors that are going to cost downtime, money and safety on the shopfloor.

VERICUT becomes part of the process once the NC code has been created, but prior to any machining on the shopfloor. The engineer or programmer, who is offline from the machine, can perform a virtual prove-out and identify potential issues in the NC program. VERICUT verifies post-processed G-Code instead of the CL data. This is the exact same G-Code that runs within the NC system of the machine, enabling the software to carry out a comprehensive machine simulation based on the same data that will operate the machine. Any errors will be highlighted in the VERICUT logger, which when clicked on will link directly back to the line of NC code where the error occurred. Simultaneously, rather than sitting idle, the machine can be producing parts, thus removing the wait time from the machining process. Valuable machine time is therefore not wasted and machinists can be confident that the program will deliver accurate parts without collisions or disruption.

Simple set up

The machine features, components, fixtures and stock in VERICUT are identical to the physical process. Setting up VERICUT is simple. With direct interfaces to all leading CAM systems, configured data can be quickly imported into VERICUT, which is another time saver. Likewise with tooling, smart tools can be imported from the cloud and other online databases – already configured for VERICUT’s use. VERICUT will identify tool related errors, for example, where it is engaged in material but the spindle is not on, and instances when the tool is going too fast or not being used efficiently.

Using measurement and inspection capabilities within VERICUT, the user can also compare the machined model to what was intended. The cut stock can

VERICUT simulation and verification can resolve these issues and eliminate factors that are going to cost downtime, money and safety on the shopfloor.

be measured at any time with X-Caliper including hole depths, volume removal, model thickness, air distance, diameter/ radius, centre of gravity and many more. The simulated model can be compared with the original model using AUTODIFF, identifying any gouges or excess material. This reduces the time it takes to cut the first production-worthy part.

Make parts more efficiently

Simulation and verification address the obvious elements of machining, and once complete the process is error free, safe and will deliver the parts as intended. However, there are also hidden opportunities to make components more quickly – issues include inefficient programming and suboptimal feed rates caused by the CAM system’s inability to adjust cutting feed rates for varying cutting conditions. VERICUT Force addresses these. The goal for efficient CNC machining is to achieve a constant chip thickness that meets manufacturing standards. Maintaining a tool’s ideal chip thickness through an operation ensures that the tool is being used to its full potential, which in turn reduces machining cycles, increases tool life, and makes programs safer.

VERICUT Force is a software module within VERICUT that uses a physicsbased optimisation method to determine the maximum reliable feed rate for any given cutting condition based on four factors: force on the cutter, spindle power, maximum chip thickness, and maximum allowable feed rate. It calculates ideal feed rates by analysing tool geometry and parameters, material properties of the stock and cutting tool, detailed cutting tool edge geometry, and VERICUT cut-by-cut contact conditions. Shifts in market demands in the

automotive industry have already seen, and will continue to see, the need for new components and the processes to produce them. Simulating, verifying and optimising machining processes from the start using verification software, such as VERICUT, will ensure that these processes deliver accurate parts, as efficiently and quickly as possible, without collisions and downtime. Ultimately, automotive manufacturers will achieve high-volume production goals, while reducing costs and maintaining quality.

Micrometric Celebrates 40 Years of Laser Material Processing

Lincoln-based manufacturing firm Micrometric is continuing to lead the way in micro laser manufacturing and multi-process services during its 40th year of business.

With this special anniversary, Micrometric is reflecting on the evolution of services it provides in a range of sectors including medical, aerospace and automotive. Micrometric began by cutting sheet metal using CO2 lasers in January 1983 and had a turnover of only £50 in its first month but this soon started growing.

Neil Main, Managing Director of Micrometric, remembers contracts that changed the services provided by Micrometric: “We were asked by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell if we could make radiation sensors for detecting alpha radiation. They needed small rectangles cutting with each having a unique letter, number and error code. At that time our competitors were not able to do this, so we rose to the challenge and successfully output the parts using the large CO2 laser (DE) and BBC Micro.”

By 1990, Micrometric was a precision laser processor, and several industries

were asking them to make parts: gas turbines, food manufacturers and medical. Most medical items were for instrumentation but Micrometric was asked to make one part for a prostate cancer remover.

In 1994 the company moved into a new purpose-built factory on Doddington Road, Lincoln. With more space Micrometric invested in new hi-tech lasers including its first Bystronic which was fast, flexible and precise.

After Neil purchased Micrometric in 2004, he faced a great challenge: their biggest customer bought its own laser. Company revenue declined, and it resulted in redundancies.

Recovery took a while before Micrometric was able to invest in new equipment. However, technological advances meant that new lasers were state-of-the-art and Micrometric was able to produce better quality components more quickly with a higherskilled workforce.

Over the past five years, Micrometric has invested £1.5m in new equipment to meet demand for precision components, including the Coherent Starcut tube cutting machine which works with extremely high precision, and a new Lasercube machine which delivers on quality and efficiency. These developments will allow the team to continue producing high-quality components for multiple industries.

When looking forward Neil is positive: “We have seen so much change in just the last three years, but customers are still asking for new parts and processes. We are always looking for new ways of expanding our services so there is huge potential for growth.”

Micrometric are AS9100 accredited and are members of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA), The Manufacturers’ Organisation (MAKE UK), Association of Industrial Laser Users (AILU), The Welding Institute (TWI) and Motorsport Industry Association (MIA).

We are always looking for new ways of expanding our services so there is huge potential for growth.

Neil Main, Managing Director of

Micrometric

LEFT: Left to right, Chris Waters (Commercial Director), Rosie de Smit (Finance Director) and Neil Main (Managing Director)

Laser Lines Ltd – Total Solutions Provider

Laser Lines began in 1975 supplying lasers for science and research, and for the past 30 years has been the UK’s leading retailer of 3D printing and additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Find out more about the exciting technologies and solutions they can offer.

3D Printing solutions

A Platinum Partner of Stratasys, and representing Makerbot and Xact Metal in the UK, Laser Lines offers a vast range of 3D printing technologies including FDM, Polyjet, SLA, P3, SAF and Metal. Of these, Stratasys’ FDM F370 and Polyjet J55 Prime 3D printers are proving to be the ideal solution for many design and small-scale production applications.

The Stratasys F370 is the perfect additive manufacturing machine for more demanding projects. With support for two model materials and two support materials, it can be left to run for extended periods. This feature can be used to guarantee overnight, unattended printing by installing matching spools in advance. The perfect combination of class-leading performance and offering a generous build envelope of 355 x 254 x 355mm, the F370 is incredibly quiet and can be used with industry-leading FDM materials, including PLA, PC-ABS, ABS-CF10 Diran 410MF072 and FDM TPU 92A.

The Stratasys J55 Prime is a fullcolour Polyjet 3D printer that you can add to your organisation, without the need for a specialised operator or a dedicated room for it. For anyone that wants to cut down the time it takes to prototype a product, the Stratasys J55 Prime can print models efficiently, in over 500,000 colours. The compact 3D printer fits into any standard office, classroom or studio space with ease. With no unpleasant smell, toxic fumes or noisy machinery to deal with, you

can work as normal – even if sat right next to it.

If you are looking to print metal parts, the XM200C metal powder-bed fusion 3D printer from Xact Metal, is ideal. A compact and affordable system, it can produce quality metal parts from a variety of metal powders at a low cost, bringing a new level of price and performance to metal 3D printing for entry-level operators for the first time. The XM200C is perfect for universities, prototyping laboratories and small to medium enterprises that require multiple machines. Supporting metal powders such as Stainless Steel, Super Alloys, Tooling Steels, Aluminium, Titanium and Bronze, the XM200C is ready to make your part in a fraction of the time it takes using traditional casting. Plus, its open platform means that qualified users can develop their own printing parameters or use their own powder. It is simple to use with an easy touchscreen user face, which makes it easy to load files, set up build and monitor jobs

Industrial Laser Solutions

Laser Lines also supplies a complete range of lasers, laser systems and

accessories, providing solutions for industrial processes such as marking, engraving, drilling, welding, soldering, brazing and cladding. Key systems include Synrad CO² lasers in the power range of 10W to 400W, Datalogic laser markers, DPSS, fiber and CO² laser technologies, all for integration. Complete systems include Laserline high power diode sources to 45kW and Sisma pulsed YAG welding and cutting systems. Also available are beam delivery solutions including conventional process heads and galvanometer scanning systems.

The company offers their own range of standard and bespoke laser marking solutions of which there are four options. Lasermark PRIMARY, is Laser Lines’ entry level laser marking system. This unit perfectly matches safety, functionality and a small footprint with value for money and potential for an excellent return on investment. Suitable for install with a variety of lasers from our DPSS and Fibre ranges, this system presents the very best in value for small laser marking applications. The Lasermark PROJECT system is a unique system devised for your specific application. Understanding that the best option for your business may not be an ‘off the shelf’ solution, Laser Lines has a wealth of experience in designing bespoke marking solutions. The Lasermark PRESTIGE system is specifically designed with the industrial laser user in mind. With free standing and benchtop versions available this system offers a full range of customisable features and options.

The Lasermark PREMIUM combines all of the benefits of the Lasermark PRESTIGE system but with a larger footprint and working area. Designed for applications that require extra space for larger or longer parts.

For more information, please visit: www.laserlines.co.uk

The Lasermark PREMIUM combines all of the benefits of the Lasermark PRESTIGE system but with a larger footprint and working area.

Supplying Total Solutions for nearly 50 Years - and counting!

We

THE

Nearly

IntraLogisteX 2023: Improve Efficiency, Reduce Costs, Exceed Targets

28th & 29th March 2023, NEC Birmingham

The largest intralogistics show of this year is almost here. Now in its ninth year, IntraLogisteX is not only UK’s biggest and best factory and warehouse logistics event, but it also features the most advanced industry innovations and solutions – everything you need to create the factory or warehouse of tomorrow, today.

IntraLogisteX offers visitors the chance to discover how the latest intralogistics, robotics, automation, and packaging technologies can improve their business efficiency, reduce costs, improve sustainability, and give them a competitive advantage. By attending IntraLogisteX, engineering and manufacturing professionals can condense weeks of online research into just a few hours, all while networking and sharing ideas with their peers.

Manufacturing companies make up a significant portion of the event’s visitors. As well as most of the major car producers, such as Hyundai, Toyota, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ford, Arrival, and BMW, a vast range of manufacturing giants like Sony, Airbus, Perkins Engines, Caterpillar, Bosch, Lego Group, and Tata Steel are all sending delegations to the event.

Visitors can meet industry-leading exhibitors who will be showcasing solutions in factory and warehouse automation, robotics, materials handling, storage, racking, sortation, picking, barcode scanning, labelling, packaging, software, facilities management, and more!

The event organisers, Akabo Media, are introducing a number of important changes for this year’s event. Following on from last year’s sold-out event, the organisers have announced that the 2023 edition will take place on 28th–29th March 2023 at the UK’s leading live events venue – the NEC Birmingham.

This exciting move not only offers a wider range of services and transport links to exhibitors and visitors, but also allows IntraLogisteX to grow after its 2022 event sold out the Coventry Building Society Arena. IntraLogisteX can now

offer its guests an unrivalled selection of nearly 200 exhibitors.

The move isn’t the only good news for automation and manufacturing professionals. This year, IntraLogisteX will be co-locating with Robotics & Automation Exhibition – the UK’s largest dedicated robotics and automation exhibition. This follows the huge success of Robotics & Automation’s 2022 event, held at the Coventry Building Society Arena last November. This co-location gives visitors access to a wide range of leading robotics and automation organisations such as Geek+, Zebra Robotics, Locus Robotics, Brillopak, Dexory, KNAPP, OnRobot, Orion, and many more!

According to Stephen Brooks, owner and Managing Director of Akabo Media, the decision to co-locate gives both shows an immediate gain in number of exhibiting companies and number of qualified professional visitors – more than 4,000 buyers are expected!

The synergy of the two shows is obvious, and visitors’ passes will grant them access to both, meaning they have an

even bigger opportunity to discover the solutions to their current and future factory and warehouse challenges.

On top of all these new features for the 2023 event, IntraLogisteX is once again providing its visitors with a truly world-class conference programme. Featuring over 60 expert speakers, the IntraLogisteX conference will span over both days of the exhibition and will offer visitors practical insights in the latest industry innovations. Visitors will be able to hear directly from industry leaders as they share real world examples of their solutions in action.

Topics covered in the outstanding conference will include decarbonisation and efficient solutions in the automotive industry, growth via investment in automation and technology, and the importance of inclusion within the logistics industry.

Automation: the key to sustainable warehousing

The way to sustainable warehousing is through automation, says

Creating more sustainable logistics operations is a priority for businesses, governments and increasingly, consumers. The warehouse is the beating heart of the supply chain, but it may not be immediately obvious that investment in warehouse automation can significantly contribute to sustainability goals.

On the face of it, automation may appear resource heavy, requiring metals, plastics and electrical power. How can this be more sustainable than resource- and energy-light manual processes?

However, sustainability isn’t just about the headline issues of rare earth metals and carbon emissions, important though these are. We need sustainability in land use and water management, in transport capacity, in the reduction of waste in all its forms, in enabling the goods and packages we handle themselves to be more sustainable. Further, labour and money are also finite resources, which need to be managed sustainably. Automation, of physical processes and of control systems, can contribute to achieving sustainability goals in all these areas.

Consider, for example, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) in all their variety. By using high-density storage right up to the eaves and in very narrow aisles, the required building footprint, with its associated impact on hydrology, can be reduced – along with the amount of steel and concrete that goes into construction. ASRS can save energy too, as lights-out operations are often possible, and less empty space is being heated, air-conditioned, or refrigerated.

Automated processes, perhaps combining ASRS, conveyor runs and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), can greatly reduce or even eliminate the requirement for carbon-emitting forklift trucks – with all the health and safety benefits of a reduced exposure to the possibility of collisions, back injuries and repetitive strain grievances. And as labour is a scarce resource in itself, freeing people up for more thoughtful, dexterous tasks.

However, automation can offer even more. The automated loading/unloading of vehicles reduces waiting time and thus the yard space required, enables more efficient vehicle utilisation, and again has safety benefits. Automated handling can also reduce waste through lowering stock damage, and with the latest packaging innovations can facilitate the use of ‘greener’ packaging solutions, with less waste of cardboard as a result of more compact packages.

These benefits can be amplified through the appropriate use of automated planning, management and control systems. Warehouse simulation, together with tailored Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), can optimise layout and activities to minimise movements and thus energy consumption – for example, by minimising the number of movements in and out of cold stores.

A well-attuned WMS can also contribute to more efficient and sustainable use of transport, making it is easier to plan and assemble full loads for a destination within the necessary timescale. Automated goods-to-person

order picking using, increasingly more affordable mobile robots combined with pick-to-light technology, or voice with human operators, can reduce mispicks, and thus waste and returns.

Meanwhile, environment management systems can save on heat, refrigeration, and turn the lights off when an area of the warehouse is free of workers. Management systems for AGVs and AMRs can, within limits, plan for vehicle recharging off-peak, which is both cheaper and may reduce the demand for fossil-based energy generation.

Finally, machine monitoring systems informing preventative maintenance procedures can ensure that equipment is operating at peak energy efficiency as well as contributing to safe and healthy operation, while the general use of digital systems can greatly reduce the operation’s consumption of paper.

These are just some of the automation options which, sensibly combined, can make a real contribution across the whole range of sustainability goals of the business, from climate change to human welfare and, yes, sustainable profitability.

On the face of it, automation may appear resource heavy, requiring metals, plastics and electrical power.

- Craig Whitehouse

Craig Whitehouse, Managing Director of Invar Integration.

SAVINGS

As energy prices continue to rise, can  your business afford not to know how  much compressed air your system is  wasting? Isn't it time you found out  what happens behind closed doors?

Automating Energy Saving

Festo’s combination of a field bus node, flow and pressure sensor, proportional pressure regulator and stop valve in one intelligent service unit component. Integrated

93 new hires drives global growth for MEP design firm

A global MEP engineering design company is continuing to grow rapidly as its global workforce expands. In the last 12 months, UK-headquartered Black and White Engineering (B&W) has become a 380+ strong global team, a 34% increase since the end of 2021. UK and Europe headcount has increased by nearly a third (32%) and the firm now employs a UK team of 100 with offices in Newcastle, Edinburgh and London as well as multiple locations globally.

Globally, B&W is currently a 30-million-pound revenue business due to an expanding client base and is now focused on strengthening its team of engineering design experts by recruiting up to 100 more specialists over the next 12 months. The company delivers innovative sustainable

MEP design services across a number of industries, with a particular specialism in data centre MEP design.

Current global projects include a number of data centre developments across the UK and Europe, Middle East and APAC as well as high rise projects in the Middle East and buildings projects in the UK.

Electrifying growth for Sellectronics with managing director recruitment

Rapid growth and forecast expansion for Sellectronics, has seen the Falmouth based contract electronics manufacturer, recruit a new Managing Director.

Jon Hurrell joins as Managing Director, strengthening the senior management team with a wealth of experience and expertise gained in a variety of manufacturing environments.

Started by Dean Haney and Jason O’Connell over 14 years ago, Sellectronics has been

at the forefront of the UK’s electronic engineering with its specialist printed circuit board (PCB) manufacture sitting at the epicentre of numerous electronic applications.

Specialising in managing quick turn-around prototype assembly and low volume/high mix production demands, the company develops strategies to support external and in-house test requirements for high level reliability and performance of PCBs and sub systems.

The PCB industry has seen massive growth and Sellectronics is mirroring industry trends with the PCB global market valued at 78 billion USD in 2021 and forecast expectations of growth to 128 billion USD in 2030.

Recognised for their innovative, high-quality PCB assembly, Sellectronics offers a range of services from small cable forms, to complex multi-level surface mount circuit board assembly, developing superior products based on individual requirements.

Working with specialist talent partner and recruitment specialists, Talentheads, B&W is looking to recruit across a number of roles including senior and principal engineers, BIM coordinators and managers, design engineers, power systems engineers, and document controllers. The firm has created opportunities from entry and graduate level through to senior leadership roles. Investment in young people across different regions is prioritised with B&W supporting government and industry initiatives to attract more emerging talent to the MEP design sector, playing a key role in developing future generations of global MEP engineers.

For more information about the roles available at B&W engineering, visit: https://www.bw-engineering. com/careers/

Interview: Anne-Marie, CEO of Stemettes

Firstly thank you for speaking with us! I wondered if you could please tell us more about the Stemettes and the main company goals.

I created Stemettes in 2013 to ensure girls, young women, and non-binary young people know that technical fields are for them. The Stemettes’ mission is to engage, connect and inform the next generation of women & nonbinary people into Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) by showcasing a diversity of people working in STEAM. We have changed the lives of more than 60,000 young people across the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe with our ‘Free, Fun, Food’ ethos. We run more than 50 activities each year - a mixture of intersectional programmes, impactful events and inspirational content platforms. These free opportunities improve perceptions of STEM, raise awareness of options within STEAM, grow the network these young people have and improve their self and STEM confidence.

The Stemettes recently marched across London’s Waterloo Bridge to raise awareness about women in STEM; could you tell us some more about the event?

Hundreds of Stemettes and our supporters walked across London’s iconic Waterloo Bridge - the ‘Ladies’ bridge’ - on Monday 13 February 2023 to raise awareness about women in STEM who are excluded from the

UK curriculum after a Stemettes commissioned survey*, supported by the British Science Association, shows that 1 in 3 young people say they haven’t or don’t remember being taught about a woman scientist in the past 2 years.

What events do you run and how can people get involved?

We run a range of events including panel and networking sessions with our STEM partners; hackathons where participants work together to develop an idea around a theme and professional certification programmes where people can gain qualifications in agile methodologies or Python coding certifications. Anyone who is interested should visit Stemettes.org/events to sign up.

How important is it to encourage and support more girls, young women and nonbinary young people into a career within the STEM industry?

It’s super important - the STEM industry’s output shapes society and how it operates. Where the intention is to solve problems, we end up creating new ones through a lack of

Manufacturing and Production Engineering Magazine speaks with Anne-Marie, CEO of Stemettes

consideration for members of society that aren’t reflected in the industry. Having a breadth of experiences, identities and perspectives allows us to prioritise better, create better products and build with an inclusive set of assumptions.

Is more encouragement needed within educational environments?

Yes. Seeing is believing and we need more women in STEM role models on the curriculum. We recently commissioned a survey with the British Science Association which found that 70% of young people think it is important for schools to include information about women STEM role models in their lessons (boys are just as likely to agree with this statement as girls).

We also found that older students (aged 17 -18) are more likely to feel that their identity is reflected in the STEM curriculum and classroom than younger students so yes, more encouragement is required in the early years.

Do you think the pandemic has affected progress?

Stemettes grew exponentially over Covid. There was A LOT of demand for online learning opportunities. We pivoted quickly and used our digital skills to meet the demand. However there was a return to 1950s style living for so many working women - unpaid labour, changes to the workplace and reprioritisation meant that so much DEI work disappeared. We have to

intentionally build an industry that works for everyone and values difference.

What challenges do women still face within the industry and the workplace, and what more in your opinion can be done to ensure gender equality is present within the workplace?

Challenges (and opportunities) abound - from the social norms that inform poor recruitment, retention and promotion practices to the gender pay gap and a lack of progressive and inclusive workplace policies. We have to see more allyship and willingness to change from folks at all levels - from the C-Suite to middle managers and beyond. I’m personally for quotas that recognise where existing practices fall short, and companies taking an iterative approach to evolving their cultures. Also - we need to normalise men stepping into caring responsibilities and so much of the unpaid labour typically done by women in society. Finally, we need to ensure we’re all aware of the herstory that has got us to this point. It’s not good enough to hold onto outdated stereotypes of women not being technical whilst using GPS and WiFiwe have Gladys West and Hedy Lamarr to thank for such everyday tech!

(The stats speak for themselves. “Research undertaken by STEM Learning indicates that 89% of STEM businesses have found it difficult to recruit staff with the required skills in the last 12 months, leading to a current shortfall of over 173,000 workers –an average of 10 unfilled roles per business.” - IET June 2021. If we want to equip young people with both

aptitude and an interest for STEM, we need to act when folks are in their formative years. Employers need to realise that without the diversity of thought that different groups bring, they are doing their businesses a disservice in solving the problems of tomorrow.)

What are your plans for Stemettes for this year?

This year we’re organising so many celebratory free STEM and STEAM events around the UK for people of all ages. We’re shining a spotlight on Herstory missing from the National STEM Curriculum and continuing our normal work to edit social norms for the next generation. We’ll be hosting roundtables and festivals in the North East, West Midlands and London areas. We’re continuing to give young people the chance to make an informed decision on their relation to STEM & STEAM careers.

STEAM*: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths. The arts include the humanities, language arts, design and so on demonstrating the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to future STEM careers.

It’s not good enough to hold onto outdated stereotypes of women not being technical whilst using GPS and WiFi - we have Gladys West and Hedy Lamarr to thank for such everyday tech!

- Anne-Marie

Advantages of optical sensors in coordinate measuring machines

Coordinate measuring machines are used for high precision quality and parts inspection. Optical distance sensors are increasingly being used for this purpose to replace conventional mechanical gauges. There are numerous reasons for using non-contact sensors: the measurement is reactionless, fast and offers high resolution. Modern optical sensors such as laser triangulation sensors, laser scanners and confocal sensors are particularly suitable for this purpose, says Glenn Wedgbrow, Business Development Manager at Micro-Epsilon UK.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) detect the geometrical properties of workpieces in detail. For many years, measuring systems were equipped with tactile sensors, but these are increasingly being replaced by optical sensors. Optical sensors offer numerous advantages over tactile measurement technology. Laser triangulation sensors, laser scanners and confocal chromatic sensors measure the target without making contact. This means that the sensors do not have any influence on the measuring object. The measurements are performed with micrometer accuracy and are normally faster than contact measurement methods.

In practical use, optical sensors are extremely flexible. They measure distance, dimensions, position, angles, shape, roughness and even 3D profiles. Micro-Epsilon offers a broad sensor portfolio that has proven itself in numerous measuring machines. The sensors are used in various systems for both measurement and precise positioning.

Fine positioning with laser triangulation sensors

For positioning of the measuring head, optoNCDT 1900 laser triangulation sensors measure the distance to the target or baseplate. This type of sensor is particularly suitable for precise distance control and object detection. This allows the CMM’s geometry data acquisition systems to be aligned with maximum precision. The laser sensors are integrated into the measuring head system, which is typically attached to the vertical z-axis – the quill. The laser sensor delivers maximum signal stability and due to its compact design, is easy to integrate.

In terms of resolution and measuring rate, confocal chromatic sensors are among the most powerful measuring systems in optical metrology.

- Glenn Wedgbrow

The lightweight, robust laser sensor makes it ideal for measurements with high accelerations. The sensor operates at measuring rates of up to 10 kHz and offers a linearity of ±1 µm and a repeatability of 0.1 µm. The measurements can be started via the encoder pulse of the CMM, thus achieving absolute time-synchronous values. Due to the sensor’s intelligent Advanced Surface Compensation feature, stable results are achieved, even on challenging surfaces. With up to 50,000 lx, the sensors are extremely resistant to ambient light and can therefore be used in highly illuminated environments. For signal optimisation, two-stage measurement averaging is available, which enables a smooth signal curve at edges and steps.

Roughness measurement and geometrical inspection

In terms of resolution and measuring rate, confocal chromatic sensors are among the most powerful measuring systems in optical metrology. For example, they are used for highresolution distance measurement on various surfaces and for roughness measurement. The confocal sensor systems from Micro-Epsilon combine state-of-the-art technology and easy integration. The sensors allow a tilt angle of up to ± 30° and offer a high numerical aperture. This enables high resolution and small light spots. Curved and structured surfaces can therefore be detected precisely and reliably. In this way, gears or external threads can also be detected. Due to the noncontact measuring principle, the sensor does not affect the target object, which enables wear-free measurements. This is why values can be detected much faster compared to tactile measuring principles. With the confocalDT controllers, measuring rates of up to 70 kHz can be achieved. For measurement in confined spaces, compact sensors, as well as sensors with a 90° beam path are available, which can be integrated in the CMM measuring head to save space.

3D measurement of complex geometries and rotating components

When measuring large, complex components, the scanCONTROL series of 3D laser scanners from Micro-Epsilon are used. These scan large measurement areas at high resolution and are ideal for use in CMMs due to the low sensor weight. Measurement data acquisition is very

fast with measuring rates up to 10 kHz. As a result, a complete 3D point cloud is available, which allows precise evaluation, quality inspection as well as further processing. The scanCONTROL laser scanners are based on the latest GigE Vision and GenICam standards and can therefore be integrated in a wide range of image processing environments. The 3DInspect software is a powerful tool for parameter setting, evaluation and output.

Among other things, laser scanners are used for prototype scanning. The sensor can be guided by a robot arm or integrated in a measuring table. The scanner measures the component while being moved over the component from all sides. Taken from multiple directions, the user obtains a 360° image. A software solution transforms it into a complete 3D point cloud within an extremely short time. To enable high-precision measurements, the

measurement data must be perfectly synchronised with the measurement position. Conventional sensors are often triggered externally and detect the profile with a time delay that causes inaccurate position data. The scanCONTROL laser scanners from Micro-Epsilon, on the other hand, offer a special CMM trigger for this purpose. This is a parameter output optimised for CMMs. The sensor can therefore send trigger pulses in the middle of the exposure time and thus assign the profile to an exact measuring position. Fine tuning is also possible, for example, to compensate for run times of the pulse in the cable. As scanCONTROL laser scanners are available with different measuring ranges, both large and small objects can be detected. The captured 3D point clouds can be compared with existing CAD models to make any discrepancies obvious.

For further information contact: info@micro-epsilon.co.uk

When measuring large, complex components, the scanCONTROL series of 3D laser scanners from Micro-Epsilon are used.

- Glenn Wedgbrow

ASYS Corp. announce UK launch of dBELL IAQ and Noise monitoring system

The workplace environment has come a long way since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974. Critical milestones include the Noise at Work Regulations and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, both implemented in 1989.

It’s easy to take health and safety for granted, yet it is a vital component of industry that ensures both us and the people around us stay safe whilst at work.

Every year in the UK, breathing hazardous metal fume at work impacts welders’ health with severe cases being hospitalised. Several thousand cases of hearing problems are caused or worsened by workplace noise. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have specific health risks including short term irritation of the eyes, throat and lungs, dizziness, nausea and headaches. Compounds found in solvents, cleaners, rust inhibitors, and degreasers etc, can have long term health impacts including liver and kidney damage as well as neurological conditions.

Materials handling, fabrication and finishing can be have an adverse impact on workplace noise and air quality requiring risk mitigation, ongoing monitoring and controls.

The ASYS dBELL continuous monitoring system, provides the Health & Safety professional with a comprehensive range of scalable tools to obtain a baseline picture of Noise and Air Quality in the workplace.

Installation is straightforward. Simply mount the ASYS dBELL100 area monitor then create an ASYS Cloud account.

Optionally download the dBELL iOS/ Android App to view metrics, trends and reports on your mobile devices.

Adding ASYS dBELL series IIoT devices for personal exposure dosemetry, handheld measurement or remote deployment, forms a flexible system that can be adapted to meet the workplace monitoring requirement and conduct effective in-house environmental studies.

Armed with quality baseline data, it is possible to deploy noise and airbornehazard mitigation strategies and assess their subsequent effectiveness. Ongoing continuous area monitoring can form a critical alert mechanism for any unexpected shifts in baseline conditions or unusual trends during work and process operations. This can make it easier to demonstrate compliance to regulatory guidelines and standards.

• 24/7 Workplace monitoring

• Assessment of airbornehazard mitigation strategies

• Ongoing risk assessments

At National Photonic, ASYS Corporations’ UK partner, we make it easy to get the help you need when you need it. No matter the scale and scope of your requirements, we aspire to provide the very best solutions and ongoing product support.

For further information or to discuss your workplace environmental concerns please visit www.nationalphotonic.com or email contact@nationalphotonic.com

ASYS dBELL IAQ and Noise area monitor and gateway

ASYS dBELL 108 and 110 exposure monitors

At National Photonic we aspire to provide the very best solutions and ongoing product support.

Introducing the Optris Xi and PI range of infrared cameras

Instrumentation Systems & Services

Ltd, one of the leading distributors of Optris infrared pyrometers, are excited to Introduce the Optris Xi and PI range of infrared cameras – the most innovative and efficient solution for non-contact temperature measurement. If you’re looking for a tool that can precisely measure temperature in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas, Optris is the perfect choice for you.

The Optris Xi are a range of compact, rugged, and easy-to-setup noncontact thermal imaging cameras that use infrared technology to measure temperature quickly and accurately. The Xi has an optical resolution of up to 382 x 288 pixels and a configurable temperature range of -20°C to 900°C, allowing you to measure temperatures with an accuracy of up to ±2°C. With its automatic hot spot finder, motorised focus, and configurable optics, the Optris Xi provides you with a highly accurate temperature measurement in any environment, making it an ideal tool for industrial and scientific applications.

The Optris PI range provides higher resolution (up to 764x480px), interchangeable lenses, and higher thermal sensitivity. The PI400i (with high optical resolution) and PI450i (with very high thermal sensitivity) are lightweight, weighing in at around 250g, and are the smallest cameras in their class (46 x 56 x 88 - 77mm). Additional models are available for glass temperature measurement and heat measurement for electronic boards and small devices.

Another significant advantage of the Optris PI and Xi range are their durability and robustness. The cameras are

designed to withstand harsh industrial environments and can operate at ambient temperatures up to 50°C. All Xi and PI cameras are built into IP67 (NEMA-4) housing that protects the cameras from dust, water, and impacts, ensuring that it remains functional and reliable. Additionally, air purge attachments can be used, in combination with water cooled housing (both sold separately) to protect the optics from contamination, ideal for guaranteeing a reliable temperature measurement in rough and dusty areas.

Optris cameras can be powered via USB, allowing for quick use with a smartphone or tablet running Android OS (version 5.0, with micro-USB or

USB-C connectors that support USB OTG).

The Xi and PI are compatible with the Optris IRmobile Android app via USB, and the PIX Connect software on Windows, allowing you to view live infrared images with automatic hot and cold spot detection, create radiometric video sequences and snap shots, and set temperature display in °C or °F, define visual or acoustic alarms, colour palette, scaling and temperature range scaling, without any additional costs or licensing restrictions.

To find out which camera best fits your application, contact us or try the Optris camera configurator online here: https://www.optris. global/ir-camera-configurator

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to learn more about the Optris XI and PI and how it can benefit your operations. You can email us at sales@issltd.co.uk, call us on 01132 591464, or find us online at www.issltd.co.uk

Optris PI640i high resolution infrared camera

Optris Xi compact infrared camera

The EL-SIE Range

Software-free, next generation data logging from Lascar Electronics

Although Lascar Electronics has been manufacturing data loggers for over 25 years, even for the original inventors of the USB data logger, the launch of the EL-SIE range was a major event. The ELSIE is the first in a new generation of EasyLog products that takes data logging to another level.

Capable of measuring ambient temperature, humidity and pressure, each data logger can store over 1 million readings inside the sleek metal housing.

The bright and clear display shows readings and device status at a glance, and the coloured LED indicators and sounder mean the EL-SIE can grab your attention when it needs to. Each logger is supplied with batteries (two standard AAAs), a USB cable and a wall bracket so it’s ready to use right away, and one set of batteries will typically last over a year.

But the biggest innovation is hidden away in the device itself, the software needed to configure your logger and view, analyse and download the data is all based inside the EL-SIE itself. With nothing to install, simply connect the logger to your PC or Mac and use your existing web browser. You don’t even need internet access, it couldn’t be easier.

Of course, the EL-SIE also comes with all the powerful features expected from EasyLog. These include high,

Tinytag Data Loggers: Robust Environmental Monitoring Solutions

Data loggers for indoor, outdoor and

• Easy to use

• Data downloaded to PC

• Cost-effective

Accompanying probes are available for monitoring extremes of temperature, and for awkward to reach areas such as pipework.

For sites requiring remote data access, Tinytag Radio and LAN loggers gather data automatically for viewing on a PC, across a LAN, or remotely across the inter net.

low, cumulative and pre-alarms, start modes including delayed start at a preset time, or a triggered start based on any selected measurement parameter.

In another breakthrough, the EL-SIE is the first USB logger that can be used with the EasyLog Cloud, giving total peace of mind about the security of your data. Once on the Cloud the readings can be accessed from any internet-connected computer or mobile device, and also used with EasyLog’s powerful online graphing, analysis and report generation tools.

The EL-SIE is intelligent and adaptable enough to be perfect for use in a number of markets including facilities and building management, logistics, warehouses and storage, and clean rooms and other pressure sensitive environments.

View the range on our website. Data logging has evolved.

Lascar Electronics

www.lascarelectronics.com

+44 (0)1794 884567 sales@lascar.co.uk

Outsourcing could solve industry’s ‘people puzzle’ predicts PP C&A chief

Outsourcing non-core manufacturing activities could provide a hidden answer to industry’s growing skills shortage according to one of the sector’s leading CEOs.

PP Control & Automation’s Tony Hague believes companies, struggling with the recruitment puzzle, are missing out on a golden opportunity to solve their ‘people woes’ and become faster and more efficient in the process.

With unemployment rates in the UK extremely low and Brexit’s brain drain causing one of the biggest employment crises seen in decades, firms are being urged to consider an alternative

approach that could transfer risk and the costly expense of finding and recruiting staff.

PP Control & Automation, which employs 230 people at its world class facility in Cheslyn Hay, 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.

A driving force in the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN Group), the company is increasingly supporting businesses that are looking to automate

their operations and are currently involved in some world firsts that will change the way industrial employees get their consumables and consumers receive their shopping.

Recruitment is only one of the ways that outsourcing non-core disciplines can have a major benefit to your business.

It can also deliver flexibility in capacity so you can manage fluctuations in demand without a major hit to financials and gives you access to specialised skills that would usually be out of your reach.

For further information, please visit www.ppcanda.com or follow @ppcanda on twitter

Engineering start-up secures £325K investment for its solution to releasing seized nuts and bolts

University of Nottingham spinout, Scintam Engineering, has developed an innovative technology that uses electricity to help relieve a major problem faced within aerospace, automotive and other engineering industries. The start-up recently secured a £125K investment from British Design Fund, as part of a £325K seed funding round, as it now looks to take its technology to market.

Industries such as aerospace, automotive and renewable energy currently rely on manual processes when they wish to dismantle or service their high value assets. However, the fasteners holding such assets together can be difficult and time consuming to remove. Using electrical pulses to dissolve these fasteners, Scintam Engineering provides a solution that not only reduces costs and almost eliminates the risk of damage, but also aids remanufacture and sustainability.

The start-up was co-founded in 2019 by Dr Sam Catchpole-

Smith, who has a background in mechanical engineering and advanced manufacturing. It was launched following the completion of a successful research project, which highlighted the potential for the technology to benefit a broad range of industries across the world.

The company was recently awarded an Innovate UK grant which will support product development and the team’s goal to achieve a 100% yield in remanufacturing, helping further reduce waste and carbon emissions.

British Design Fund works with ambitious British product startups who are ready to scale-up and build thriving stand-out businesses. Alongside capital investment, BDF provides expert mentoring to support such companies to accelerate their growth plans.

Scintam is the 21st business to receive investment from the fund since it was launched in 2018.

For more information visit www.scintam.com and www.britishdesignfund.co.uk

Institute of Acoustics

The Institute offers a range of professionally recognised courses at accredited centres covering general principles of acoustics, specific applications, instrumentation, and measurement. Certificate holders may apply for Tech IOA membership (further details are available from membership@ioa.org.uk).

The Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Risk Assessment (CCWNRA) provides the information and training to meet the demands of legislation including the necessary acoustics, experience of industrial noise measurements, data assessment and management advice.

The Certificate of Competence in Building Acoustics Measurement (CCBAM) covers measuring and reporting sound insulation and

room acoustics, key standards and guidance.

The Certificate of Competence in Irish Building Acoustics Measurement (CCIBAM) offers similar training in accordance with relevant standards and regulatory instruments in the Republic of Ireland.

The Certificate Course in the Management of Occupational Exposure to Hand Arm Vibration (CCMOEHAV) explains the requirements of current legislation, current guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, how to assist employers to meet their legal duties, risk assessment and basic techniques for control and evaluation of vibration.

The Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement (CCENM) provides training in the methodology of environmental noise measurement, the use and accuracy requirements of sound level meters and analysers, and how to assess the significance of measurement data against the framework of standards and legislation on environmental noise.

The Certificate of Proficiency in AntiSocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 - Noise Measurements relates to the implementation of the noise provisions of Anti-Social Behaviour Act in Scotland.

For more details please go to www.ioa.org.uk/education-training

Fastems Launches myFastems –New

Digital Service Supports

All Fastems Systems

myFastems is a complementary service for all Fastems customers, providing more advanced digital services for customers using Fastems’ Manufacturing Management Software (MMS) version 6 and above. Considered a software-as-a-service, myFastems supplies all the digital tools needed to support customers in making sure their systems are up and running 24/7 for continuous availability and productivity.

The digital service is built as a progressive web application for easy access via web browser on a PC, tablet, or smartphone. It can also be combined with other services such as 8760 support, preventive maintenance, and software maintenance agreements for optimized solutions throughout the entire life cycle. myFastems is available for all current Fastems automation systems from January 2023 and will be pre-installed for new systems in the future.

myFastems brings transparency to any Fastems systems service history and spare parts usage and includes a comprehensive system overview for connected systems, as well as alarm-

based recovery instructions and support request tickets. The system overview provides an updated status of all connected Fastems systems, making it easy for users to stay on top of production activities and solve any issues in a timely manner. Support is only one click away. With all necessary system information readily available, Fastems’ technical support can understand the situation on site better and faster, reducing critical downtime. Users are ensured their systems will be up and running as soon as possible.

For connected systems, myFastems provides more advanced digital services. These include access to alarm history, key performance indicators such as utilization rate, tools for advanced trouble shooting, and analyses via Incidents view. The Incidents groups system-wide alarms are based on the actual root cause and provide specific recovery instructions. Therefore, users can attempt to solve problems before contacting Fastems support for more flexibility. KPI analytics help monitoring system efficiency, enabling users to identify improvement opportunities based on measured data. myFastems users now have the visibility to both the past and the future of their Fastems systems. myFastems services are under continuous development based on customers’ feedback and needs. New features will be launched regularly, available to existing customers as soon as they are ready. Fastems will handle the installations automatically, ensuring up-todate services for its users.

For more information, visit www.fastems.com/offering/ myfastems/

Euroquartz launches new Greenray radiation tolerant TCXO

Frequency control specialist, Euroquartz has introduced a new range of radiation tolerant temperature-compensated crystal oscillators (TCXO) from Greenray Industries Inc. that offer excellent performance in high shock and vibration environments.

Housed in a rugged, radiation tolerant, stainless steel and nickelplated package, the new T1276 TCXOs offer frequencies between 2.5 and 120MHz over a wide temperature range from -55 to +125°C. Ultra-low acceleration sensitivity is less than 0.07ppb/g making these oscillators ideal for use in a wide range of applications including high orbit transponders, low orbit nano/micro satellites, RF telemetry systems, multiband terminals and upconverters.

The 24-pin DIP package measures 20.3 x 12.7 x 8.9mm and offers protection from total ionising doses up to 200krad (Si). Additional specifications include SEL and SET free to 100MeV cm²/mg, choice of 3.3 and 5V DC power supply requirement and CMOS or sinewave output.

Frequency stability ranges from ±0.3ppm over 0 to 50°C to ±7ppm over the full operating temperature range. Ageing is ±1ppm in first year and ±3ppm over 10 years. Typical phase noise performance ranges from -90dBc/Hz at 10Hz frequency offset to -160dBc/Hz at 1MHz frequency offset.

The new T1276 TCXO range complements the existing T1254 product line and can be supplied with MIL-PRF-55310 Level B or S screening.

Website: www.euroquartz.co.uk

Heat Exchanger’s size belies its performance

Sometimes the biggest constraint on the choice of heat exchanger is the space available for its installation, and so the physical size of the unit

outweighs other factors. However, in such situations it is important to ensure that the thermal performance is still suitable for the chosen use.

This is exactly the rationale for the introduction of the HRS C Series of compact multitube heat exchangers. Based on the popular HRS K Series, but with smaller tubes to reduce the size of the unit, the C series has been adopted for a number of uses since its introduction two years ago.

Suitable for a wide range of low viscosity uses, including food, environmental and industrial situations,

compressed air, dirt, dust and other contaminants can be removed directly, which extends cleaning intervals. The protective housing with additional water cooling offers protection against mechanical damage as well as protection against high ambient temperatures. Alternatively, it is also possible to heat the sensor at particularly low outside temperatures. If the protective screen is damaged, it can be replaced easily and costeffectively.

the HRS C Series features HRS’s corrugated tube technology which increases heat transfer and thermal efficiency while also minimising the effects of fouling.

The smaller tube diameter means that more tubes can be fitted into each unit, meaning that heat transfer is more efficient. This results in a more compact unit as the overall length of the heat exchanger can be reduced for a given capacity. The C Series is manufactured from stainless steel – although other materials are available – with standard connection types.

In many applications the cable exit from a sensor has little impact on its installation location, but when it comes to mounting sensors in tight spaces such as pipes and tubes then every millimetre counts!

Precision sensor manufacturer

Micro-Epsilon has introduced two new model options for its scanCONTROL 30xx range of laser profile sensors (laser scanners) – a rear tail cable option and a protective housing option.

The rear-tail option with cable integrated on the rear of the sensor allows even more space-saving installation. The length of the integrated cable is 30cm. This version eliminates the need for upward wiring, which means around 80mm less installation height is required. Compared to the standard sensor model, almost 50% of the installation space can be saved.

The new protective housing option makes the sensors even more robust in harsh industrial environments. The housing is available for sensors in the 25x0 and 29x0 series with measuring ranges of 25, 50 and 100mm, as well as sensors in the 30x0 and 30x2 series with measuring ranges of 25 to 200mm.

The protective housing offers connections for air flushing and liquid cooling, an adjustable splash guard, a replaceable protective glass and a free-blowing device. If the built-in free blowing device is supplied with

The scanCONTROL 30xx sensor is among the highest performing laser scanners in terms of its size, accuracy and measuring rate. The sensor has

a compact housing with integrated controller, allowing fast integration into confined spaces. Available with either red or blue laser technology, the sensor provides calibrated 2D profile data with up to 5.5 million points per second. A maximum profile frequency of 10kHz and innovative exposure control enable precise profile measurements in high speed, dynamic processes. A high resolution sensor matrix offers a resolution of 2,048 points per profile with an ultimate point distance spacing of just 12µm, allowing measurements of extremely fine surface/geometrical details.

Web: www.micro-epsilon.co.uk

Laser scanner now even more robust and space-saving in installation

What really matters in drives for plastics machinery

One industry, countless applications. Plastics technology not only requires a wide range of machines, but also drive components that can be flexibly adapted. Benjamin Mönnig, Head of Application Sales at KEB Automation, explains what is important in plastics technology and why increased sustainability and plastics processing can work together in practice.

In which areas of plastics technology do customers rely on KEB in particular?

With our drive solutions, we are represented in all areas of plastics technology. This includes extrusion technology, such as blown film lines with auxiliary drives, profile extrusion or blow moulding machines. But we also supply injection moulding machines such as all-electric, hybrid or hydraulic machines with servo pumps, always with the aim of making the machine or system as efficient as possible.

Different fields of application also means different requirements for the drive and automation solutions. How does KEB meet these needs?

Providing individual solutions for our customers in the plastics industry are our strength. Our experts from the plastics team go into detail about the requirements of the respective application and therefore find the right drive solution. Users benefit from our system solutions. This means starting with brakes for rotary table drives, gearboxes, servo motors, drive controllers, industry-specific software and control technology. We provide customers with coordinated hardware

and software solutions from a single source that are specially tailored to the plastics machine.

Which aspects of drive technology are manufacturers of plastics machinery currently attaching greater importance to?

Plant and machine builders have a justified interest in a high level of efficiency for their application. In addition, the quality of the drive components must be convincing to ensure maximum reliability and efficiency over a long service life and to prevent production downtime. A fast and globally positioned service is also important in order to receive straightforward and competent support if the unexpected should occur. Many customers also rely on the advantages of sensorless control or DC coupling. This enables the exchange of energy with other drive controllers, saves energy and ultimately contributes to increased sustainability. We also offer our customers options for feeding the surplus energy back into the grid.

Plastics processing and sustainability sounds like a contradiction. To what extent can KEB’s drive solutions have a positive

environmental impact in plastics machines?

It’s not a contradiction. Our drive controllers provide very high control quality in terms of speed and torque accuracy. This increases reproducibility and significantly reduces rejects.

Furthermore, it enables the end customer to produce particularly thin-walled materials. This, in turn, has a positive impact on the subsequent transport of the packaging and therefore also on the environmental impact, which can be reduced in this way. The importance of plastics in sustainable industries such as electromobility and the role they play in a well-functioning circular economy should also not be forgotten. However, sustainability at KEB already starts with the production of our components.

Product design focuses on the lowest possible consumption of resources and at the end of the lifecycle, around 75 per cent of our product can be recycled.

For more information, please visit www.keb.co.uk

The UK Patent Box - Tax relief on innovation

The Patent Box is part of the Government’s growth agenda (as detailed in the Plan for Growth document published in March 2011). The Patent Box scheme allows companies, who pay UK corporation tax, to elect to apply to benefit from a reduced rate of corporation tax. The full benefits of reduced rates of corporation tax becomes applicable from 1st April 2017. Reduced rates of corporation tax apply to profits attributable to qualifying patents, whether received as a royalty or embedded in the sales price of products. The regime also applies to other qualifying intellectual property rights such as regulatory data protection (also called ‘data exclusivity’), supplementary protection certificates and plant variety rights. Other nonqualifying profits in the companies will continue to be taxed at the main rate.

The aim of the Patent Box is to provide an additional incentive for companies to retain and commercialise existing patents and to develop new innovative patented products. This should encourage companies to locate the high-value jobs associated with the development, manufacture and

DCB-I

Innovative brushless DC motor technology for KNF diaphragm pumps

With the new DCB-I drive, KNF is introducing an inhouse developed BLDC motor generation for the first time in its history. This new generation of brushless motors further increases the advantages of KNF diaphragm pumps to the next level in terms of performance, robustness, and durability in combination with the ability to digitally customise the motor parameters. By integrating the motor directly into the pump housing, it was thus possible to implement these features in a more compact size.

exploitation of patents in the UK and maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in patented technologies.

Eligibility

You can only benefit from the Patent Box if your company is liable to Corporation Tax and makes a profit from exploiting patented inventions. Your company must also own or exclusively license-in the patents and must have undertaken qualifying development on either the creation or development of the patented invention or a product incorporating the patented invention.

If your company is a member of a group, it may qualify if another company in the group has undertaken the qualifying development. It must also actively own the patented invention by taking a significant role in managing its whole portfolio of eligible patents.

Your company doesn’t have to make all the decisions regarding the portfolio, but it must undertake a significant amount of the management.

You can benefit from the Patent Box if your company owns or exclusively licenses-in patents granted by the:

• UK Intellectual Property Office

• European Patent Office

• Other countries in the European Economic Area: i.e. Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden

If your company holds licenses to use others’ technology it may still be able to benefit from the Patent Box providing it meet certain conditions.

MCS Corporate Strategies can advise and assist you in identifying and applying for grant patents. This process can be done efficiently, cost effectively and fast tracked to obtain IP benefits more rapidly.

MCS Corporate Strategies Ltd

Website: www.mcs-corporate.com

Phone: (01926) 512475

Email: charlotte@mcs-corporate.com

FS

The development of this BLDC motor allowed KNF to specify the individual components required to perfectly match the drive needs of a diaphragm pumps.

Compared to what is usual for other motors, the DCB-I features much larger ball bearings. This significantly improves the robustness and durability, which is reflected in a life expectancy of >20’000h.

Furthermore, the unique design creates not only a visually appealing look, but also technical advantages. The cooling fins on the aluminium motor cover also improves heat management, especially when the motor is permanently under heavy load.

The development and manufacture of this new generation of motors is the outcome of a cooperation between KNF and a leading motor manufacturer.

As a result, not only is the motor more powerful (in relation to its

size), but the development of its electronics makes it possible to use additional functionalities. As a result, this allows total control over the motor to fully exploit the potential of KNF pumps.

KNF offers the DCB-I for the following pump types:

Gas Pumps

• NMP830

• NMP830 HP

• NMP850

• NMP830 HP

Liquid Pumps

• NF30

• NF60

• FP70 NMP830 with DCB-I

For further information visit: www.knf.com

Optical

When a sensing application demands the highest level of performance and reliability in detecting objects and their positioning, the latest photoelectric sensors with IO-Link connectivity is one of the best options. Photoelectric sensors are by design, able to deliver superior performance to size ratio compared to other types of sensors, which is why it’s the second most globally used type of sensing technology.

Photoelectric sensors have the ability to see (and react) to ‘lots of things’ which can occur in the more challenging sensing applications. These ‘variables’ could have a detrimental effect on process system performance, for example, irregularly shaped or reflective objects, poor lighting conditions, variation of mounting angles or the presence of dust or debris .

Sensing and Instrumentation specialists BAUMER have a passion for sensor technology and offer one of the widest ranges of sensors, encoders, measuring instruments and components for automated image processing. Their range of photoelectric sensors are designed to provide the highest performance in the most compact design, so are ideal for applications where space is really tight. They also have the ability to perform reliably even when faced with challenging object properties, variable mounting positions or

inconsistent lighting conditions. Operators also have the benefit of features such as plug and play integration, resulting in faster designinto systems and therefore quicker integration into production processes.

The range of photoelectric sensors includes a wide choice of models to suit specific application requirements. For example, their OT300 / OT500 sensors for longer range measurement of objects up to 2.6 metres utilise time-of-flight measurement and provide reliable object detection of reflective, glossy or irregularly shaped objects. Also, the standardised IO-Link ensures quick and simple integration and fast parameterisation.

For smaller sensing applications their miniature 0200 sensors are ideal with overall sizes from 8mm and therefore provide an outstanding size performance ratio. They offer extremely high immunity to ambient light, operate with a point and line beam shape and are adjustable via qTeach or IO-Link with LED and laser along with qTarget. A through-beam sensor measures objects up to 6m.

Where the requirement is for a ‘standard’ sensor their 0300 / 0500 option which incorporates a powerful microcontroller is ideal for general process sensing applications. It features 7 sensor principles, 4 light sources along with line or point beam shapes. They are easy to install and operate and incorporate IO-Link so are Industry 4.0 and IoT-ready.

Applied Automation helps companies seize the competitive advantage with Danfoss Drives

UK Businesses in the South West with applications including compressors, conveyors, fans, industrial cranes, pumps, test equipment including winding and unwinding applications can now purchase some of the latest cuttingedge drives solutions from world leaders in drive technology Danfoss following their appointment of Applied Automation (UK) Ltd as an Approved Sales Partner.

Danfoss’s VLT and Vacon drive ranges have been designed and developed to build on the progress of automation following the fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, by introducing elements of interconnectivity, data acquisition, machine learning and intelligent applications of analytics.

Managing Director, David Rowe of Applied Automation UK Limited said, “We have been looking to add another blue-chip manufacturer to our Technical Distribution Division’s product portfolio. As the market leaders, with tried and tested products, Danfoss is a great brand to have under the Applied Automation banner. Their outstanding range of drives is something we can now offer to all the markets we serve and we cannot wait to show our customers and prospects in the South West the benefits of using their products”.

Alan Baird, Danfoss UK County Manager confirmed, “We’ve also been looking to strengthen our sales and support offering in the South West and with Applied Automation’s HQ and factory in Plymouth, their Technical Distribution Division based in Cardiff, plus their team’s technical knowledge and their focus on customer care and technical support, they ticked all the boxes and we’re delighted to have them on board as our Approved Sale Partner in this area”.

sensors offer highest performance in the most compact design

New ultra-compact sensors raise the performance bar

Sensing specialists BAUMER are delighted to introduce a new range of compact inductive distance measuring sensors designed to detect objects and distance within a 10mm range. IF200 Dual Channel sensors offer the key benefits of delivering the largest sensing range combined with excellent precision resulting in outstanding inductive sensor performance across a wide range of automated manufacturing applications.

Though miniature in size (W 20mm x L 42mm x H 15mm) these sensors provide ultra-precise linearized measured values within a 10mm range with up to 3 micron resolution, via either IO-Link or as analogue voltage signals. There is also a retrofit option available with exactly the same pinout which ensures easy connectivity when replacing Baumer’s existing conductive measuring IWFK sensors.

In addition to their range capability and precise performance a robust

plastic housing means the sensors can withstand increased ambient temperatures in more challenging applications up to 75ºC. Also, as a result of the proven Baumer sensor technology they provide exceptionally low temperature drift of just 2% across the entire sensing range. Depending on the model selected, ultra-precise linearized measured values with 3 micrometer resolution are provided either via IO-Link or as analog voltage signals. The fully digital variant is the most compact and

cost-effective option as it removes the need for shielded cables and highresolution A/D converter cards.

Both IO-Link variants are dualchannel capable and in addition to the IO-Link ready digital output which includes easy parameterisation, comprehensive diagnostic data such as histograms, temperature, switching and boot cycles, they also provide additional switching, or analog voltage output.

To summarise, the introduction of the IF200 sensors brings outstanding measuring performance with resolution up to 3 micron combined with the largest sensing distance of 10mm in the most flexible and compact package along with simple teaching via the qTeach feature.

Dimensionics, a supplier of measuring and testing technology, has chosen 2D/3D laser profile scanners from Micro-Epsilon for use on its Disionic Sheet Control measuring table, a fully automatic system for testing the dimensional accuracy of sheet metal.

The Disionic Sheet Control measuring table is equipped with two scanCONTROL 3000-25/BL laser profile scanners from Micro-Epsilon. The scanners, which have a compact design with integral controller, measure sheet metal blanks and check these for width, length,

angle, straightness, deflection (convex/ concave) and the planarity of the sheet metal edges.

Blue laser technology

The two laser profile scanners are mounted on the XY table. Each scanner has a measuring range of 25mm and is guided over two edges in the X and Y direction of the sheets. The sensors use Blue Laser technology to ensures they achieve maximum precision and reliable results on demanding surfaces such as shiny metallic sheet.

Measurement and data output for the entire test process take just a few seconds. The laser profile scanners transmit the measurement data via Gigabit Ethernet to the extensive system software for analysis. Based on the data, any production errors such as inaccurate edges or dimensional deviations due to inaccurate positioning can be detected.

As a result, the production quality of the sheet metal blanks is checked in a traceable and reliable manner. In this way, the laser profile scanners, together with the Disionic Sheet Control measuring table, ensure an automated testing process that was previously a laborious manual process.

The scanCONTROL 30x0 series is among the highest performing profile sensors in terms of their size, accuracy and measuring rate. They provide calibrated 2D profile data with up to 7.37 million points per second. A profile frequency of up to 10kHz enables precise profile measurements in dynamic high speed processes. The high resolution sensor matrix offers a resolution of 2,048 points with an ultimate point distance of just 12µm, enabling extremely fine details to be detected reliably. The sensors are available with either blue or red laser diodes.

Website: micro-epsilon.co.uk

The Disionic Sheet Control measuring table is equipped with two scanCONTROL 3000-25/BL laser profile scanners from MicroEpsilon.

Dimensionics chooses 2D/3D laser profile scanners from Micro-Epsilon to check dimensional accuracy of sheet metal at high speed

Robotics & Automation 2023

The sixth Robotics & Automation exhibition will once again bring many of the leading names in robot development and automated solutions together under one roof to showcase the latest innovative technology and discuss the challenges facing modern industry...

At the event, the UK’s largest dedicated robots and automation exhibition, visitors will see demonstrations of the latest innovations and be able to speak to experts about their various applications.

The show’s exhibitors showcase technology with applications in a wide range of industries, not least in food & drink. Exhibitors range from automated guided vehicles (AGV) and robot manufacturers like Locus Robotics and AGVE, to Visual Components, a developer of 3D manufacturing simulation software, to food & drink specialists like Brillopak. Picking robots, packing systems, plug-and-play products and more will all be on show at the event

Over both days, Robotics and Automation hosts a dedicated conference which will see 20 expert speakers present their unique view on a wide range of topics from their position of expertise and experience within a specific field.

Lucas Systems, who always draw a large crowd to their technical presentation in the conference programme, will be showcasing their powered solutions to improve warehouse and production processes. Its pallet-matching and path optimisation solutions aim to eliminate unnecessary movement and streamline picking processes. Attendees can battle Jennifer, an Al system that Lucas Systems describes as the brain of its robotics operations, to see whether they can manually optimise picking routes more efficiently. This Al technology, combined with path optimisation algorithms, can be used to save valuable time in the picking process, reducing the amount of travel required by warehouse staff in order to carry out tasks.

Lucas

Systems’ Business Development

Manager James Hart said at the last edition of the show: “A wide range of people from a wide range of industries have come to the stand looking for various different types of solutions, which is excellent. There seems to be a real, broad interest in different solutions.”

Also at the event will be Rotherhambased IPL, whose tote boxes for home shopping delivery have grown in success

since launch. Kevin Youens, Head of European Automation Plastic Container Sales and Product Development at IPL, said: “Ocado uses our tote boxes for its storage and delivery systems and we manufacture for Amazon and several other big companies.” He continued: “It’s a very good industry, which is growing rapidly, and we’ve been in the market with our own product”. This particular offering has a special connection with the exhibition; as Youens explains: “We actually launched it at Robotics and Automation several years ago and, since then, we’ve developed the product range, extended the product range and have had our first major customers.”

Of course, robots will be on show. KNAPP’s Pick-it-Easy Robot features AI to enable rapid self-teaching, is available in a Robotics-as-a-Service model and can be operational within days. Autostore’s automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) harnesses the power of robots for 24/7 order fulfilment within a cubic layout so dense it can actually quadruple storage capacity and unlock the true potential of storage floorspace.

Dexory will be showing state-of-theart robotics and AI solutions to drive better business decisions. Their fully autonomous mobile and modular robot, MIM, measures, tracks and finds goods across warehouses without workflow disruption and provides real time data at every stage of the process.

iFollow will be showing their compact, flexible and reliable collaborative robots. Theirs is one of the thinnest in the market, only 17cm high, with a capacity to lift up to 1500kg. They also have a robot range for cold chain, operating in temperatures down to -25°C.

RARUK Automation will be showing a range of automation solutions including cobots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and industrial robots, as well as automated warehouse storage and feeding systems.

Robotics & Automation 2023 is moving, both in terms of the venue and the time of year. It will take place on March 28th & 29th at the NEC Birmingham. This step up in venue will produce a similar step up in scale - the larger venue provides room

to grow. Also the event will be co-located with IntraLogisteX, a show focussed on technologies for warehouses and distribution centres.

As this year, there will be a wide range of factory and warehouse automation on show. It will be an ideal opportunity to make sure your business can survive and thrive.

Visitors to Robotics & Automation 2023 will discover how the latest technology can be applied to their operations to provide massive improvements in productivity and accuracy.

Products include Robots & Robotic Systems, Automated Assembly Machines & Systems, Parts Handling Equipment, Conveyors and materials, Industrial Automation Control and more. There are also live demonstrations of the latest solutions taking place throughout the exhibition, so visitors can get first-hand insight into how they work in practice.

Once again, a comprehensive conference programme which will allow attendees to hear directly from people implementing projects using the latest technology. Experts from manufacturing businesses and more will share their insights and give real world examples of how they have automated their own, and their customers’, operations.

Invest a day or two in your future, and visit the show, which is free to attend for qualifying professionals.

To register, visit www. roboticsandautomation.co.uk.

VOLLMER Appoint New UK Managing Director

VOLLMER has now appointed Martyn Cross as the new Managing Director of the VOLLMER UK subsidiary. Working alongside longstanding Managing Director, Peter Allen in the interim, Martyn has joined VOLLMER UK to build upon the strong growth already overseen by Peter Allen over the last 24 years.

Since the end of 2012, Peter Allen has filled two roles as both Managing Director of VOLLMER UK and President of VOLLMER of America. With the recent construction of a new facility at VOLLMER of America and the high demand for technologically advanced solutions in the UK as well as the USA, Canada and Mexico; Peter has made the conscious decision to fully focus his attention on the exceptional potential of the North American marketplace. With Martyn Cross joining the VOLLMER UK team, and following a handover/transition period, the company will have a

Danfoss Power Solutions names Carina Christine Skovmøller director of Center for Sustainability

Danfoss Power Solutions, a leading global supplier of mobile and industrial hydraulics as well as electric powertrain systems, has named Carina Christine Skovmøller as director of its Center for Sustainability, a newly created role. Based in Copenhagen, Skovmøller reports directly to Andreas Schumacher, senior director, Centers of Excellence. Skovmøller and her team will support the organization in its ESG (environmental, social, and governance) journey, focusing primarily on sustainability. She’ll be responsible for driving Danfoss Power Solutions’ sustainability

dedicated Managing Director with decades of expertise in the cutting tool manufacturing sector.

Martyn served a mechanical apprenticeship in the 1970s and has progressed his career from apprentice to applications engineer and on to positions as technical sales manager, production manager and subsequently director with many of the world’s leading tool and cutter grinding machine tool manufacturers. Such is the expertise of Martyn; he has also spent time working as an R&D manager at a prominent UK cutting tool manufacturer.

Atkin Automation appoints technical consultant

Atkin Automation, a division of Group Rhodes, has appointed Richard Priest as Technical Consultant for its coil processing division.

Richard was formerly Contracts Director for Atkin Automation and has 40 years’ experience in the press feeding industry, having started with the business as a Draughtsman back in 1982. His new role will see Richard assisting customers with the specification and design of the Atkin Automation range of products.

Mark Ridgway, CEO of Group Rhodes, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Richard Priest as Technical Consultant for our Atkin Automation division. Richard has a wealth of experience in the press feeding sector and has worked with our customers for many years regarding their specific machinery requirements. As demand for bespoke and often complex equipment increases, Richard’s skills will be invaluable in enhancing our technical service to customers.”

Atkin Automation has over 70 years’ experience in manufacturing high quality coil processing equipment, to suit a wide range of international industry sectors. From its UK factory in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Atkin Automation manufacturers a range of coil processing products with punching, notching, shearing, roll forming and other automated equipment to create the production lines demanded by the many manufacturing companies which process high volumes of metal strip during product manufacture.

strategy as part of Danfoss’ overall 2030 ESG commitment. She’ll also play a key role in helping Danfoss Power Solutions customers reach their decarbonization goals.

“I look forward to helping Danfoss Power Solutions apply the 2030 climate goals on a divisional and business unit level,” Skovmøller said. “The development of specific roadmaps will help us achieve these targets and put us on a path toward a decarbonized and circular product portfolio, ultimately helping us realize our goal of becoming our customers’ preferred sustainability partner.”

Nottingham-based Luxfer

Luxfer Gas Cylinders, which has its UK base in Nottingham, has welcomed a new sales director – one with ambitious plans to grow Luxfer Gas Cylinders Europe significantly over the next few years.

Following a distinguished career spanning almost 25 years in the automotive, manufacturing and engineering industries, Nick Herbert joins Luxfer at an important time, with the world-leading cylinder-maker recently celebrating its 125-year anniversary and earning international

Gas

Cylinders

appoints Europe Sales Director as it goes for growth in 2023

acclaim as a pioneer in hydrogen systems for the transport sector.

“Luxfer really is Nottingham’s best kept secret, tucked away in Colwick, and when I saw the role, it ticked so many boxes,” says Nick. “There’s a great culture here. It’s a dynamic business, a growing and stable company with the strength of a global group behind it. Luxfer clearly invests in its people – high calibre, passionate individuals – and its mission is to create a safe, clean and energy efficient world. That’s inspiring in itself.”

As Luxfer continues to expand its alternative fuel offering, designing hydrogen solutions to help decarbonise the transport sector, Nick’s mix of experience was a perfect match.

An engineer by degree, studying at Loughborough University, Nick spent the first part of his career in the profession before evolving his expertise into project management.

Roles with leading automotive organisations Tsubakimoto and Gates Corporation followed, working with the likes of Toyota, Ford, Jaguar and Volvo, after which Nick secured his first director position with vehicle conversion specialists Bri-Stor Systems. He then ventured into the green energy sector with a company manufacturing components for wind turbines.

Nick attributes the move to Luxfer Gas Cylinders to being inspired by its ground-breaking work harnessing hydrogen fuel. “Before joining Luxfer, I didn’t have an appreciation of the scale and diversity of the gas cylinder industry. Nor did I realise that the hydrogen economy, from a

With a passion for UK manufacturing and particularly supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education, Nick is keen to attract more young talent into the industry by shifting perspectives.

Records broken at successful Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2023

European Trade & Exhibition Services (ETES), organisers of Southern Manufacturing & Electronics, are bristling with excitement after breaking records at this year’s show, which marked its 25th anniversary. The event, which was completely sold out, was held at the beginning of February at its customary venue, the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Preregistrations were the highest ever and 9,144 people visited over the three days to see what 460 exhibitors representing 600 companies were showing. Live demonstrations on stands were particularly prevalent this year on both the mechanical engineering and electronics sides of the show. The vibrant atmosphere and high level of enquiries, which indicated the seniority and purchasing power of those attending, has already resulted in an exhibitor rebook rate for 2024 well in excess of 75% - another

record, according to ETES.

The show is the most comprehensive annual industrial exhibition in the UK and a major location for companies from Britain, Ireland, Europe and from further afield to showcase their mechanical and electronic components, assemblies, production plant, tooling, workholding, 3D printing machines and inspection equipment. It also presents an ideal opportunity for firms providing subcontract services to make their presence known.

Other products and services on offer traditionally encompass workshop equipment, environmental control, storage systems, plastic packaging and injection moulding, hand tools, adhesives, industrial flooring, waste removal and recycling, training, freight services and financial consultancy.

To find out more and check for updates on the next year’s show and seminar programme, visit the ETES website: www.industrysouth.co.uk

Sustainability beyond the factory floor Technology & Software

With governments around the world collectively aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, all organisations are being urged to play their part in the journey to a more sustainable future. In the manufacturing sector, the challenging economic environment is pushing businesses to explore cost cutting strategies that also make a difference to the planet.

According to research by Visual Components, almost four-in-ten (38%) companies are planning to reshore their operations back to the country of origin. Alongside the aim to reduce costs, many are likely to be taking such steps to eradicate the transportation of goods across long distances, thereby reducing their carbon footprint. It’s just one significant strategy that leaders are exploring to enable greener practices, with others looking towards a reduction in power usage to both offset rising energy costs and reduce emissions (29%).

A key focus has also been on making efficiency improvements on the factory floor. With the help of a virtual sandbox environment in 3D simulation software, organisations are able achieve fewer use of plastics and avoid the need for expensive product trials. Movements on the floor can also be optimised. An AGV, robot or forklift might be travelling a longer distance than needed to

carry heavy materials from one end of the building to another. However, while improvements within a company premises provide a solid foundation for business sustainability, being green in every aspect involves looking beyond the factory floor.

Considering the wider ecosystem

Outside of factory tasks, simulation software can simulate processes across

the wider supply chain to help control and reduce Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 covers all the emissions that the organisation is indirectly responsible for across its value chain, and typically accounts for 70% of the total carbon footprint of a business. It’s reflective of the wide set of factors outside of the immediate control of the business that can contribute to their emissions.

Manufacturers must also consider the actions of employees and how it affects their sustainability standing. The role of humans in the sector is under the spotlight as Industry 5.0 places focus on a transition to a sustainable, human-centric and resilient industry. Further findings by Visual Components discovered that almost two-thirds (63%) of employees are holding greater power in terms of driving sustainability strategies. The onus is on organisations to consider the tools in place to enable their workers to be more sustainable. Where employees need to communicate planned factory layouts to colleagues or clients, are they doing this remotely or travelling to meet others in person via plane or car?

Reducing emissions

The global aviation industry produces around 2.1% of all human-induced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To put its impact into context, one round-trip from London to New York City generates more emissions than what the average person in 56 countries produces in an entire year. Business-class seats are also responsible for up to five times as many emissions as economy versions. Car travel also leads to carbon emissions, with the CO2 from petrol and diesel vehicles coming in at around 2.4kg per litre. This makes up 59% of all road transport emissions in the UK.

With 3D simulation software, employees can communicate proposed factory layouts virtually to colleagues or clients from anywhere in the world, avoiding the need for emissions-heavy plane or car travel. High-quality graphics can enable a realistic experience for the end user. A digital twin for example can provide accurate replications of real-life speeds, loads temperatures, pressures and other external forces that can impact the system.

Umair Ejaz, Product Marketing Manager, Visual Components

Technology & Software

Utilising simulation software to present layouts remotely not only makes sense from a sustainability perspective, but is ultimately a more persuasive tool for client presentations in comparison to basic and non-immersive charts or spreadsheets. Lifelike movements make it easier for end users to visualise how an action would be performed. This can also help foster collaboration between employees in disparate locations and enable key decisions to be made from viewing detailed layouts from anywhere.

Simulation software and longterm green efforts

As the need to help protect the environment becomes more urgent in the light of escalating climate change, sustainability must be upheld in every corner of the business and its surrounding value chain.

Simulation software can evidently make a tangible impact on an organisation’s sustainability stature beyond the factory floor, from more efficient supply chain processes to reducing emissions by avoiding unnecessary plane or car travel.

Companies today need to consider their operations not just from a manufacturing standpoint, but via the actions of the humans within the business. The wider use of simulation software in academia and research, such as research centres and universities, will help raise

understanding of its role and shape the engineers of tomorrow.

Additionally, as more employees use the technology in a range of settings, it will become entrenched in an organisation’s sustainability strategy moving forward.

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.

Technology & Software

Responding to the future: empowering manufacturing with tech innovation

Duncan Roberts, Senior Manager at Cognizant

To become future-ready, manufacturers need to focus on data strategies, rich customer experiences, workforce upskilling and action-backed sustainability goals.

The manufacturing industry has historically been at the head of the pack when it comes to innovation and the application of advanced technology. However, an onslaught of challenges accelerated by the pandemic is forcing manufacturers to both consolidate their position as technology leaders and make advances in new areas.

For example, while operational efficiency has long been a goal, the go-to cost-savings measure of offshoring production and supplies has been impaired by geopolitical tensions, competitive labor markets and a need to rebalance facility location. Efficiency with resiliency is the new goal.

As a result, manufacturers are seeking new ways to build resilience and efficiency into their operations. Beyond tech investment, this means creating comprehensive data strategies that leverage the information flowing from increasingly connected environments, and building rich customer experiences, in addition to other priorities that focus on efficiency enhancement.

As our recent research with Economist Impact demonstrates, all these factors combined mean that an industry previously obsessed with driving down costs is going through something of a brand refresh. From the automotive industry to packaging suppliers, manufacturers are now striving to be high-tech and sustainable businesses. Only by backing up this progressive image with tangible action will manufacturers be ready for the future.

Manufacturers have already made significant progress by creating a solid tech foundation. In their pursuit of smart factories and automated production lines, manufacturers have turned core technology investments, such as cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics, into table stakes. Over 80% of respondents of the research have adopted or plan to adopt each of these technologies.

The quest for high-tech operations means technologies such as robotic process automation and big data analytics are also seeing high adoption rates, reflecting a need to pull data from disparate systems and drive valuable insights.

Having a data strategy in place is crucial

Respondents to the research were asked to identify the areas in which their company is leveraging data; 39% of them already use it to improve the customer and user experience. Other areas that are also already covered by many include collecting data to guide decision-making processes (35%); to ensure regulatory compliance (35%); to guide product development (34%); or to employ predictive analytics across the product lifecycle (32%).

To be able to make all these targets come to life, a data strategy is still needed to tie everything together.

Despite the wealth of data generated by IoT, cloud and 5G, many manufacturers lack robust data strategies to glean real value. For example, just 38% of respondents are using data to improve the customer experience and less than one-third are deploying supply chain analytics —despite several years of serious challenges in the space. This is worrying. Without identifying a prioritised use for their data, businesses will struggle to manage, structure and store it.

In addition to using innovative tech such as artificial intelligence (AI) or other forms of intelligent automation, manufacturers also stand to benefit from the monetisation of the data they create. For many, the strategic imperative is to use data to open new revenue streams by designing premium support capabilities based on predictive analytics, or offering predictive maintenance, asset utilisation or productivity optimisation services to customers at a premium.

Technology & Software

The manufacturing talent market is shifting

There is no doubt that the skill sets required for modern manufacturing are becoming more digitally focused. Manufacturers have recognised that providing career progression and advancement is the best way to retain and cultivate digital talent in a hypercompetitive market.

Though while 93% of respondents agree that talent readiness is very important to future readiness, fewer than half are acting on talent management strategies. If advancement pathways are not in place and training is not provided, it will be easier than ever for employees to take their skills into other industries.

Moreover, employees with institutional knowledge aren’t being sufficiently leveraged with only 39% of respondents having implemented coaching and mentorship programmes. Manufacturing is a tech-heavy industry, but it must better leverage its advantages in this space to change the perception of the industry. While the sector has long struggled to woo digital talent, manufacturers can attract skilled workers by promoting its investment in technology, efforts toward data monetisation and focus on sustainability.

Technology innovation must be applied to ESG initiatives

While manufacturing can be a carbon-intense industry, 92% of respondents understand that becoming environmentally sustainable is crucial to being future-ready. Fortunately, the same infrastructure that manufacturers have invested in to promote efficiency and resilience can be applied to sustainability.

Setting targets and reporting on them is a priority, often due to legislation. Beyond that, becoming sustainable is about efficiency and resilience.

Most manufacturers are struggling to capitalise on the data, technology, and process advantages they possess. Just over half of respondents say they are setting sustainability targets, and few are applying data to these efforts. IoT sensors, cloud infrastructure and big data analytics are ready and waiting to provide what is needed, but almost half of manufacturers are not applying these tools to achieving their sustainability and social goals.

Technology is key to becoming future-ready

In a world of rapid technology acceleration, it is little surprise that manufacturers are ramping up investment in technology—whether to power a new insight engine or to replace legacy technologies.

While technology may form the cornerstone of investment strategies, the overarching goal is to use the data and insights to deliver better results. The future must empower manufacturers, so they can respond intuitively to the changing world around them.

While manufacturing can be a carbon-intense industry, 92% of respondents understand that becoming environmentally sustainable is crucial to being future-ready.

- Duncan Roberts

The manufacturing industry is the world’s most cyber-attacked industry

The manufacturing industry is failing to protect itself from cybercrime, according to MSP – the leading manufacturer of stampings and springs.

With research showing the manufacturing industry faced almost one in four of the cyberattacks in any industry, MSP is urging manufacturers to start putting cybersecurity at the top of their agendas both for themselves and their upstream customers.

Neil Matthews, Managing Director at MSP comments, “While cybersecurity affects every company in all industries, the manufacturing industry overall is particularly vulnerable and prone to cyberattacks and can face considerable challenges such as the theft of intellectual property.”

“Malware and ransomware attacks are increasingly using sophisticated new tricks to infiltrate and exploit weaknesses. These attacks can result in a loss of competitive advantage, denial of access, or damage to operational systems including production facilities. Significantly, it can also negatively impact a manufacturer’s trading reputation, leading to a loss of customers or suppliers.”

By the end of 2021, cyberattacks cost the global economy an estimated $6 trillion, which would reportedly escalate to $10.5 trillion by 2025.

Neil noted, “For the first time in five years, the manufacturing industry has outpaced the insurance and finance industries in the number

of cyberattacks levied against the industries. With nearly half of British manufacturers having fallen victim to cybercrime since 2018, the industry can no longer adopt the notion that ‘it won’t happen to us’”

The manufacturing industry had a reported 23.2% share of cyberattacks and a further 33% increase in the number of incidents caused by vulnerability exploitations from 2020 to 2021. In that same period, 63% faced losses of up to £5,000, with 22% revealing a cost to their business of between £5,000 and £25,000.

Neil continues, “As manufacturing businesses grow increasingly digital, it is now more important than ever that companies’ cybersecurity is just as proactive, because reactive improvements are too late, and damages will already have occurred.

“Vulnerabilities like singlelayered protection, lack of firewall implementation, lack of protection to broadband connections and others can all be easily exploited by cybercriminals when the reality is that these vulnerabilities can be easily fixed and remote working infrastructures strengthened.”

Neil has outlined four tips for manufacturers to protect themselves from cybersecurity attacks:

1. As a starting point, manufacturers need to evaluate their cyber threat landscape and introduce regular cybersecurity awareness training for staff.

2. Companies should avoid unauthorised system access by using Multi-Factor Authentication and have timely updates of security patches on computers and systems.

3. Manufacturers should increasingly look to take out cyber insurance and undertake regular security risk assessments, introducing a robust backup and disaster recovery policy and plan.

4. Strict processes should be in place around sending sensitive files externally to combat the risk of breaches and minimise the damage an attacker can do by accessing them.

Neil adds, “The increasing technative nature of criminals, who have similarly adapted to the changing landscape of technology, and the lucrative nature of data means that manufacturing experts agree that cybersecurity can no longer be taken for granted. Instead, we firmly believe it should become an integral element of all company’s strategies and plans for the future.”

For the first time in five years, the manufacturing industry has outpaced the insurance and finance industries in the number of cyberattacks levied against the industries.

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