Engineering Articles

TR Electronic has produced a linear measurement system known as the LMC-50.

It consists of IP65-rated linear measurement modules in a profile housing.

The modules can be connected together across the entire measuring distance and require no maintenance.

Communication standards such as Ethernet/IP, Profibus and CAN will be available on customer demand.

The S10 intrinsically safe multiplexer offers a fast response time, is compact and cost-effective as well as being simple to understand and use.

The multiplexer is sold as a matching pair, consisting of an ATEX-certified 10-channel transmitter and a safe area 10-channel receiver that work together to transfer digital signals from a hazardous area to the safe area over a single pair of cables.

As only a single cable pair is used to transmit signals from the hazardous area and provide power to the transmitter, cabling cost and labour are reduced.

All hazardous-area electronics are encapsulated to meet ATEX requirements.

NQ and TQ switches from Euchner feature compact, reinforced thermoplastic-bodied designs that are suitable for applications on very small machines, typically as used with packaging systems.

The products can fit in spaces where it would be impractical to install other guard-locking solutions.

The TQ switch has a body size of 75mm2 x 15mm thick.

It incorporates five internal switching contacts with optional locking mechanisms of guards locked or released by spring force when used in conjunction with the internal energised solenoid.

The switch incorporates a ’status condition’ LED, and accommodates a vertical actuator approach and mechanical key release of guard locking with a three-directional approach.

Where guard locking is not anticipated then the smaller NQ series safety switch can be used.

This has a body size of 78 x 30 x 15mm and three internal switching contacts are provided.

Both horizontal and vertical actuator approach can be accommodated for maximum installation versatility.

Common actuators are used with both switch series, which include a single straight actuator with two optional right-angled actuators, one of which is incorporated with a mounting plate.

The products are suitable for applications with a minimum door-swing radius of 160mm, with locking forces of up to 500N being achieved.

Operational approach speeds of actuator between 0.05-1m/s can be accommodated, with actuation frequency of 900/hr for the TQ switch and 1200/hr for the NQ unit.

A mechanical life of 1 x 106 operating cycles is anticipated, when operating within an ambient temperature range of -25C to +70C.

PCL has introduced the APP201 1/2in wrench, featuring low vibration, low noise and ergonomic grip.

It utilises a compact, lightweight magnesium body ideal for tight spaces and provides the user with an excellent power-to-weight ratio for fast and efficient tyre changing with minimum effort.

It has a twin hammer impact mechanism, a torque of 433Nm and a free speed of 10,000RPM.

PCL’s range of impact wrenches includes general purpose wrenches in aluminium and composite.

The PCL range of air tools is aimed at the everyday tradesman.

The range is designed to withstand the rigours of day-to-day use in the heaviest of workshop and tyre environments.

Energy expert and fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers urges the government to increase petrol prices and take urgent action to avert a fuel crisis.

An energy expert and fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is urging the government to increase petrol prices and take urgent action to avert a fuel crisis.

Professor Rob Thring has hit out at the lack of government funding for research into alternative energy sources.

He is calling on the government to find alternative ways of powering the UK’s motor fleet if a major petrol crisis is to be avoided.

“Events have shown in recent months that we are like drug addicts, hooked on petroleum,” he said.

“Without petroleum we would not be able to get to work, nor to the supermarket, and there’d be no food in the supermarket anyway since it all arrives by truck”.

“Clearly, if we can all use motor vehicles so freely fuel is too cheap”.

Thring is calling on the government to invest more money into researching the relevant technology and in demonstrating to people that these new technologies are feasible and practical.

Currently around £3m per year of government cash is spent in this field.

Thring believes this needs to be increased to more than £30m per year for the UK to keep up with countries such as the USA and Japan.

Without increased investment he believes the country will remain addicted to petroleum and will face a major crisis in the future when this source of fuel runs short.

He has spent years researching polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which he believes need to be developed rapidly if we want to continue using motor vehicles in the future.

PEM fuel cells, also called proton exchange membrane fuel cells, use hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity.

The extra revenue which would be produced from increased petrol prices would be ploughed into fuel cell research.

“The petroleum pool is not unlimited, and in about 100 years we have depleted what took millions of years for nature to generate”.

“Some time soon, and predictions vary from three years to 20 years, petroleum production will peak and start to decline”.

“At that point, the price will skyrocket”.

“We need to put the technology in place to cope with that, but it will take 10 years to develop - so we need to start now”.

Thring believes harnessing wind power and other renewable energy sources, such as wave power and biomass, is vital to the survival of the UK economy.

He estimates that to power all the cars in the country using hydrogen fuel cells we would need around 20,000 wind turbines across the UK, which is roughly the same amount of existing electricity pylons.

Underwriters Laboratories is a sponsor of the HazardEx Exhibition and Conference 2006 due to be held at the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry, UK on 22nd and 23rd February 2006.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a sponsor of the HazardEx Exhibition and Conference 2006 due to be held at the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry, UK on 22nd and 23rd February 2006.

UL technical staff will be available at the exhibition on Stand 11 to discuss and answer questions on any international and local product certification needs for equipment used in hazardous locations.

Also, UL’s Hazloc expert Kerry McNamana will be speaking about the IECEx scheme on day 2 of the conference.

He will talk about how the IECEx scheme is continually challenged to respond to the evolving needs of the hazardous locations industry.

In addition to discussing the growth of the scheme, he will also touch on how a US certifier has responded to the scheme and the challenges still awaiting possible IECEx solutions.

Sales turnover at Rapra Technology is set to top the GBP 9 million barrier for the first time.

Rapra Technology goes into 2006 on a wave of growth that has already broken new ground in 2005.

Sales turnover for the organisation in 2005 is now set to top the GBP 9 million barrier for the first time.

Rapra’s overall headcount was increased through 2005 by over 10% with 15 people being appointed to key positions in the organisation - and still more set to join the company through 2006.

“I am pleased to report”, says Rapra Managing Director Andrew Ward, “that in a number of important areas we are now ahead of budget and expected performance”.

“The contribution of our large projects team, for example, in leading collaborative polymer research in Europe has been outstanding this year”.

“We expect that activity and others - in key areas such as medical, pharmaceutical, healthcare and environmental - to continue to grow and prosper”.

Ward adds: “This investment in new people, new activities and new markets is well on track to achieving the targets we set ourselves in 2004 - to increase our current turnover by over 50% within the next five years”.

“It is still an ambitious strategy but one that we feel is entirely possible, given the skills of our people and the demand for their know-how and services”.

Rapra’s Human Resources Manager Deborah Trelawny says: “At the start of 2005 we announced an ambitious plan to grow our headcount by 40% over a three year period”.

“I am delighted that we have achieved the first phase of that plan and have made key appointments in our major strategic growth areas of research projects, pharmaceutical, environmental and design services”.

“Over 50 new jobs will be created at Rapra over the following two years across all levels: from business development roles, technologist, analytical chemists and design engineers”.

And Rapra has already seen the positive results of its growth strategy with turnover increasing from GBP 6.75 million in 2004 to an expected GBP 9 million plus for 2005.

Trelawny says: “Our recruitment is moving fast”.

“If anyone is interested in joining us and has commercial polymer skills and experience, we are always pleased to receive speculative applications”.

“For specific posts, keep a regular check on our job page”, she adds.

Recent commercial highlights from Rapra at the year end include: medical sector sales up 75% on the previous year; conference sales increased by 85% on the previous year; and all areas of single client consultancy increased on the performance in 2004.

Across the board Rapra’s total sales performance is increased 36.6% on 2004.

Mick Hall, Chairman of the Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association, delivers New Year message to the industry.

Mick Hall, Chairman of the Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association (MMMA), has deliverd his New Year message to the industry.

“I don’t know about you, but I find if I was to read for example just one economic report, let’s say the IMF statement about the UK economy, which incidentally was published in December 2005, I would go away thinking we haven’t done too badly”.

“So I would give the economy eight marks out of 10,” said Hall.

“It says the economy hit a soft patch (obviously two words to describe declined) this past year, but growth is expected to pick up in 2006″.

“Great, now I feel good, I can expect my business to flourish”.

“But can I be sure?”.

“It says we are creating a flexible and dynamic labour market, being only one of three EU member countries to operate relaxed border regulations allowing new members full access to our labour market”.

“This relieves specific labour skill shortages and reduces inflationary pressures”.

“Great if they are coming with skills we require, but does that really apply to check-out staff in supermarkets?”.

“I am not sure if that is this positive message I am getting, going around doing my business every day and I have said before it is difficult to get a clear picture of where our sector in manufacturing is going in the UK”.

“Yes, I am meeting customers who are positive about their business”.

“Yes, they are the ones who have invested in the latest production technology”.

“Yes, when you look at these companies they are the leaders in their fields”.

“But, there are still too many who have no idea where they are going or how to handle UK market, never mind about a global market”.

“I talk to many equipment manufacturers and, I am glad to say, I am still reading encouraging stories of successful ventures by UK companies, of UK companies expanding and UK companies developing new technology, many of which are world beating”.

“In 2006, let us be like all those dynamic UK businesses, let us be positive”.

“This year, our industry has the important Mach show to look forward to in May at the NEC, Birmingham, which I feel is an ideal time to hold the show”.

“At this point in time, I understand that the amount of space remaining to be sold is less that at the same time in 2004″.

“That is good and with over 20,000 visitors attending the show over five days makes it one of the largest trade shows in the UK”.

“I have spoken with a number of companies attending and most have told me that they will be showing new technology and equipment”.

“With that positive approach I get the feeling that this show will be a success”.

The MMMA will be having a members’ hospitality stand, which will form part of the Metalworking Village.

At the same time it will be publishing its Members Handbook as a CD and launching a new web site.

“The MMMA still remains upbeat about metalforming in the UK,” he said.

“As I have said before, there is a very profitable niche market in the UK”.

“I am also pleased to hear that entries for the ISME’s Sheet Metal Skills Competition are already up on last year”.

“We really do have some young quality skilled craftsmen, as last year’s entries showed”.

“The MMMA Trophy, in the form of a gyroscopic clock, will again be awarded for the best use of metal forming equipment in the Open Class”.

“Let’s hope we get another test piece similar to the one in 2005 adjudged by one of the judges to be faultless, in that the dimensions and details were 100% accurate”.

“We would definitely like to see more companies entering their apprentices and young employees for this competition”.

“Those that do always tell us it helps with the ongoing training of their apprentices and young employees”.

“The high quality of the entries always amazes me”.

“I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year”.

Nearly 200m2 of space has been sold, with more on offer, only one week after the Manufacturing Technologies Association announced that Mach 2006 would incorporate a Welding Pavilion.

Nearly 200m2 of space has been sold, with more on offer, only one week after the Manufacturing Technologies Association announced that Mach 2006, 15th to 19th May, NEC, Birmingham, would incorporate a Welding Pavilion.

This followed 7000+ (33%) of Mach 2004 visitors indicating an interest in this sector.

Mach Sales Manager Roger Kaye said: “We’ve had an excellent first week selling the Welding Pavilion, exhibitors are responding well to our offer and I’m confident that they will be pleased with the results they gain from the show”.

Mach 2006 floor plans are updated onto the web site weekly.

Statistics for the first active quarter since the launch of the redeveloped Manufacturing Technologies Association web site indicate that buyers of members’ products are the most frequent users.

Statistics for the first active quarter since the launch of the redeveloped Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) web site indicate that prospective buyers of members’ products are the most frequent users of the site.

The site recorded nearly 40,000 visits in the first quarter, 80% of whom accessed the site from the homepage and clicked into the easy to use company and product search facilities on the right-hand side of the home page.

Visitors to the site can search by company, product, overseas principal or trade names, making it easy for users to find suppliers of the product for which they are searching.

The site featured highly on all the top search engines through both relevant keyword and phrase searches.

The Members Online Diary, which can also be accessed from the right-hand side of the home page, is also a one-stop-shop for all industry events, both UK and overseas, and to which MTA members are welcome to submit their events.

MTA Director General, Andrew Manly, said: “We’ll be working hard throughout 2006 to keep the number of visitors to the site rising to help our members sell their products”.