Mepca September 2013

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September 2013

contents Editor Jess Unwin – editor@mepca.com 01843 603141 Publication manager Sean French – sean@mepca.com 01795 509105 Fax: 01795 591065 Account executive Tim Johnston – tim@mepca.com 01795 509105 Studio manager Paula Smith – paula@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509107 Design and production Grant Waters – grant@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509108 James Taylor – james@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509108 Credit facilities manager Vickie Crawford – vickie@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509103 Fax: 01795 591065

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t’s good to know positive action is being taken to remedy the UK’s engineering skills shortage with the launch of a government-backed Higher Apprenticeship scheme that will open opportunities for young talent and help businesses too. We look at what that could mean for the UK economy in an increasingly competitive world (30).

Software and systems are an integral part of modern manufacturing. Our first special focus looks at data storage options, a clever way of getting real-time business performance statistics on your mobile, and using software for effective plant management (14 and 16).

An exciting new exhibition is coming up and, hopefully, it’s the first of many to come. The Northern Manufacturing and Electronics Show 2013 will be the largest of its kind in the North of England and looks set to be a landmark event (10).

Our second special focus examines the importance of research and development (R&D) and how smart businesses can benefit from working with both academic and commercial R&D specialists (18, 20 and 22).

Jess Unwin, Editor Facebook.com/mepca1

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News UK reports

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Events A detailed look at SPS IPC Drives 2013, one of the world’s most comprehensive events for electric automation

Chief executive John Denning jdenning@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509100 www.mepca.com © 2013 CIM Online Limited, The Goods Shed, Jubilee Way, Whitstable Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be typewritten. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to CIM Online Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or nonpublication of any advertisement.

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News & diary dates UK reports and industry events

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Health & safety A new piece equipment for safety testing emergency lighting products is in the spotlight, plus helpful advice on ATEX compliance in chemical manufacturing

14

Special focus: software & systems A look at data storage choices, software for effective plant management and how to get real-time company performance information on the move

18

Special focus: research & development We report on how R&D can reduce the impact of disasters and ways that research organisations can help companies do business better

30

Training A government-backed scheme has been launched to create Higher Apprenticeships

44

Innovation Sensor company finds a new and unusual use for its product (pictured)

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news

A film we shouldn’t miss Groundbreaking DNA-based research from University of Sheffield engineers could prevent harmful bacterial contamination in water pipes

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acteria commonly found in drinking water can actually help other potentially harmful bacteria to thrive, according to research by engineers from the University of Sheffield.

Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the research team from the University’s Faculty of Engineering, investigated the formation of ‘biofilms’ in water pipes.

Biofilms are layers of bacteria which form on the inner surfaces of water pipes and these can become bridges for harmful bacteria to thrive.

Using DNA analysis, the team specifically looked at which bacterial combinations were more likely to produce a biofilm.

“Biofilms are usually nonharmful bacteria, they don’t present a problem,” explained lead researcher, Professor Catherine Biggs. “However, biofilms can also be a safe place for harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Legionella to hide.

“If the bacterial growth is too heavy, it can break off into the water flow, which at best can make water discoloured or taste unpleasant and at worst can release more dangerous bacteria.

“Our research looks at what

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conditions enable biofilms to grow, so we can find ways to control the bacteria in our water supply more effectively.”

The findings point the way to the need for more sophisticated and targeted methods of ensuring our drinking water remains safe to drink.

Domestic water supplies in the UK are regularly tested for levels of bacteria. But standard tests only look for ‘unhealthy’ indicator organisms rather than the individual types which are present.

Testing methods being developed by the Sheffield team involve DNA analysis to identify the specific types of bacteria present.

Professor Biggs added: “This means it should be possible to control or even prevent the creation of biofilms in the water supply by targeting these particular bacteria, potentially reducing the need for high dosage chemical treatments.

“The DNA testing we’re developing will provide a fast and more sophisticated alternative, allowing companies to fine tune their responses to the exact bacteria they find in the water system.” See our R&D special focus, on pages 18, 20 and 22. shef.ac.uk/faculty/engineering

Saudi deal clinched after product put through paces

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Midlands manufacturer has secured five orders worth £100,000 to supply vital equipment for electricity substations in Saudi Arabia.

Leicester-based power resistor maker Cressall Resistors won the order from the Saudi Electricity company after receiving accreditation for its Neutral Earthing Resistor (NER) range.

NERs are designed to limit the current that would flow in the event of an earth fault, to reduce damage and improve safety. Cressall NERs provide a compact, cost effective solution for these high voltage and high energy applications.

To comply with the SEC requirement that NERs are tested at an approved testing station, Cressall’s engineers used CESI in Milan – the only facility in Europe capable of supplying the 12MW of power needed to conduct the tests.

The NERs tested were rated for use on a 13.8kV system and sized to accept a current of 1500A for 10 seconds with a requirement that the resistor element temperature does not rise above 760ºC. The Milan tests successfully proved that Cressall NERs can withstand the high energies involved, and the units will shortly be installed in six different substations Commonly in Saudi Arabia. occurring Cy Wilkinson, Managing Director bacteria can of Cressall Resistors, said: “In Saudi enable harmful Arabia installations can be exposed bacteria like this to extreme heat and high humidity.

E. coli to grow Cressall’s designs have been proven in water pipes over many years – in applications ranging from electric traction rolling stock to high-voltage filter resistors and in climatic extremes involving severe sand storms, deep snow and ice.”

He added: “We now expect to receive more enquiries for NERs from the Middle East.” cressall.com

news

Are UK companies falling out of love with Chinese manufacturing?

Cash boost for manufacturing

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Dissatisfaction with some aspects of production in China means some businesses are looking to the UK and Europe again, a new survey says

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he desire to use Chinese manufacturing solutions appears to be on the wane among businesses in the UK according to a new survey.

Two thirds of those polled stated that they would consider a return to the UK or Europe if market forces were right.

Of these, nearly 38 per cent said they were in discussions to look at the possibilities of bringing production back to Europe.

The research was carried out

by Versapak, a leading supplier of tamper evident solutions in the UK, in a bid to discover more about UKbased business opinion surrounding manufacturing solutions.

Difficulties It conducted the study to establish UK industry thoughts about the reliability of overseas production, with a particular emphasis on the difficulties faced in the Chinese market when compared with domestic manufacturing.

The survey covered more than a thousand business managers from companies with headquarters in the UK, who had a vested interest in manufactured goods. Of these,

• long lead times (40%) • poor quality of production (35%) • large minimum order quantities (32%) However, a third of respondents said they were happy with their current setup with Chinese manufacturing.

Leon Edwards, Group Managing Director of Versapak, said:”China has long been associated with large scale manufacturing on behalf of British-based companies. The relatively cheap costs of production

“It seems that the winds of change are now blowing more favourably towards UK shores...”

46 per cent had looked to china for manufacturing solutions.

It revealed that the top five problems encountered by UK companies working with far east manufacturers were: • difficult communication (53%) • rising prices (48%)

has been a huge draw.

“But it seems that the winds of change are now blowing more favourably towards UK shores and that the thought process towards UK-based manufacturing could be shifting.” versapak.com

Chinese manufacturing is used by many companies in this country, but there are drawbacks

anufacturers’ organisation EEF has welcomed a multi-million pound funding boost for high-value manufacturing.

The government investment is part of an expansion package for the UK’s seven groundbreaking Catapult centres set up to turn great ideas into commercial realities – including one specifically aimed High Value Engineering.

Business Secretary Vince Cable recently announced that the highvalue engineering Catapult scheme will benefit to the tune of £7m.

Lee Hopley, Chief Economist at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation said: “This is good news for innovative manufacturers as the additional funding should help ensure the Catapult can provide the kind of cutting-edge technologies companies would not otherwise have access to.

“Looking forward, we must now ensure that SMEs can easily work with Catapult centres to develop new products and processes.”

IT is finally fashionable A company known for providing IT solutions for major manufacturing and engineering companies has a new string to its bow – predicting fashion trends.

ITC Infotech has launched Style Performance Analytics (SPA) to cater specifically to the requirements of the fashion industry.

SPA is designed to predict fashion trends with analysis drawn from historical data. It works by combining product attribute information from product lifecycle management tools with transactional data from enterprise resource planning systems.

The IT solution, which ITC Infotech says is the first of the first of its kind, uses business intelligence tools to discover the styles and attributes that are most popular with customers. www.mepca.com | 5

events

Major automation show expected to attract a lot of attention SPS IPC Drives 2013, one of world’s most important events for electric automation, is set to be attended by more than 50,000 people from 75 countries

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ome 1,500 national and international companies are expected to attend this year’s SPS IPC Drives event in Germany.

Covering more than 100,000 sq m, the show will offer visitors the most comprehensive overview of electric automation ever.

The event, which also features presentations and keynote speeches, will be held at the Nuremberg Exhibition Grounds from 26 to 28 November.

It follows the success of last year’s SPS IPC Drives which saw nearly 57,000 people attending, with more than one in five being international visitors coming from 75 different 7 is now completely dedicated to countries. control technology.

Software companies in new hall

Opportunities at joint stand

Hall 11, which is located at the Frankenhalle entrance of the Nuremberg Exhibition Ground, will be occupied for the first time, and will be focusing on software.

There are two further changes regarding the location of topics across the halls. This year, Hall 7A will cover only sensors, while Hall

The wireless in automation joint stand offers companies an uncomplicated and yet effective way of exhibiting their products and services alongside other companies.

It will attract visitors that are specifically seeking information on wireless technologies in the field of electric automation.

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SPS IPC Drives offers a comprehensive overview

Special prices for flights to the event Thanks to the continuing and successful co-operation with airline Lufthansa, exhibitors and visitors are able to take advantage of particularly favourable fares on their flights to Nuremberg.

Flights can be booked directly via the link on the SPS IPC Drives homepage www.mesago.com/sps.

High expectations There are high expectations for another successful event following The event last year’s biggest ever SPS IPC attracts visitors Drives, which featured more that from all over the 1,400 exhibitors. world Feedback from the 2012 event reveals that 95 per cent of last year’s visitors said they would be returning for the 2013 event.

More than 90% of attendees in 2012 said they had found individual products and solutions for their company and 79 per cent of all those who attended have a say in their company’s purchasing decisions. For further information on SPX IPC Drives 2013, visit mesago.com/sps

SPS_MESSE_ANZ_2013_E_210x297 24.07.13 16:46 Seite 1

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news & diary dates

Innovation award for start-up

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anufacturing software developer Warwick Analytics has been presented with the ‘Most Innovative’ award in the 2013 SAP HANA Startup Challenge.

The company earned the honour after showcasing its groundbreaking SigmaGuardian software at a competition held in Florida earlier this year.

The SAP HANA Startup Challenge gives new businesses participating in the SAP Startup Focus Program – such as Warwick Analytics – the chance to showcase solutions using the SAP HANA platform.

Using SAP HANA enables the Warwick Analytics solution to resolve root causes of faults and problems in real time for increased return on investment and improved product performance.

Dormer’s Eighty companies participated in current site in the challenge, with the field narrowed Yorkshire to 15 finalists in three categories: Most Innovative, Most Transformative and Most Social Impact.

“We’re very proud to be a part of the SAP Startup Focus program, let alone winning this award,” said Mark Hardy, Chairman of the Warwickbased company. “It has been a fruitful journey so far with SAP and the best is hopefully yet to come.”

The SAP Startup Focus program supports startup businesses in developing new applications on SAP HANA, SAP’s real-time database platform.

The program is an accelerator for big data, predictive and real-time analytics startups and now includes more than 400 startups. warwickanalytics.com

Centenary for Dormer Tools

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heffield engineering giant Dormer Tools celebrates its 100th anniversary this

Mark Hardy, Chairman of Warwick Analytics, is proud of the company’s new award for innovation

DIARY DATES

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Event

Venue

Offshore Europe 2013 (E&P, oil/gas)

month.

The company started life as The Sheffield Twist Drill Co. on 4 September 1913, but now has subsidiaries in 25 countries.

Memorabilia and artefacts from the company’s history have been collated and are on display at Dormer’s UK site at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire.

A new corporate video is also being created, which includes news and images of celebrations featuring Dormer employees and customers around the globe, olus archive images and footage.

Managing Director John O’Donoghue said: “It’s important to celebrate and recognise a centenary of achievements and developments at Dormer. We’ve grown from a successful Sheffield company to a major global organisation.

“As we enter a new century in the company’s history, we continue to strengthen Dormer’s global position for a new generation.”

Dormer100.com

Date

Website

Aberdeen, UK

September 3-6

offshore-europe.co.uk

DSEI 2013 (defence and security)

Excel Centre, London, UK

September 10-13

dsei.co.uk

European Powder Metallurgy Congress & Exhibition

Svenska Mässan Centre, Gothenburg, Sweden

September 15-18

epma.com

EMO 2013 (metalworking)

Hannover, Germany

September 16-21

Emi-hannover.de

ILMAC (process & laboratory technology)

Messe Basel, Switzerland

September 24-27

ilmac.ch

Label Expo

Brussels, Belgium

September 24-27

labelexpo-europe.com

Mediplas (plastic parts for medical

NEC, Birmingham, UK

September 25-26

plastech.biz

Packaging Innovations London

Business Design Centre, London, UK

October 1-2

easyfairs.com

Skills Show

NEC, Birmingham, UK

November 14-16

worldskillsuk. apprenticeships.org.uk

SPS IPC Drives

Exhibition Centre, Nuremberg, Germany

November 26-28

mesago.de

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manufacturing & engineering

Look to the North for an exciting new event The Northern Manufacturing & Electronics Show 2013 is breaking new ground and looks set to become the landmark event for industrial professionals across the North

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hen it opens in Manchester next month, the inaugural Northern Manufacturing & Electronics Show will bring together a unique selection of regional firms and world-class companies at a highly accessible venue.

There have been regional manufacturing shows in the North before, but nothing to match the size or aspirations of Northern Manufacturing & Electronics.

At 28,000 sq m, Event City is the UK’s second largest exhibition centre outside London, offering the perfect venue for a show that is certainly primed to become the landmark event for industrial professionals across the North.

Its location near to the heart of Manchester delivers easy access from across the UK and Europe.

Following the highly successful format of Southern Manufacturing, the show aims to become the focal point of manufacturing technology for the entire northern and western halves of the country, including Scotland, North Wales, northern Midlands, Eire and Northern Ireland.

Northern Manufacturing and Electronics 2013 is also breaking new ground with the profile of the companies taking part.

With the strong track record of the Southern show behind it, Northern Manufacturing & Electronics has experienced remarkable support from the outset. Visitors can expect to meet an amazing variety of suppliers, ranging from local firms to major international companies, including Amada, Haas, The Eurotech Group, XYZ Machine Tools, Brother, Fronius UK, Renishaw, Nikon Metrology, Yamazaki Mazak, Trumpf and many others.

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Component suppliers and specialist OEMs such as Bernstein and Delta Line will showcase a huge variety of parts and equipment.

Subcontracting and engineering services are also well represented, with significant names such as Allsops, Brandauer, Serious Engineering, Fife Fabrications and DJJ Precision Engineering joining over 200 other companies taking part. The range of providers and specialities represented in one location means the show will appeal to pretty much anyone interested in industry, from design and electronics to machine-building and fabrication.

There’s also an extensive seminar programme running over both days, offering free presentations by leading industry figures. A wide-ranging programme of topics includes a look at the most recent ideas in manufacturing efficiency with examples from 10 of the world’s top manufacturers. Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM)

The two-day event looks set to attract many visitors

approaches are examined by Derek Hill from Advanced Technology Services UK, while Paul Bywater and Steve Rollisson from Sanderson ERP Software look at how ‘lean’ principles can be applied to boost the productivity of back office processes. Steve Ingram of Trumpf will take a look at the latest trends in high-power laser welding. For full details of the seminar programme and how to book your free place visit the website (details below).

Northern Manufacturing & Electronics runs from 2-3 October.

Admission is totally free to business visitors, and Event City offers 3,000 free on-site car parking spaces, with easy access by road, rail or air. To register online for tickets see the contact details below.

Visitors can get the news from the show at www.linkedin.com, or on the blog page at http://blog. industrynorth.co.uk 01784 880 890 industrynorth.co.uk

health & safety

New product-testing equipment shines at company that makes lighting systems for public sector buildings

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leading manufacturer of commercial emergency lighting products has improved electrical safety test standards using the advanced HAL 104 multifunction tester from Clare.

Nu-Era Lighting designs and supplies fluorescent and discharge lighting systems for public sector buildings, including vandal-resistant, IP65-rated weatherproof exit signs and emergency luminaires.

Based at Witham, Essex, Nu-Era is using four digital HAL 104s on its two production lines testing over 1,500 units manufactured each week before distribution to UK wholesalers.

They replaced manual test equipment and are fast, highperformance automatic instruments that record test results and ensure accurate testing is carried out in line with relevant product standards at all times.

The safety tests performed by the HAL 104 during production include earth bonding at 10A, DC insulation resistance at 500V DC and checking for power leakage – ensuring compliance with EN 60598

The impressive HAL 104

and guarantees product quality, performance and reliability.

Function tests include checking each unit switches on/off and lights correctly at the required power consumption levels, and that ancillary equipment works to specification.

This ensures Nu-Era products are safe to use and there’s an accurate test record for all units in line with the company’s quality assurance programme.

With a strong demand for its products, the company plans to introduce two HAL 104s when it expands into a new workshop at Witham.

Technical Manager Olly Mansell said: “The HAL 104 provides fast, accurate and extremely reliable testing. It gives us confidence and peace-of-mind knowing that every unit leaving the factory is 100% safe to use and works properly.”

Learn more about ATEX compliance in chemical manufacturing

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afety is a priority when manufacturing in the potentially explosive or hazardous atmospheres that exist when inspecting fine, powdered or granular chemical materials for metal contaminants.

It is essential, therefore, that companies involved in these activities choose an equipment supplier with the necessary knowledge and experience.

Mettler Toledo, the world’s largest manufacturer of metal detection and X-ray product inspection technologies for the production and packaging sectors, has produced a highly informative and helpful white paper covering this area.

Called Explosion Protection For Metal Detectors – Ensuring Safety In Gravity Fall Applications it gives a highly insightful overview of explosive protection in relation

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to metal detection, ensuring the highest levels of manufacturing safety are maintained.

The paper specifically discusses the varying ATEX guidelines and standards which govern Europe and the rest of the world.

The key areas outlined include: • explosive-proof protection – the three stages of metal detection protection • playing it safe – EU and ATEX directives • zone classification, temperatures and EX markings • safety first – product approval in EX areas.

Maintaining compliance to ATEX regulations during production ensures good manufacturing practices for enhanced product quality and safety.

Mettler is the leading supplier of quality weighing and measuring

solutions, and the world’s largest manufacturer of weighing technologies for use in laboratory, industrial and food retailing environments. It has also a premier position in many in many in-line process monitoring applications.

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special focus: software & systems

Keep a clear head for data storage When it comes to upgrading or buying a data storage system it pays to ask a few simple questions first, advises Tony Liddair, Managing Director of WMS developer MACS Software

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hoosing the right data storage system for your company can be a challenge.

For example, should you go for cloud computing or the traditional standard local server approach?

Software vendors tend to extol the virtues of their own products, which can lead to unbalanced comparisons and inappropriate choices.

So, it’s important not to lose sight of what you want the new system to achieve, and work with your software provider to arrive at the right solution for your business needs.

Rather than getting bogged down

technicalities of a prospective new system, it’s better to look at the practicalities of how the system would work on a day-to-day basis and ask some simple questions.

• Do I control my own destiny – if my vendor goes bust, can I demand return of my data?

Sound advice: • Servers can always fail, but what’s Tony Liddair my backup operating procedure and am I comfortable with that?

• What happens if the Internet fails or there’s a fire at the software hosting company?

• What are the costs of software payments and associated infrastructure?

• Am I absolutely sure that I can easily change the number of

licences that I will need – in both the short term and the long term?

• Do I need remote access to the IT system?

It’s important to consider these questions carefully before making a decision, and to use a good software company that tailors its solutions to customers’ needs, not its own ideology. estherd@macs-software.co.uk www.macs-software.co.uk

New software provides KPIs on the move

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martGlance is a new mobile industrial reporting business tool that provides secure, on-demand access to rich, graphical KPIs from any operation’s data source.

This information is available through a native mobile application optimised for any mobile device.

The new technology enables industrial personnel to make smarter, faster and more accurate decisions, claims SolutionsPT, the sole distributer of SmartGlance in the UK and Ireland. It also offers the ability to take prompt action, and to share data with colleagues.

SmartGlance gives access to data from different manufacturing sources – including SolutionsPT’s own Wonderware systems but also other systems – and can provide important business data alerts and notifications.

Additionally, it can push data from virtually any source, including popular process historians and any

14 | www.mepca.com

SQL database. As well as its fast and simple implementation, it has only a small installation footprint and no additional hardware is required.

Sue Roche, Business Manager, Wonderware UK and Ireland, SolutionsPT, said “Mobile industrial data reporting is an emerging trend

The SmartGlance mobile reporting tool can be optimised for any mobile device

in industrial IT. “We wanted to ensure our customers have the option to keep up with the latest advances in technology and be able to access to their information, analytics and KPI’s to the mobile device of their choice.

“Having access to the right information at the right time, means customers will be able to assign resources and resolve issues quickly.” wonderware.co.uk/ products-and-technology/ smartglance/46 solutionspt.com

™

New alternative to cutting pipes and mechanical meters from Micronics, for simple, low cost flow measurement

from outside the pipe!

The U1000 is an ultrasonic clamp-on flow metering solution for measuring flow rate with a volume pulse output and optional flow rate signal, which can be used as a stand alone meter or as an integral part of an aM&T or BEM’s system.

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special focus: software and systems

Software that makes plant management easier Why should a plant manager care about product lifecycle management (PLM)? Chuck Cimalore, President and Chief Technical Officer of PLM provider Omnify Software, explains

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roduct Lifecycle Management (PLM) software provides a central location to manage all information associated with a product, automates processes and provides tracking capabilities to easily capture and resolve issues.

With the ability to share information across an enterprise, PLM technology touches many phases of the engineering design and manufacturing cycle.

As PLM has evolved from managing core engineering data to encompass more information management downstream, the opportunity for plant managers to exploit this technology is obvious.

PLM supports the plant manager’s need to implement policies and procedures that maximize manufacturing and logistics efficiencies. The ability to aggregate data from various sources into a single database/reporting dashboard offers a way to easily identify process inefficiencies in a holistic manner.

So, here are five reasons plant managers should consider PLM: Manufacturing floor efficiencies: PLM contains the most current product information.

Giving manufacturing personnel access to the data within PLM helps ensure plant floor employees are using correct revisions and documentation, helping to reduce costly manufacturing errors.

Project and process management: Project management within PLM ensures

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a smooth transition from product release to production. Plant Managers gain an insight on progress on upcoming production runs and new introductions. This gives Plant Managers a more accurate prediction of product completion and delivery and helps them make better resource allocation decisions. In addition, manufacturing process management (MPM) capabilities in PLM provide personnel with direct access to all product and component records.

This can help eliminate inventory surplus and significantly reduce costs.

Closed-loop processes: With its ability to manage quality processes and tie this information directly to the product record, Plant managers can use PLM to implement a closed-loop process.

PLM can give Plant Managers visibility into issues such as non-conformance results from audits and customer feedback to help them track and resolve problems more easily.

Automated training processes: Plant managers need to ensure personnel are properly trained before performing a task.

Implementing

“The opportunity for plant managers to exploit PLM technology is obvious,” says Chuck Cimalore (pictured below).

an automated system to facilitate training control helps keep staff adequately trained and ensure they adhere to company and regulatory policies. Managing training within PLM offers the facility to track and document all training records, implement automated machine calibration processes, and easily identify recurring training, test and calibration events. Most importantly, it provides automatic alerts on policy and standard operating procedure plus product and document changes, to ensure training is always up to date.

Simplified compliance: Meeting various internal and external compliance requirements is a key job for plant managers. The automated tracking, alerting, reporting and permission capabilities available in PLM simplify compliance processes for regulatory bodies as well as for customer, vendor, and internal audits.

Conclusion The more automated and streamlined an organisation is, the more efficient.

With the great capabilities of today’s PLM solutions, combined with the depth and breadth of centrally located information they can provide access to, means it makes sense to take a closer look at what PLMs have to offer. www.omnifysoft.com

Another NEW addition worth closer inspection.

Introducing the new Albion Solenoid valve.

Albion’s new Solenoid valves are just the latest addition to our ever-expanding industrial valve range. Brass, Stainless Steel and high temperature options come as standard and, like all of our products, they have been designed and manufactured to deliver optimum performance time after time. All of which is worth checking out, even before you check out the price.

But don’t take our word for it - ask your local distributor for Albion and see for yourself.

Ask your local independent distributor for more details or visit

www.albionvalvesuk.com

Tools out of the box for your business.

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www.mepca.com | 17

special focus: research & development

Laboratories research risk from fire and weather Scientists and engineers at 160-acre campus investigate causes of commercial property damage and what companies can do to better protect themselves

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anufacturing environments can be hit hard by accidents or extreme weather, damaging facilities and causing production downtime. So, is anyone doing research to minimise the risks?

FM Global offers much more than commercial property insurance to its customers by way of the results that are coming out of its 1,600-acre research campus.

The work being done at the campus helps manufacturing companies understand how to prevent threats to their properties and operations – and therefore their profit, market share and revenue – by building resilience to situations like fire, explosions, floods, hail, equipment breakdown and even earthquakes.

At the complex, scientists and loss prevention engineers conduct research in four main laboratories: fire technology, natural hazards, electrical hazards and hydraulics.

Fire Here, the aim is to study the dynamic of fire with facilities that can replicate a warehouse fire up to 2,000°C. The laboratory is used to advance understanding of fire and its effects on different types of material, heat release rates of configurations of material, and combustibility and protection requirements of different commodities used by factories. Through full-scale testing, researchers and engineers develop property loss prevention solutions.

Hydraulics Projects undertaken here are driven by the needs of industry and clients’ desire for fire protection.

Sprinkler performance capabilities 18 | www.mepca.com

are tested so there is no question around its effectiveness. In both wet and dry conditions technicians perform hydraulic, mechanical and environmental tests on fire protection components.

A fire test on a storage rack within a manufacturing plant

Natural hazards FM Global understands that some companies have operations in countries that at high risk from natural threats, for example Asia. Its research following Hurricane Andrew in 1992 led to recommendations that showed an 80% reduction in losses when compared to other exposed areas with no risk management in place.

Researchers can replicate the toughest phenomena, including hurricane-force wind of 160 mph.

The laboratory has hail guns that launch ice balls of varying size to replicate a hail storm, and a debris cannon shoots simulated wind-blown projectiles. It is also equipped with an ultraviolet xenon that can speed up of the process of weathering and the sun’s radiation effect on manufacturing plants.

FM Global has laboratories where engineers and technicians perform hydraulic, mechanical and environmental tests on fire protection components

Electrical hazards FM Global’s R&D centre, based on Rhode Island, USA, is well aware that electrical ignition sources have been identified as one of the top three causes of fire and explosions in buildings, so its tests include pumping gas and electricity into equipment to ensure it is flame/ explosion-proof. State-of-the-art gas flow instruments and monitoring systems allow engineers and technicians to accurately prepare enclosures of various sizes for explosion testing, and provide the capacity to run tests on some of the largest electrical equipment in the world.

FM Global understands that any business disruption can be extremely damaging and see the results of its research work as mutually beneficial for its needs and the needs of its customers.

The company has offices in Manchester, Windsor and London.

See its website further contact details. fmglobal.co.uk

DS-OCT12-BLACKFAST_Layout 1 20/09/2012 16:28 Page 1

Tel: 0208 339 7370 462 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7EL, England

Fax: 0208 339 7371

Email: sales@blackfast.com Web: www.blackfast.com

www.mepca.com | 19

special focus: research & development

University’s message: cutting-edge research can benefit business Companies urged to understand the real value of working with scientists and technologists in academia to develop new products and services

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utting-edge research and innovation can drive business development – and universities like Leicester are already working with the manufacturing sector to do just that.

The university’s recent Innovation Leicester 2013 conference was an opportunity for senior managers and research and development directors at medium and large companies to hear that message and learn from key industry figures, technologists and academics the value of collaborating with universities.

The University of Leicester took the opportunity to showcase its Advanced Structural Dynamics Evaluation Collaborative (ASDEC), the UK’s first commercial 3D laser (non-contact) structural dynamics vibration testing and analysis centre for the automotive, aerospace and space industries.

ASDEC is a joint project between the University of Leicester and Polytec UK, originally funded by

20 | www.mepca.com

a £1 million grant from the UK Government’s Regional Growth Fund. ASDEC is the only centre in Europe to provide modal analysis, modelling and certification services.

A joint-venture company called Scionix Ltd has also been set up by the University of Leicester and Whyte Chemicals Ltd. The company works with ionic liquids based on choline chloride (vitamin B4), which is based on the Mtonne p.a. scale, meaning that the ionic liquids can be applied to large-scale processes for the first time. The company is the world’s largest manufacturer of ionic liquids. Applications include electrodeposition of chromium, zinc and various alloys, electropolishing, ore processing and synthesis.

In a different field of technology, the university has been working on an instrument called CityScan that creates virtually real-time, 3D maps of pollution, monitoring of nitrogen dioxide and aerosols. It opens up new areas in emissions monitoring,

pollution measurement and air quality control for manufacturers which need to meet environmental regulations.

Working with design agency Sheridan & Co, which manufactures cabinets for retailers, the University’s Department of Chemistry helped develop a new, greener version of mdf (medium-density fibreboard).

Meanwhile, scientists at the university teamed up with the Food and Drink iNet and local business Just Egg to find ways to recycle waste egg shells, turning them into plastics that could be used to manufacture anything from food packaging to construction materials.

The University of Leicester’s intellectual property and knowhow can be licensed to companies looking to improve their products and services and has an impressive track record of delivering cuttingedge research in collaboration with industry and the public sector.

Its work with industry includes collaborative and contract research, KTPs (knowledge transfer The University of Leicester has partnerships), analytical services, set up the UK’s data analysis, field-based surveys first commercial and studies, advice on funding.

Enterprise and Business 3D laser Development at the University of (non-contact) Leicester is led

by Caroline Quest. structural Caroline can be contacted by email dynamics vibration testing cq17@le.ac.uk or by phone on 0116 252 2487. and analysis To find out more about the centre for the university’s spin-out companies automotive, based on commercialising research, aerospace contact Chris Jones, Head of and space Research Commercialisation and industries Technology Transfer, on caj24@ le.ac.uk or call 0116 223 1054.

2.le.ac.uk/business

The Bifold Group Broadens its Valve Line with a Range of Medium Pressure Ball and Needle Valves, Delivering Safe, Reliable Operation up to 20,000 psi / 1379 bar.

The range comprises of needle valves, ball valves, manifold valves, check valves, fittings and adaptors. The valves are designed with unique features and offered in a wide range of configurations, alongside many standard features which makes the product far superior to conventional products on the market.

Our medium pressure ball valve range is available as a floating or trunnion style, with an operating temperature range of -46ºC to +225ºC (-20ºC to +180ºC) as standard.

Our medium pressure needle valve range is designed with a unique maintenance free stem sealing system, with an operating temperature of -73°C to +315°C (-20°C to +170°C) as standard.

High tensile 316L CW stainless steel.

Innovative locking device available on the ball valve design, which does not compromise through panel mount function.

Maintenance free stem sealing system eliminating loss of integrity.

A secondary metal to metal seal design provides a failsafe open and close system.

Tested in accordance with API 598 & BS EN 12266-1.

For more information Bifold, Greenside Way, Middleton Manchester, M24 1SW, UK. Tel: +44 (0)161 345 4777 Fax: +44 (0)161 345 4780 Email: marketing@bifold.co.uk Web: www.bifold.co.uk

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special focus: research & development

Hold your nerve and commit to the long term British engineering company Renishaw has maintained annual investment in R&D, but warns that it can take time to take fledgling technology to commercial launch

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or award-winning British engineering company Renishaw, research and development is a commitment to the long term.

R&D has always been at the heart of the business, with annual investment around 18% of sales turnover to maintain its leadership in various technologies. Sir David McMurtry, Chairman and Chief Executive, says: “Innovation is at the heart of everything that we do as a business, from the products that we produce, the processes used in their development and manufacture, to the way that we service our customers.”

Renishaw is used to taking a long-term view of engineering and science-based projects, but as Group Engineering Director Geoff McFarland says: “It requires a passionate belief in the ultimate commercial viability of the technology, and the ability to hold your nerve, because the length of time from fledging technology to commercial launch is regularly underestimated.”

A good example is the company’s Raman Spectroscopy technology, used to identify the composition and structure of materials, which was originally developed together with Leeds University in the 1980s.

Renishaw struggled for a long time to take it from a laboratory setting to a product that could be successfully manufactured in volume, and then on to real commercial success.

However, that faith has now been repaid and when the downturn hit global manufacturing in 2009, it was a product line that continued to grow.

Renishaw is an award-winning global company with products used for applications as diverse as machine tool automation, coordinate measurement, additive manufacturing, gauging, Raman spectroscopy, machine calibration, position feedback, CAD/CAM dentistry, shape memory alloys, large scale surveying, stereotactic neurosurgery, and medical diagnostics.

The majority of Renishaw’s R&D is carried out at its Gloucestershire

Renishaw’s Group Engineering Director, Geoff McFarland

HQ, but it has a strong relationship with universities. In recent years it has worked with Bath University on materials research and Brunel University on coatings.

Geoff McFarland adds: “We currently work with just 12 UK universities, with whom we have built up relationships over many years. We focus on the UK because face-to-face contact is we believe key to maintaining focus and driving forward the research to ultimate commercial gain.” renishaw.com

ABB’s new reaction monitor provides fast and flexible device for laboratories and pilot plants

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BB has launched a dedicated in-situ monitor for research laboratories and pilot plants in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.

The MB-Rx reaction monitor features a rugged Hastelloy ATR probe and an intuitive software interface, offering a fast and flexible solution for setting up a wide variety of experiment templates.

The MB-Rx provides a powerful

22 | www.mepca.com

tool for operators looking to obtain a real-time insight into chemical reaction dynamics. The MB-Rx enables key parameters such as kinetics over different phases, reagent consumption and the synthesis of products and byproducts to be assessed in real time.

For more information email moreinstrumentation@gb.abb.com or call 0870 600 6122. abb.com

The MB-Rx is compact and easy to install

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Request a quote and win an iPad! We are giving away an iPad every month; for details visit www.stertiluk.com/iPad

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Engineered for Excellence

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www.mepca.com | 23

innovation

Impressive hightemperature pressure sensor launched by ifm electronic User-friendly, tough, hygenic and flexible, the PI22 series has a lot to offer manufacturers

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he latest in the PI22 series pressure sensors from ifm electronic is remarkable in a number of ways, not least for it’s incredible versatility.

It can work at medium temperatures up to 200°C to as low as minus 25°C and register pressures up to 25 bar with an 80 bar overload.

The PI22 can be what the user wants it to be: • connect just two wires and it becomes a loop-powered 4-20mA pressure transmitter, with

Easy to use

a display • connect three or four wires and it can be a pressure switch with two independent switchpoint settings.

However it is connected, the PI22 series is still a hygienic, accurate pressure sensor.

The sensor’s 1½-inch hygienic clamp fitting, stainless-steel diaphragm, high-grade stainlesssteel body construction and IP69K rating, ensure that the PI22 series is perfect for food production. This claim is backed by compliance with FDA, 3A and EHEDG. Remarkable: the new PI22 series sensor

24 | www.mepca.com

Setting the PI22 is simple using either pushbuttons next to the display or via IO-Link.

The ability to use IO-Link enables the user to remotely access the PI22 pressure sensor for reasons of setting adjustment, or to take the pressure value directly without potential loss in accuracy as a consequence of the pressure conversion into mA. Also, an advantage to OEM’s and end-users alike, the use of ifm electronic’s memory plug gives the opportunity to save settings and transfer them to another device.

Another feature of great benefit is the inclusion of a calibration certificate – at no extra cost.

Industry practice to date has dictated that calibration certificates must be ordered separately, often at considerable cost. Not any longer, thanks to ifm.

The electrical connection to the PI22 series is made using a standard M12 connector, and use of an ifm EVT series socket will guarantee the IP69K rating.

As a company, ifm is committed to working closely with its customers to develop products which precisely match their needs. In addition, the company provides expert, readily accessible technical support to help users maximise the benefits they gain from ifm products.

020 8213 0000. gemma.anderson@ifm.com ifm.com

Whatever the future looks like…

…Demag KBK will enable you to achieve optimum load handling

Since it was launched in 1963, the KBK light crane system’s versatile and modular design has provided countless opportunities for overhead materials handling solutions, without sacrificing valuable production floor space. Our expertise and many years of experience help you to transport your loads quickly, accurately, smoothly and safely, today and in the future.

Tel: 01295 676177 help@demagcranes.com www.demagcranes.co.uk

Register online at: www.tacook.com/processsafety International Conference: 21 – 23 October, 2013, London, UK

World Class Process Safety Management 2013 For Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Oil & Gas and Power Generation

Conference Highlights Include: » 3 dedicated tracks for the chemicals & petrochemicals, oil & gas and power generation industries » Industry, regulatory and thought-leader keynote presentations » Case studies from major international operators

» 3 in-depth pre-conference workshops » Cross-industry best practice panel discussions and roundtables featuring industry experts » Networking breaks, evening event and speakers Q&A's

Hear Case Studies and Expert Presentations From: BASF Centrica DONG Energy EDF Energy Energy Institute ENI GDF Suez Exploration & Production HEAR REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES, DISCOVER BEST PRACTICES AND TAKEAWAY KEY INFORMATION ON: » » » » » » »

Process safety leadership and key performance indicators Achieving workforce involvement and buy-in Successfully implementing process safety models across multiple sites Overview and cause analysis of potential high risk events Ensuring a reliable mechanical integrity programme for ageing assets Evaluating process safety in design and audit system development Managing and improving process safety culture

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13 16:26

World Class Process Safety Management 2013 For Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Oil & Gas and Power Generation October’s event offers an opportunity for process safety and asset management professionals to come together and share best practices with peers from across the international community. Not only will they hear first-hand accounts from major global operators, they will also have the opportunity to assess and benchmark their own process safety performance.

In order to prevent future incidents, ensure continued improvement in asset performance and develop a world class process safety management programme, significant investment, leadership and competence is needed at all levels of any organisation. This is why workforce involvement and buy-in, leadership and demonstrating competence from the board room to the floor will be some of the key themes featuring throughout World Class Process Safety Management 2013.

T.A. Cook Conferences, in association with the European Process Safety Centre, would be delighted to invite you to join us at this third annual conference. Taking place from 21 – 23 October, 2013, in London, this year’s event is particularly unique as it offers three dedicated tracks for the chemical & petrochemical, power generation and oil & gas industries.

Over the course of the three day event attendees will hear from major international organisations such as BASF, Centrica, DONG Energy, EDF Energy, ENI, GDF Suez Exploration and Production, Synthomer, and TOTAL. Operator led case studies will focus on managing and improving process safety culture, achieving workforce involvement and buy-in, analysing process safety in design, managing audit and control systems, process hazard analysis and more.

The Health and Safety Executive and Energy Institute will also share their thoughts on process safety leadership, key performance indicators and how organisations can measure and analyse their own safety performance.

Lee Allford, Operations Manager for the European Process Safety Centre and conference chair says: “This is my third year of being personally involved with this event and I must say that I’m looking forward to it because of the

Process_Safety_2013_Advert.indd 3

opportunity to hear the emerging issues related to “doing process safety”, as well as the perennial challenges which are a constant in any major hazards sector.”

This event is designed to stimulate open discussion, with pre-conference workshops, best practice panel discussions and roundtables built into the agenda to allow you to have your questions answered and discuss the latest issues with your peers. When asked what delegates can expect, Lee Allford commented, “this is a great chance for attendees to reflect on where they feel process safety is within their own workplaces, reassurance that they might be on the right track and a realisation that there is still inevitably work to do. But where to focus effort and how quickly? I expect the conference to go some way to answering these fundamental points”.

There will be plenty of opportunity to meet with your colleagues during our designated networking breaks and within the conference exhibition. We also invite you to join us at our networking evening event on Tuesday 22 October, where you will have the opportunity to share your thought from the day’s conference in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Don’t miss this opportunity to become part of an international process safety community, benchmark your safety performance, profit from the experience and knowledge of our presenters and take away invaluable best practices and lessons learned.

For more information, please contact: E-Mail: info@tacook.com Phone: +44 (0) 121 200 3810 www.tacook.com/processsafety

12.08.13 16:26

innovation

Making a big noise about protecting workers’ hearing Global growth is on the agenda for successful UK manufacturer Pulsar Instruments

N

oise measurement product manufacturer Pulsar Instruments is targeting global growth after launching its new range of Pulsa Nova highperformance sound-level meters.

The company, based in North Yorkshire, has invested in developing the new range of professional noise meters, designed to help employers comply with noise at work regulations and protect workers operating in noisy environments.

Sarah Brack, Managing Director for Pulsar Instruments, said the new Pulsar Nova range of six powerful sound level meters will open up new markets for the business.

“We aim to take the brand global to lift our company to the next stage of its development. Pulsar

Instruments has been successfully involved in the noise measurement industry around the world since 1969 but this latest launch is going to help grow the business further.”

She added: “It will open up opportunities within a variety of health and safety settings, mostly in noisy industries such as quarrying, recycling, construction, manufacturing, engineering, and transport in any countries concerned with achieving safety compliance. Increasingly, hearing loss is a recognised global problem.”

Sarah said the launch of the new range, which took place during the Safety & Health Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham in May, created work for local companies such as photographers, designers, printers and promotional companies involved

Pulsa Nova sound meters will open new markets

in the project.

The Pulsar Nova range is designed and manufactured in North Yorkshire, reflecting the organisation’s continued desire to support the local economy.

01723 518011 sales@pulsarinstruments.com pulsarinstruments.com

Flow measurement tool ‘like having X-ray vision’

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emonstrating the benefits of Sustainable Water Treatment on existing building services is a major factor in the take-up and case for investment.

Such benefits include potential improvements to performance and energy savings.

Being able to demonstrate what’s flowing where, not flowing or even flowing backwards, goes a long way to establishing confidence with potential customers! Yet, surveying existing large-scale heating and hot water supply installations before introducing improvements can be a daunting task.

But water treatment specialist Environmental Treatment Concepts (ETC) www.electronicdescaler. com has found the PF330 portable clamp-on flow and heat-meter from Micronics www. micronicsflowmeters.com ideal for the job.

28 | www.mepca.com

ETC helps commercial and industrial clients save thousands of pounds with its Effective Physical Water Treatment. Hard water can reduce heat exchanger energy efficiency by up to 40%, due to limescale build-up. ETC’s water treatment products helps prevent new limescale and reduce existing deposits.

ETC uses the Micronics PF330 time of flight, portable flow instrument – plus heat-meter data-logger – to provide essential information for assessment and timeframes for improvement. The Micronics products identify poor performance before installation and improved efficiency afterwards.

Micronics has long-term experience in non-invasive, clamp-on technology and excellent product performance and pre-order assistance.

Simon Elliot, ETC Technical Services Manager, said: “The PF330

Invaluable: the Micronics PF330

has proved great for plant surveys, identifying things like circulation shortfalls and even pumps going backwards. It provides a real insight into what’s going on, like having X-ray vision. It’s also valuable for demonstrating how our installations improve performance and reduce energy consumption.”

01628 810456 micronicsflowmeters.com

training

Major employers to train future engineering talent More than 90 government-backed Higher Apprenticeships are set to be offered in the drive to create the next generation of UK engineers with the skills for a variety of roles

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onstruction giant Skanska and strategic outsourcing company MITIE are blazing a trail in training for the next generation of UK engineers.

They among the first businesses to offer training for a new government-backed qualification – the Higher Apprenticeship in Engineering Environmental Technologies.

In less than two months since the qualification was launched, more than 40 high-level apprenticeship places have been confirmed with a further 53 places expected from other employers in the construction, manufacturing and building services sectors.

EngineeringUK, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes all aspects of engineering, welcomes the scheme. Its Chief Executive Paul Jackson said the large number of signups in such a short time indicated the level of demand for skilled engineers across a wide range of industries and a variety of roles.

“It’s crucial to the economy that higher level skills are in

30 | www.mepca.com

place. This year’s EngineeringUK Report identifies the need for close to 70,000 people qualified in engineering disciplines at level three and above each year, more than double the existing numbers,” commented Jackson. “These Higher Apprenticeships take this one level higher. The combination of educational excellence and real experience in industry makes a real difference and I’m pleased to see this early success.”

More than half of the Higher Apprenticeship places will follow the building services pathway of the qualification, with Skanska taking up twelve of those places and MITIE a further six. Professional plumbing and heating company Duel Services LTD, electricians Dual Bound, building maintenance and facilities management support company SPIE Matthew Hall and Barlow’s Electrical of Cheshire have also recruited to the pathway.

Monika Gibbons, Learning and Development Business Partner for Skanska, said the company was looking forward to its employees starting the training in September.

She said: “We find this a very exciting opportunity to develop our engineers’ knowledge and competence and give them a worthy qualification. Higher apprenticeships are an excellent way to develop staff who are keen to progress and improve their career prospects.

The scheme is delivered on a day release which is very convenient not only for the students but also for the company minimising time off work.”

NE Plastics from Kent, Londonbased print services and supplies company Studio Tone, medical instrument manufacturer Clement Clarke International and Cummins Turbo Technologies of Huddersfield have committed to train apprentices for the qualification’s manufacturing pathway. In addition, North London business Cape Construction looks set to take on two construction apprentices.

All the apprentices will train in the workplace and with one of nine regional training providers each with strong engineering expertise, including City and Islington College in London which was the lead developer for the new Higher Apprenticeship.

Trevor Hunter, Deputy Director of Trevor Hunter of Apprenticeships at City and Islington City & Islington College, said: “We’re absolutely College is delighted with the number and impressed quality of employers committing by the new to this exciting new Higher scheme Apprenticeship.”

The Government has clearly identified engineering as a highgrowth industry and employers’ concerns about the acute shortfall of around 42,000 highlyskilled engineers have prompted the development of the new apprenticeship scheme.

020 7700 9419 futureengineeringtalent.co.uk

When health and safety depend on it - specify

BVC Industrial Vacuum Cleaners BVC’s new range of vacuum cleaners have been specifically designed to meet the demands of industry and commerce.

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BVC Central Vacuum CastleShopAd_A6_aug13_MEPCA.indd Cleaning Systems can work in conjunction with Industrial Vacuum Cleaners or as stand A schematic showing a typical Central Vacuum Cleaning System alone systems. They provide vacuum connection points for cleaning around the factory, plant or lab. Dust and debris is conveyed through the pipe system to a filter separator for safe disposal.

1

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Part of BVC ‘s range of Industrial Vacuum Cleaners

BVC A Quirepace Company

BVC, Harbour Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1BG Tel: +44 (0) 2392 603700

e-mail: enquiries@bvc.co.uk www.bvc.co.uk

BVC - at the forefront of vacuum tech www.mepca.com | 31

manufacturing & engineering

The people to turn to for precision engineering

I

f you need fast, high-quality turning and milling services, precision engineering company Acrona Engineering is here to help you.

Acrona draws on more than 35 years of experience in cutting edge machining technology to ensure total quality management of our services.

We’re renowned not just for the quality of our components, but also the speed and ease with which we deliver our service. We’re efficient, accurate, reliable and our service includes delivery to customers UK wide.

As testament to this, we supply components and assemblies to a diverse range of industries, including Cryogenics, Medical, Nuclear, Aerospace, Orthopaedic, F1 Motor Sports, Marine, Electronic and Food Processing.

In line with our ISO 9001 accreditation, full traceability and conformity documentation is readily

available via our computerised quality management system, JobShop. This customised software provides fast processing of enquiries and quotations and to ensure smooth workflow control.

And we can complete precision mechanical sub-assembly and testing, where required.

Our on/off-line machine programming is all CAD/CAM driven, using Pathtrace Edge Cam software’s sophisticated CNC milling and turning capabilities. So, not

Acrona supplies components and assemblies to a diverse range of industries

only is our machinery more flexible than most, but it allows us to turn around each order in the shortest timescales.

Acrona’s milling and turning capabilities are complemented by a full range of finishing and treatment processes via our approved contractors.

Right now we have capacity on both turning and milling, so we’d be delighted to quote you for all your machining needs. sales@acrona-engineering. co.uk acrona-engineering.co.uk

High precision components and assemblies for research and industry T: 01993 880588 F: 01993 880590 E: sales@acrona-engineering.co.uk W: www.acrona-engineering.co.uk 32 | www.mepca.com

Risk Management Specialists Health and Safety Employment Law Environmental Compliance ISO Accreditations THSP provide documentation, training, site inspections, audits and advice to all sizes and types of businesses throughout the UK.

The complete solution to all your business compliance issues!

Phone us today... 08456 122 144

or visit

www.thsp.co.uk www.mepca.com | 33

innovation

Launch of new operator panels that give a consistently good interface for both basic and complex demands

B

eijer Electronics has launched new operator panel models in three integrated families.

They complete a range that, in terms of performance and display size, is suitable for every application – from basic to complex.

Customers can now choose a consistent panel design and easily scale HMI projects between them. The new operator panels are optimized for the upgraded HMI software iX 2.0.

equipment from all major vendors.

Performance levels to suit any needs Beijer Electronics’ new HMI solution comes in display sizes ranging from 4in to 21in, built on three different CPUs to offer a competitive solution for every type of application.

The smaller TxA models run on an ARM9 CPU and offer a highly cost-efficient solution with solid HMI

Beijer Electronics displays come in a huge range of sizes and capabilities

Hardware and software made for each other Designed and built with aluminum housing, Beijer Electronics’ new operator panels are robust and ensure reliable operation based on the iX software.

All models come with a comprehensive list of drivers, enabling connectivity to most

functionality for small and mediumsized applications.

The mid-range TxB models, running on the powerful Intel® Atom CPU, deliver high performance suitable for medium to large HMI applications requiring greater data handling and functionality.

With the TxC series, built on the Intel® iCore CPU, Beijer Electronics takes HMI to the industrial PC level, delivering a wide range of connectivity options and high performance for larger projects.

All models feature high-resolution displays, several have widescreen format and the largest model, the 21-inch TxC, even supports full high definition (HD). beijerelectronics. com

CAD training that delivers at all levels

M

an and Machine offers a range of Autodesk® Accredited 2D and 3D CAD training for design professionals who are new to CAD drawing software and those who need more advanced understanding.

After launched the Autodesk 2014 software updates, Man and Machine is now implementing its 2014 training courses.

A full range of AutoCAD courses is on offer. Our standard training courses include AutoCAD®, Autodesk® Inventor® Sheet Metal Design and AutoCAD® Electrical, for all of these courses we have a substantial schedule throughout 2013.

Other popular courses include AutoCAD Essentials, AutoCAD Electrical Fundamentals and AutoCAD Architecture Fundamentals.

All courses take place either in the

34 | www.mepca.com

Man and Machine Training Centre in Oxfordshire or your own offices.

They are designed to help people get the most out of their company’s CAD software investment and equip managers and staff with the skills their industry demands.

However, those who cannot make the advertised dates or are interested in specialised training can contact the company to discuss their requirements.

Where businesses have very specific training requirements Man and Machine can provide flexible training courses to give staff the skills needed to maximise their CAD design capabilities. On these courses, the content is entirely up to the client.

To ensure learning outcomes are fully met, all scheduled CAD training solutions come with post-training support. If needed, free telephone or email help is available for up to one month after training has finished.

Specific training requirements can be met

01844 263 700 training@manandmachine. co.uk manandmachine.co.uk/training

iX HMI solution

HMI. Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting touchy.

Future in a frame

TROX Advert 15.07.13_Layout 1 16/07/2013 08:21 Page 1

We understand the importance of a well-designed intuitive user interface. It reflects the quality and high standard of your business. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why, at Beijer Electronics, we made our iX HMI solution even more touch-friendly, with unique and modern navigation tools to save screen space and speed things up. You will save significant time, and your end-user will probably never ask you for the manual.

The art of handling air Components and systems supplier for: l l l l l l l l l l l

air handling units air diffusers air-water systems decentralised ventilation fire protection and smoke control volume flow regulation shut-off systems noise protection air filtration communication/automation systems ventilation solutions for laboratories

Download your free iX 2.0 demo version at www.beijerelectronics.com/iX

www.troxuk.co.uk

Beijer_HMI_100x297_MACHINERY_update_Sept_Oct_2012_engl.indd 1

www.mepca.com | 35 09:20 23.07.12

innovation

Active safety technology improves production processes Murrelektronik’s MVK Metal Safety module helps to make businesses more efficient and cost-effective

T

he automation industry is constantly looking for solutions to improve production processes while focusing on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

At the same time staff must be protected from injury or potentially dangerous situations, and machines protected from damage.

Compliance with all aspects of safety technology is backed by legislation.

Safety technology is imperative.

However, there’s a clear a distinction between passive and active safety technology.

In passive safety technology, safe installations are created by combining passive safe fieldbus modules with safety relays. If a guard door is opened or someone reaches through a light curtain, the module’s outputs are switched off by the relays and the machine’s components are safely and quickly shut down.

Passive safe fieldbus modules keep air and creepage distances.

The circuit boards have spaces wide enough to eliminate cross-circuits, ensuring no external power can interfere with the system after it has been switched off and after the safety function has been released.

Murrelektronik offers passive safe fieldbus modules (MVK Metal, Cube67 and MASI) and MIRO Safety relays. In passive safety technology, the existing safety technology (MIRO Safe) is combined with standard passive safe fieldbus modules.

The company has the experience to make setting up safe technology easier for installations that only require safe outputs in the field.

Active safety technology, on the other hand, is different.

The basic principle is that the complete fieldbus solution has to comply with safety technology requirements. Affected outputs are not only passively shut down by disconnecting voltage, but they are deactivated by the control.

These systems require individual components to meet the requirements of safety technology, a safe control (F-PLC) to transfer safe signals reliably.

Murrelektronik offers the MVK Metal Safety fieldbus module that is available as a pure input module and as mixed module with safe inputs and outputs.

MVK Metal Safety module is essential for creating the best possible fieldbus solutions that meet The MVK Metal Safety module offers excellent diagnostic functions

36 | www.mepca.com

the requirements for active safety technology and high installation standards.

Safety sensors, guard door applications, emergency stop buttons, light curtains and more are connected to the inputs and integrated into the safety system.

On the safe outputs, actuators such as valves or low power motors, are connected and these can be safely deactivated, if necessary.

To ensure safe data transfer, MVK Metal Safety uses the transfer protocols PROFINET/PROFIsafe or PROFIBUS/PROFIsafe. The product meets Safety Integrated Level 3 (acc. to IEC 61508 and IEC 62061) and Performance Level e (acc. to EN ISO 13849-1).

Standard modules can be integrated into individual lines of safe fieldbus solutions, saving wiring costs. And the fieldbus solution can be upgraded to a safe system without making substantial changes.

Other benefits include: • solid metal housing, suitable for soldering applications • suitable for rugged and extreme environments • resistance to cooling lubricants • no additional bus node has to be installed • fieldbus cable and supply voltage can be daisy-chained from one module to the next • each M12 input port has two inputs • cross-circuit monitoring • control modules that can be easily exchanged during service.

The key to cost-effectiveness in machine and system installation is reducing unplanned downtime, making MVK Metal Safety’s thorough diagnostic functions an excellent feature.

youR SySTeM PaRTneR Murrelektronik offers customers a diversified product range and can supply you with well thought-out solutions made to fit your industrial automation applications all from a single source. From the simplest of components through to complete system solutions, Murrelektronik strive to give the customer the very best in product, price, delivery and service.

From the control cabinet…

…via the interface…

…passive or active into the field

• Power supplies

• Relays

• M12 & M8 connectors

• Transformers

• Signal conditioning

• Valve connectors

• Power monitoring

• Interface modules

• Distribution systems

• Suppression & filters

• Light towers

• Fieldbus

Murrelektronik Ltd l Phone 0161 728 3133 l www.murrelektronik.co.uk l sales@murrelektronik.co.uk Systempartner A4.indd 1

15.01.2013 16:08:39

innovation

Mechanical speed adjusters for Hydra-Cell metering pumps

W

anner International has introduced a range of mechanical speed variators for manually adjusting the rotational speeds and output flows of its Hydra-Cell metering pumps.

These pumps are used in oil and gas production for injecting chemicals such as acids and bases, amine gas sweeteners, oxygen scavengers, polymers and proprietary chemicals into process streams.

Wanner is the world’s leading manufacturer of seal-less, highpressure, diaphragm pumps. Its Hydra-Cell pumps are true positive displacement pumps, delivering a flow rate directly proportionate to input shaft rpm and virtually independent of system discharge pressures.

Very precise and repeatable, infinite adjustment of shaft speed is achieved from almost zero rpm, through a simple manual adjust hand wheel.

It transmits its highest torque from speed zero, is adjustable both in operation and at rest, and exhibits linear setting characteristics.

The Wanner mechanical speed variator is ideal for use in explosive environments and is ATEX certified for zones 1 and 21, completely removing the need for complex and costly external ATEX control.

Unlike friction type variators, the Wanner mechanical speed variator operates on the elastohydrodynamic principle, producing output torque by means of a traction fluid.

This removes the possibility of

Long life, high-reliability Wanner mechanical speed variators are available for all Hydra-Cell Metering pumps from P200 to P600

mechanical slippage between input and output.

Long life, high-reliability Wanner mechanical speed variators are available for all Hydra-Cell Metering pumps from P200 to P600.

Compatible motors are also offered. www.hydra-cell.eu

Partnership forged between EMSc (UK) and Imtech

E

MSc (UK), manufacturer of the market-leading voltage optimisation solution Powerstar, has formed a strategic partnership with Imtech, the UK’s leading technical services provider.

As a result of this partnership, the manufacturer’s UK-built Powerstar range of voltage optimisation systems – including the recently launched pioneering Powerstar HV MAX system – will be integrated as part of Imtech’s low-carbon solutions offering.

Active in a number of business streams, including engineering services and technical facilities management, Imtech covers the entire mechanical and electrical chain from consultancy, design, and implementation through to facilities maintenance and management services.

The inclusion of Powerstar in Imtech’s Low Carbon Solutions offering gives the company the ability to specify a proven, dependable and secure solution offering clearly validated, guaranteed

38 | www.mepca.com

savings and transparent warranties to its clients.

Paul Burnett, Group Development Director for Imtech, will cement the new relationship by delivering a presentation at the EMSc (UK) Public Sector Sustainability Conference to be held at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 25 September.

Mr. Burnett will speak about the role of technical service providers in the transition to a low carbon economy and how this economic model influences strategic partnerships between key manufacturers like EMSc (UK)

and Imtech. Other organisations speaking at the event include the Public Sector Sustainability Association, the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management and the Co-Operative Group.

Duncan Agnew, National Powerstar consultant to the NHS, who is responsible for managing EMSc (UK)‘s partnership with Imtech said: “We are really pleased to have Imtech presenting at the conference.” www.powerstar.co.uk www.ems-uk.org

Call us today:

01386 553190 Email us:

sales@allvalves.co.uk

YOUR ONLINE VALVE, ACTUATOR AND FITTINGS SUPPLIER Offering a range of products including; ball, gate, globe, check, butterfly, tank bottom, axial, solenoid valves in a variety of materials including brass, plastic, cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel and in a range of end connections including BSP, NPT, ANSI 150 and PN16. We also offer a range of stainless steel fittings, ATEX approved fire safe & anti-static valves, high pressure valves and actuated valves.

Partners:

www.allvalves.co.uk

innovation

For hygienic valves, go to the experts Whether you already know what you want or you need some expert advice on the best product to use and how to install it, Dixon looks after its customers

D

ixon Hygienic is a leading range of stainless steel fittings, unions, tube, pumps and valves for the food, dairy, beverage and brewery industries.

Fittings are available ex-stock in a variety of types (RJT, SMS, DIN, IDF and Triclamp) with sizes from ½ins to 12ins and are either fully polished or complete with polished OD and bright annealed or tumbled ID. The range includes full FDA and 3A-approved products and also includes high-purity, BPE standard biopharm weld fittings, tees, elbows and reducers for use in pharmaceutical applications.

Dixon offers an extensive range of FDA-approved hose and hose assemblies, offering odourless and taste-free properties suitable for the transfer of liquid foodstuffs.

The newest addition to Dixon’s Hygienic offering is a range of manual and actuated multiway hygienic and industrial ball valves from ½in to 4in, and hygienic butterfly valves with EPDM, silicone or Viton seals from 1in to 10in.

All of Dixon’s high-quality ball and butterfly valves can be actuated to customer specification, with a range of stocked accessories that includes limit switches, solenoids and positioners. All actuators have been type-tested to one million cycles.

Full technical and sales support is available from their qualified technical sales team to ensure specification of the most suitable valve for your process.

The line includes diaphragm valves, manually or pneumatically operated, as seal or control valves.

Thanks to a wide variety of body materials and designs, diaphragms 40 | www.mepca.com

and actuator types, Dixon helps you find the optimal configuration for any application.

The company offers a full range of seat valves, mixproof valves, sampling, valves, overflow and valve clusters, which are primarily used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, beverage and food industries. It also provides same-day and next-day delivery on most standard actuated valves and custom fabrications – subject to customer requirements.

Selecting the correct design and specification of valve for a process can save costs, reduce downtimes and minimise product loss or contamination. From choosing the most effective seat material to the correct mounting of an actuator, Dixon can advise. The wrong choice can affect wear and tear on a valve, create problems with contamination and reduce the valve’s life.

With its on-site actuation shop, 3D design, full technical and sales back-up, and BSI-approved manufacturing and engineering departments, Dixon can design and produce individual bespoke valves and fabricated configurations to quickly and efficiently solve customer problems.

Dixon can design and produce individual bespoke valves and fabricated configurations to quickly and efficiently solve customer problems

Valves for non-hygienic application – a case study The Dixon range of valves is not restricted to hygienic applications – it also offers industrial actuated valves for process industries.

Take the case of a paint manufacturer that required a solution for moving paint that was accumulating in the void behind the ball on its non-encapsulated SVF ball valves. Dixon investigated and found the titanium dioxide additive within the paint was causing premature failure of the standard ball valves being used.

Dixon’s solution included an encapsulated ball valve, a seal with higher abrasion resistance and a larger actuator. The new valve system went through a one-year, in-service test and was a success, delivering a better performance at a competitive price. dixoneurope.co.uk

innovation

Vehicle loading is in safe hands

T

he Combilok vehicle restraint system from Stertil Stokvis supports the safe loading and unloading of vehicles within thousands of loading bays throughout Europe.

Communication between drivers and distribution personnel in loading bays can be poor.

The Combilok was developed exclusively to reduce the risk of unintentional vehicle movement on loading bays and offers a safety net against poor communication by holding vehicles in one place until loading or unloading is completed.

Not only does this improve safety, it also eliminates damage to expensive goods and equipment and helps guard against theft.

During operation, the Combilok is fully interlocked. The loading bay door cannot be opened until the Combilok is in position and the Combilok cannot be released until the door is closed again and it is safe to drive away.

Totally automatic in operation, the Combilok also overcomes any language difficulties that may arise with drivers delivering from all over the world. www.stertiluk.com

Weighing things in your favour

O

vercome the challenge of complex and bespoke OEM and production line planning with a range of checkweighing solutions from Mettler Toledo.

Request your free competence paper, Solutions for Suppliers of Production and Manufacturing Systems, to learn more about ensuring success for your line integration projects.

The paper outlines a five-point approach when considering a component supplier who can enhance both manufacturing efficiency and product quality in production line planning.

These points cover marketable technology, know-how and experience, service and support, commercial viability and supplementary services.

The paper also outlines the benefits checkweighers offer in identifying product defects and reducing wastage, while maintaining compliance to appropriate weights and measures legislation.

By choosing a reliable and established partner you can eliminate the risks associated with investing in high-capital equipment. To request your copy of the competence paper please visit mt.com/uk-oem-wp

Industrial giants gather for major offshore industry event

T

his year’s SPE Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition brings together the world’s leading industrial giants in oil and gas to share ideas, innovation, solutions and tools, and debate the key issues facing an increasingly complex business.

Offshore Europe attracts a global audience of engineers, technical specialists, industry leaders and experts.

Among those offering world-class know-how is Rockwell Automation at stand 1C52 in conjunction with strategic alliance partner Endress & Hauser. Attendees will have the opportunity to see how improved integration of information, control, power and safety solutions can make the industry more efficient and profitable.

The experienced Rockwell Automation team on-site for the event includes UK Oil and Gas

42 | www.mepca.com

Industry Manager Martin Walder, who anticipates a bigger-than-ever event.

He said: “We want to show how Rockwell Automation solutions – particularly PlantPAx, our process automation system – helps our customers converge their traditional DCS and PLC applications into an integrated asset-wide system that simplifies maintenance and reduces lifecycle support costs.”

PlantPAx is at the heart of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS) and the Integrated Power and Control System (IPCS) incorporating a class-leading intelligent motor control centre.

In addition to PlantPAx, Rockwell Automation high-availability process safety systems will be on show.

These include the AADvance subsea safety controller, partner to the traditional panel-mount product

SPE Offshore Europe attracts big players in oil and gas

sharing the same development platform and connectivity.

The joint stand will also showcase the products of Endress & Hauser – the measurement instrumentation, services and solution provider.

SPE Offshore Europe runs at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre from 3 to 6 September. emea.rockwellautomation. com/oilandgas/en

Offering the YTC range of products for Positioners and Valve Accessories Offering the YTC range of products for Positioners and Valve Accessories Electro-Pneumatic Positioners / Pneumatic Positioners / Intelligent Positioners Electro-Pneumatic Positioners / Pneumatic Positioners / Intelligent Positioners

PRODUCTS PRODUCTS DC Automation offer a range of aluminium and stainless steel products from DC Automation offer a range of aluminium and stainless steel products from Young Tech Co (YTC) including; Young Tech Co (YTC) including; *Smart positioners * Volume Boosters * Air Regulators * Limit Switch Boxes * *Smart positioners * Volume Boosters * Air Regulators * Limit Switch Boxes * Snap Acting Relays * Lock Up Valves * Snap Acting Relays * Lock Up Valves *

Call us today: +44(0)1386 553190 Call us today: +44(0)1386 553190

Email us: sales@actuatedvalves.net Email us: sales@actuatedvalves.net

innovation

Clean getaway for sensor company A specialist manufacturer best known for innovative solutions in the automotive industry has just found a new use for one of its high-quality products

G

ill Sensors has successfully installed an inductive position sensor into the accelerator pedal assemblies of ride-on domestic and industrial cleaning vehicles.

Its Blade25 sensors have been fitted on the ride-on scrubber dryers of the vehicles, providing excellent reliability and highly accurate positional measurement of pedals during operation.

The cleaning vehicle innovation is an expansion of position sensor applications for the UK-based designer and manufacture.

The company specialises in noncontact sensor solutions and is a well-known brand in the automotive industry. It has an established reputation for producing high-quality position sensors across a broad

The Blade25 sensor has been fitted to the accelerators of ride-on cleaning vehicles

exposure to dust and grit during operation and regular jet-washing in maintenance required the product to be fully sealed.

With both a linear measurement zone up to 25mm and angular measurements across 90 degrees,

The sensors fitted to the UK-built cleaning vehicles had to be capable of relaying the real-time position of the machine’s accelerator pedal and be extremely reliable... range of applications, including test laboratories for pedal, suspension and pneumatics applications.

Extremely reliable The sensors fitted to the UK-built cleaning vehicles had to be capable of relaying the real-time position of the machine’s accelerator pedal and be extremely reliable, due to the critical nature of the component.

A non-contact solution was necessary, which would last throughout the lifetime of the equipment with no need to replace worn-out parts. In addition, 44 | www.mepca.com

Blade25 easily covers the pedal movement range, proving to be the best fit for the vehicles’ layout, space and measurement requirements.

Mounted to the pedal base assembly, Blade25 measures the position of a metallic target activator formed into the pedal.

The activator passes over a series of coils mounted within the sensor.

By alternately generating magnetic pulses in the coils and measuring differences in response from the activator, its position can be accurately determined.

The sensor is neatly integrated into the accelerator unit

Challenge One challenge that had to be addressed was the sensors detecting the pedal itself, which was manufactured as a single pressed piece of mild steel. This problem was most evident when the pedal was against its open and closed bump stops, and was easily resolved by setting constant voltages beyond the upper and lower limits of the measurement range. These could be interpreted by the controller as ‘full on’ and ‘full off’ values. This had the added benefit of total inter-changeability between pedal assemblies, allowing the sensors to be standardised for production use.

With the calibration finalised, Gill was supplied with a serial data string for pre-loading into the sensors prior to despatch removing any need for assembly line calibration. In addition, the Blade25 standard cable was also customised for digital output, offering a wiring harness integrating an RS-232 connector to allow seamless integration into the machine’s existing control unit. The adapted Blade25 sensors were then truly ‘plug and play’ and could to be built to order as need dictated.

01590 613400. gillsensors.com/position

Sensors & Instrumentation for Test, Measurement & Control

25th & 26th September 2013 / NEC/ Birmingham

Mepca 0713.indd 1

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directory Circuit Protection

Level & Flow Instrumentation

SCHURTER Group A global leader in Circuit Protection, Connectors, Switches, EMC Products, Input Systems T: +41 41 369 31 11 F:+41 41 369 33 33 E: contact@schurter.ch W: schurter.com

Magnetrol International UK Magnetrol is a manufacturer of high quality industrial instrumentation for level and flow measurement of liquids and gases. Magnetrol is active in the following industries: petrochemical, chemical, power, water/waste water, pharma, and food & beverage Regent Business Centre, Jubilee Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, repRH15 9TL or01444 T: 871313 ts & ana E: sales@magnetrol.co.uk lys

Multi–tool maintenance Drives & Controls

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Alrad TE Instruments AllDrives & Controls Ltd MA K Alrad offers High speed-precise control, with OR range of CCD Unitronics PLC’s/HMI, NanotecW and CMOS stepper motors, WEG en&t Engel m cameras for use in Machine Vision gear motors equip applications as well as suitable T: 01543 271899 illumination systems. Also a range E: sales@alldrivesandcontrols. of low power laser modules incl. co.uk spot & line emitters and structured W: www.alldrivesandcontrols. light lasers, offered in a variety of software benefits co.uk• Over 20 years of delivering maintenance wavelengths and output powers suit the application.

• Range of solutions to matchtoyour specific requirements T: 01635 30345 Industrial Drum E: sales@alrad.co.uk • Proven& byJacket hundreds of customers across Heaters W: www.alrad.co.uk a wide range of industries

Mixers & Agitators

Euromixers Euromixers manufacture Industrial Fluid Mixers for a wide range of applications from general chemicals, food & beverages to pharmaceuticals – please visit our web site for further details or contact our office, we will be pleased to help.

T: + 44 (0) 161 449 8559 E: sales@euromixers.co.uk W: www.euromixers.co.uk

Rapid Manufacturing Bureau Service

Laser Lines Ltd Specialists in offering rapid manufacturing solutions for low volume production parts typically 100-off or less, eliminating the need for expensive mould tools and long lead times. We offer a cost effective and rapid turnaround of parts.

T: +44 (0) 1295 672500 E: parts@laserlines.co.uk W: www.laserlines.co.uk

Resin Flooring

Maintenance • Now even simpler to implement, to use, and to own

Safety Flooring DeckSafe Solutions Ltd Decksafe Solutions has over 20 years experience as one of the UK’s leading distributors of moulded fibreglass grating panels, constructed using continuous glass fibre strands cured with industry approved polyester resins, and anti-slip safety products, tested in accordance with BS 7976 – 2, suited to all industries.

T: 01206 395 465 E: sales@deck-safe.co.uk W: www.deck-safe.co.uk

Valves - Actuated & Manual

Dixon Dixon offers manual and custom actuated valve packages with accessories. Dixon actuators are 1 million cycle tested. On-site 3D design and applications engineer.

Full Hygienic Products Catalogue available.

T: +44 (0)1772 323529 E: sales@dixoneurope.co.uk W: www.dixoneurope.co.uk

Water & Chemical Storage

Software

• Fully feature systems start from only £1,490 Cayman Visit www.cayman.co.uk or call Venture today to find out more Limited Multi–tool solutions Tel: 0191 296 3816maintenance • Fax: 0191 296 3856 for Advanced Industry info@cayman.co.ukCentre • www.cayman.co.uk Coble Dene, Royal Quays North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 6DE T: 0191 296 3816 Laser Equipment F: 0191 296 3856 E: info@cayman.co.uk Supplies W: www.cayman.co.uk

Measurement Instrumentation

ACC Flooring Ltd Safe floors?

Are yours?

Have you got resin floor systems that are in need of refurbishment?

Are your floors posing a slip risk to pedestrians and forklift trucks?

Is down time an issue?

We can transform your factory floor in 2 days!

T: 01484 715400 W: www.accflooring.co.uk

Resin Flooring

This is the time for Export Your customers prefer to read in their

own language.

Drayton Tank & Accessories If you received a catalogue in Japanese or Ltd Arabic, would you read it? You’d probably just throw it away. But if it was in English, GRP and plastic water tanks, you’d look through it to see if it contained anything of interest for your company.

WRAS Approved, 45 – 100,000 We can translate your sales literature, ltr. One piece & two piece tanks, tenders, manuals, legal documents, etc. fittings and connections.into any language.

T: 0871 288 4213 QUICK – ACCURATE – LOW COST E: enquiries@draytontank.co.uk Our translators have worked in the industries concerned – they know the W: www.draytontank.co.uk vocabulary – they know how things work.

This is the time for Export – not just to the BRICS countries, but to any country in the world: Europe, the Far East, Middle East, South America.

You Need New Customers

Contact us for a free-of-charge quote:

TLM Laser Ltd For a solution that’s tailored to meet your laser equipment needs, just contact TLM Laser.

T: +44 (0) 845 260 2220 F: +44 (0) 845 260 2221 E: info@tlm-laser.com W: www.tlm-laser.com

46 | www.mepca.com

Castle Group Ltd You will spend so much time measuring and monitoring that you don’t want to be spending more time searching for the equipment. At the castleshop. co.uk we have a broad range of measuring and monitoring equipment to keep you on track.

T: +44 1723 584250 E: enquiries@castlegroup.co.uk W: www.castlegroup.co.uk

Resdev Limited We manufacture specialist seamless, hygienic, epoxy and polyurethane resin floor, wall and car park decking systems for application throughout the world.

Resdev has the ideal complete resin flooring solution.

T: +44(0)1422379131 E: info@resdev.co.uk W: www.resdev.co.uk

Oxford Translations Find new customers in the up and coming countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China – Tell them about your products and services in their own language.

Oxford Translation Ltd, John Eccles House, Robert Robinson Avenue, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GP T: 0330 332 6000 (in UK) T: 44 (0)1869 240 560 E: info@oxtran.com W: www.oxtran.com

Tektran Translation

John Eccles House, Robert Robinson Av The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4 tel: 0330 332 6000 (in UK) tel: +44 (0)1869 240 560 fax: +44 (0)1869 240 916 email: info@tektran.co.uk www.tektran.co.uk

New New New TCTC Model TC Model Model • • •500 500 -500 2000kg/hr - 2000kg/hr - 2000kg/hr • • •Touch Touch Touch control control control screen screen screen • • •Full Full modulation Full modulation modulation feature feature feature 50-100% 50-100% 50-100% firing firing firing • • •Natural Natural Natural Gas, Gas, Gas, Light Light Light Oil,Oil, LPG Oil, LPG and LPG and Bio and Bio Fuel Bio Fuel Fuel • • •Automatic Automatic Automatic facility facility facility option option option • • •PM5 PM5 PM5 Facility Facility Facility option option option • • •Pressure Pressure Pressure range range range upup toup to 32to 32 barG 32 barG barG • • •>98% >98% >98% EffiEffi ciency Effi ciency ciency * * * • • •Remote Remote Remote compatible compatible compatible with with with Profi Profi Profi bus/ bus/ bus/ CANbus CANbus CANbus etc. etc. etc.

• • •Steam Steam Steam in in 3 minutes in 3 minutes 3 minutes • • •Compact Compact Compact construction construction construction • • •Lightweight Lightweight Lightweight • • •Suitable Suitable Suitable forfor mezzanine for mezzanine mezzanine floors floors floors • • •Factory Factory Factory tested tested tested prior prior prior to to dispatch to dispatch dispatch to to site to site site • • •NOx NOx NOx Gas Gas reduction Gas reduction reduction option option option • • •Dual Dual Dual fuel fuel option fuel option option

Junior Junior Range Range Junior Range • • •8080 - 400kg/hr 80 - 400kg/hr - 400kg/hr • • •Natural Natural Gas, Gas, Light Light Oil,Oil, LPG Oil, and LPG Bio and Fuel Bio Fuel Natural Gas, Light LPG and Bio Fuel • • •Automatic Automatic facility facility option option Automatic facility option • • •PM5 PM5 Facility Facility option option PM5 Facility option • • •Pressure Pressure range range upup toup 32to barG 32 barG Pressure range to 32 barG • • •>98% >98% EffiEffi ciency Effi ciency * * * >98% ciency • • •Steam Steam in in 3 minutes in 3 minutes Steam 3 minutes • • •Compact Compact construction construction Compact construction • • •Lightweight Lightweight Lightweight • • •Suitable Suitable forfor mezzanine for mezzanine floors floors Suitable mezzanine floors • • •Factory Factory tested tested prior prior to to dispatch to dispatch to to site to site Factory tested prior dispatch site • • •NOx NOx Gas reduction Gas reduction option option NOx Gas reduction option

Electrical Range Electrical Electrical Range Range Compact • • •Compact Compact -8160kg/hr Steam output • • •8 -8160kg/hr - 160kg/hr Steam Steam output output Modulating ouput • • •Modulating Modulating ouput ouput Skid mountable • • •Skid Skid mountable mountable Steam 3 minutes • • •Steam Steam in in 3 minutes in 3 minutes Automatic facility option • • •Automatic Automatic facility facility option option

CERTUSS CERTUSS CERTUSS (UK) (UK) (UK) Limited Limited Limited Unit Unit Unit 4545 Gravelly 45 Gravelly Gravelly Industrial Industrial Industrial Park Park Park Tyburn Tyburn Tyburn Road Road Road Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham B24 B24 8TG B24 8TG 8TG

Tel:Tel: 0121 Tel: 0121 0121 327 327 5362 327 5362 5362 Fax: Fax: 0121 Fax: 0121 0121 328 328 2934 328 2934 2934 sales@certuss.co.uk sales@certuss.co.uk sales@certuss.co.uk www.certuss.co.uk www.certuss.co.uk www.certuss.co.uk

Duty Duty Duty Standby Standby Standby with with with CVE CVE CVE Package Package Package Plant Plant Plant

CVE Package Plant CVE CVE Package Package Plant Plant compact • • •compact compact Pre-pied, Pre-Wired • • •Pre-pied, Pre-pied, Pre-Wired Pre-Wired Skid mounted • • •Skid Skid mounted mounted Fully factory tested • • •Fully Fully factory factory tested tested Lightweight • • •Lightweight Lightweight Easily maintained • • •Easily Easily maintained maintained

Containerised Containerised Plant Plant Containerised Plant • • •Easily Easily relocated relocated Easily relocated • • •Self contained Self contained plant plant room room Self contained plant room • • •Full lighting Full lighting and heating and heating Full lighting and heating • • •Fast site Fast connection site connection Fast site connection

You have needs…we have solutions.

Professional expert advice + a wide range of products = your perfect partitioning partner!

Every situation is different but you can be confident that we will work with you to choose the system that really achieves your requirements…after all, we have been doing this for over 35 years!

Take a look at the range…

A reinforced, relocatable system ideally suited for large factories and warehouses. Used to segregate processes, prevent crosscontamination and more…

A temporary screen system designed for screening building works internally and externally in tall buildings. Perfect for protecting personnel and property from building works or the elements – ensure uninterrupted production.

A draw-aside curtaining system for dividing large areas where fully open access is required – the system can be motorised.

Segregate areas such as welding booths, paint spray or washdown areas. Control noise with acoustic curtains.

Industrial doors offering a high-speed, fully automatic operation for where regular, fast, unrestricted access is required. Suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications – used to prevent airborne contamination eg dust, odours and fumes.

Westgate Factory Dividers….for all your partitioning requirements

01785 782142 sales@westgateuk.co.uk www.westgatefactorydividers.co.uk Part of the | Westgate Group