Industry Update Issue 247

"New, versatile and flexible ambient air monitor"

a sample gas flow of 1 L/min. The calibration of the unit runs quick and automatic, while all necessary data is continuously stored in the integrated data logger. The modular version of the nCLD AL3 / nCLD 8555 CY offers optional features such as a heated inlet, pressure regulation or calibration valves, in case your application is for example the testing of specialty gases. The is nCLD AL3 / nCLD 8555 CY based on the nCLD AL2, which is QAL1 certified according to ISO EN 14211.

ECO PHYSICS AG Bubikonerstr. 45 8635 Dürnten Switzerland

Contact

vacuum pump supplies the detector with

T +41 55 220 22 22 info@ecophysics.com www.ecophysics.com

Developer Modo Bloc supports Oasis community housing to help the homeless

North East property developer Modo Bloc has announced a unique project to support and fund people experiencing homelessness across the region.

The Newcastle-based developer has formed a partnership with Christian homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing to donate £2,000 towards housing and supporting a homeless person for every new house or two flats it sells this year.

Modo Bloc has already sold two properties ‘off plan’ at its luxury, seven design-led, four-storey townhouses development, marking its first donation to the charity.

George Jenkins, MD of Modo Bloc, explained: “We have a busy, exciting year ahead with new home developments across the city – especially in and around Ouseburn. These projects will set a new standard in residential development and drive regeneration in a key area of the city.

“As part of our wider plans to be a catalyst for regeneration we felt it was important to do something with people struggling in the communities in which we invest. It’s important to look to the people as well as living places when trying to build better communities and attractive destinations.

“Oasis Community Housing has been tackling homelessness around Newcastle and beyond for years and was the perfect choice for us to work with.”

Oasis Community Housing, established in Gateshead in the 1980s, works across the North East, the South East and London to address the immediate needs and the root causes of

homelessness. It provides crisis services as well as 24/7 supported accommodation. Last year the charity supported more than 1,300 people and housed 221 individuals and families.

Hazel Ditchburn, corporate relationship manager, at Oasis Community Housing, said: “We’re delighted to have Modo Bloc supporting us in our efforts to ease homelessness in the region.

“The Modo Bloc partnership is the first of its kind. We call this cause related marketing which is essentially when we take a donation from the sale of a product, in this case a new home.”

Modo Bloc recently submitted a planning application to build a 28 unit apart-hotel with two commercial units in the Ouseburn. If passed and developed out this would see a further 14 people experiencing homelessness fed and sheltered for a year.

Construction of The Ropes, a £4m development, is due to be completed by the summer of 2023.

The Ropes is expected to be sold off-plan to homeowners and investors and are already taking registrations of interest.

For more information, see below.

www.modobloc.co.uk

ConnexInfoCloud: reduce costs and increase productivity

With magazine, brochure and book production becoming increasingly complex, it's important to know which job is currently being produced where, how much has been produced and what the idle, make-ready or stop times are. As data evaluations are becoming increasingly complex, analyzing jobs takes (valuable) time and (expensive) resources – a case for ConnexInfoCloud from Muller Martini.

Thanks to ConnexInfoCloud, from reliable and automatically generated data, stored and accessed via the Cloud (using a PC, tablet or smartphone) production is analyzed, optimization is identified and planning reliability can be increased. ConnexInfoCloud, into which all Muller Martini and third-party systems can be integrated, is a tool for comprehensive production reporting and consists of three modules.

t Module 1 – Dashboard: Enables real-time evaluation of production data – information on current job, machine status, production speed, job and scrap quantity. The dashboard is customizable and can display relevant

data for each user.

t Module 2 – Analytics: Offers targeted evaluation of data according to individually configurable filter options and it's possible to analyze the data in detail over a definable time-period and identify optimization opportunities. From this, targeted measures can be derived to increase the production flow.

t Module 3 – Reporting: Provides accurate data on production in bar and pie chart format. Reports, using filters, can be easily generated.

Customizable to each customer, ConnexInfoCloud is a modular system. You can install one, two or all three modules together as required.

Aveniq, wholly owned by the Muller Martini Group, hosts ConnexInfoCloud in Switzerland. Customers access only their own production data – Muller Martini guarantees security and confidentiality of that data.

Editor Recommends

Denso Bore-Wrap™ protects power station gas pipeline during HDD installation

WWAppletree Aircon Services Ltd

Oindispensable knowledge balanced with a personal approach when it comes to supporting the customer through the services provided.

At Appletree Aircon Services, we are fully committed in supporting the customer through their HVAC journey, ensuring you have the right environmental conditions, all the time.

01449 721 574 / 07507 664 752

inn & Coales (Denso) Ltd, leading manufacturer and supplier of corrosion prevention and sealing systems, recently supplied their abrasion resistant outerwrap (ARO), Denso Bore-Wrap™ for use on sections of a new 2.7km natural gas pipeline constructed to service Kilroot Power Station, situated on the north shore of Belfast Lough. The contract, secured by GMC Utilities Group with their joint venture partner Rayden Engineering, is part of a £600m decarbonisation scheme to transform the coal fired power station and create a new low carbon energy park.

The welded steel pipeline from Marshallstown Above Ground

Installation (AGI) to Kilroot AGI was mainly installed by open cut methods, but at road crossings, including one on the A2, the pipe was installed by horizontal directional drilling (HDD). To ensure that the integrity of the anti-corrosion coatings on the pipe was maintained, Denso Bore-Wrap was applied to these sections prior to pulling the pipe under the roadways. Once pulled through, the ARO showed no signs of damage, indicating no damage to the coatings underneath and clearly demonstrating the exceptional mechanical protection offered by the system.

T 020 8670 7511 mail@denso.net

Black&Light: Black epoxies cure under UV irradiation

With the new "Black&Light" adhesives, Panacol has developed a new adhesive technology: deep curing black epoxies. Black epoxy adhesives from Panacol's Vitralit® product range can now be cured with UV light sources in thicker layers, without resorting to secondary curing mechanisms.

Conventional black UV adhesives have a major disadvantage: the black color absorbs a high proportion of the UV intensity, which means that the energy needed to fully polymerize an adhesive can only penetrate a few micrometers.

Panacol's new "Black&Light" technology enables the complete curing of black

epoxy adhesives with LED UV energy. Depth of cure can range from a few hundred micrometers to several millimeters. The adhesives are suitable for encapsulation, glob top, or edge bonding in electronics manufacturing, as well as for optical adhesive systems where high OD values (optical density) are required. They are suitable for optoelectronic applications to help minimize reflections and enhance sensor transmission values.

www.panacol.de

Unblocktober founder Lanes Group backs plans to ban wet wipes

National drainage and wastewater specialist Lanes Group plc – founder of Unblocktober, the world’s first campaign to improve our drains, sewers and seas – welcomes proposals to ban plastic-based wipes to tackle water pollution.

The measure is part of a wider Government plan to improve water quality in rivers and other waterways

in England.

A ban on plastic-based wipes should come into force in England in the next year after a period of consultation that is due to start this month, the Environment Minister Therese Coffey told the BBC.

Similar bans have been considered in Wales and

Scotland but have not yet been imposed.

Lanes Group, the UK’s largest independent drainage and wastewater specialist, founded Unblocktober in 2019 to save sewers, waterways and oceans from sewer misuse.

The wrongful flushing of wet wipes, almost all of which contain plastic, has been a key target of the campaign, the first to encourage people to change their waste disposal habits to prevent sewer blockages and plastic pollution.

Lanes has also launched Microplastics Out of Our Drains (MOOD) a campaign targeted at advocating stricter UK regulations on the use of microplastics in a wide range of products, including wipes and clothing.

Richard Leigh, Group Development Director at Lanes, said: “We very much welcome the government’s announcement that wipes containing plastic should be banned.

“Evidence from Unblocktober make clear the urgent need to take action to reduce sewer blockages and prevent plastic pollution that damages waterways and oceans and wildlife in them.

“The enthusiastic support Unblocktober receives every year, and feedback from participants, also shows there is very strong public support for banning plastic wipes. I’m sure it’s a measure that will be widely welcomed.”

Wet wipes flushed down toilets are associated with 93% of sewer blockages and cost over £100m a year to clear up, according to water industry body Water UK.

Such blockages can result in local sewer flooding. Also, micro-fragments of plastic from wet wipes can make their way into waterways, and then out into oceans where they are ingested by fish and other creatures.

The wipes often combine with fats, oils and grease, known as FOG, to form giant fatberg blockages that can fill large urban sewers, causing flooding and undermining wastewater services for thousands of homes, businesses and public buildings.

In 2017, Lanes cleared the infamous Whitechapel fatberg on behalf of Thames Water, a process that raised awareness about serious problems caused by FOG and wipes around the world, and even led to a fatberg exhibition at the London Museum.

Around 90% of wipes sold in the UK contain plastic and should never be flushed down toilets. Only paper wipes that are designated ‘Fine to Flush’ have been shown to break up in sewers, like toilet paper, and so do not increase the risk of blockages or environmental pollution.

Previous government consultation exercises on banning plastic wet wipes have drawn strong public support, with 96% of respondents backing the idea in 2021.

Through its MOOD campaign, Lanes is seeking to raise awareness about the damage caused by microplastics by explaining what they are, as well as facts about how they get into the world’s oceans, along with the impact they have on ecosystems.

Lanes delivers sewer and wastewater systems unblocking and cleaning services for water companies across the UK, including Thames Water, Severn Trent, Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water, and Scottish Water.

It also operates a network of 21 commercial depots across the UK, delivering drainage and sewer rehabilitation services to businesses, government bodies, public sector agencies, and domestic customers.

For more information, see below. www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Game-changing high speed Eco Pumps demonstrate dilution pump evolution

Quantex is synonymous with gamechanging liquid dispense solutions. As the premium leading brand for recyclable positive displacement pump technology, the focus has been on saving carbon emissions and sustainable products for some time now. This year sees Quantex showcasing samples of its upcoming exclusive new range of High-Speed Eco-Pumps, which work three times faster than standardised pumps.

Dr Paul Pankhurst, Quantex founder, heralded a new chapter when he invented the first Quantex alternative to the traditional peristaltic pump. Following subsequent meticulous research and development over the years, Quantex brought out a succession of highly successful off-theshelf recyclable pumps, all with varying flow-rate continuums.

Quantex was acquired by PSG, an operating company of Dover Corporation and joined 13 other specialised pump and flow measurement

Oliver Valves custom-design DBBs for offshore project

Obrands. Following the highly successful acquisition, Quantex now works from its European headquarters in Duisburg, western Germany, sharing the state-of-the-art facilities with established PSG brands: Quattroflow, Almatec, and Hydro. The original Quantex UK central London office and dedicated manufacturing plant in High Wycombe, Northwest of London remain fully operational.

From its enterprising, innovative roots to exciting collaborative culture ethos, Quantex has continued to pave the way in recyclable pump technology. The full range of pumps: micro-dosing, lowflow, bag-in-box and high-flow are now followed by numbers signalling the pump’s estimated maximum litre flow rate per hour. This semantical re-branding helps customers find the ideal pump quickly and conveniently.

The high-speed/eco-pumps run across the low-flow, bag-in-box and high-flow pump ranges: QX60-HS pump, QX150-HS pump and QX265-HS pump respectively. The eco-pumps can be recycled and come with an additional 12% weight reduction.

The standard and dilution pumps formed a seal through a silicone rubber spring that squeezed the membrane against the rotor of the pump.

Some dedicated previous customers were able to successfully recycle these pumps, but it was not the most straight-forward process. The silicone needed separating from the polyolefin through grinding and flotation techniques.

The silicone spring has been completely removed in the new High-Speed Eco-pumps, using air pressure instead, to seal the membrane to the rotor. The empty silicone spring chamber is sealed, the exception being the inlet from the dilution port. A low-cost air pump is connected to the port, applying air pressure to seal simultaneously, as the Eco pump dispenses. There is a small nitrile rubber lipseal, (comprising only 3% of the pump weight) the remaining 97% polyolefin thermoplastic

material is fully recyclable.

We caught up with Gillian Harding-Moore, Director of Global Marketing, to find out more, “Our new High-Speed Eco Pumps are an exciting development for 2023. These new pumps ingeniously use air pressure to activate the diaphragm and seal the pumps instead of a silicone spring, making them more easily recycled, and they run at superior rates: almost three times as fast as our standard or high-pressure pumps.

“We are also delighted that, in partnership with sister brand, Quattroflow, Quantex is moving into the Biopharma industry: providing lowshear microdosing capacity for cell and

gene therapy as well as laboratory and upstream bioprocessing, helping provide future genetic therapies. It is great to see our pumps supporting in this important research.”

Alongside the Biopharma industry, Quantex is looking to collaborate with sister PSG brands in Industrial Cleaning, Agriculture and Retail.

The High-Speed Eco Pumps have already proved to be of popular interest across many sectors and Quantex has already seen a phenomenal doubling of pump production since 2021. The Bag-in-Box pump production will benefit from an additional automated assembly line and in-house sales forecasters are looking at a further tripling of pump production this year alone.

To find out more about the latest High-Speed Eco Pumps, see the details below:

London Office +44 (0)20 8735 5880

German HQ +49 (2065) 89205-0 quantex-info@PSGDover.com

www.psgdover.com

www.quantex-arc.com

Waikato Milking Systems

In this issue of Industry Update, we are proud to announce Waikato Milking Systems as our dairy systems and milking technology Company of the Month.

Waikato Milking Systems, a world-renowned leader in dairy systems and technology, is trusted by customers worldwide for their unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries. Their precision-designed rotary and inline milking systems, along with dairy and animal management systems, and milk cooling systems, empower dairy farmers to prioritize dairying, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

Established in 1967 within the agricultural division of Alex Harvey's Plastic Products, Waikato Milking Systems has experienced remarkable growth over the past five decades. Rebranded as Waikato Milking Systems in 1992, the company now possesses an in-depth understanding of farming challenges at all levels, supporting both small family-owned dairies and large-scale operations. With a global expansion from their New Zealand headquarters and manufacturing division, they have established offices, warehouses, and dealer networks across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, UK, Ireland, and China, serving dairying nations worldwide.

At the forefront of the semi-robotic revolution, Waikato Milking Systems stands as one of the world's largest producers of rotary milking systems and cutting-edge

smart technologies. Their strong emphasis on innovation and science drives them to pioneer ground-breaking solutions that not only reduce workload and streamline the milking process but also enhance hygiene and milk quality. Through their state-of-the-art range of automation technology, they are shaping the future of dairy farming.

Simon Hoare, UK Country Manager, emphasises their commitment to developing smart solutions using agri-tech, addressing key pain points on farms, whether in large commercial dairy operations or family farm systems.

Investing in a milking system requires a superbly designed, robust, reliable, and user-friendly solution.

The combination of a modern rotary milking system and essential automation technology brings significant advantages for optimising the performance of your dairy operation. As herd sizes continue to grow, there is an increasing demand for efficient milking systems, resulting in a recent surge in investment in rotary technology. Moreover, given the global labour shortage, rotary systems have gained popularity due to their ability to milk more cows with fewer personnel.

Our range of solutions caters to diverse needs, ranging from entry-level Orbit concrete platform systems to advanced composite platforms like Centrus and Velocity—a new cabinet milking solution. These incorporate cutting-edge automation technology for high-speed, high-throughput milking. Alongside these

advanced systems, we provide essential features such as cow and dairy management software, cow identification, sorting and animal management, dairy automation, and milk yield recording.

Waikato Milking Systems stands as a pioneer and trusted partner in the dairy industry, continuously driving innovation and providing state-of-the-art solutions to farmers worldwide. With their unwavering commitment to excellence, they have established themselves as a leader in designing and manufacturing dairy systems and technology. From their precision-designed milking systems to their advanced automation technology, they empower dairy farmers to achieve optimal performance while prioritizing animal welfare and environmental sustainability. With a global presence and an in-depth understanding of farming challenges at all scales, Waikato Milking Systems is shaping the future of dairy farming, revolutionizing the industry with their groundbreaking solutions.

Waikato Milking Systems will be at The Royal Cornwall Show (8 June), Fieldays: New Zealand (14 June) and The Royal Welsh Show (24 July)

For more information on the UK dealer network, see below:

customerservice@waikatomilking.com www.waikatomilking.com

Revolutionary breather vent testing

In

Assentech

Assentech’s

of the Month.

guide decision makers.

Recently, the UK has introduced new environmental regulations called the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) and the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.

The MCPD applies to combustion plants with a thermal input of 1-50 MW, setting limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dust. The IED covers a range of industrial activities, including tank storage, and sets limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. In light of this, operators must use best available techniques to prevent and reduce emissions and establish a reporting framework to demonstrate adherence.

Well-maintained tank storage facilities do not suffer product loss, environmental enforcement notices, litigation claims, and furthermore, the quality of stored product remains at a premium, resulting in minimal production issues with a product quality that doesn’t decline.

Tank breather valves are critical safety devices that are designed to maintain safe and equal pressure in a

storage tank unit even when it is being filled or under sudden changes in ambient temperature and will also prevent media leakage to the atmosphere.

These valves must be designed, manufactured and certified to the International Standard API2000. According to this standard every production valve must achieve at least 75% of the set pressure with a fixed minimal air feed flow rate defined in Table 10. It must also demonstrate control of the required pressure setting. A certificate that connects the individual valve serial number with the valve functional performance is essential for demonstrating competence and integrity.

Following this guidance will reduce emissions from poor venting, improve site operating efficiency, save money on emission loss, prevent site downtime, protect staff from inhaling potentially hazardous media and protect the environment. As well as evidencing compliance, duty of care and best practice.

A recent case study demonstrated that replacement of cheap, untested leaking valves were replaced with quality leak tight models. Leak rates reduced from the equivalent of 200 double decker buses to less than 20% of one bus - a saving of over £8300 in lost gas per year. The cost of the replacement valve was £6500 so a payback was achieved in less than 1 year and the happy operator received a licence to operate with a clean bill of health. The Government Environmental Impact Cost as

calculated by the IPCC dropped from £63,000 to just £57.

Assentech has revolutionised breather vent testing with ‘Vent-Less’, the world’s first mobile and automatic test bench which checks functionality, performance and leakage rate. Developed with artificial intelligence and QR code technology, Vent-Less performs comprehensive test results in a fraction of the time required to test the valve manually. The test report can be produced instantaneously including photographs and QR code technology.

T 01726 844 707 info@assentech.co.uk

Environmental monitoring with state-of-the-art solid polymer electrochemical gas sensors

Pdigital output. Users can integrate the Gas Sensor Modules into their equipment without worrying about sensor technology and calibration, allowing them to focus on their area of expertise. The module detects gas, temperature and humidity simultaneously, providing a compact, reliable, low-power solution for all gas detection needs.

The heart of the Sensor Module is a Solid Polymer Electrochemical Gas Sensor, a revolutionary innovation in the field of electrochemical detection. The technology is based on the principle of electrochemical catalytic reaction, with the target gas generating a sensor signal that is directly proportional to the gas concentration.

The EC Sense solid polymer sensors are small, robust and reliable, have a fast response time, consume no power with a long lifetime. They have a sleep mode and can be recalibrated by sending a command. www.ecsense.com

ABiral sensors incorporated into meteorological station at SaxaVord Spaceport

XX May 2023 - Bristol, UK: Leading meteorological expert Biral has announced that it has been selected by SaxaVord Spaceport to install its BTD-350 thunderstorm detector as part of a groundbreaking allin-one weather station project. Taking place in Shetland, SaxaVord is currently preparing for the UK’s first vertical rocket launch.

The meteorological system comprises a range of equipment that will enable the on-site team to assess all aspects of the weather and surrounding atmosphere in the lead-up to a rocket launch, improving the safety of each event.

With the BTD-350 thunderstorm detector, a standalone sensor that reliably detects the presence of all forms of lightning to a range of 83km, the Spaceport team will benefit from a unique quasi-electrostatic operating principle that gives the detector a very low false alarm rate and the ability to warn of the risk of overhead lightning.

Nathan Neal, Sales and Marketing Director at Biral, said, “SaxaVord Spaceport required a ‘full-service offering’ that integrated all-weather monitoring systems into one, and we are very proud to be involved in this moment of history. The BTD-350 is the perfect piece of equipment to enhance the weather

station’s capabilities, so we are very much looking forward to seeing it in action later this year.”

For more information, see below.

www.biral.com

Recycling UK Limited

Recycling UK is one of the largest independent recycling companies/traders in the United Kingdom.

From its head office at Tarporley, Cheshire, and associate processing plants throughout the UK & Ireland, it can cover most recycling needs. It also has office/joint ventures in Mumbai, India, and Waterford, Ireland.

It is a trader of all grades of waste paper & plastic in the form of bulk loose, baled, or palletised material, surplus or damaged reels & redundant stock of paper and plastic packaging and supply material to customers in the UK, Europe, India and throughout Asia.

Its wholly owned subsidiary OWP Ltd processes over 1,500 tonnes per week at a dedicated plant at Oswestry situated on the England/ Welsh border with material collected by various means within a 150 mile radius.

It also collects material throughout the UK and Ireland using trailers for delivery to Oswestry or to one of our associate processing plants.

Please contact our commercial team on

T +44 (0)1829 732471 commercial@rukgroup.com www.rukgroup.com

PrimeLab 2.0 - The ultimate photometer for water testing

Water-i.d. proudly presents its latest photometer for water testing, the PrimeLab 2.0 which can truly be called “The Ultimate Photometer”.

The amazing PrimeLab 2.0 offers users more than 140 parameters to flexibly choose from and an 18 wavelengths parallel reading sensor-set-up -compared to common high-end photometers for highest accuracy. The PrimeLab 2.0 is equipped with a 5.5’’ colour-touch-HD-display as well as with a WiFi option to communicate directly or via mobile phone with the free and powerful LabCOM software, App and cloud. In addition a QR-scanning camera is included to recognize reagents, water sources and much more. The PrimeLab 2.0 has also the capability to connect electrodes via a small box and USB for pH/EC/ORP and temperature for measuring and managing these results.

The PrimeLab 2.0 offers a step-by-step guidance for all parameters including animated graphics and many different languages to suit users across the globe.

Adapters simplify the change between 24mm / 16mm and 1ml cuvettes to ensure the best path-lengths for the different methods. Different path lengths are needed for example for the determination of Chlorine, COD, the 1-hour quantitative and certified Legionella test or for using the in-built 90° board, NTU-Turbidity, PTSA and fluorescence. These are just a few of the mentioned more than 140 different parameters the PrimeLab 2.0 has to offer.

A rechargeable 8,400 mA inbuilt Li-Io-battery ensures high performance and long operation time. Memory in the GB-range allows the storage of almost unlimited test results, all connected to water sites which the user can enter individually.

Overview

t More than 140 Parameters

t 18 Wavelengths (410-940 nm)

t 5.5“ Colour/HD Touchscreen

t Multi-Connectivity (WIFI/USB/4G/5G/Bluetooth)

t Free Softwarew (LabCOM) / App / Cloud including individual accounts and full reporting system

t Cuvettes/Adapters: 24mm/16mm/1ml

t Step-by step on screen instructions with animations

t Camera (QR-Code Scanner)

t USB Type C (charging, probe connection, data transfer and 4/5G-modem)

t Rechargeable 8400 mAh Li-Ion Battery

t Turbidity (NTU), PTSA, Fluorescein built-In (90° Detector)

t Probe-Connector (pH/EC/TDS/Temp/ORP)

www.water-id.com

Make your project possible

professionalism underpinning every project. Moreover, the company’s services are centred on three delivery principles:

t Maximising Quality: The company implements proven health, safety and wellbeing strategies to help clients achieve high quality and cost-effective work commensurate with the design of their projects.

t Minimising Risk: The company effectively manages design and delivery risk on projects to match each client’s desired risk level profile.

t Managing Compliance: The company relies on its extensive background working on a wide variety of projects to assist clients in developing, monitoring and maintaining compliance performance.

This excellent service would not be possible without the leadership of Diarmuid Condon, a construction industry leader who brings unique perspectives to encourage, support and mentor the abilities of his colleagues. As a construction professional with a surveying background and experience spanning two decades, Diarmuid is emblematic of DCON Safety Consultants Limited’s commitment to providing outstanding services to clients. Diarmuid has contributed his invaluable expertise to over 400 projects over 20 years, with a client list including public sector departments, corporate owners, real estate developers, main contractors, design professionals and infrastructural bodies. With this incredible portfolio, Diarmuid is helping DCON Safety Consultants Limited to become a leader in health and safety consultancy across the construction industry.

Key to DCON Safety Consultants Limited’s services is working as a Project Supervisor for the Design Process and CDM Advisor in various sectors across the Irish construction market. No project is too simple or too complex for the company’s construction safety consultants, all of whom are construction professionals with an average of 20 years’ experience in the built environment. The ability to maximise this knowledge and skillset means DCON Safety Consultants Limited can generate distinctive and innovative ideas from traditional PSDP service inputs and outputs.

Building & Facilities Update

Industrial and commercial gutters are harsh and challenging environments. When a gutter leaks, there are many solutions available to contractors to refurbish or repair it, including short-term liquid systems. However, some refurbishment systems are simply not suitable for industrial gutters, as they are either difficult to install or will quickly fail, causing the gutter to leak once again.

Sharmans, a UK manufacturer of market-leading high-performance refurbishment solutions, makes Plygene® Gutterline. A system specifically engineered for the gutter to prevent leaks, whilst optimising drainage performance.

As a seamless “gutter within a gutter” system, Plygene® Gutterline restores and preserves gutter performance. This makes it the gutter lining system of choice for leak prevention, providing complete peace of mind for contractors, and their end clients.

Additionally, DCON Safety Consultants Limited offers planning compliance assurance services. The ability to strategically support a positive planning decision is exclusive to the company. Its Draft Construction Management Plans (DCMP) inform the overall planning, coordination and control of a project from the beginning of construction to completion. The DCMP also safeguards the obligation placed upon a client to produce a safe, functional and financially viable project.

DCON Safety Consultants Limited also provides its main contractor clients with intelligent, practical, and reasonable physical site safety advice to support compliance and good practice adherence. Behavioural safety outcomes inform how the company approaches each solution with the contractor and their supply chain, identifying opportunities for improvement.

To complement this, DCON Safety Consultants Limited can also help with clients’ health and safety strategy. Its holistic and integrated approach can help unlock substantial benefits for clients by providing a structured, objective and SMART framework for full optimisation through the creation of an environment that embraces health, safety and wellbeing.

This means DCON Safety Consultants Limited helps clients to improve their health, safety and environmental performance; enhance staff satisfaction thanks to improved performance; improve risk management and corporate governance with a clear audit trail; gain confidence from long-term planning, better sustainability and performance;

t The UK’s most specified and installed system.

t Provides at least 20% more gutter capacity than a fold-out system.

t It’s easier to install and more effective than anything else on the market.

t 3 times more sustainable than a typical fold out system

t 25-year BBA certified guarantee, proven by use.

Plygene’s 25-year guarantee to prevent leaks is proven by actual use. When Sharmans say it’s going to last 25 years, they know that it's true. There is nothing comparable.

Sharmans provide contractors with a guarantee of unrivalled support:

t Helping permanently prevent leaks in industrial and commercial gutters.

t Providing comprehensive free training at their purpose-built UK training centre.

t A team of experts on hand providing technical and on-site support.

t Access to live tender opportunities.

t Peace of mind, from a long-established, financially stable business with a proven track record.

In order to benefit from the guarantee, contractors must complete training carried out by Sharmans, to attain Expert Contractor status, which ensures that they understand how to correctly install Plygene® and permanently prevent leaks.

and improve overall corporate reputation, including greater staff satisfaction and a more efficient procurement and supply chain.

Finally, DCON Safety Consultants Limited can offer a safety expert witness service, which is headed by Diarmuid himself. He has extensively supported safetyrelated matters, and is a certified and competent safety professional who will work with clients to identify exactly what kind of safety expert is needed. Then, he will use an extensive network of contacts to recruit the right person to protect clients’ interests.

DCON Safety Consultants Limited’s fantastic service offering and proven track record of offering leading health and safety consultancy services makes the company a worthy winner of our Commitment to Excellence award. Such achievements are proof that DCON Safety Consultants Limited is well-placed to help ensure your safety, health and wellbeing and make your project possible.

If you are interested in finding out more information on DCON Safety Consultants Limited’s full range of excellent services, head to the website or get in touch directly using the contact details below.

T +353 (0)1 611 1556 diarmuid.condon@dconsafety.com www.dconsafety.com

Automated Measurement System Company Of The Month

Giants in metrology: Dia-Stron Ltd.

In this issue of Industry Update, we are delighted to announce Dia-Stron as our automated measurement system Company of the Month.

Dia-Stron is the leading manufacturer of automated measurement systems for single fibres and filaments, including a wide variety of natural and man-made fibres.

The UK-based company are experts in fibre metrology: from R&D to production of complete scientific systems. Dia-Stron instruments can be found in the laboratories of academic faculties, research organisations working in fibre research and development, and companies developing new materials and technologies using different fibres and matrices.

Established in 1987 by Dr Steve Bucknell and Dr Nigel Winsey, the company initially focussed primarily on developing hair testing instrumentation for the personal care sector. Over time, they expanded their scope into natural and synthetic fibre testing technology.

In 2016, Dia-Stron became part of the Judges Scientific PLC group: an AIM-listed company specialising in the design and production of scientific instruments.

The headquarters in Andover, Hampshire, encompasses NPD, manufacturing, and Contract Testing facilities. With an increasing global presence, there is a North American office in New Jersey, USA for localised support.

At this years’ New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC) Suppliers’ Day, Dia-Stron revealed its recent acquisition of Bossa Nova Vision: a leading, global expert in visual testing and polarisation cameras.

With the manufacturing and testing capabilities expanding, a further premises move is planned for later this year, making this a promising and exciting year for the flagship company.

We caught up with Head of Marketing and Sales Dr Richard Blackwell-Whitehead to find out more about this UK powerhouse,

“What sets Dia-Stron apart is the ultra-low force testing of individual fibres, the ability to automate multiple measurements including inside an environmental chamber, and our unique sample mounting and handling methods.

Our plastic sample tabs, for example, were designed with alignment features to avoid off-axis shear and pre-damage issues common in the card-frame test

method used on traditional UTMs.

Dia-Stron specialise in automated, efficient workflows. We developed our first automated tensile tester in 1992; a cassette-based system that allowed up to 100 single fibres to be measured in an automated sequence, without any need for manual reloading. This automated sample handling has been expanded across our range of instruments, from tensile and dimensional measurements to more novel forms of fibre deformation such as fatigue, torsion and bending.”

The Andover-based Contract Testing laboratory offers a variety of testing services utilising cutting-edge instruments and peer-reviewed methods, in line with ISO and ASTM standards. The comprehensive testing package includes pre-test discussions, method development advice, sample preparation, running single or multiple testing methods and statistical analysis.

Dia-Stron have exhibited at three leading composite research shows in early 2023 (SAMPE US, JEC WORLD 2023 and ACCM-12) and will be present at ICCM23 (Belfast) in August, showcasing their latest release fibra.stress alongside their unique LEX/IFSS micro-bond instrument

“The LEX/IFSS provides interfacial shear data on the debonding force of micro-droplets, on single fibres and filaments. The camera and light source enable users to

visualise the fibre/droplet during the test and record the mode of failure with video and image capture. The microbond method can be applied to a wide variety of fibres and matrices and presents a strong alternative to pull-out and fragmentation testing,” elaborates Richard.

More information about Dia-Stron automated fibre measurement systems can be found on their website and LinkedIn below, or get in touch via email or in person at ICCM23 (Belfast).

T +44 (0) 1264 334700 enquiry@diastron.com www.diastron.com www.linkedin.com/company/dia-stron

Leading manufacturers of cleaning supplies

Cleenol is a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality cleaning and hygiene products. We are an independent familyowned and run company celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023 (https://project75. mycleenol.com) and can even trace its roots to the early 1700s. The fourth-generation family business – based in Banbury, Oxfordshire – has established a strong reputation for quality and customer service delivered with a personal touch. As we look forward, our ambition is to help deliver a cleaner, safer world through everything we do at every stage of our operation.

Also, an exporter to more than 20 countries, Cleenol boasts a varied client portfolio including local authorities, Government departments and appointed distributors throughout the UK and worldwide, as well as wholesalers and stockists in a range of marketplaces.

We operate in the following sectors including cleaning and FM, hospitality, laundry, hotels and holiday accommodation, manufacturing, construction, and flooring contractors, automotive and transport, tourism and leisure, education, healthcare and leisure.

Our portfolio of products covers a broad range:

Lift is a well-known brand for hard surface cleaning. British Nova is another historical brand well recognised for its floorcare product performance. We know that in the care Home environment and some school premises, OPL is a keen area of cleaning performance need and our Crystalbrite brand covers laundry at OPL’s and includes low temp products to help cost saving.

Investment in crockery and glassware can be expensive in any business. Osmos offers a broad range of warewash and glass wash products for both automatic

and manual use aimed at prolonging the life of the investment.

Our Senses handwash is designed for frequent use. It can be used to refill a wall-mounted soap dispenser and is available in a variety of scents. We have a range of super concentrates aimed at cost control, reduced packaging and transport and storage costs under the Evolution, X2 and Easidose brands that feed into our sustainability ethos that is best seen in the latest product range, edencleen.

edencleen, our latest brand, reaffirms our commitment to our credentials for environmental guardianship, and represents an evolution of what has been an integral part of our DNA. edencleen has been designed to reflect in part our vision for a cleaner, safer world, that touches not only the environmental aspects of sustainability, but has as an aim, a social ambition to leave the planet in the safe care of and for future generations. As such with edencleen, Cleenol looks to ensure transparency in our approach, which may on occasion result in some counter intuitive elements.

Combining carefully formulated products, with appropriate packaging, using recycled material or recyclable componentry, the range’s mostly colourless liquid and low fragrance usage are designed to convey a transparency and straightforwardness of our approach which will be a hallmark of all edencleen products and associated services. The range covers the essential needs to cover 80% of daily cleaning needs.

Beyond this Cleenol, a BCMPA member, is also able to develop and produce own label products to specification or tailor made to meet a customer’s specific requirements to ISO standards.

For more information, see below.

www.cleenol.com

The Advanced Materials Show Preview

The UK’s largest advanced materials exhibition and conference

The Advanced Materials Show is soon to return to the NEC in Birmingham on the 28-29th June 2023.

This free-to-attend, eagerly anticipated event will offer an unrivalled insight into current and future materials development with experts from all sides of the industry in attendance. Over 400+ exhibitors and 5,000 attendees will soon descend on the NEC excited to discover the very latest in cutting edge advanced materials, meet new suppliers and learn about all the latest innovations, techniques and technologies available to the industry.

The event will host a multi-track conference from over 100 speakers comprising of project managers, design engineers, buyers, materials scientists and senior executives. The conference will be dedicated to Graphene, 2D materials and nanomaterials, surface engineering & advanced coatings, and composites & polymers.

The show is perfect for any professional involved in industries such as space/aerospace, automotive, energy, renewables, medical, electronics, construction and defence. Materials that will be on display will include the

latest in nanomaterials, composites, polymers, ceramics, adhesives and sealants, coatings, foams, metals, textiles and thermoplastics.

This year, the Advanced Materials Show will also be colocated with The Advanced Ceramics Show, Battery Cells and Systems Expo, and The Vehicle Electrification Show.

For more information on how to register or book a stand, see below.

www.advancedmaterialsshow.com

Formatec leverages Admatec's Admaflex 3D printing technology to revolutionize ceramic manufacturing

Formatec, a leading company with over 25 years of experience in Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM), is pioneering ceramic 3D printing thanks to advanced manufacturing solutions and capabilities of its partner business. Formatec is striving to revolutionize the ceramic manufacturing landscape by leveraging Admatec's cutting-edge Admaflex 3D-printing technology to enhance ceramic component design and production.

Formatec's extensive expertise in CIM, combined with Admatec's Admaflex 3D printing technology, unlocks new possibilities in ceramic manufacturing. The Admaflex system allows for the creation of complex geometries and intricate designs that are otherwise challenging or impossible to achieve through traditional methods, enabling ultimate design for manufacturing of ceramic components.

Visit Gencoa at the Advanced Materials Show

Gencoa provide components and expert solutions for applications in the field of vacuum thin film coating, with all stages of the plasma deposition process covered by the products and services supplied.

An established manufacturer of deposition components, Gencoa also offer rapid coating development services for layer stack/device development from basic concepts to pilot scale production. In-house capabilities span assessment of existing thin film structures through to creation of new materials and functions on small to large area substrates.

Utilising glass, plastic, or metal substrates, our experienced team can deliver coating services for any application and with prior development, and cover antimicrobial, antireflective, transparent DLC, glass,

DST Humidity Control

Humidity plays a crucial role in our daily lives, influencing everything from our health and comfort to the performance of sensitive equipment and the preservation of valuable assets. That's why DST Humidity Control takes it seriously. Our team of experts has extensive knowledge and experience in humidity control, enabling us to design and implement tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.

We offer a comprehensive range of innovative products and services that cater to residential, commercial, and industrial requirements. From state-of-the-art dehumidifiers and humidifiers to advanced control systems, we have the tools to optimize humidity levels in any environment. Whether you're battling excessive moisture, preventing mould and mildew growth, or seeking precise humidity control for manufacturing processes, we have you covered.

With DST Humidity Control, you can expect unparalleled quality, reliability,

decorative and automotive applications.

Manufactured products include plasma pre-treatment and ion sources, planar and rotatable magnetron sputter cathodes, and instruments for process control and gas analysis – including Optix, a multi-purpose gas sensor capable of operating without differential pumping, and the powerful Speedflo reactive process controller.

To discuss how Gencoa's products and services can deliver solutions to meet your coating requirements, visit us at stand 1726 at the Advanced Materials Show, or contact sales@gencoa.com.

and efficiency. We utilize the latest technological advancements, ensuring our solutions are at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond product excellence - we also provide exceptional customer service, technical support, and maintenance to ensure your complete peace of mind.

Experience the DST difference and unlock the benefits of superior humidity control. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and let our experts guide you towards the perfect solution. Welcome to a world of enhanced air quality and comfort with DST Humidity Control.

www.dsthumiditycontrol.co.uk

more than 30 years' experience in manufacturing and distributing its own industry-leading materials characterisation.

Visit us at Stand 1816.

www.qd-uki.co.uk

One of the major advantages of this collaboration is the ability to produce functional prototypes during the complete product development process. This enables efficient and precise testing and validation of ceramic components, resulting in reduced time-to-market and development costs for new products. In addition, the collaboration between Formatec and Admatec allows for high-volume serial production, making it an ideal solution for ramping up initial series production and achieving increased production efficiency.

"With the integration of Admatec's Admaflex 3D printing technology, Formatec is at the forefront of ceramic manufacturing innovation," said René Bult. "Our joint offering provides unprecedented possibilities for ceramic component design and production, offering significant advantages for our customers in terms of efficiency and performance."

Rigaku

Rigaku is one of the world's leading suppliers of analytical X-ray instruments for research and industry.

The company has a rich history dating back to 1951 when it was founded in Tokyo, Japan. Since then, Rigaku has expanded its operations to include offices around the world.

Rigaku's product portfolio includes general X-ray diffraction, thin film analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, small angle X-ray scattering, protein and small molecule X-ray crystallography, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray optics, semiconductor metrology, X-ray sources, computed tomography, non-destructive testing and thermal analysis. The company's products are used for materials characterization, quality control and process optimization in various industries.

Rigaku also offers a range of services to support its customers. The company has a team of highly skilled technicians who provide installation, training and technical support services. Rigaku also offers a range of

Formatec using the Admaflex 3D printing technology presents an innovative and efficient solution for ceramic manufacturing that is poised to serve industry customers. For more information, visit www. formateceurope.com.

calibration and repair services to ensure that its customers' instruments are operating at peak performance.

Rigaku's commitment to innovation and excellence has earned the company a reputation as a trusted partner to academia and industry worldwide. As the company continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in materials science, it is poised to make an even greater contribution to scientific progress and human well-being.

Contact:

Rigaku Europe SE, Hugenottenallee 167, 63263 Neu-Isenburg, Germany rese@rigaku.com www.rigaku.com

T +49 6102 77999 51

AZO

AZO, your specialist for raw material automation and logistics in battery production - with focus on highest product and operator safety.

The protection of product and operator is of paramount importance when it comes to the reliable automation of raw materials. This is confirmed not least by the increased limits for permissible contamination values imposed by the legislator. Many raw materials are toxic or respirable and can pose a real danger to operators. Further, other raw materials can present with properties such as; explosive, shooting, poor flowing, dusting or particularly sensitive. For each of these raw materials, it is necessary to find suitable protective measures to make automated handling as safe as possible. One of these measures may be to automate the raw materials under OEL 3.

At AZO, we make no compromises here and develop products and systems that meet current standards and enable the automation of even the most critical raw materials. From the initial concept design to innovative individual components for storing, discharging, screening, conveying, dosing and weighing raw materials to the turnkey solution, the complete plant, we offer everything from a single source: Plant construction, process engineering and process IT, perfectly coordinated with each other, without interfaces.

AZO. We Love Ingredients.

For more informartion:

T +44 870 606 0642 azo-uk@azo.com

The Advanced Materials Show Preview

Purpose-built enclosures from S Jones Containers

De-risking is a significant challenge associated with developing, testing and scaling new processes. An increasingly popular solution is the use of semi-permanent, purpose-built units, such as converted shipping containers. These can contain hazardous processes and enable remote R&D, allowing companies to de-risk their R&D efforts by conducting them in a controlled environment.

S Jones Containers specialises in producing purpose-built enclosures, by converting shipping containers into bespoke units that provide the perfect operating environment for highrisk industrial equipment and processes. These modified units enable safe equipment operation in challenging locations. Our modular solutions allow you to extend and expand existing facilities.

Our industry-leading engineering capabilities sets us apart from the competition. While

www.sjonescontainers.co.uk/container-conversions

Introducing QSense Omniyour effortless QCM-D solution

QSense® Omni, the latest innovation from market leader QSense, revolutionizes your lab experience with sharper QCM-D data. As the world's leading premium QCM-D solution, QSense offers supreme nanoscale tracking of surface and interface interactions, and QSense Omni takes it even further.

Designed to meet your needs, QSense Omni delivers accuracy, user-friendliness, and reproducibility. It features capabilities like ease of use, flexibility, and automation, empowering you to make informed decisions faster.

At its core, QSense Omni technology stands for exceptional data quality, robustness, and temperature stability. The instrument provides an intuitive interface, intelligent functions, and automation, minimizing manual efforts and maximizing success rates.

New features include enhanced signal quality, enabling easier data interpretation and improving the limit of detection. The sophisticated fluidics system allows rapid liquid exchange with precise control and minimal diffusion. You can easily position sensors correctly and consistently, thanks to the automated locking mechanism. The instrument also streamlines data acquisition with automated cleaning and optimized measurement conditions.

Experience effortless QCM-D with QSense Omni and unlock sharper insights and reliable results. Join us on this transformative journey and embrace the future of QCM-D.

To learn more, visit www.biolinscientific.com

Improving safety of at-home medical devices

Healthcare organizations are seeking solutions to treat patients in home care settings to reduce the burden on traditional healthcare facilities. While this approach improves patient comfort and convenience, it can be difficult to manage compared to a controlled clinical setting where care is administered by trained medical professionals. When a home medical device manufacturer approached industrial heating technology manufacturer Watlow, for a thermal solution for its home hemodialysis device, Watlow delivered an innovative solution that not only met requirements for size and safety, but also improved the overall system.

According to the National Kidney Federation, around 30,000 people are on hemodialysis in the UK. Hemodialysis is the procedure where blood is cleaned using a dialysis machine with a filter acting as an artificial kidney.

In-home care allows for more frequent treatment, improving patient outcomes while reducing the

overall cost of therapy. In the medical device market, this trend has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has increased the demand for certain medical devices. On the other, it has led to greater scrutiny of devices and increasingly stringent safety standards. Measures used to increase safety precautions are often at odds with the need to make home care devices smaller and more portable than those used in a clinical setting.

While at home medical devices are improving comfort and convenience for patients, a number of regulations arise regarding safety. Specifically, IEC 60601-1-11 outlines safety requirements for medical devices intended for use in home care settings. Manufacturers must identify the specific product safety risks associated with using their equipment in a non-clinical environment. To achieve certification, manufacturers must mitigate those risks through appropriate product design, in addition to clear user instructions and training.

Safety, size and portability

An important consideration for any automated

medical device is electrical safety. In the design of these machines, some features are considered MOPs (Means of Protection). Medical devices need two or more MOPs to reduce the risk of electrocution. Traditionally, MOPs have been added to devices with a trained third-party operator in mind (usually in an in-patient setting), in addition to MOPPs (Means of Patient Protection).

A clinical setting allows MOPPs that are not usually present in a home setting, since the patient is now also the operator. Manufacturers must include those MOPPs in the medical device itself, which creates some additional design challenges. In a home care setting, higher levels of patient safety are required than in a clinical setting.

This is largely down to the absence of device training and the risks surrounding voltage and outlets. In a hospital, the electrical outlets are guaranteed to have appropriate voltage, be effectively grounded and tested and certified as safe. But these guarantees cannot be made for a patient’s home. As a result, MOPPs must provide much more protection, as the safety requirements for home care devices will be that much more stringent, and the clinical assumptions about operator health and training cannot be assured. In this case, responsibility for ensuring safe operation shifts to the device manufacturer.

Thermal system considerations

Home hemodialysis machines include a final challenge — fluids must be kept at body temperature to prevent thermal shock. Higher temperatures are also needed to disinfect the machine itself. Unsurprisingly, the heating requirements of these medical devices greatly influence both the size and the electrical requirements of the machine. Heating fluid on

demand requires a fair amount of power, increasing the possibility of current leakage, and the risk to patients.

Mitigating those risks is possible with more traditional technology, but that technology adds to both the bulk and cost of medical devices. This is where innovation in thermal solutions, including heaters, sensors, temperature controllers, power controllers and supporting software working together as an integrated system, can make a difference. Watlow’s engineers used knowledge of the full system standards and system level requirements to help the customer create an optimized system architecture for its home hemodialysis device. This featured a FLUENT in-line heater with a ceramic substrate tube and polymer fittings to create an entirely non-metal surface.

The FLUENT heater addresses efficiency and electrical safety concerns with a size and weight footprint that is smaller than legacy solutions. In addition, using thermal spray, the heater makes use of its entire surface to produce heat, which optimizes heat transfer and temperature uniformity.

The goal of Watlow’s customer was to design a home hemodialysis device that met all safety guidelines while being portable and convenient for patient use. Using a systems approach helped Watlow to navigate the engineering tradeoffs between size and safety without compromise, to produce a safe device with a small footprint.

Watlow has extensive experience understanding how to meet the required trade-offs and develop a design suitable for many applications. Visit the website to find out more watlow.com

Foremost Electronics the engineering-led Essex based importer and specialist distributor of electromechanical components, is a key source of supply for machine builders looking for rugged and reliable enclosures, human machine interfaces (HMI) and secure cable entry systems.

Channel partners for the German manufacturer nVent Schroff, Foremost can supply their range of cabinets, desktop enclosures,

Samuel J.McMaster*1 2,AndrewCobley1,JohnE.Graves1,Nigel

*Correspondingauthor-s.mcmaster@pillarhouse.co.uk

1. FunctionalMaterialsandChemistryResearchGroup,Research CentreforManufacturingandMaterials,InsituteofLcean GrowthandFutureMobility,CoventryUniversity,PrioryStreet, CoventryCV15FB,UK

2. PillarhouseInternationalLtd.,RodneyWay,Chelmsford,

STherefore, a good nozzle must have good wettability to solder ensuring that control can be maintained during the selective soldering process in addition to a balance between the wear and wetting.

The need for development

The new nozzle will reduce operation and maintenance costs for manufacturers by reducing the number of nozzles

required overall and reducing downtime caused by nozzle failure. Improving the wettability of nozzles will allow for more challenging joints to be tackled using the selective method. This project has been undertaken due to customer requests to increase nozzle lifetime and reduce the maintenance required.

This research project, part funded by Innovate UK and Pillarhouse International Ltd. is partnered with Coventry University through

a knowledge transfer partnership scheme. The new AP Master Nozzle will be available in June of 2023.

For more information, see below.

T +44 (0)1245 491333 sales@pillarhouse.co.uk www.pillarhouse.co.uk

droplet will deform and spread out. The amount of spreading and the angle of the interface between the liquid and solid is determined by the surface tension of the liquid and the surface energy of the solid. Figure 1 demonstrates scenarios with various levels of wetting. When the surface energy of the solid is greater than the surface tension of the liquid, the droplet will have a lower contact angle. Figure 1(a) and (b) are an example of this.

By Idris.abk – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=97191171

For the wetting of the solder to the tip of the nozzle maintains a stable radial wave and achieves control during the soldering process by maintaining a stable dome shape to deposit solder.

Figure 2 shows a well-wetted nozzle wherein the solder is adhered to the entire outer surface of the nozzle. This allows for good control during the selective soldering process. The

In the case of a material that solder does not readily wet to, the solder will maintain a single stream as shown in Figure 3. The static wettability of this nozzle would produce a large contact angle such as in Figure 1 (c).

To achieve wetting between liquid solder and a nozzle, there must be a clean interface. Flux is used to remove oxides and generate/ maintain this clean

and during operation. After cleaning, a

Figure 1. Examples of different contact angles between a droplet (stripped red) and solid (blue): (a) Contact angle of 0° demonstrating perfect wetting. (b) Contact angle less than 90°for a wetting surface. (c) Contact angle greater than 90° hydrophobic surface.

Figure 2. A wetted nozzle

Figure 3. A non-wetting nozzle

Immediate safety

Wieland Electric presents its new emergency stop buttons with M12 connection for easy integration into plants and systems

In times of a shortage of skilled workers, technical devices that can be installed in a time-saving manner and, if possible, without the need for highly qualified personnel, come into their own. Wieland Electric has such a solution ready for safety technology in mechanical engineering and intralogistics: New

emergency stop buttons are available for the safe, manual shutdown of machines and systems. Thanks to the M12 connection, they can be easily integrated into plants and systems using pre-assembled M12 standard cables.

With the introduction of the new emergency stop buttons, Wieland Electric not only meets the increasing demand for M12 connections in industry, but also expands its portfolio with ready-to-use variants that offer numerous advantages due to their

plug & play installation. This includes reducing installation time and cabling effort as well as avoiding cabling errors during installation. Thanks to the compact and robust design, the emergency stop buttons can be installed in control cabinets and panels, but are also suitable - thanks to the IP65 and IP67 protection class design - for installation in the field where harsh ambient conditions prevail.

www.wieland.co.uk

Whether your role is managerial, commercial or technical there is a good chance that you have an interest in ensuring that the printed circuit boards you are designing, purchasing and/or assembling are as efficient as they can be in terms of achieving the lowest total cost, sustainably, without compromising functionality or reliability of the end product.

The majority of the cost - 80-90% is built into the product in the early stages of the design phase - before either the PCB supplier of EMS company has sight of the design. We have also found that many of the cost drivers directly impact all aspects in producing and delivering a more sustainable product. In our Sustainability Impact meter you can see the effects for each cost driver.

NCAB has divided the cost drivers into two categories, the ‘hard costs’ and the ‘soft costs’. The hard costs drivers are covering aspects that relate to the physical printed circuit board itself. Examples being copper weights and build complexity. In these cases the impacts on sustainability are more tangible. The soft cost drivers are those elements tear bless considered can eat to delays in engineering, lost time and mis-specified demands that only serve to either achieve the desired quality or long-term reliability - this is not sustainable PCB production in our eyes. Many times these factors are a little less quantifiable, but can certainly have just as much of an impact on cost and sustainability.

To learn more, download our Cost drivers - sustainability impact meter at www.ncabgroup.com/pcb-cost-drivers/

Manufacturing & Machinery Update

Industrial market in transition:

Performance sealing for critical process applications

Perlast® FFKM is a high-performance elastomer designed for effective sealing in extreme temperatures and chemicals.

Perlast® FFKM is able to withstand temperatures ranging from -25°C to 325°C, and with almost universal chemical resistance and exceptional mechanical properties, Perlast® FFKM can be specified into critical

WThe

is steadily increasing.

Added to this are geopolitical influences such as the aftermath of the pandemic and political tensions that exacerbate supply chain problems and drive-up prices. The rising energy costs add to the economic strains. For companies that are struggling to maintain their production capacity under these conditions, closing the business may be the only way out – especially if rising costs unsettle the buyer base or if a succession arrangement cannot be found. When a company is dissolved, disposing of the inventory is one of the hard steps to take.

The competent partner for used machinery

However, it is often difficult to know how to get the most out of buying or selling a machine. In this context, Surplex offers an excellent solution with its full-service offering to support interested parties in their purchase or sale of used machinery. Surplex is a globally active industrial auction house for trading in metal, wood, construction machinery, and other industries. With locations in 16 European countries, companies can count on competent support tailored precisely to the requirements and regulations of their region.

Antony Reed is the Surplex Country Manager for the UK.

As an expert in the UK machinery trade, he emphasises the importance of the symbiosis between online trade and simultaneous full-service offer: “Surplex takes pride in being the fastest growing auction platform in the UK. This success is rooted in our unique understanding of our customers’ needs and expectations. It is crucial for UK businesses to engage directly with local partners. Our platform enables exactly that, providing utmost efficiency and trust.”

In these turbulent times, companies need a reliable partner more than ever. A partner who safely navigates them on the rough sea of the used machinery market and who helps them to clear their production halls on time and cost-effectively.

Machine auction after business closure Denny Precision Ltd., a respected company in metal processing, has made a difficult decision given the increasingly demanding market situation: the closure of the company. Therefore, the inventory, including the operational and manufacturing equipment, is now being offered for sale through the industrial auction house Surplex.

Until 28/06/2023, you can browse and bid on the rich offer from Denny Precision Ltd. on Surplex.com. This sale includes many 5-axis multi-pallets machining centres, a FANUC Robodrill automated system, many late-model STAR Swiss machines, and much more. The systems are in showroom condition and under power. An on-site inspection in Norwich is possible by arrangement. Interested parties can also browse through the factory hall via a virtual online 3D tour. www.surplex.com

applications across the most challenging chemical processing environments.

With Perlast® FFKM O-rings currently manufactured to order in as little as 30 days – up to six times faster than other suppliers – operators can keep their unscheduled downtime to an absolute minimum.

Switching to Perlast® FFKMs

Precision Polymer Engineering’s specialist engineers understand the concerns of upgrading to a new sealing partner. From the first consultation to specification of Perlast® FFKM material grades, and on into industry-

leading technical support, you can rest assured that your process line is in the safest of hands with Precision Polymer Engineering.

To learn more about the advantages of

Perlast® FFKM, our website has everything from explainer videos and animations through to industry approvals, case studies, and whitepapers. You can also get in touch for an informal chat with our sealing experts, and take the first step towards an optimised solution to process sealing challenges in your application.

For more information, see below.

Precision Polymer Engineering 01254 295400 prepol.sales@prepol.com www.perlast.com

Manufacturing & Machinery Update

Our proven process: how UNISIG leverages experience & expertise to solve customer challenges

F1.

details – a specific tolerance, material condition, process requirement or a future need for flexibility – that may change our recommendations. When it makes sense, our experienced sales team or engineers will visit a customer to see what is needed firsthand. Whether a site visit or just a virtual meeting, this initial investment of time to clarify the need saves the customer money and

provides them a truly valuable solution.

2. We first identify a standard solution from our product line that can be applied at the lowest cost and shortest delivery possible.

At UNISIG, our product development mindset is to systemise solutions from our experience in many different industries, make them automation ready and embed application flexibility whenever possible. We invest millions of dollars annually in our product line and related spare parts, giving us a strong starting point for new applications. Our standard product line encompasses much more than machines, including standard automation, workholding, accessories and tooling that we can offer as part of the solution.

Once we have identified a standard machine as a starting point, our engineers seek out smart, practical ways to meet the customer’s application needs. The goal is to innovate within the machining operation planning, work holding or automation, as opposed to engineering a completely special solution without first exhausting opportunities to solve problems with standard products.

For our customers, this approach provides them a reliable, standard machine that can be used for many years and that has the built-in flexibility for easy re-tooling to adapt to future needs. For us, initially working within the boundaries of our catalogue cultivates new ideas that can then be applied to improve our standard products as well as help us direct future research and development budgets.

3. If a standard solution isn’t available, we consider a customised solution and we stand behind it.

UNISIG is very good at building customised machines, and we do so often. Once we and our customers agree that a special solution is needed, we move forward with a great deal of confidence and experience. We start by evaluating how we might approach the design using standard modules or proven concepts, thus eliminating long debug cycles and/or high costs. Then we use our mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines to virtually test the new machine before we build it.

One of the key reasons our customers are confident moving forward with a UNISIG custom machine is that they know we will stand behind it and that we have substantial capabilities to ensure it always exceeds their production expectations. We approach these special projects with the mindset that a custom machine will be used for decades in production, which is why we provide the same documentation and long-term technical support for all our machines whether standard or custom.

4. If a commodity solution is readily available, we recommend that rather than upsell a machine the customer doesn’t need.

We build machines that can gundrill or BTA drill deep holes that are impossible to drill on machining centres. Even if it may be possible to drill some deep holes on a CNC machining centre, our machines have the power, speed, dimensional accuracy, spindle density, coolant systems and process control that will improve productivity, tool life and reliability.

Typically, though, when a customer comes to UNISIG with a specific part need, at that point they’ve most likely already struggled with a conventional machine and realised that a deep hole drilling machine is obviously the way to go.

However, our team knows how to identify whether or not an application would truly benefit from a UNISIG solution. When it wouldn’t, we will suggest viable alternatives. It’s not that we don’t want to sell a machine. But the fact is that our experience has shown that at some point the alternative-solution direction becomes obvious, and we want to make that apparent early on in the process so as to avoid wasting a lot of our customer’s time.

Our customers expect the best from us, and we believe that our proven process ensures we never disappoint. Our goal is to leverage our core values to serve our customers as best we can and build strong, productive relationships for years to come.

Further information on all machines and the complete UNISIG machine program is available at: www.unisig.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter (@UNISIG).

UNISIG’s Approach to Automating Surgical Instrument Manufacturing

As surgical instrument manufacturers pursue greater throughput while facing increased labor costs, automating the medical instrument manufacturing process has become a necessity. However, integrating automation into the gundrilling process for drilling deep holes in extremely precise surgical instruments in lightsout operation is a major engineering challenge requiring more than simply pairing a robot with a deep-hole drilling machine.

The right machine, tools and process must all come together to create small holes with extreme precision in difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium and surgical stainless steel. More importantly, the entire system must flow from a unified concept where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

To meet these challenges, UNISIG developed its UNE6-2i-750-CR dual independent spindle gundrilling machine. The UNE6-2i is capable of gundrilling hole diameters ranging from 0.8 – 6 mm in part lengths measuring up to 30 inches with depth-to-diameter ratios from 20:1 to more than 100:1. The machine has a maximum combined drilling speed of 28,000 rpm and a 3,000 psi (207) bar programmable flow-based coolant system with dedicated pumps for each spindle to ensure precise coolant pressure control.

Automating hundreds of cycles of precision manufacturing, however, is not possible unless the overall operation is considered from the outset. Surgical instrument manufacturing is a sequential process: parts must be loaded into the machine in a particular way for specific operations that happen in a specific order.

Workpiece length, shape and configuration determine where it is gripped by the robot when loaded into a machine, moved from spindle to spindle for drilling, residual cutting fluid removed, and returned to the pallet. Where a part is gripped impacts where it is clamped for drilling to ensure accuracy. Every variable along the process chain must be considered and accounted for, and the calculus is detailed and complicated.

Then there are unique customer needs and requirements. The equipment and process must accommodate a variety of part families and hundreds of parts to increase runtime and efficiency. Operators must be able to change over part types and programming without calling in an automation specialist, and the entire process must be controlled from a central interface. Add to the mix that everything must be packaged in as small a footprint as possible, and the scope of the engineering challenge comes into focus.

UNISIG’s approach to solving these problems, however, results in targeted automation that enhances the existing benefits of gundrilling, ensuring a solid foundation for reliable process-wide automation.

At its core, the automated UNE6-2i is a purpose-built machine with automation embedded in its design, not added as an afterthought. Flexibility and adaptability are maximized by a harmonious, interdependent mechanical, software and operational planning scheme.

To meet size constraints, a 6-axis robot was embedded in the machine with a pallet system on the backside of the machine, allowing easy operator access from the front to setup the machine without compromising ergonomics. The configuration enables quick setup changes between prototype and proving operations and full production runs.

The robot automatically repositions the workpiece from the front of the first spindle into the rear of the second

spindle without operator input. The process of drilling a part from both ends in a single-piece flow is unique to UNISIG. Workpieces with enlarged features on one side are loaded from the rear of the collet, solving a common problem in gundrilling medical surgical instruments with full automation.

Control of the UNE6-2i and a computer are consolidated into the Human Machine Interface (HMI), a menudriven touch screen system for easy, intuitive operation. Training and operator engagement with the system is significantly reduced due to user-friendly UNISIG controller menus and prompts.

UNISIG’s comprehensive and integrated approach to automating medical part manufacturing is a vison that sets it apart in the industry. It’s more than drilling the impossible hole. It’s a commitment to understanding and to the research that drives continuous improvement and innovation for automated part production at its full potential.

Further information on all machines and the complete UNISIG machine program is available at: www.unisig.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter (@UNISIG).

You will also meet us at the EMO 2023 show in Hannover, Germany, from 18.–23. September.

Manufacturing & Machinery Update

Make better moulds: Mill better, drill faster

Mould making isn’t easy. There are many intricate challenges that include: highly complex geometry with 2D and 3D features, managing a wide range of part sizes, and short lead times on small quantities and new designs with no room for error. Compounding these challenges is the pressure to keep up

with the rapid pace of demand and technology.

But there’s a way to overcome those obstacles: Do better work with technology designed specifically for complex mould making.

Our USC-M series Milling and Drilling

Centres allow you to drill faster and mill better with a single machine and fewer setups. These Milling and Drilling Centres meet the challenges of milling and gundrilling all types of metals with either a single universal combination spindle or dedicated milling and drilling spindles. Utilising high performance spindles that provide exceptional rigidity

and power transmission, these machines deliver high-torque milling capability for aggressive metal removal and shorter cycle times. Additionally, 5-axis positioning enables mould manufacturers to tackle complex geometries with exacting precision in a single setup.

Many manufacturers claim to provide milling and drilling in a single machine, but the truth is those hybrid machines neither mill nor drill well enough to make a significant difference in either operation. In effect, one process is an afterthought of the other. Our USC-M series, however, was designed from the beginning to be a single machine with superior milling and drilling performance and accuracy. State-ofthe-art milling technology is embedded into a machine that has the power, thrust, speed and process monitoring competitors thought would be difficult to attain, or simply not possible.

In addition to superior quality and accuracy, the pay-off for single setup milling and drilling is efficiency and an improved bottom line. Mould makers cut delivery times to their customers with faster setups and production along with reduced overall labor costs. Once they move away from mould making operations with two machines, most of our customers find they can’t afford to manufacture without a USCM-series Milling and Drilling Centre.

The benefits of milling better and drilling faster with USC-M series machines do not stop at the spindle. There are intangible benefits as well. UNISIG USC-M series Milling and Drilling Centres allow mould manufacturers to approach their work differently and explore different approaches to mould making. With the entire manufacturing process streamlined, customers find their engineers and design teams enjoy more freedom and flexibility with the expanded capabilities. Finishing and assembly are faster because the design is more efficient, and manufacturers can do things effortlessly that were a struggle previously.

Ultimately, it’s about setting the bar high and keeping it there. UNISIG sets a standard looked up to by the competition. It’s a state-of-the-art mindset that takes mould finishing to a new level with a machine that allows you to mill better and drill faster.

www.unisig.com

Introducing the Ei3030 - the next evolution in home life safety

Introducing the newest innovation in MultiSensor alarms from Aico, the Ei3030 MultiSensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm. The flagship alarm in Aico’s technologically advanced 3000 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual Optical, Heat and CO sensors, for the ultimate fire and CO response.

Aico continues to evolve its offering to provide products that align with its customers’ requirements while maintaining the simplicity that Installers love.

The Ei3030 multi-sensor Fire and CO specifications include:

t Fire Response - The device contains a Thermistor Heat Sensor and high-performance Optical Sensor that intelligently work together, but will also operate independently.

t CO Response - The proven electrochemical CO Sensor provides an accurate CO response. The CO response is in line with BS EN 50291-1:2018.

t Visual Indicators - The Ei3030 has visual Fire and CO indicators. The relevant indicator flashes depending on what has triggered the alarm.

t Kitemarks – This device holds Kitemarks for British Standards BS EN 14604:2005, BS 5446-2:2003 and BS EN 50291-1:2018.

Michael Wright, Product Development Manager at Aico comments, “The Ei3030 continues Aico’s pioneering development of Multi-Sensor Fire and CO alarms for domestic properties by offering both Multi-Sensor fire detection and CO detection from one alarm. This maximises coverage whilst making installation simpler and easier. The alarm sits alongside the Ei3028 Multi-Sensor Heat and CO alarm, meaning users can achieve combined fire and CO coverage for all areas of the home from our flagship 3000 Series”

The Ei3030 also has a range of additional benefits, including built-in dust compensation technology. The unique self-monitoring dust compensation mechanism reduces the risk of false alarms. The optical sensor chamber continually self-monitors minute changes in dust levels, automatically recalibrating the alarm’s trigger point when necessary to reduce false alarms. The Ei3030 can also be fitted in any room where both Fire and CO protection is required (excluding the kitchen) meaning coverage can be provided with fewer alarms.

Like all alarms in the 3000 series, the Ei3030 utilises an easi-fit base, is mains powered, has a 10-year rechargeable lithium cell backup, and is compatible with other Aico mains-powered units. The device is also compatible with the Ei3000MRF Module for wireless interconnection and data extraction via the Ei1000G Gateway.

The Ei3030 also includes Aico’s award-winning AudioLINK+ technology, making it simple to gain data directly from the alarm head via the AudioLINK+ app, reporting on information such as alarm activations, sensor status and record of testing.

To learn more about the Ei3030, please visit: https://www.aico.co.uk/product/ei3030-multisensor-fire-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm/

Access 360 celebrates CPD success

Access 360 is one of the UK’s leading access solutions manufacturers and building products manufacturers. Access 360’s experienced team of Specifcation Sales Managers delivered 156 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars throughout 2022, sharing expert knowledge and advice with 3,153 architects, specifiers and contractors.

Either as online webinars or in person, the seminars included its most popular CPD, Fire & Smoke Access Solutions, as well as Access 360’s flagship CPD, Safe, Practical and Aesthetic Roof, Celing, Wall and Floor Access Solutions, provides an essential guide to the specification of access solutions. Exploring the purpose and reason for access, whilst also identifying and overcoming access challenges. And lastly, the Roof Access and Natural Smoke Ventilation for Flat Roofs CPD outlines current

practice regarding the provision of smoke ventilation and roof access.

Marcus Parnham, Commercial Director for Access 360, said: “Ww are committed to delivering an extensive CPD programme that addresses the very latest regulatory changes, in addition to current industry trends and requirements. 2023 is about building on last year’s success providing even more professionals with the advice and guidance they require.”

Construction professionals are encouraged to contact Access 360 regarding topics they require information and support on. To submit a suggestion, or to sign up to an online CPD, or arrange for one of Access 360’s Specification Sales Managers to deliver a CPD seminar in person, please email cpd@access-360.co.uk.

Access 360 comprises of Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green, which together provide a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products to the construction industry.

www.access-360.co.uk

Vision Engineering launches new version of its bestselling Mantis optical stereo microscope

Vision Engineering, the world-leading provider of innovative inspection, metrology, and digital 3D visualisation solutions, today announced the launch of Mantis 3rd Gen, the latest addition to its best-selling and award-winning range of ergonomic optical stereo microscopes.

Mantis is in use in tens of thousands of R&D, manufacturing and analytical sites around the world. Mantis 3rd Gen incorporates the latest developments in optics, digital cameras and fully adjustable LED lighting, to keep Mantis at the forefront of stereo imaging.

Mantis is designed for precision engineering, electronic engineering, medical device manufacture, and a wide range of other applications that require high-quality images and superior ergonomics. It features a unique, patented, eyepieceless design that delivers a large, high-quality optical stereo image directly into the user’s eyes, making it more comfortable and easier to view than traditional microscopes.

Manipulative, rework and restoration tasks need stereo images, to allow easy hand to eye coordination and depth perception. Mantis 3rd Gen combines stereo optical images, with high resolution camera options for manipulation and recording.

Mantis 3rd Gen features long working distance and excellent depth perception, now with a choice of 3 magnifications, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. It also now comes as standard with five different ways to illuminate your subject, giving you the flexibility to adjust the lighting to get the perfect image for your needs.

In addition to its outstanding image quality and ergonomics, Mantis also features a powerful digital imaging system that allows you to capture, review, and share high-resolution images. This makes it easy to share your work with colleagues, document your findings, and train new employees.

Substantial R&D has resulted in a new range of stand options, to allow flexibility, stability and reduced footprint.

“As our customers have told us for the last 28 years, Mantis is an ideal solution for anyone who needs to perform precise work with small objects,” said Mark Curtis, Managing Director at Vision Engineering. “We invest substantial R&D time and effort in exploiting the opportunities that fast moving optic, digital and lighting technologies offer our dedicated customer base. Mantis 3rd Gen offers the best of both worlds: superior ergonomics and optical image quality, combined with the latest digital imaging technology.”

Mantis is available for purchase now. For more information, please visit: www.visioneng.com/mantis

High Power Picosecond Pulse Laser

The picosecond pulse laser series FPYL-Q-PS is offered with peak power up to 100W at a repetition rate of 1MHz and a pulse width of <10ps. Available wavelengths are 266nm (1-8W), 355nm (1-50W), 532nm (1-80W) and 1064nm (1100W). The repetition frequency range is between 400kHz and 2MHz. The power stability is <3% (<1% optional). The pulse-to-pulse stability is <2%. Both are measured in rms and over 4 hours. The output beam is transverse mode TEM00 and has high beam quality of M2<1,2. With a beam diameter of ~3mm and a divergence <1mrad the output beam is very well collimated.

The laser will be delivered with an appropriate power supply for the voltage range 100-240V as well as a water chiller.

Due to the high power with pulse widths <10ps these lasers are excellent suited for micro material processing.

Typical applications are:

Applications:

t Flexible Materials Processing

t Brittle Materials Processing

t OLEDs Processing

t Glass & Ceramic Cutting and Drilling

t Semiconductor Industry www.frlaserco.com sales@frlaserco.com

Test, Measurements & Instrumentation Update

Interface G-series load cells fly off the shelves through its new e-commerce website

(Interface) is a UK

Ispecialising in the supply and distribution of highquality sensors and associated electronics and displays for a wide variety of industries. Working previously with clients such as Airbus, BAE Systems, and Formula One Teams, we spoke with Tony Rokins, Business Development & Pressure Mapping Specialist, who explained some of the companies well known products.

“Our product portfolio is applicable to many industries. For instance, we

are well known for our high-quality pressure mapping systems that are used by many of our automotive and motorsport customers. Our sensors deliver highly accurate, repeatable measurements and many of our load cells are used by calibration houses as calibration reference devices. Our high-quality, yet competitively priced 3 and 6 axis load cells are used for many R&D, renewable energy and robotic applications.”

In terms of recent developments, Tony continued, “Being responsive to our customer’s needs and being able to offer a high-quality product

with strong product knowledge at a competitive price with the best possible lead times is our number one priority. Last year we launched our range of G-Series Load Cells.

The range comprises of miniature and small sensors for industrial applications, with capacities starting from just 4.5N Newton up to 200kN with metric threads. These are highperformance devices but aimed at more cost-conscious applications.

This is a new market for us, but we have already had increasing interest. We also launched our brand-new e-commerce website on the 1st of April for the G-Series that showcases Interface load cells at competitive prices with all the convenience purchasing online offers,” stated Tony.

The new e-commerce website offers G-Series load cells on short lead times with next business day delivery for small quantities. Following its successful launch in 2021, it has become an increasingly popular product range for students, industrial engineers, OEMs and anyone requiring a small form force sensor offering accuracy, repeatability and Interface quality.

In the future, Interface is keen to continue its growth trajectory for 2022. Tony mentioned, “we are also working on new, wireless force and vibration sensors for remote monitoring in systems such as luggage carousels. One more area we are pushing for growth is with XSensor’s pressure mapping systems, particularly in the Hi-speed systems designed for high-speed impact or crash testing and tire foot-print research. These systems are capable of capturing data up to 2,500 frames per second. The tire sensor can be driven over at speeds of up to 140kph. I believe this is a unique capability we can bring to the industry.”

As the company looks to continue strengthening its position with its customers in its more traditional markets of aerospace, automotive, motorsport, Universities and alternative energy research, it will be attending some expos over the next 12 months and be readily on hand to discuss any questions you may have about force, torque, pressure mapping or pressure, level & temperature measurement.

These expos include Instrumentation, Analysis & Testing Exhibition on the 16th of May 2023 at Silverstone

Gold Standard Service

For over 25 years Allpack has been providing its ‘Gold Standard Service’ to warehousing & logistics customers, with the combination of high-quality products, and first-in-class service. Customers of Allpack can rest assured knowing they are using industry recognised products, designed specifically for stable loads on each vehicle they despatch.

Allpack employ unique manufacturing capabilities that offer unrivalled levels of precision over a diverse range of products. With a capacity of over 300,000 tonnes of film per annum, 600 million square meters of tape and 1,000,000 kilometres of strapping, coupled with our highly efficient corrugated conversion machinery, producing millions of

Josero adds the Fujifilm Flatbed Acuity Prime to It’s wide-format print portfolio

Wide-format equipment distributor and Soyang Europe business Josero is expanding the group’s relationship with Fujifilm, announcing an appointment as a Fujifilm Acuity Prime partner to supply the range to customers in the UK.

This news follows Soyang Europe’s deal to sell the Acuity Ultra R2 in the UK market in May 2022, and a number of key partnerships won by Josero in recent months.

The Fujifilm Acuity Prime flatbed delivers quality printing on various rigid and flexible media options for a range of applications, supported by its five dedicated vacuum zones and jettable primer.

With maximum print speeds up to 150m2 p/hr and low energy LED curing, the Fujifilm Acuity Prime balances quality, efficiency, and price point across all models.

The recommended Fujifilm Uvijet HM UV LED inks are manufactured within the UK at the World’s Largest UV Ink plant making supply continuous and accessible.

Sarah Winterbottom, Group Sales Director, Soyang/Josero, comments: “The Fujifilm Acuity Prime is the perfect high production, high quality flatbed addition to Josero’s offering. It’s a great time for us to be strengthening our partnership, as businesses are looking for versatility, efficiency and quality in a cost-effective solution. We can’t wait to start showing our customers what the range can do!”

Andy Webb, UK Sales Manager Wide-Format Inkjet, Fujifilm UK, adds: “We are delighted to have Josero on board as a Fujifilm Acuity Prime partner. Josero has a great track record within the industry for being a trusted company with a focus on delivering high levels of customer service, and we as a company decided that they are the kind of partner we want to go to market with our Acuity Prime flatbed. We look forward to building a long-term partnership with Josero and its parent company Soyang Europe.”

quality printed and plain cases, boxes and fittings, all ready for next day dispatch.

Our industry accepted high-clarity Vortex™ Cast film product has been specifically designed to meet the demands of the warehouse and logistic sectors, offering a consistent yield and maximum stability for each palletised load, with a silent unwind on application for optimum userfriendly wrapping.

Many of Allpack plastic products are manufactured from 30% recycled content and are 100% recyclable making them Plastic Tax Compliant, which is better for you, your customers, and the environment. Contact Allpack today for a

trial of Vortex™ film at your site: 01543 396 888

Print & Packaging Update

Rotech solutions alleviate coding pain-points for CBD wellness company

Orange County CBD have an impressive portfolio of CBD products featuring oils, skincare and edible gummies, all manufactured in-house, using only the highest quality CBD, harvested from 100% organic hemp grown in the Golden State, California.

Multiple award-winning wellness company, Orange County CBD sourced a RF Lite from Rotech to automate their batch coding process, after their boost in popularity meant that manual labelling was becoming too time-consuming and costly.

Established in 2019 and situated in London,

Their mission is to normalise the day-to-day use of CBD products, for individuals struggling with a variety of ailments that negatively impact their lives, such as stress, poor sleep, anxiety and ongoing pain. This not-so-modest mission is one they seem to be conquering at great speed. The company has an ever-growing army of loyal customers alongside hundreds of glowing reviews citing how the

products have changed the users’ lives for the better.

A rise in CBD use – a movement for better wellbeing

The rising awareness of the benefits of CBD, along with the popularity of Orange County’s quality products meant that Co-Founder, Aaron Spinks began to look for alternative ways to apply batch codes to their cartons. Previously they were labelling the boxes and cartons by hand – a process that was becoming too labour intensive and costly. He also required something that could guarantee clear, permanent codes and eliminate mislabelling errors for good.

After an enquiry was made with Rotech, Sales Manager Steve Ryan offered a quick and knowledgeable response, suggesting the RF Lite as an ideal solution for overprinting their cartons – backing this up with an impressive video of the system running the carton samples with ease.

The compact coding system is primarily designed to help users automate their coding process for the first time. Fitted with clean, user-friendly thermal inkjet (TIJ) technology, the innovative machine automatically takes flat-form packaging from a stack and applies a code to it, consistently and reliably, before stacking it again, ready for operator removal.

The RF Lite is perfect for quick growing companies such as Orange County, as it is capable of running at high speeds of up to 60m/min – a key consideration for Aaron, as he needed it to keep up with increasing production volumes – the company now prints over 10k cartons per day!

Sticking with Rotech

Happy that the introduction of the RF Lite had made a positive impact to their production process, Orange County looked to Rotech for a way to automatically overprint variable data directly to the labels being applied to the vials of oil.

The compact nature of Rotech’s Integra TIJ printer means that it can be easily integrated into existing production lines, to work seamlessly with other equipment, including label applicators.

The addition of the TIJ printer to Orange County’s labeller meant that they no longer had to pre-print labels or apply fiddly secondary labels by hand, meaning they saved a lot of time and no longer faced overstock/waste.

The printer also comes with its own iDesign formatting software. The company can create and edit batch and date codes, control output speeds, view job status and check ink levels. The software allows them to set the printer to print their Batch and Expiry information onto the exact area on the wraparound label.

Orange country is definitely feeling the effects of automating and streamlining their coding processes with clever coding. They’ve been able to drastically reduce labour costs, improve production throughput, and reduce costs involved with pre-printed stock.

Our team has been highly praised since the installation. Head of R&D and Production at Orange County said, “We couldn’t be happier about our experience working with Rotech! When we needed a coding machine for our business, they came highly recommended, and they didn’t disappoint. The team at Rotech was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and attentive to our specific needs. They helped us select the perfect coder that streamlined our production process and improved our efficiency. Their exceptional customer service and after-sales support have made us feel valued and confident in our investment – we couldn’t be happier with the results. I highly recommend Rotech to anyone in need of top-quality coding solutions!”

T +44 (0)1707 393700

sales@rotechmachines.com

https://rotechmachines.com

Cleaning Update

Efficient and sustainable parts cleaning for sophisticated high-tech and high purity components

Whether it’s a millimetre-small fastener, complex precision optics or metersized machinery parts, the cleanliness requirements for high-tech components are becoming stricter and more demanding in numerous branches of industry. Although the exact specifications vary depending on the part, sector and application, most conventional cleaning systems are unable to achieve the result required to ensure consistent product quality. Ecoclean has been supplying solutions for precision and high-purity cleaning applications for many years. With its wealth of experience, the company is constantly driving forward the development of cleaning systems, technologies, and processes for this sector, including specially designed feature packages.

Demands on the performance and reliability of components and parts have increased enormously and continue to rise, particularly in sectors such as the semiconductor supply industry, optical and optoelectronic industry, thin-film technology, vacuum, laser, and analysis technologies, as well as the aerospace and medical device industry. This has an impact on parts cleaning. Key criteria for selecting the most suitable cleaning process and plant technology are the required level of cleanliness, the type of contamination to be removed, and the material and geometry of the respective component. Based on this, it is possible to determine which and how many process steps are necessary with which cleaning medium and which mechanics. Aspects such as the quality of the rinsing medium and the drying technology are included just as much in this consideration, as are cleanliness-compliant parts handling and the prevailing environmental conditions, for instance connection or integration into a cleanroom.

Which system concept is the right one in terms of cleanliness and cost-effectiveness is determined via cleaning trials with original components or test specimens. Ecoclean has appropriate High Purity Test Centres for this purpose. As a result, product-specific cleaning processes and process parameters can be developed and then stored as programs in the system controller. This ensures that each part is cleaned with the validated process parameters to achieve the required level of cleanliness in a consistent and reproducible manner. Furthermore, all relevant process parameters can be monitored, documented and transferred to higher-level systems.

M +44 (0)7799 346611 info.uk@ecoclean-group.net www.ecoclean-group.net

The AquaTeck SC100 – Chemical free environmental cleaning from Alliance

Alliance Disposables have recently entered into a partnership with GreenTeck Global to offer their AquaTeck SC100 system to industry.

The AquaTeck SC100 system uses ordinary tap water, fed through a standard water softener and food-grade salt, to produce up to two litres of non-toxic solution every minute. Cleaning bottles can then be refilled on-site with a chemicalfree all-purpose sanitising solution that can be applied directly to surfaces, mops, buckets and even industrial-floor cleaners. Once finished, the solution can be safely tipped away; a process which has the added benefits of helping

keep drains clean.

The environmentally-friendly system maximises the effective cleaning properties of hypochlorous acid (HOCL) – a naturally occurring steriliser – and eliminates the need for added detergents. As the most powerful natural disinfectant available, HOCL destroys 99.99% of all bacteria, pathogens, and viruses as well as destroying odours and is approximately 80 times more effective than bleach and passes EN1276 & EN14476. Delivers the highest levels of cleanliness via a sustainable sanitising solution that is non-allergenic and safe for skin, as well as the environment

through reduced carbon footprint & significantly reduces plastic wate.

For more information on the AquaTeck SC100 and to discuss with one of our local reps email us on hello@allianceonline.co.uk or call us on 01270 252 333.

Supercharge your cleaning regime

Killis has been supplying gold standard cleaning equipment and solutions across the UK for almost sixty years.

This highly successful family-run business is based in Sheffield and offers a full range of cleaning machinery from vacuum cleaners, steam machines, through to specialist chewing gum removal, air movers & filtration and robotic automation, for purchase and hire and comprehensive servicing.

One of the latest models: the R3 Scrub Battery Robotic Scrubber Dryer, is ergonomically-designed for everyday scrubbing and dusting and is supercharging the robotics cleaning industry. The quiet, high-powered machine leaves hard floors looking brand new in both scrub and dust-mop mode. The R3 is favoured by schools, distribution centres, hotels and commercial spaces for its user-friendly, hands-free autonomous cleaning operation, with built-in touchscreen. With a quick

charging time of two hours, the R3 offers three hours scrubbing and seven hours of dust mopping, it really is a cost-effective addition to busy workplaces, at only £22.98 for daily hire.

Killis is helping companies move towards more sustainable cleaning solutions for the net-zero era, with products like the Tersano iclean PRO. It transforms tap water into a sanitiser that cleans up to 99.99% of germs. It is non-toxic, residue-free and stronger than bleach, offering sustainable cleaning across all facility management operations.

For all your cleaning needs, contact the team today:

T 0114 2698686 sales@killis.co.uk www.cleanerhealthierspaces.co.uk/r3

Jangro’s ntrl range receives vegan accreditation

Jangro, the largest network of independent janitorial and cleaning distributors in the UK and Ireland, is delighted to announce that ntrl, its innovative range of natural cleaning products, is registered with The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark. An internationally recognised standard, The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark certifies that all products registered are free of all animal use, in ingredients and testing.

The ntrl portfolio comprises thirteen products ideal for cleaning surfaces in a variety of environments. All use raw materials that are derived from plant-based extracts. Their natural formulas are 100% biodegradable, contain zero petrochemicals, and can reduce the product’s carbon footprint by up to 85%. Products come super-concentrated too, giving more uses out of a single container.

The ntrl Washroom Cleaner and the ntrl Multi-Surface Cleaner also harness revolutionary, probiotic cleaning. Rather than killing germs with chemicals, probiotics use beneficial bacteria to colonise surfaces, in effect taking over the area, including deep into hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. This means they can help to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria on surfaces and carry on working after they have been cleaned.

Joanne Gilliard, CEO at Jangro, comments, ‘The number of vegans in the UK quadrupled in the five years between 2014 and 2019 to make 600,000 vegans, or 1.16% of the Great British population This trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon – in fact, according to research over half (56%) of Brits adopt vegan buying behaviours such as buying vegan products . We are proud to add a certified vegan cleaning range to our offering. The Vegan Society’s Trademark helps customers identify products that really are free from animal ingredients. We are thrilled that the ntrl range has been verified by The Vegan Society and can offer that added level of confidence.’

The full range includes: Washroom Cleaner; Toilet Cleaner; Foaming Washroom & Toilet Cleaner; Foam Hand Soap; Alcohol-Free Foam Hand Sanitiser; MultiSurface Cleaner; Washing Up Liquid; Cleaner & Degreaser; Surface Sanitisers (available with and without fragrance); Organic Descaler; Kitchen Sanitiser; and an All-Surface Cleaner.

All packaging is recycled and recyclable. Since products are packaged into PCR (post-consumer recycled bottles), CO2 emissions are reduced and physical plastic pollution removed. Outer boxes are made from 100% recycled and FSC certified cardboard.

Produced to ISO 9001 and 14001 QMS standards, 100% of the range is made in the UK.

For more information, visit: www.jangro.net/ntrl

For more information about The Vegan Society’s Trademark scheme, visit: www.vegansociety.com/ the-vegan-trademark

Providing the power to create clean

Crescent Industrial is a leading supplier of industrial floor cleaners for hire and purchase across many sectors including: construction, manufacturing, food processing and warehouse/ distribution. Fully certified as an Alcumus safecontractor member and ISO 9001: 2015 standards, this leading supplier offers quality-assured equipment for all industrial cleaning needs.

Established in 1975 as a family-business providing electrical contracting services, the company started repairing customers’ cleaning machines in the early 1990s due to demand for the service. This opened the doors for diversification and the team started supplying and servicing industrial cleaning machines. In 2003, after a successful merger with a London-based equipment supplier, this dynamic company has now branched into the new era of automated cleaners, paving the way forward.

Crescent Industrial showcased its next-generational K900 vacuum sweeper robot at this year’s UK Warehousing

and Association conference, to impressed delegates. The ultra-low design allows it to nip under conveyors and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), leaving hard-to-reach areas fully clean. Using SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping) navigation, this fully autonomous robot can manoeuvre complex spaces quickly, with quality-driven results. Covering an impressive 1,000m2/h, this robot is perfect for high-traffic areas in warehouses or other industrial areas. The K900 can run for five hours on rechargeable lithium batteries and with a quick, handy recharge time of 90 minutes, it will be ready to go again, in no time. We caught up with Calvin Stacey, Key Account Manager at Crescent Industrial, to find out more about this cutting-edge technology.

“We recently launched the K900 fully autonomous vacuum sweeper robot, which has been making waves in industry thanks to its super-low 35cm height, impressive cleaning performance and simplicity of deployment and use. The lightweight 32kg design makes it an incredibly versatile machine that can operate in standard warehouse operations, on mezzanines, under ASRS racking and in many more areas.”

Technology is also at the forefront of the dedicated aftersales team: using a Cloud-based service system, the team are able to look after all maintenance records and scheduling online. Equipment can be covered by a full maintenance programme, offering routine repairs and servicing, so customers know their cleaning equipment will go on providing the highest-quality results. Crescent Industrial offers a full hire and purchase options, allowing full flexibility for cleaning solutions across many sectors.

The central head office location is in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire and with distributors and remote office across the UK, there is nationwide coverage available for all customers. There is a dedicated team of delivery drivers and highly-experienced field service engineers ready to respond to order deliveries and emergency repairs. Calvin tells us more about the wider company remit, “We provide cleaning equipment to industrial users to help them Create Clean in high-dust and intense cleaning applications. Our range of products include walk-behind and ride-on sweeper machines, industrial vacuums, scrubber-dryers and fully autonomous cleaning robots. All our equipment is available for purchase or rental and is supported by our team of engineers.

“Our equipment delivers better results thanks to more cleaning muscle (typically around three times more pressure), higher dust control and rugged machine construction.

“We primarily serve industrial users such as brickworks, construction sites, foundries, food factories and warehouse distribution clients.”

The expert range is designed to offer solutions to even the toughest of industrial cleaning challenges, as Calvin elaborates, “Floor cleaning is something that can often get overlooked, yet it’s one of the most important aspects of site maintenance, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but from the Health and Safety angle too. Even if there isn’t an immediately visible requirement for equipment, it pays to be aware of the regulations around

controlling harmful dusts and other cleaning guidelines to ensure you are staying compliant.”

The Kodiak K12 Oscillating Scrubber-Dryer is one of the best problem-solvers; offering deep cleaning, polishing and even stripping solutions. Its oscillating scrubbing head gives orbital rotations up to 2,800rpm, offering high-power cleaning results every time. The machine can remove even the toughest of floor stains, with the buffer bringing the floor back to its former glory, making it perfect for high traffic usage on hard floors and tiled areas. The rectangular scrubbing head design enables cleaning right into corners and the even pressure distribution across the width of the pad ensures a uniform clean.

Kodiak machines are hand-built to a military grade standard to conquer tough cleaning tasks and to minimise the need for expensive repairs. Simple toggle switches, roto-moulded tanks and a metal chassis all from the robust construction to withstand heavy use in industrial environments.

The Topfloor TF95 is a vacuum sweeper machine, perfect for construction sites where dust, gravel and dirt can be hazardous to workers thanks to an excellent level of either M-Class or HEPA filtration. While having excellent dust control for sweeping the likes of fine dust, the TF95 has double the cleaning power of standard sweepers enabling collection of debris as large as cans and small bottles thanks to a unique Tandem Roller Sweep system that uses two centre brooms to ‘grab-up’ dirt from the ground.

Topfloor sweepers are available in a range of sizes from pedestrian through to ride-on, cabbed versions. A popular choice for high-dust applications, vacuum sweepers form

a partnership with industrial vacuums that enable users to stay compliant with Health and Safety legislation and protect their workers from potential respirable health risks.

The dedicated, expert sales team are able to provide full, detailed consultations on the cleaning models available for hire or purchase across different industries. This combined exceptional customer service, Cloud-based service system and precision-driven cleaning products has seen an increase in customer demand as Calvin outlines, “Thanks to significant uplift in revenue through 2022, the company has grown its staff count by over 20% in the last year across various departments, so that we can continue to provide a consistent quality of service to our clients.

“There’s a number of new products in the pipeline that are really exciting along with some existing product amendments to make them even better! Stay tuned for more info on this!”

To view the full range of cleaning machinery solutions and get in touch, see the details below.

T 01789 415695

info@c-ind.co.uk

www.crescentindustrial.co.uk

Big Yellow self storage

As one of the biggest national storage companies, Big Yellow recognises the importance of creating an environmentally friendly and sustainable business. They own 98% of their buildings and of these, 95% are run on clean energy. They’ve gradually been moving away from gas towards generating their electricity with rooftop solar PV panel systems, allowing them to greatly reduce their carbon footprint and generate their own energy.

Big Yellow had initially decided to install solar PV systems at two or three of its UK locations each year. Prior to the commencement of any solar panel installation, there were two things which had to be addressed; procuring the PV panels and ensuring that the intended roof was fit for solar.

The solar PV systems to be installed have a 25 year warranty, so aligning this with the life expectancy/warranty of the roof would be crucial. After concluding the roofs were not fit for solar in their current condition, following a report from Sharmans, the decision was to re-roof, replace or refurbish. Re-roofing was discounted due to the risk of water ingress damaging their

customer assets during the work and the lack of ‘green’ credentials and embodied carbon this would generate.

Over-sheeting was considered, again this option came with the benefit of extending the life expectancy of the roof. However, concerns were raised over the structural integrity of the building with the added weight of the additional roof. Not least when factoring in the possibility that over-sheeting could be needed again in another 20-25 years.

Finally, it was decided that roof refurbishment using Sharmans’ industry leading roof coatings would be the best course of action.

Backed by a 25 year product guarantee, Delcote® 25 represents the most sustainable solution and aligns perfectly with the expected life span and warranty of the solar panel systems. With minimal extra weight added to the roof, compared to over-sheeting, it eliminates issues with structural loading and incurs less than five times the amount of embodied carbon than replacing a roof.

A Sharmans representative conducted and produced a condition report at each site. It was decided that any roof with a life expectancy of 10 years or less would be treated with Delcote® in order to bring the roof back to the required standard. Due to the costs, time and lack of a guaranteed roof lifespan, patch repairs were immediately ruled out.

Big Yellow have refurbished the roofs at 10 locations using Delcote® 25 and each of these roofs is now guaranteed to last for at least another 25 years. Upon completion of the installations, coupled with the fact that Big Yellow

sells around 80% of all the power generated back to the National Grid, it is expected that the PV panels will pay for themselves within 10 years.

You can find more information on Sharmans’ roof refurbishment systems below; alternatively, you can book a condition report for your site at: www. hdsharman.co.uk/contact-us/

www.hdsharman.co.uk/installing-commercial-pv-panel-systems/

Warehouse & Logistics Update

Lantra’s new website - supporting career development in the sector now live

Leading land-based and environment skills charity Lantra has taken on the challenge to help attract new talent, and retain existing expertise in the sector, with the launch of its NEW website.

Using their own resources to re-establish their position as a trusted source for career information across a wide range of land-based industries, the new Lantra website, with its extensive careers content, is set to be just the first in a series of focused activities.

The new website is simple and aims to help visitors navigate easily by answering three key questions…

t What jobs could I do, and what do they involve?

t What training, qualifications, and experience will I need?

t Where can I get the training and qualifications I need?

The new website lists details of more than 250 job roles across 12 industries and includes a selection of videos and case studies from real employees, explaining what each job involves, how they got into their current role and why they love it.

Lantra’s website also highlights the amazing new technologies and innovative working practices that are springing up in many industries, whether it be GPS and drones, or robotics and precision farming. All of which

require higher levels of technical skills as well as the ability to understand data, solve complex problems and lead increasingly diverse teams.

Lantra’s recently appointed Chair of Trustees, David Llewelyn commented:

“Lantra’s new website is designed to provide an easily accessible tool for people to explore their career options and training pathways.

“This is a significant development and will enable us to give people the information they need, literally at their fingertips. We know that the land-based sector is a great place to work with hundreds of varied roles, but its sheer scale has meant finding ‘joined up’ information all in one place has been a challenge.

“We’re confident the new website will provide convenient, relevant and accessible information for people wanting to start a career in the great outdoors, and for those already working in the sector who want to progress their career to the next level.”

All job roles on the new website are linked to a range of relevant qualifications and training. These can be university or college qualifications, apprenticeships, vocational short-courses, or e-learning. The new website already has more than 2,500 courses listed so

people can find out more including where and when they are available.

As a not-for-profit organisation, with a long history of supporting landbased industries, Lantra is uniquely placed to provide objective information on careers opportunities and associated training and, whilst the provision of careers advice is not part of their remit, they are confident the wealth of information provided will help signpost individuals on a career path, whatever their interests or aspirations.

Dawne Middleton, National Trust Gardener, Croome, Worcester, said:   “Getting the necessary training and RHS qualifications required lots of hard work and lots of studying. Sometimes finding out who was the right person to contact, or which was the most appropriate qualification wasn’t straightforward, so Lantra’s new website resource would’ve been invaluable.

“As part of my development, I also had the opportunity to teach some younger college students and I’m confident people in their position will also value the information on the new website.”

The new website can be viewed here www.lantra.co.uk.

For more information contact marketing@lantra.co.uk or call 02476 696 996

Window

Valves

Glue Gun Services

Robust, test-driven products for trade and DIY retail outlets

In this issue of Industry Update, we are proud to announce Siroflex Limited as our Sealants Company of the Year.

Even with the current cost-of-living crisis and falling house prices, residents across the UK are still upgrading and renovating their homes. Timely home improvements always positively impact resale values, as well as makeovers making owners houseproud. This year has already seen an upsurge in home/office spaces associated with increased remote working, and both kitchen and bathroom remodelling. This is good news for trade workers and DIY retailers across the country.

Siroflex Limited is an industry-leading supplier of hybrids, silicones, acrylics, sealants, acrylics, adhesives and PU Foams: manufactured specifically for trade and DIY retail outlets.

The prominent supplier offers high-quality solutions in its own brands: OB1, OB41 and SX Trade Strength and private label brands.

Hot from the latest rounds of trade shows and events:

Siroflex has been exhibiting at the National Plastics Chester trade week and TMB 2023 at Silverstone, with live demonstrations of products.

Established in 1994 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, the company has been providing gold-standard industryproducts for almost thirty years.

Siroflex Limited is part of the Bostik/Arkema group: a global powerhouse in speciality materials: namely adhesive solutions, advanced materials and coating solutions. With 20,500 global employees, across 55 countries, the group is a major player in R&D partnerships and was listed in The Top 100 Global Innovators, from 2012-2018 by Clarivate Analytics.

We caught up with Nicola Rothwell: Packaging & Marketing Manager, to find out how the company has fared over the last 12 months:

“The last year has been challenging but also highly productive with regards to our brands’ awareness and visibility.

Our sales are maintaining an upward trend with the demand for our brands increasing monthly; helping make OB1 the fastest selling sealant brand in UK currently.

Recruitment has been a key factor from Jan 2023 with a 40% increase in personnel and we’ve also launched some exciting new lines within our OB1 range.

We’ve also had a facelift on our SX Brand to enhance our customers experience and help signpost them to the right products for their needs, through four categories: contractors, decorators, professionals and mighty strength.

The upright lettering gives enhanced readability and all the plastic cartridges are made from PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials.”

Our highly acclaimed OB1 Construction Sealant and Adhesive is a quintessentially multi-surface product: perfect for a variety of diverse bonding and sealing applications from concrete, lead, tile, aluminium, copper, wood, glass and PVC. With its innate mould-resistant, weather resistant properties, it can repair everything from leaking guttering and can bond kitchen worktops and install solar panels. It is odourless and kind to the environment too: containing no solvents or isocyanates,

Nicola added:

“This year we’ve also added some new and exciting lines to the OB1 range:

OB1 Diamond, OB1 PainterPal OB1 GreenGrass. These are all new and technically advanced hybrid products.

OB1 Diamond – a brand-new Crystal-Clear hybrid technology with excellent UV stability so it is suitable for both interior and exterior applications. Something that is currently missing on the market.

OB1 PainterPal – one of the first hybrid products to market that is specifically engineered to have excellent paintability with both water and synthetic paints, along with being UV, moisture, mould & weather resistant. Containing no isocyanates, solvents or silicones; does not shrink and is bubble free.

OB1 GreenGrass – With artificial grass becoming more and more popular we’ve also added OB1 green grass to our range. A tough, green, elastic hybrid for the seaming and installation of artificial grass surfaces. It can even be applied to wet surfaces and has a rapid tack and cure time.”

One product that the team have been promoting recently

is the SX Professionals Expanding PU Foam: perfect for those in the building/home improvement trade. The polyurethane-based properties make it ideal for fitting window frames or repairing loose tiles, insulating between brickwork and filling large gaps, as well as working as a backing material in sealant applications. With enhanced tensile strength, robust adhesion and thermal performance, it is the trade choice for interior and exterior jobs. It comes in a handy hand-held or gun grade form.

Another product that has been showcased recently is the SX Contractors LMN Silicone: perfect for sealing building, construction and glazing joints across interior and exterior settings. With precision-engineered UV resistance and waterproof seal, it is ideal for sealing building joints in window and door frames, perimeter pointing of painted wood, aluminium and unplasticized plastics such as polyester.

As part of the Bostik/Arkema Group, Siroflex is always looking to supply the latest precision-designed products, providing optimal quality, perfected through robust R&D development,

“We bring quality products to the market that deliver what they say they will.

We also pride ourselves on the exceptional service that we give to our customers. Our plans are to continue to increase our brand awareness, increase the field support to all our customers and continue to maintain our focus on our customer service.

We are delighted to be recognised as the Sealants Company of the Year by Industry Update.

It’s humbling to be recognised for what we consider to be our normal day to day ethos.

We will continue, at all times, to treat all our products, services, support and technical aspects with transparency and honesty and we will give 100% focus to delivering all of our ethos and ethics to our customers and to their customers.

We pride ourselves in directing product users to the correct product for the job.”

For more information on the whole product range, see the details below:

T +44 (0) 1226771600

www.siroflex.co.uk/en-gb/

www.ob1original.com