Engineering Update - August 2022 by jetdigitalmedia

WWW.ENGINEERING-UPDATE.CO.UK August 2022 Sponsored by ENGINEERING PDATE

www.engineering-update.co.uk CONTENTS Publication Director Kane Kane@engineering-update.co.uk01843Weller580460 Managing Director Jodie 01843jodie@jetdigitalmedia.co.ukLittle595818 Editorial Assistant Laura laura@engineering-update.co.uk01843Sharpe448443 Publishing House Jet Digital Media Ltd, Suite 1 & 2 Spratling Court Offices, Spratling Street, Manston, Kent CT12 5AN At the forefront of digital marketing, Engineering Update strives to bring the latest in industrial engineering in a format that provides the best usability and ease of use for its readers. Welcome to the August issue of Engineering Update!

Kane Weller - Publications

NotesKane’sDirector

According to the CBI’s quarterly report, growth in the UK manufacturing sector has slowed to an 18 month low which is a slight shadow on what has been an economic bright spot in recent months. With the super deduction coming to an end, the employers’ lobby group is now calling on Boris Johnson’s successor to announce a permanent tax break for the industry, and anything that boosts capital spending and investment must surely be welcomed.

There is certainly cause for optimism though. According to the CBI’s Deputy Chief Economist Anna Leach, investment intentions seem to be firming and this will be vital to keeping recession at bay. As she puts it, “the new prime minister will need to act quickly to fan the flames of these ambitions.”

There are certainly investments we as businesses can make and in this issue we hear from companies offering great products and services, from software to safety solutions, you can find it all here!

Engineering, a Recruitment Conundrum34 |3 A simple but powerful MRP system18 PPMA Gala Dinner with Jason Manford48 Manufacturing and Engineering Week Review26 Keeping Manufacturing Energy Consumption Under Control 58 August 2022

Thanks to its modular nature, the Series 600 simplifies the design, installation, and maintenance of industrial manufacturing. By providing highly accurate, multipoint temperature monitoring and control, the Series 600 equips customers with real-time data analysis, improved control and repeatability.

August 2022 4| ENGINEERING PDATE

Single and multi-box architectures are available with up to eight individually customizable pyrometer heads in one system, eliminating the need to set up multiple systems saving cost and effort. Alternatively, customers can choose between three converter boxes as well as Profinet interface.

Impac Series 600 – pyrometer with 4 sensor heads (optional)

ApplicationsTOP:

AdvancedEnergyexpandtheImpac®Series600ofpyrometerswithnewmodularsensorheads.Supportingawiderangeofwavelengthsandtemperatureranges,thenewIS600,IGA600,IGA600/23andIN600/5sensorscomplementAE’sleadingnon-contacttemperaturemeasurementportfolio

Interchangeable sensor heads minimize downtime by allowing a single system to be re-configured for a variety of measurement criteria for steel and glass manufacturing applications.

The converter boxes provide an optional display for temperature measurement and parameters directly in the instrument, eliminating the need to connect to a computer to change the settings. Different sensor heads cover temperature ranges between -40 to 2500°C and operate in spectral ranges between 0.7 to 14 μm for extended applications. The IS 600, IGA 600, and IGA 600/23 short wavelength digital pyrometers are well-suited for the measurements of metals, ceramics, or graphite while the IN 600/5 is specifically designed for the measurement of glass surfaces.

Energy’s Expanded

Advanced Modular Pyrometer Series for faster and easier Non-Contact Measurement in Industrial

BOTTOM: Modular system-architecture allowing up to 8 different measurement spots www.advancedenergy.com info@aei.com

The modular concept allows for various combinations of system components: converter box, sensor heads, and multi-sensor box. The standard configuration includes an electronic converter box, a sensor cable, and a removable sensor head to allow for easy exchange. To ensure maximum flexibility, the system allows for any combination of the available sensor heads, even with different wavelengths.

|5 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE Details available from Barry George • barry.george@industrilas.com Industrilås GB • Halesfield 17 • Telford TF7 4PF Office: 01952 580 845 • sales.gb@industrilas.com • www.industrilas.com ✔ Ease of assembly ✔ Secure ✔ Choice of key locking options ✔ Ex-stock or bespoke designs to customer specifications ✔ Massive range of options ISOAccreditations:9001•ISO 140O01 • DIN EN 61373 The complete range of quality access hardware from Swedish manufacturer Industrilås is now available direct from its Telford office and warehouse. Most items are ex-stock. Key advantages to designers and users include: ACCESS. ALL AREAS Industrilas GB half pp generic.pdf 1 04/03/2022 10:29

01580 891662

costs by at least 50%, minimising the environmental impact due to less wastage which was a great result for everyone. Get in touch with our sales team and find out how we can design, manufacture and supply your bespoke Diamond Tooling solution.

What makes us unique and trusted partners to our global customer base is that our R&D department very much works in partnership with them from inception to the supply. It usually starts with a chat and testing of sample materials, leading to either inhouse or live production testing during which the team continually liaises with the end user, ensuring the Diamond Tooling solution delivered matches the exact needs of the customer.

One recent example came from one of our partners in the Wind Turbine industry who was looking for a tooling solution to remove large volumes of composite material from wind turbine blades during the repair process. We worked with their team and developed a bespoke diamond electroplated grinding disc that reduced production

info@dk-holdings.co.ukwww.dk-holdings.co.uk@DK_HoldingsDKHoldingsLimited

Diamond Tooling solutions for the Renewable Energy Industry

John Emptage, Sales & Marketing Manager at Diamond Tooling manufacturer DK Holdings talks about how the company has become a valued partner to the ever-evolving Wind Turbine industry, supplying their off-the-shelf and bespoke Diamond Tooling ranges.

In 2019, wind generators became the UK's second largest source of electricity, providing almost one-fifth of the UK's total generation.

HOLDINGS LIMITED DKHoldings is proud to have relationshipslongstandingwith customers in the Wind Turbine industry worldwide. This was particularly evident at JEC WORLD in Paris earlier this year where we showcased our latest range of Diamond Tooling solutions for the Composite industry. The team had a number of informal meetings with industry professionals within the Renewable Energy sector, in particular those who are developing new composite materials made from natural and man-made fibers. It was interesting to hear about the challenges companies are facing where there is not just a need to streamline manufacturing processes, but an additional requirement to cause minimal impact on the environment.

Lamonde Automation Limited Quality Products: Expert Advicesales@lamonde.comwww.lamonde.com+44(0)2030262670 PLC Web Browser  OPC UA Server  WebView  In Excess of 300 Communication Drivers  Event Bar Chart  Database Server  SQL Query  Energy Demand Display/Setting Features Include:

August 2022 8| ENGINEERING PDATE

Safety devices for industrial automation systems.

Safety switches First and foremost, one should pay attention to the wide range of Schmersal switches. TME offers both standard (magnetic) switches and precision digital switches utilizing RFID technology. The supplier's portfolio is divided into series with different electrical and mechanical characteristics.

Interlocking switches prevent access to dangerous areas: parts of the production process, transmission lines, as well as rooms and chambers where environmental hazards (increased temperature, presence of fumes, etc.) may exist. The switches can detect if an actuator key breaks or becomes separated from its door mounted position, transmit a signal to the control unit and lock the door/cover. The locking force for Schmersal products in the TME offer is from 500 N to 10 kN. Most of the switches have a high ingress protectioin rating (IP67 or IP69), dzięki so they can be successfullyused in mechanical processing plants, paint shops, CNC machines etc. They are also characterised by high thermal tolerance; many models operate in temperatures from -25°C to 60°C. The switches operate from 24 V AC/DC to 230 V AC and have 1 to 4 outputs with NO, NC, or NONC contact configuration. Schmersal products meet the requirements of the ISO 14119 international standard defining optimal characteristics for industrial interlocking elements.

Protecting workers, machine operators and even unauthorized persons is a priority for those designing and building installations in machinery sources - regardless of the industry.

It should be noted here that the extensive Schmersal range includes switches with additional functionalities: they enable the construction of a complex protection system for machine operators, speed up inspection (e.g. by signalling the device status with easy-toread LEDs), and provide additional safety features. For example, some products (including the AZM300 series) utilize RFID technology, which practically prevents them from being accidentally started. Complex installations will benefit from the use of series-connected switches - the MZM100 series, for example, not only enables the max. length of the sensor chain of 200 m, but also intelligent diagnostics of the AZM 400 has a diagnostic output, LED indicators, and a clamping force of 10kN.

What is more, with the right safeguards in place, a production process, warehouse or even an individual machine benefits from higher productivity, shorter downtimes and (crucially in the food or pharmaceutical industry, for example) high hygiene standards.

continue reading engineering-update.co.uk....on

Preventing the presence of unauthorized persons and protecting operators is possible, among others, thanks to safety switches – elements dedicated to supervising automated processes. Due to the important function they perform, they must be proven and reliable. This is why we recommend to our customers solutions from Schmersal, a German brand specializing in industrial protection. These are high-quality switches and sensors with a long service life that are designed for use in modern automation systems (e.g., supervised by industrial networks using the AS-Interface standard). Below is an overview of these products, including compatible safety relays and a number of associated accessories.

Interlocking switches

A pressure reducing valve from steam specialist TLV Euro Engineering has been installed at King’s College Hospital in London and operating on a daily basis for nearly 14 years without an overhaul or spares fitted.

Durable Pressure Reducing Valve Celebrates 14 Years In Service And Secures Contract For Ward Refurbishment

Based on this feedback, TLV applied its fluid control technology to solve the many associated problems including fluctuations in primary and secondary pressures and valve hunting and Thevibration.renowned COSPECT, which many believe to be the ultimate pressure reducing valve (PRV), uniquely combines three components in a single valve – a piston-operated pressure reducing valve, a cyclonical effects separator and a freefloat steam trap. This innovation not only saves space but also simplifies system layout, piping and maintenance. The COSPECT also ensures that dry saturated steam is provided at constant pressure and temperature, which helps to improve product quality.

It is estimated that the valve has achieved an average throughput of 950kg/h over its 14-year life, equivalent to 117,000 tonnes of steam.

COSPECT’s separator achieves 98% condensate separation efficiency and the strainer removes any remaining rust or scale. In addition, the condensate that is separated out is quickly removed through the built-in free float trap. All of which produces a noticeable improvement in the quality of the steam, and its heat conductivity. This can lead to increased valve life as well as increasing the service life and performance downstream equipment. Maintenance is also simplified thanks to the COSPECT’s modular construction and use of PTFE gaskets, which makes the unit quick and easy to remove, or to maintain inline.

August 2022 10| ENGINEERING PDATE

The COSPECT pressure reducing valve was originally specified by TLV Euro Engineering and installed by a contractor in 2008 for the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Ruskin Wing, the tallest building in the Denmark Hill campus and one housing many of the hospital’s neurological departments.

And in that time, the pressure reducing valve has never had any spares fitted, never been overhauled and has only occasionally had the operating pressures adjusted by the end user.

Commenting for TLV Euro Engineering, general manager Michael Povey says: “We were approached by Joji Abraham, the hospital’s estate officer, who was so impressed with the durability and longevity of the valve that he had no hesitation in contacting us when seeking a quote for a new plate heat exchanger system for the refurbishment of the Trust’s bone marrow ward.

“The age of the COSPECT was subsequently confirmed by our regional sales engineer during an initial site audit for the planned ward refurbishment project, with the programme since being fully commissioned and featuring two new plate heat exchangers from TLV Euro Engineering.” When the COSPECT was first introduced in 1985, TLV had been manufacturing steam traps and related steam products for over 30 years and was well aware of the limitations and inadequacies its customers were experiencing with conventional PRV’s.

For further information, call TLV Euro Engineering on +44 (0)1242 227223, email sales@tlv.co.uk or visit www.tlv.co.uk

Originally installed outside between two buildings at the site, the COSPECT valve has since been enclosed by further building works at the hospital campus. Installed to reduce pressure in the main steam line from 8 bar to 2 bar, indirect steam is used for the hospital’s heating batteries and domestic hot water purposes, so the COSPECT valve is operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The AZM150 is an electromechanical design which can be combined with high safety standards. The interlock comes with a low coding level as standard but is also available with an optional high coding level. The beneﬁt for users: In accordance with ISO 14119, a higher coding requires fewer measures to prevent the bypassing of locking mechanisms, such as ﬁtting out of range or in a concealed position. Schmersal is the only manufacturer which can offer electromechanical safety switches and solenoid interlocks with high coding levels.

SCHMERSAL

Enigma

AZM150 SOLENOID INTERLOCK: SLIMLINE DESIGN WITH 360 ROTATING HEAD AND 1400 NEWTON CLAMPING FORCE O

Scan the QR code to see the AZM150 in action or visit our website for more information. uksupport@schmersal.comwww.schmersal.co.uk| Business Park Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1GL

The AZM150 solenoid interlock can be combined with three different actuators for different installation situations: a straight actuator for sliding doors, an angled actuator for large revolving doors and a movable actuator for smaller revolving doors. One of the plus points of the interlock is the rotating actuator head which can be locked simply by putting the lid on rather than a screw ﬁtting. The rotating actuator head has two feeder slots to enable a range of installation positions and approach options. This makes the interlock really ﬂexible to use.

August 2022 12| ENGINEERING PDATE CalioTheLargerCirculatorHigh-EfficiencyforBuildingsKSBGroupwilllaunchthehigh-efficiencyProseriesinJuly2022.

As an extension to its range of high-efficiency glandless pumps with continuously variable speed control, the KSB Group is launching the Calio Pro type series in July 2022. Available in screwended or flanged designs, the new pumps have been developed for recirculation systems in larger buildings, such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

The fluid temperature range from -10 °C to +110 °C makes the new pump sets suitable for a wide variety of applications, from heating water to coolant transport and industrial recirculation systems. The pumps are also available in a twin pump configuration as Calio Pro Z.

Telephone: 01509 231872

The new type series is available in 25 sizes and can handle flow rates of up to 24 m3/h at a maximum head of 12 mWC. The Calio Pro series includes a volt-free general fault message as standard for simple forwarding to a building services control station. Without additional software or hardware modules, two pumps – one used as duty pump, the other as stand-by – can be operated in parallel with automatic changeover in the event of a fault as well as timer-controlled pump changeover. Often this allows investment and commissioning costs to be kept to a Installationminimum. and commissioning are very simple, as all operating modes, functions and setpoints can be adjusted using keys on the control panel display. The user is shown the set head or, in open-loop control mode, the speed level. Unauthorised manipulation of the operating parameters can be prevented by locking the keypad.

With their high efficiencies, the new pump sets already meet the requirements of future energy efficiency regulations. Thanks to the integrated intelligent DynamicControl program, additional energy savings of around 40 percent can be achieved compared with conventional proportional-pressure control. As the function is purely based on software, no additional costs will be incurred by further sensors or actuators. The pumps automatically gather all required information from their internal signals. The program rules out undersupply in the event of changing system conditions.

Email: Website:sales@ksb.comwww.ksb.co.uk

Aesthetic

your speci cations. For more information please contact us tel: 01925 839610 | email: info.uk@rmig.com | www.rmig.com

Levelling For some applications a high degree of atness is required, have processes in place to ensure perforated coils and sheets meet with most demanding requirements. and forming can roll, bend and form perforated sheets to match design. nishes and protective coating offer powder coating and hot dip meet

Rolling

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ClassroomE-learning based “Live” On-sitewebinarscourses Tailored options For more information call 0121 601 6691 scan code for the training guide or email: training@bpma.org.uk Independent Pump Training from |13 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE we make ideas come to life RMIG is the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of perforated metal and its related products. We know our customers’ requirements for price and quality and meet their demands with uncompromising service. Not only do we offer standard and bespoke perforated metal sheets, we are able to offer you a range of secondary operations as detailed below. Complete solutions With a continued investment in the latest equipment and a network of professional partners we are able to produce prime quality products and solutions – from a simple perforated sheet to the fully formed and coated custom made part. Cutting We can cut and shape perforated sheet to meet the needs of your nal application.

your

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Recruitment company secures

SSI Schaefer Ltd, which operates across six continents and has more than 10,500 employees, has entered into a Recruitment Process Outsource (RPO) agreement with Kettering based Wills Consultants Ltd.

“We require peace of mind that our employees have had the very best hiring experience from the initial source through to post engagement. It is essential that we partner with a company that shares our core values

Andy Wightman, managing director UK at SSI Schaefer, commented: “We work with very large brands, meaning we sometimes manage and deliver projects worth millions of pounds to our customers.

A recruitment firm in Northamptonshire has been selected by a global engineering company to lead its recruitment processes.

global engineering contract

August 2022 14| ENGINEERING PDATE

The agreement sees Wills Consultants manage and enhance the end-to-end sourcing and recruitment strategy for permanent and contract operation roles across all UK sites.

www.ssi-schaefer.com/en-gb www.willsconsultants.com

Simon Wills, director at Wills Consultants Ltd, added: “Finding the right talent for SSI Schaefer is crucial and the work we have done together over the last year has proven to be highly successful with a 100 per cent placement record, despite the pandemic challenges and “Welockdowns.areproviding a concierge management account service and are looking forward to working together more and seeing this partnership promote the hiring manager experience and heighten candidate steadfastness with the brand.”

when hiring and Wills Consultants has shown that it can improve our acquisition function.”

Andy Wightman (left) and Simon Wills (right) at SSI Schaefer’s Towcester facility in the UK.

AN ESSENTIALON-SITE CYGNUS 4+ ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE • Multi-mode accurate measuring including heavily corroded metals with a thin or no coating • Light, intuitive, reliable material thickness gauge • Large sunlight readable display with Live A-scan • Sequential data-logging for easy reporting/analysis • Safe operation in explosive atmospheres: Class 1, Division 2, Group D locations only, as defined in NFPA 70, Article 500 OILGASAND TEMPERATUREHIGH STORAGETANKS ENGINEERINGCIVIL TUBESPIPES/ SCAN THE QR CODE TO GET YOUR FREE QUOTE OR CALL OUR TEAM ON +44 (0) 1305 265 533 CYGNUS-INSTRUMENTS.COM

Wolf Safety have introduced a powerful new range of ATEX certified LED installed lighting, designed for permanent use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

• Linear luminaires featuring the new, revolutionary Directional Linear Optics (DLO) or standard Forward Facing Array LED configurations (with battery back-up emergency versions also available);

The range includes:

• High bay lighting.

For detailed technical information visit: www.wolfsafety.com

DLO directs light exactly where it’s needed and is ideal for use in specific, close-up workspaces, reducing glare to avoid people being ‘blinded’ by the emitted light, while its excellent colour definition facilitates safety critical hazardous area tasks.

Forward Facing Array (FFA) technology can be preferable for safely illuminating large hazardous areas which need wide, even and bright light coverage, where lights are mounted away from people or at heights where glare and intensity can’t have an adverse effect on the working environment.

The company’s designers and production engineers have now brought their vast knowledge and expertise to bear on a new range of highly effective LED installed lighting, which is safe to use in Zones 1 and 21 hazardous areas.

• Floodlights with a market leading maximum light output of up to 25,932 lumens;

The world’s leading manufacturer of portable and temporary ATEX and IECEx certified hazardous area safety lighting, Wolf have been keeping people safe for more than 110 years.

August 2022 16| ENGINEERING PDATE

• Bulkhead lighting, also featuring DLO (with battery back-up emergency versions also available);

Safe for use in hazardous areas, ATEX

certified installed LED lighting is now available from Wolf Safety

Says Miles Jackson, Wolf Safety’s Sales and Marketing Director: “We know that users of Wolf products trust us to keep them safe, especially when they need to work in highly volatile atmospheres and other hazardous “Allworkplaces.thevalues people expect from Wolf - and are seen in our portable and temporary lighting ranges - can now be found in this new installed lighting range, which we are proud to introduce.”

ecoUK AC PLTD OWER www.ecopacpower.co.uk ENCLOSEDPOWERSUPPLY DINSUPPLYPOWERRAIL OPEN POWERFRAMESUPPLY MEAN WELL POWER SUPPLIES Ecopac (UK) Power Ltd, Unit 4, Ridgeway, Crendon Industrial Area, Long Crendon, Bucks, HP18 9BF CALL OUR EXPERT TEAM TODAY! +44 (0) 1844 204420 Email us at info@ecopacpower.co.uk

MRPeasy-AsimplebutpowerfulMRPsystemdesigned specifically for manufacturerssmall

MRPeasy is a cloud-based ERP/MRP system designed for manufacturers with up to 200 employees. The software offers SMEs across all industries the same powerful range of functionalities that larger systems do for bigger companies, but at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, as the platform has been built specifically for businesses with no in-house IT staff, it is intuitive and easy to implement and use. More than 250 companies in the UK have implementedsuccessfullyMRPeasy. One of them is Splosh.

Production manager Suzanne Boak joined the company when the first steps of implementation were already taken.

“I can easily see what I have planned, I can quickly check if that is still appropriate according to my stock levels, and I can simply drag something to a different date or time,” Suzanne says. “So, it’s helping me with my organization but it’s also helping me identify where we’ve got wastes and inefficiencies that I can work on with the team.”

More information and a free trial of MRPeasy are available at www.mrpeasy.com

“One major one was stock control, but we also needed something that would support the management of multiple locations and allow us to understand our cost of goods sold. And the more we dive into MRPeasy, the more we get out of it.”

“I had worked previously with Netsuite, which was a behemoth and a quite difficult system to work with,” she states. “MRPeasy feels like a breeze to be honest. I find it intuitive and simple.”

As a business owner wearing many hats, Angus took on implementing the new system all by himself and got all the data loaded within a long weekend.

Spreadsheets failed to support the company’s growth When Splosh started properly marketing their products in 2018, their order volumes began to grow and with increasing production, managing their business through google spreadsheets was no longer a feasible way of working.

New system helps them clean up their manufacturing management

Suzanne explains: “We’ve started seeing improvement in productivity, but we can also see how we can utilise MRPeasy further to increase accuracy and help to drive down wastes and improve processes. This, in turn, will support our customer satisfaction levels.”

One solution that ticked all the boxes Googling around, Angus came across MRPeasy. Apart from tools for inventory management, Splosh also found in MRPeasy a solution that would help them with production planning and packing of the finished goods. “It ticked all the boxes,” Angus affirms.

Producing cleaning agents with a clean conscience Splosh is a Welsh-based sustainable cleaning products manufacturer that is disrupting the home chemical industry by offering sustainable refill solutions. Their product catalogue includes shower gels, shampoos, hand soaps, laundry and dishwashing products as well as surface cleaners, plus a range of refillable bottles. Since its inception in 2012, the company has aimed to provide its UK customers with eco-friendly yet affordable cleaning products by cutting out intermediaries and unnecessary packaging.

“I started to realise that I could not control or manage stock at all,” explained Angus Grahame, founder, “so, I started to look for a more functional solution.”

The new system has made a big difference to Suzanne’s workload, as well as to the company’s overall efficiency. When previously they did all of the planning manually offline and in spreadsheets, they had no meaningful way of tracking their efficiencies. Now they have an all-in-one solution to manage their inventory, plan and schedule production, and tackle wastes in the production process.

|19 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE

As engineering managers cope with relentless pressure to deliver improved productivity, often with fewer skilled hands and tighter budgets, the benefits of professional tool storage and management become stronger than ever.

• Intuitive interface, with an easy to use touchscreen

August 2022 20| ENGINEERING UPDATE

5™ system makes that possible. It provides complete reports on everything managers or supervisors need to keep an eye on. They are even informed when a tool needs to be refilled or ordered.

Snap-on Industrial’s Level 5™ automated total asset management system brings order to any workplace, enabling engineers and technicians to know exactly where to find every tool they need, when they need it, saving time and easing stress. How useful would it be if all your workshop’s valuable tools could be tracked from one central LevelSnap-on’spoint?

• No limitations on tool size: from ¼” screwdriver bit to just less than the size of the drawer;

• Automatic locking for maximum security

Major benefits of the system include:

• No individual tool scanning required;

• Audible voice confirmation of tool removal and replacement

Says Richard Packham, Director UK & Europe for Snap-on Industrial: “Snapon’s automated system takes asset management to an entirely new level. The ability to monitor several boxes from one central computer offers a huge advantage to engineering managers.”

• Errors announced and displayed to indicate incorrect tool position or advise when a drawer is not closed.

And then there’s FOD. The threat of foreign object damage is a real and present danger in many engineering workplaces. Using Snap-on Level 5™ minimises the risk of human error, as automated tool control constantly tracks every tool and detects which tools have been removed or returned, ensuring greater protection against FOD. Engineered to track individual tools by user, without bar codes, scanners, RFID tags or other add-ons, the system works at the speed its users demand. Other systems require additional steps to scan or log activity. The Snap-on system does this automatically so users save time and don’t have to depend on other steps to ensure accurate results.

• No RFID tags to install or replace;

Snap-on’s Level 5™ ATC boxes are network ready, using either Ethernet or wireless connection. That enables users to review activity at all Level 5 boxes in their location from one central computer, avoiding the time consuming need to inspect each box.For technical details visit: www.snapon-industrial.co.uk, call (01536) 413904 or e-mail: ukindustrialmarketing@snapon.com

Snap-on’s Level 5™ asset management system is network ready

12-13 October 2022 Coventry Building Society Arena THE LARGEST UK EVENT DEDICATED TO DESIGN ENGINEERING www.engineeringdesignshow.co.uk Celebrating 10 years Interested in exhibiting? Get in touch with simon.bonell@markallengroup.com for more information on our exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities. @EngDesignShow #EngDesignShow

Winners of the PPMA Group Industry Awards 2022 will be announced and presented with their awards during PPMA Total 2022, which will celebrate the very best in innovation, creativity and operational performance. The judging panel of industry experts will be looking for creative solutions, smart integration and innovative approaches to increase productivity and efficiency, reduce costs and waste and improve safety across a series of categories.

PPMA Total 2022, the UK’s largest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision show, will play host to this year’s PPMA Group Industry Awards. The event will be held on Wednesday 28th September at the NEC, Birmingham.

The Award categories this year, which are open to machinery, automation and equipment manufacturers, suppliers, system integrators, as well as end users, include: Innovative Processing System, Innovative Packaging Machinery, Innovative Robotics Solution and Most Innovative Vision Solution. There is also an award for Outstanding Customer Service that will recognise a company whose customer service strategy has delivered the highest levels of customer satisfaction, retention and growth.

August 2022 22| ENGINEERING PDATE

PPMA GROUP AWARDS CELEBRATING

Further details regarding Award categories can be found at www.ppmashow.co.uk Submissions for entries are now open and for further details email awards@ppma.co.uk

INDUSTRY’S BEST TO BE PRESENTED AT PPMA TOTAL SHOW 2022

August 2022 24| ENGINEERING PDATE

STERTIL COMBILOK ENSURES SAFETY FOR GLOBAL DRINKS SUPPLIER

Following a recommendation from its systems integrator, one of the world’s leading drinks businesses specified the Combilok vehicle restraint system to improve safety and speed up operations within a loading bay at its distribution centre in Scotland.

Supplied and installed by Stertil Dock Products, the Combilok was installed within a loading bay supporting the handling of kegs into and out of the company’s production and distribution facilities. All vehicle loading and unloading operations are undertaken by a fleet of fork trucks fitted with special keg handling clamps. During these operations, the Combilok eliminates the possibility of vehicle movement including ‘creep’ and careless ‘drive offs’ thereby preventing accidents and ensuring total safety Communication between drivers and distribution personnel in loading bays can be poor. The Combilok was developed exclusively to reduce the risk of unintentional vehicle movement on loading bays and offers a ‘safety net’ against poor communication by holding vehicles in one place until loading or unloading is completed. Not only does this improve safety, it also eliminates damage to expensive goods and equipment and helps guard against theft. During operation, the Combilok is fully interlocked: the loading bay door cannot be opened until the Combilok is in position and the Combilok cannot be released until the door is closed again and it is safe to drive away. Totally automatic in operation, the Combilok also overcomes any language difficulties that may arise with drivers delivering from all over the world. Providing unrivalled efficiency and reliability, the Combilok helps companies to fulfil their health and safety obligations in loading bays. The system accommodates most types of commercial vehicles including those with ‘tail lifts’ and its ease of assembly on smooth surfaces like stelcon plates means that it’s ideal for both new and existing sites. Stertil Dock Products has also designed the Combilok system with a minimal number of moving parts thus making it safe, simple and inexpensive both to install and maintain.

Typically, the Scottish goods in/goods out warehouse operates throughout 16 hours a day, five days a week, supported by the Stertil Combilok.

“Our Combilok vehicle restraint system has been relied upon in busy loading bays throughout the world for over 25 years,” says Andy Georgiou, General Manager of Stertil Dock Products. “In fact, such has been the success of the original model that we have recently introduced our latest generation, fully-patented Combilok G2 version which will ensure our continued dominance of the global loading bay equipment market by setting new standards of performance, reliability and safety.”

https://www.stertilcombilokg2.com/uk/

|25 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE Improve your liquid transfer operations with... +44 (0)1772 323529 | dixoneurope.co.uk The Right Connection • Cam & Groove Couplers • Stainless Steel Hose Assemblies • Ball Valves • Actuated Valves • PTFE Hose Assemblies • Bespoke Fabrication • Industrial Hose Couplings UNCOMMON EXCELLENCE • DESIGN • CUSTOMER SERVICE • INNOVATION • MANUFACTURING • QUALITY • TECHNICAL EXPERTISE • UNCOMMON EXCELLENCE • DESIGN • Hoses and hose assemblies • Hose & pipe fittings • No-spill couplings • Safety breakaway fittings • Blow-Out prevention couplings • Hydraulic Fracturing: Low Pressure Systems • Loading arms • Liquid level sensing • Zero emission valves Fluid transfer products for upstream, downstream and refining • Global inventory and locations • Sales and technical support worldwide • In-house engineering & design • ISO 9001 accredited • Pressure Equipment Directive Products: Dixon ProductsPetrochemical

Major show sponsors igus, Farnell and Wurth Electronics gave the event a definite thumbs up, emphasizing how valuable it was to meet so many high quality visitors. Matthew Aldridge, Managing Director of igus, said: “It’s been a great event. We’ve met the right people and we’re definitely going to be here next year,” while Simon Meadmore, Vice President Product & Supplier Management, Farnell, was equally enthusiastic: “It’s exceeded our expectations. It’s definitely something we will do again. We’ve had really engaging conversations and it’s great to be back in this kind of format and seeing so many people attending the event.”

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The very first Manufacturing & Engineering Week got off to a flying start at Birmingham’s NEC as well over 5000 visitors attended over the two day live event to celebrate the very best of British innovation, creativity and best practice.

The four collocated exhibitions - Manufacturing Expo, Engineering Expo, Maintec and Design Engineering Expo –attracted 209 exhibitors from across the breadth of UK manufacturing and engineering. A wealth of solutions was on offer, from design and development to processes, assembly, control, robotics, maintenance, skills development and many more.

Manufacturing & Engineering Week opened its doors to innovation and the best of UK industry

At one of the first live shows since Covid, exhibitors were keen to show their wares, with many reporting a large number of good leads during the event as well as some sales.

August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE

James East, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Wurth Electronics, also emphasized the value of attending: “It’s been a really good event. We’ve had loads of face to face interactions in the last couple of days - we’re definitely going to be signed next year and we can’t wait.”

continues....

“We were excited to see that so many exhibitors and visitors chose to join us to celebrate the very best of UK engineering talent,” says Natig Asadullaev, Exhibition Director of organisers Nineteen Group. “Bringing so many innovative ideas and creative people together made the entire event a great success and the ideas and solutions that Manufacturing and Engineering Week produced will help the UK meet its challenges and make the most of its opportunities.” Bringing people together was the aim of CONNECT+ Live. This was a concierge service that pre-qualified engineering, manufacturing process and management professionals and buyers from buildings, supply chain & industrial maintenance sectors and matched them with a selected number of exhibitors for face-to-face meetings at the event. Newbridge Events, an expert agency specialising in business matchmaking, matched buyers’ needs with the connect+ suppliers, ensuring they found the solutions to meet their Twentyrequirements.exhibitors were involved, and 142 meetings and introductions were made. Key buyers to benefit from the meetings included Jaguar Land Rover, British Sugar, National Grid Gas Ltd, BT and EvenDuPont.before the event opened its doors, a day of digital sessions whetted the appetite for more, with some of the UK industry’s leading lights, such as Juergen Mair, giving their expert views on the issues and opportunities facing engineering and manufacturing today. Lessons learned and questions raised throughout the week were also addressed in an online round up session with industry experts after the event, featuring Ben Fletcher, Chief Operating Officer of Make UK. With innovation being a key focus, one of the most popular attractions for visitors was the Innovation Zone. As well as an AI enabled car, a vertical take-off biplane and an F1 simulator, visitors could also take an early peek at the New Holland T6 Methane Power, the world’s first 100% methane powered production tractor.

28| August 2022 ENGINEERING PDATE

Winners on the first day were Expert Technology Group, while Hunter Selection came out top on day 2.

Another focus of innovation and a popular highlight of the show was a challenge built around the famous 1980s Great Egg Race television show. Both days saw engineers eager to show their skills by getting a raw egg safely over a wall and into a bucket.

Companies large and small also brought their experience to the event in the form of workshop sessions that showed how they solved challenges for customers with the latest innovative Withtechnology.somany exhibitors rebooking onsite, plus a large number of visitors also expressing interest in taking stand space next year, the live shows will be held in the larger Hall 4 in 2023 on the 7-8 June at the NEC, Birmingham. The collaboration with Rapid News Group will continue for 2023, giving visitors access once again to the colocated Med-Tech Innovation and TCT 3Sixty events. In addition, Automechanika Birmingham, the leading trade show for the UK automotive supply chain sector, run by Messe Frankfurt, will also take place the same week. Access to all shows is free of charge.

During the event, Nineteen Group also announced its acquisition of Hennik Group, organizers of Digital Manufacturing Week and the publishers of The Manufacturer. Hennik brings excellent connections with a large number of industry professionals, as well as digital expertise that will help Nineteen Group offer additional opportunities for the sector.

Education was a major theme of the week and conference theatres in each of the four events featured CPD accredited high-level keynote presentations, panel discussions and case studies. Opened by the Secretary of State, these sessions filled all available seats with something for everyone across UK industry, covering sectors including aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, motorsport, energy & renewables, pharmaceutical, space and FMCG, with a particular focus on SMEs’ and OEMs’ strategies.

Another world’s first was the first bike made from recycled plastics. Motion plastics specialist igus has designed a robust, durable urban bike made entirely of plastic, from the frame to its bearings and even the toothed belt.

Save the date for M&E 2023 – 7-8 June 2023, NEC Birmingham. Register your interest now at interestwww.mandeweek.co.uk/register-your-

Topics under the spotlight included the future of the sector, digital transformation, incorporating AI, Net Zero, diversity and skills, Brexit and beyond, cyber security, navigating changing laws and more.

The ELEVENT’s modular design makes it possible to manufacture the individual parts of the breather valve from different materials, such as stainless steel or Hastelloy, and to use special coatings, such as Halal, to meet the challenges of the respective processes. The use of housing clips not only allows the individual components and gaskets to be selected in accordance with the relevant process conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pressures and process media –but also ensures they can be replaced without a problem. Maintenance and cleaning work can also be carried out quickly and easily.

30| August 2022 ENGINEERING PDATE

The ELEVENT breather valve from REMBE protects vessels with low design pressures against overpressure and vacuum in a pressure range of 2–200 mbarg. This makes it the optimum solution for low-pressure vessels inside storage tanks, dryers and other vessels in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food Forindustries.example,

Breather valve for overpressure and vacuum safety

Protection for low-pressure tanks in a wide range of industries

Fig. 1: ELEVENT breather valve

In all industries in which sensitive process media are used, the highest demands are placed on maintaining the quality, shelf life and product purity of the processed liquid or solid substances. This is often the case in the food industry and in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

ELEVENT is ideal for use in dryers in which freeflowing process media, such as cocoa, raw tablet materials or teas, are processed under vacuum. If the vacuum pressure inside the vessel begins to drop, the valve opens and thus ensures targeted pressure equalisation, which is of immense importance both for the stability of the dryer as well as the quality of the sensitive substances inside. Controlled maintenance of the pressure level is achieved via a very low leakage rate of up to 1x10-6 mbar x l/sec. This prevents both emissions of volatile gases or other environmentally harmful substances, as well as the formation of explosive mixtures or a potentially dangerous ingress of air.

All in all, REMBE’s ELEVENT represents a safe solution for plants in a wide variety of fields. Indeed, numerous market-leading plant manufacturers worldwide have already chosen to rely on the high quality and efficiency of the ELEVENT breather valve.

For substances that require high product purity, oxidation is one of the greatest dangers. If oxygen or gases from the atmosphere penetrate inside the vessel, there is a risk of significant economic damage for the company concerned. To prevent this, the -KLI version of the ELEVENT features an inerting connection that introduces the required amount of nitrogen to prevent subsequent reactions with the medium.

reservedrightsAll|REMBE®© Consulting. Engineering. Products. Service. T +49 2961 hello@rembe.de7405-0 Gallbergweg 21 | 59929 Brilon, Germany F +49 2961 50714 | www.rembe.de Made in Germany Your Specialist for EXPLOSION SAFETY and PRESSURESOLUTIONSRELIEF

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MQTT is gaining popularity for connecting plant (OT) data to corporate IT departments or the cloud. And although it fits well in some applications, it could be better, especially for large, complex projects.

To meet these challenges MQTT must get smarter. As a transport protocol, MQTT specifies that messages are simply carried—not read—like a letter in the post. But what if we gave an MQTT broker the ability to interpret the messages it carries? It would be able to handle messages more intelligently, changing protocols and message formats to accommodate different client requirements, or even modify the messages to add useful information. With those capabilities, an MQTT broker could aggregate messages in different formats into a single, uniform stream. It could also queue incoming data intelligently, handling overload conditions in a way that guarantees consistency. It could act as a gateway to other standard protocols, convert among custom data representations and augment the data with connection quality information on each value

For MQTT Smarter is Better. Anyone implementing MQTT for OT/IT or IoT should understand the advantages of a smart MQTT broker.

Put simply, making MQTT smarter can make it more suitable for OT/IT or Industrial IoT connectivity.

Making MQTT smarter can make it better

MQTT was developed for low resource use and quick implementation. It does well connecting field devices to a central broker and providing access to the device data. But to connect entire plant systems to IT and the cloud, MQTT can struggle. Often a variety of devices in larger systems need to communicate with each other over MQTT using different data formats. Additionally, the simple, direct security model of device-to-client is insufficient when networks need to be isolated using DMZs.

Youupdate.can read more about these possibilities and others in a white paper:

|33 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE Fluid Carr ying Flexibility Swivel Joints Bingswood Trading Estate Whaley Bridge | High Peak | SK23 7LY | UK ArticulatedPipework InTorsionHosesRotatingCylinders Swivel joints allow pipework to pressure 1/4” to 40” and beyond. Vacuum to over 20,000psi Stock and bespoke production. Unique bearing/seal design for longer life. ISO 9001 CE marked where applicable. Tel: +44(0)1663 735003 E-mail:

•

Throughout the world there have been various employment-based demographic shifts, the most common being engineering related.

In the not-too-distant past school leaving males gravitated towards engineering disciplines, simply because it was expected, and then on a large scale it just stopped, and a return in vast numbers, at least for now, seems unlikely. The reasons for the cessation are numerous, here are a few:

•

Engineering, a Recruitment Conundrum

On the corporate side, cyclical changes are common and normal. This means opportunities in certain engineering disciplines is healthy, still manpower problems remain.

• IT became very popular, a lucrative area to operate in De-nationalisation Physically demanding work Scrapping of apprenticeship schemes Unattractive salary levels

The strongest candidate, on paper, is not necessarily the most suitable. A newly placed engineer making

Skills Provision specialise in sourcing suitable engineers, with emphasis on the word ‘suitable’. We consider ourselves different to other agencies, and not because we operate internationally, more because we have a unique and fresh approach to engineering recruitment. For starters, we often disregard client instructions, this sounds fairly incendiary, but actually makes perfect sense. Clients provide us with their requirements often without taking into account the bigger picture and legalities, this includes churn, loyalty, stability, flexibility, adaptability and most importantly equality, so we add these factors in ourselves. We are the recruitment experts, it’s what we are good at.

Starting locally, then nationally and if needed international. Throughout the entire process visa support is available, if needed.

34| August 2022 ENGINEERING PDATE

•

At Skills Provision we have our own unique Client Zone, in here we present a cross section of engineers, those we deem suitable, all supplemented with various forms of benchmark scoring and related comments. We look to cover both genders, various age groups, ethnicity, and where possible disabled workers. Video presentations are also commonplace. We fully understand and appreciate the final choice will always lie with the employer. We are the coaches of this team, not the manager.

The locations covered are related to the availability of engineers. Imagine tossing a pebble into a perfectly still lake. The ripples flowing outwards are indicative of the areas we cover.

|35 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE a positive impact in their new surroundings, hardworking and loyal to the company, over a prolonged period of time may have been a young worker, a weak candidate when starting out, but retrospectively turned out to be the perfect choice. In essence we have to be proficient, and we are, at predicting. The more data we collect, and process, the stronger and more accurate our predictions become.

The biggest problem we face is the same for every engineering company and supporting agency, that being the lack of suitable, available workers. We are very creative in our work but make no mistake engineering recruitment is difficult and as time ticks on it will only get tougher. The answer to these problems is training, retention and incentives.

On a global scale the training and preparation of young workers needs to be factored in otherwise where will the next generation come from? If tackling this problem is left too late, it will become unfixable. Government support and a stronger emphasis on preparing young people for their working life is the answer. Retention and incentives is a simpler problem to fix, but not an easy one, it requires hierarchy and managers to have the foresight to see where improvements can be made and then actioning. In summary, there are many problems within engineering recruitment and only if these are tacked head-on, by the right people, with the right motives will positive change be seen.

Peter Arkwright Head of Online & Data Skills Provision www.skills-provision.com

Directory August 2022 36| Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies European Corporate Office, Hambridge Lane, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5TU 01635 eurosales@cwst.comwww.cwst.co.uk279621 Phoenix Mecano Ltd 26 Faraday Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8RY +44 (0)1296 www.phoenix-mecano.co.uk611660 Blackfast Chemicals Ltd Unit 5 Russell House , Molesey Road, Walton-onThames, Surrey, KT12 3PE 0207 339 7370, www.blackfast.comsales@blackfast.com Monitran Monitran Ltd, Monitor House, 33 Hazlemere Road, Penn, HP10 8AD, UK T: +44 (0)1494 816569 E:www.monitran.cominfo@monitran.com Ecopac (UK) Power Ltd Unit 4, Ridgeway, Crendon Industrial Area, Long Crendon, Bucks, HP18 9BF Tel: +44 www.ecopacpower.co.uk1844204420 T&D Corporation Mr Minoru Ito, European Sales Office, Gronauer Straße 1, 61194 Niddatal, Germany 0049 (0)6034 europe.office@tandd.de930970www.tandd.com ODU-UK LTD. Unit 3A, Whitworth Court, Manor Park, Runcorn WA7 1WA. Tel.: (0044)-330 002 0640, sales@odu-uk.co.ukwww.odu-uk.co.uk TR Fastenings LTD Trifast House, Bellbrook Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1QW Free phone: 08454 811 800 E-mail:www.trfastenings.comsales@trfastenings.com ENGINEERING UPDATE

HRS Heat Exchangers 0-12 Caxton Way, Watford Business Park, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 www.hrs-heatexchangers.com8JYEmail:info@uk.hrs-he.comTel:+44(0)1923232335 Rotech Machines Limited 1 Brownfields Court Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire, AL7 www.rotechmachines.com1AJ BÜLTE GmbH Kunststofferzeugnisse Carl-Sonnenschein-Straße 22 D-59348 Lüdinghausen – Germany Phone: (+49) 02591 / 91 94 – 0 info@bulte.de www.bulte.com Wood Automated Systems UK (ATG – Systems) Tenter Road, Moulton Park Industrial Estate Northampton, NN3 6AX +44 (0)7827 Tim.Bednall@woodplc.com327231www.the-atg.com Lascar Electronics Ltd UK Module www.lascarelectronics.comWhiteparish,HouseWiltshireSP52SJ+44(0)1794884567sales@lascar.co.uk Foremost Electronics Ltd 14 Bluegate Business Park Great Bardfield, Essex CM7 4PZ TEL: +44 (0) 1371 811171 FAX: +44 (0) 1371 810933 WEB: www.4most.co.uk Seepex UK Ltd. 3 Armtech Row Houndstone Business Park Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8RW T +44 1935 472376www.seepex.comsales.uk@seepex.com Mecmesin Ltd Newton House, Spring Copse Business Park, Slinfold, West Sussex, RH13 0SZ w: www.mecmesin.com t: +44 (0) 1403 799979 e: info@mecmesin.com Directory |37 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE

"This expands our product and service offering and thus the benefits for our customers," adds Thomas Hibinger, COO of viastore SYSTEMS.

August 2022 38| ENGINEERING PDATE

"The cooperation with Interroll strengthens our customer focus," says viastore CEO Philipp Hahn-Woernle.

"With this agreement, we are underlining our role as a global provider of sustainable material handling solutions that helps system integrators to focus even more on their core competencies," explains Interroll CEO Ingo Steinkrüger. "In this way, we are supporting viastore in being able to offer an extended service package with maximum added value for users."

The aim of this agreement is for viastore to use Interroll's conveyor technology products in its projects in the future. In addition, the two companies aim to use joint technology platforms, exchange know-how and use tools to optimize processes from planning to installation.

The viastore GROUP, headquartered in Stuttgart and employeeing around 700 people, is one of the leading international suppliers of turnkey intralogistics systems for industry and commerce, as well as warehouse and material flow management software and accompanying services.

Interroll and viastore to work more closely together in future Caption (from left to right): Shaking hands on the strengthened cooperation: Thomas Hibinger (COO viastore); Ingo Steinkrüger (CEO Interroll), Philipp Hahn-Woernle (CEO viastore) and Jens Strüwing (COO Interroll).

www.interroll.com

Interroll and viastore have agreed to work more closely together in the field of conveyor technology in the future. The managing directors sealed the corresponding cooperation with a handshake at LogiMAT, the international trade fair for intralogistics solutions, now underway in Stuttgart, Germany.

Protecting Your Plant Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used whenever information or monitoring of shaft rotation, position, direction, speed, slip etc is required! Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used for indication, control, interlocking, protection, sequencing, alarm initiations and many more functions! Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used wherever materials are transported or processed By conveyors, elevators, screws, mixers, etc! Tel : +44 (0)151 356 2322 Website: www.rotechsystems.co.uk Fax: +44 (0)151 356 2437 Email: sales@rotechsystems.co.uk Monitoring the world

energyIdentifyingwaste

of savings, will then be recommended, for example: Pneumatic system efficiency • Optimising components and

Flow rate sensors can assess solid content in CIP systems.

• Applications can be

August 2022 40| ENGINEERING PDATE

Reducing consumptionenergyis a key concern for most opportunitiesHowever,companies. exist to make immediate energy savings - and an ISO 11011 certified energy audit will identify them. detailed analysis cylinder size save energy and money. customised to prevent ‘nondevice or digital system can be installed to automatically shut off air supply when a machine isn’t running. Air Blowers can be programmed to operate only when required or in pulse mode. One Thorite customer saved £100,000 a year in energy costs by installing a sensor to optimise blowing processes. the actual force required within process actuators makes it possible to isolate zones pressures can be lowered to reduce energy consumption.

working’ air consumption. • A

where

Data logging systems can record and analyse equipment’s air usage, identify patterns and anomalies in performance and indicate where energy savings can be made.

•

to specific applications will

Voltage optimisers regulate energy input from the national grid to prevent over-supply. After installing a GWE Eco-Max Power voltage optimiser, one manufacturer reduced energy consumption by 463,176 KWh and saved £40,226.84 in electricity costs per annum.

Thorite energy audits have shown that return on investment is generally achieved within months. www.thorite.co.uk

• Identifying

Burkert261_FLOWave_ SAW_flow_sensor Eco-Max voltage optimiser

Bespoke assessments might include: • Compressed air leak detection • Compressed air generation preparationandanalysis • Compressed air analysisconsumption • Pressure measurementdrop • Compressed air quality analysis • Machine analysis check for energy efficiency Solutions to reduce energy use, with

A food company was able to reduce its CIP process after a FLOWave SAW flowmeter revealed the water was clear in half the time allocated. This reduced energy and water consumption, delivering a six-month payback and long-term savings.

Transfer Multisort Elektronik Ltd. Coleshill House Suite 1C, 1 Station Road Coleshill, Birmingham B46 1HT, United Kingdom tel. +44 office@tme-uk.eu,1675790026www.tme.eu instagrfacebook.com/linkedin.com/company/1350565twitteryoutube.com/www.tme.euTMElectroniComponent.com/tme_euTME.euam.com/tme.eu

Following the success of the 2021 edition, attendees also found the 60 hours of free learning, courtesy of the four forums scattered across the show floor, insightful and inspiring. Highlights included workshops and talks from automotive lifestyle blogger James William Walker, also known as Mr JWW, the Aerospace Technology Institute, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, ADS, the UK Space Agency, Jaguar Land Rover, Composites UK, BAE Systems Make UK and more. These four forums will return in 2022, sponsored and supported by companies including HP, University of Strathclyde, GRP Solutions, Euroresins, Cristex Composite Materials, Ripley Solutions and more. Advanced Engineering is the place to be for the UK’s engineering community. Exhibitor space is selling out fast. To book your stand, visit www.advancedengineeringuk.com and make an enquiry. Alternatively, you can contact our Head of Sales, Ali Farr on +44 (0)20 3196 4244.

August 2022 42| ENGINEERING PDATE

On November 2 and 3, Advanced Engineering will return to the NEC, Birmingham for its 13th edition. With 80 per cent of exhibitor space already sold, engineering and manufacturing businesses should act fast if they want to secure a stand. Last year, over 7,000 people attended across the two days, including representatives from Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover, Alpine F1, Ford, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of ThisDefence.edition of Advanced Engineering will celebrate and display innovation, growth and development within the UK’s engineering industry. Across the show’s seven zones — aerospace, composites, automotive, advanced metals, connected manufacturing, space and satellite and, new for this year, product testing and quality control, businesses will showcase their latest, ground-breaking technologies and inspire cross-industry collaboration that pushes the UK’s engineering industry to new heights.

Be inspired by innovation at EngineeringAdvanced Find out what’s in store for this year’s attendees

BOOK YOUR STAND aeuk@easyfairs.com | +44 (0)20 3196 4300 advancedengineeringuk.com The UK’s LEADING annual gathering of OEMs and engineering and manufacturing supply chain2professionals&3November 2022 | NEC Birmingham An absolutely outstanding event! We’ve met many great people who we will be looking to work with in the future, and overall it has been a very successful couple of days. Matt Travis, Engineering Manager, JCB Co-located with Scan the QR code to discover the event Association partners Trade AssociationComposites

Camera: Small, Light, Universal ImageIR® 6300 Z – radiometric with a powerful zoom lens and new SWaP detector (Size, Weight and Power)

Smaller, lighter and without time‐consuming lens changes – this is how InfraTec's latest infrared camera comes across: ImageIR® 6300 Z. The compact zoom camera for precise thermographic temperature measurements is suitable for numerous fields of application. Its excellent price‐performance ratio and its remarkable user‐friendliness result from the consistent use of innovative technologies in optics, detector and electronics.

Wide range of applications

InfraTec's Launch New Infrared Zoom

Innovative XBn detector The heart of the infrared camera is the new SWaP camera core. It consists of a cooled MWIR focal plane array photon detector with innovative XBn (HOT) technology in the format of (640 × 512) IR pixels, designed for demanding requirements and operating in snapshot mode. The XBn detector material with higher operating temperatures (HOT) of 150 K allows the use of a new linear cooler generation, which is characterised in particular by a substantial smaller design, lower power consumption and long service life.

August 2022 44| ENGINEERING PDATE

This – in combination with a very small pixel pitch of 10 µm –reduces the dimensions and weight of the ImageIR® 6300 Z and significantly extends its maintenance‐free service life. The maximum IR frame rate of 180 Hz can be increased up to 600 Hz with the binning function in high‐speed mode. Switching between the two speed modes is conveniently done via software and allows precise metrological tracking of fast thermal processes. By using its powerful image processing electronics, the camera can output the IR image data in real time to several video and data interfaces as well as record and evaluate it independently.

The ImageIR® 6300 Z is predestined for demanding applications in research and development as well as for stationary or airborne inspection and monitoring tasks. Further applications can be found in quality assurance, materials testing or in a wide range of OEM integration solutions.

Alternatively, large amounts of data can be stored directly on the integrated SSD. Its web interface also enables the camera to be controlled via smartphone or tablet and, due to the battery operation option, it is also suitable for outdoor use.

Quantum Design represent InfraTec throughout the UK and Ireland. Find out more about us at www.qd-uki.co.uk

The ImageIR® 6300 Z is equipped with an integrated 7.5x zoom lens as standard and allows, in combination with its motorised focus, fast and stepless adjustment to a wide range of object distances and lens sizes with excellent image quality and high measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the zoom camera is radiometrically calibrated over the entire focal length range, thus enabling extremely flexible use.

new compact conductivity sensors LDL100 and LDL200 from ifm impress with their fast and precise media differentiation. This helps you to control CIP processes efﬁciently and to increase the availability of your system. The new LDLs are also simple to commission: They are ready for use out-of-the-box and transmit the conductivity and temperature of the medium via a single M12 connection - digitally and loss-free thanks to IO-Link. As there is no additional evaluation unit required, you also save system costs. So easy, so good. ifm – close to you! Discover the new easy way to control CIP processes.ifm.co m / ukifm.com / uk Go ifmonlineGo ifmonline yearsWARRANTYonifmproducts

more efﬁcient cleaning and higher system availability

The

For

Controlled Temperature storage

Logistics costs are increasingly becoming a focus of corporate planning. Added to this are the increasing expectations of customers in regard to the ability to deliver. Automation makes it possible to achieve error-free workflows and complete traceability back to the origin of every batch. Automated storage and order picking also ensures lower costs, maximum use of space, optimal climatic conditions, and absolute cleanliness.

Pharmaceutical product storage requires the highest standards and places extreme demands on hygiene and process reliability. Quality assurance plays a central role because every mistake has a direct impact on a consumer’s health.

Merck is committed to changing the world through science and technology. They develop and supply specialised products in the healthcare field. Their newly constructed research building required three zones to supply, prepare, manage, and store pharmaceutical research substances under special storage conditions. Laboratory staff required access to the refrigerated warehouse from a room temperature area, and a redundancy system was needed to secure the controlled storage condition and Kardextechnology.implemented a customised solution including three standard Vertical Lift Modules and a Shuttle XP, modified for chilled conditions. Metal sheets on the Kardex Shuttle trays create subdivisions. Laser pointers and position indicators show an item’s exact position and identify the correct product to pick. A refrigeration unit cools the Shuttle and as a back-up, in the event of a fault, a redundant

colling unit with redundant sensors takes over. The air is dehumidified by a drying device to prevent humidity from condensing and icing in the Kardex Shuttle. It is now easier to access the stored goods and Shuttle is clad in insulating panels. This allows operators to access the airconditioned units directly from a room temperature laboratory. Quality control plays a central role in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical manufacturers must observe specific guidelines during production. Among other things, these aim to ensure compliance with specified hygiene, temperature, and climatic conditions. Kardex offers diverse storage solutions under controlled conditions.

46|

|47 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE To learn more contact us at www.kardex.com or visit us at Kardex | Intralogistics Solutions for Pharmaceuticals

An evening of informal networking, social engagement and entertainment featuring top TV comedian Jason Manford

Exhibitors and PPMA members can now reserve their place at this year’s PPMA Gala Dinner, to be held during the first evening of PPMA Total 2022, from 18.00 to midnight on Tuesday 27th September at the NEC, Birmingham. The Gala Dinner presents an opportunity to continue business discussions, network with peers and develop new social connections beyond the exhibition halls, in an informal and relaxed setting.

Pre-dinner drinks will be followed by a three-course dinner, with live music, casino and dancing. Headlining the entertainment this year is top TV comedian and presenter Jason Manford, who will bring his own unique flair and humour to the occasion.

To book your table at the 2022 PPMA Gala Dinner, call the PPMA on 020 8773 8811 or admin@ppma.co.uk.email

August 2022 48| ENGINEERING PDATE

Exhibition Space - To secure a stand on the exhibition show floor, or to become one of our sponsors, contact the team on +44 (0)20 3488 2865 or email enquiries@L2Events.com

LiftEx is the flagship show from LEEA, the global trade association for the lifting industry.

Ask the Expert Surgeries - 15-minute sessions with the LEEA CEO and SLT on key topics of importance.

@LiftEx2022 | #LiftEx2022 liftex.org/liftex-aberdeen

LiftEx 2022, the leading lifting equipment networking event, provides the first major opportunity in 3 years to meet face-to-face with the industry. Taking part is your chance to reconnect, meet new vendors and get back to business!

Exhibitor Fast Pitch - A series of 5-minute pitches from our exhibitors to engage the audience giving a succinct overview of the key brands, services and innovative products on the market.

At LiftEx you’ll meet global and local vendors of lifting equipment and services supplying vertical markets including Oil & Gas, Ports & Maritime, Offshore, Construction, Manufacturing, Automotive, Utilities and Entertainment. If you are responsible for purchasing or decision making in this sector, you can’t afford to miss this exhibition.

New this year - 10 hours of free content for visitors: Day 1 - Knowledge Sharing and Industry Insights - Panel discussions, guest speaker interviews, case studies and interactive sessions delivered by industry experts. Day 2 - Education Zone - Learning and development, with free training including Advanced Programme (Diploma) refresher courses (ideal for individual CPD or exam preparation), and the all new End User Guidance (EUG) and Introduction to Lifting Equipment (ILE) training courses.

Book your free visitor ticket now at liftex.org/liftex-aberdeen

17TH YEAR! 2022 5-6 OCTOBER P&J LIVE, ABERDEEN

Discover our newest range of digital pressure measurement solutions. With RS-485 output. www.esi-tec.com

In 1986, Titan was approached by the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II team. They were searching for a flowmeter manufacturer who could supply a device to measure their fuel consumption on their Trans-Atlantic Blue Riband attempt. The engine manufacturers had put severe restrictions on the permissible pressure drop in the fuel lines to guarantee the engine performance. Calculations suggested a venturi meter would have a low enough pressure loss but the dynamic flow range would be

Unfortunately, it’s not a simple task! Engine fuel consumption and efficiency generally goes unmonitored, the performance of a diesel power unit assessed from the manufacturer’s engine test figures and seldom checked again. Whilst vehicle manufacturers do spend a lot of time and effort checking the consumption figures for an engine, this is done on dedicated dynamometers and, later, with very sophisticated mobile set ups. These test systems are very costly and unsuitable for general use; on the other hand, a dashboard fuel gauge simply measures the fuel left in the tank, rather than the fuel consumed by the engine. Flow Meter Type is Critical

The choice of flow computer is critical; it must have flowmeter linearization on both channels as well as the ability to perform density corrections using pre-determined fuel characteristics, together with fuel flow and return temperature measurements. The flow sensors should, preferably, be positive displacement types and they must be very repeatable; certainly better than ±0.1%. If the flow sensors have ±0.1% repeatability and built-in temperature measurement, density and flowmeter temperature correction are then performed to give a more precise result. As indicated previously, if the condition of the engine is not in good running order, the return line could contain spurious amounts of gas which would increase the apparent volume of the return flow. An engine flow measurement system installed and correctly monitored could be a useful indicator of engine decline or other anomalies in the fuel system. So, although installing a fuel flow measuring system is not simple, it can be achieved with careful consideration of all flow parameters

With increasing fuel prices, all sectors of the transport industry, from small trucks to larger super-tankers, are taking an interest in effective ways of measuring their vehicle’s fuel consumption and hydraulic oil flow.

Case Study 1: High Performance Boats

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Metering fuel consumption can be achieved using positive displacement flow measuring devices such as Oval Gear flowmeters. However, differing results in flow meter accuracy and error rates can be seen depending on a number of factors. For example, an increase in the return fuel temperature will affect the density and viscosity of the diesel and, on a poorly maintained engine, it may even contain combustion gases or air. A small amount of this may make the engine look very efficient, as apparently more of the fuel is being returned to the tank and less used. The density change alone could easily result in a 1% change in volume if the return diesel is around 25°C higher than the supply from the fuel tank.

FuelMeasurementDesignFlowmeterTrackingfortheofConsumption

Case Study 2: High Performance Vehicles

Titan had been supplying flow meters to high performance vehicle and power train manufacturers for a number of years, measuring engine and hydraulic oil both in vehicle and on the test bench. In 2014, Titan was approached by a Formula 1 racing team to design bespoke flowmeters for two very niche applications: direct fuel and engine oil flow measurements were required for the F1 racing cars. For the fuel system, Titan developed an ultra-lightweight oval gear meter capable of being safely housed inside the fuel tank itself and submerged in the fuel. F1 vehicles typically run without cooling fans so measuring the oil flow on engine test required a flowmeter accurate to 200oC with no undue pressure drop. Using the inherent very low pressure drop of their oval gear flow meter design, Titan produced a 200°C, 50 L/minute flow meter with a pressure drop of less than 100bar utilising specially manufactured oval gears specific to the application. Both modified flow measurement designs provided accurate flow measurement whilst housed directly in or around the noisy electrical environment of the F1 vehicle.

|53 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE insufficient for the overall engine fuel usage. To solve the problem Titan inserted one of its Pelton wheels as a type of undershot water wheel into the throat of the venturi. This proved to have an acceptable overall pressure loss and excellent linearity. Richard Branson completed the crossing in the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, in three days, eight hours and 31 minutes, beating the 1952 record set by the United States.

To discuss an optimised flow measurement device for your OEM application please contact Titan Enterprises on +44 (0)1935 812790 or email sales@flowmeters.co.uk

For everything from generators, boats, high performance vehicles and trains through to hydraulic packs and even microlights, Titan works with their OEMs to find viable solutions for fuel consumption issues, delivering accurate and reliable results.

Phytron GmbH and Mclennan at Space-Comm Expo 2022: Stand N50 – 7th … 9th September - Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre For more information on

Phytron's phySPACE space-qualified stepper motors are engineered to withstand extreme levels of vibration, radiation, and temperature - and with ECSS conform materials fulfil the demanding requirements for use in ultra-high vacuum – providing high precision positioning whilst maintaining optimal power consumption, minimal thermal dissipation, and low weight. Phytron’s latest successes in deep space applications include motion axes for instruments used on the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s InSight Mars Lander. Engineers from Phytron and Mclennan will be on hand at the show to discuss potential applications in ground-based simulation and deep space deployment as standard or completely customised solutions. Mclennan has a long working history with Phytron GmbH, providing product and service support as a specialised motion component supplier and system integrator with the German Mittelstand-certified manufacturer’s products applied across extreme and harsh environment motion control tasks in industry, scientific research and deep space. 54| Phytron GmbH, the globally leading designer and manufacturer of harsh and extreme environment motion control components and systems will demonstrate its expertise in deep space, ultra-high vacuum and cryogenic rated motors, gear units, actuators, and drives. Accompanied on stand N50 by Mclennan, its exclusive UK distribution partner, the German specialist can count over 500 motors successfully deployed on exploration craft and satellite systems in its more than 30 years working in deep space applications. Phytron’s (0)1252 531444.

product range visit www.mclennan.co.uk email sales@mclennan.co.uk or call +44

August 2022

ENGINEERING PDATE

The S401 series has a specified range accuracy of less than 0.5% and a stated non-linearity of less than 0.15% of range. Repeatability and stability/year both at less than 0.10% of the measurement range. The transmitter is designed for use in temperatures from -40 to +125°C (compensated range -20 to +85°C) with temperature coefficients at less or equal to 0.15% for both offset and range. These specifications combine with a fast response time and generous burst and overpressure ratings plus exceptional shock and vibration characteristics to ensure precise and stable pressure measurement over a wide working range with an estimated life of more than 10 million pressure cycles. Installation flexibility is aided by a choice of 1/4" NPT or G1/4" threads for the wetted components and electrical interfacing is via a moulded cable to customer’s length requirement with connector/mating connector option.

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The new pressure transmitter is available with gauge pressure measurement ranges set to customer requirements from 0.6 to 2000 bar and with a wide choice of high level ratiometric voltage, current outputs –some with a low power consumption option for use with battery powered wireless transmitting systems.

The new S401 pressure transmitter accompanies Positek’s wide range of linear, rotary and tilt position sensors, and other sensor technologies which are extensively used across oil & gas, motorsports, mining, marine, agriculture, construction, transportation, and many other demanding industries. The UK-based ISO9001:2015 designer and manufacturer has ATEX, IECEx and CSA certification across many product lines.

For further information, please contact Positek Limited by email at sales@positek.com, call +44 (0) 1242 820027 or visit www.positek.com

Positek Limited has launched a new pressure transmitter specifically aimed at gas and liquid pressure measurement tasks in submerged instruments and equipment used in marine and offshore applications. With its protection rating of IP68 sealed to 10bar/IP69K, the new S401 series brings together the leading UK sensor designer and manufacturer’s extensive application experience in challenging environment sensor technologies with a robust and durable 35 mm diameter, 316 stainlesssteel housed construction and a high accuracy piezo resistive sensing element coupled with the latest ASIC circuitry.

Positek launch new subsea pressure transmitter for marine, offshore and submersible applications

Assess Vie Learn Implement Go li e Risk-free selec on process With insight, o on’t commit an thing ﬁnanciall n l o are f ll trained on the so� are and are % s re that it ill ork for o . Find o t more b a ending one of o r free online e ents, and recei e a free paperback book that e plains ho to implement any MRP s stem, not j st o r o insighn.t.com MRP | ERP | CRM Man fact ring so� are for an ind str Are o str ggling ith: Wasted me Errors and mistakes Inabilit to gro Stock iss es Prod c on management Financial planning O r ed ca onal approach allo s o to nderstand the beneﬁts of MRP, learn the so� are and helps s to nderstand o r b siness needs in a rela ed, informal atmosphere, ith no hard sell.

Before companies can take action to reduce their energy use, they need clear insights on how much energy is being used, where and for what. Manufacturers can deploy IoT sensors throughout a building and collect realtime data on energy consumption. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can analyse the data to develop historic trends and identify target areas within the building to improve energy Real-timeuse.data may also be used to identify outlier trends in energy use by major systems, which is often an indicator of faulty or failing equipment. Manufacturers can act quickly to repair or replace the equipment, avoiding long periods of energy wastage.

Here Richard Mount, Director of Sales at ASIC design and supply company Swindon Silicon Systems, explores the essential role of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors in energy management.

underenergymanufacturingKeepingconsumptioncontrol

The price of energy has risen through the roof in recent months and price increases show no sign of stopping — energy bills are likely to increase further in October, according to Ofgem’s chief executive, Jonathan Brearley.

Smart sensors keep energy costs in industry to a minimum

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Understanding energy usage

Improved temperature control

According to The Carbon Trust, eleven per cent of all energy used by manufacturing is used for space heating. Temperature controls represent a significant opportunity for manufacturers to reduce energy consumption, by using IoT smart Occupancythermostats.sensors are capable of determining the exact number of people in a space and their exact location, so HVAC systems can be turned off when a section of a manufacturing facility is empty. Long term data can produce monthly energy reports, highlighting areas where temperature control is wasting energy.

While household energy bills are kept somewhat under control by the energy price cap, businesses are afforded no such luxury. With out of contract rates rising companies are looking at ways to reduce their energy usage in order to save costs.

The industrial sector accounts for 38 per cent of total global final energy use, according to a 2021 report from the International Energy Agency. As energy costs rise to record-breaking levels, manufacturers must act now to cut energy consumption and keep costs under control.

Turn off the lights

Another significant consumer of energy in industry is lighting — as much as 37 per cent of a warehouse or manufacturing facility’s electrical consumption is for lighting, according to Green Energy. However, a smart lighting system integrates sensors, light sources, connectivity and analytics to make significant energy savings.

If you’re interested in a custom design ASIC for your smart sensor, get in touch with a member of the Swindon team orwww.swindonsilicon.com/contact-usatcall+44(0)1793649400.

|59 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE

The signals generated by these IoT sensors are commonly analogue values, which must be conditioned and digitised so that energy consumption trends can be analysed. This can be achieved using numerous off-the-shelf integrated circuits (ICs). However, to achieve optimised sensor performance, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) may be the better choice.

Optimised sensors

the system designed in a single silicon die, it provides a company with Intellectual Property (IP) protection, as an ASIC is extremely difficult to reengineer or “re-use” in other designs.

Swindon provides full ownership of the completed system design, so manufacturers can be confident that their IP will remain for their benefit alone. Additionally, smart sensors in industry must remain in operation for many years. With standard IC components, obsolescence will inevitably become a problem. However, a custom silicon solution ensures ASIC supply for the lifetime of the sensor. ASICs are designed with non-obsolescence in mind, and the ASIC supplier will work closely with the manufacturer to produce a non-obsolescence plan. Despite the unpredictability of energy prices in recent years, manufacturers can keep costs under control by reducing their energy use. IoT sensors can track energy consumption, occupancy and environmental conditions, allowing manufacturers to make savings wherever possible. By utilising ASIC technology within the smart sensor ensures optimised functionality with a safe supply for years to come.

An ASIC is a custom device designed specifically for the customer’s application, allowing the ASIC design team to invest in performance where it will most benefit the particular application. Swindon will be able to optimise the entire signal path down to the finest detail, while removing unnecessary features to reduce cost.

Manufacturers can create an adaptive lighting system that changes according to conditions and staff patterns. Smart sensors can detect factors such as occupancy and daylight to ensure that lights are only switched on when necessary.

Smart sensors in industry must endure challenging environmental conditions, such as vibration and ingress, so must be robust. When designing an ASIC, the developers integrate as much of the circuitry into a single package as possible. This reduces component count, resulting in higher reliability, reduced power consumption, and greater protection from environmental Byfactors.having

three packed seminar stages, The Pentawards, the global platform and community for packaging design, will also deliver six exclusive Capital of Design sessions. Here, speakers will use examples of award-winning packaging concepts to illustrate how attention to detail can power packaging to capture the attention of the market.

Elsewhere, the Beauty and Drinks Innovators stage will promote the strategies, materials, and technologies that are reimagining the end user experience to increase engagement with consumers more than ever before. Speakers from IJO Skincare, Morrama, Sharp End, BEAUTYSTREAMS, and Butterfly Cannon, will share real-world insights from the top brands and design agencies working together to redefine Alongsidepackaging.

The Food and FMCG Future Makers stage will provide visitors with all they need to know about the future of food and FMCG packaging. Seminars will be delivered by the brands best keeping up with the rapid evolution of food retail, and the associations and organisations behind these changes. Speakers taking to the stage include Nestlé, DEFRA, WRAP, Unpackaged, OPRL, and Appetite Creative, to name just a few. The Luxury Unboxed stage will showcase the diverse perspectives on the future of packaging within the luxury retail, fashion, jewellery, and fine foods markets. Speakers from the likes of Hunter Luxury and Elmwood will explore exciting aesthetic and practical design innovations, looking at how evolving consumer behaviour should impact packaging decisions.

The content will take place over three new stage concepts, when the event takes place on 21 and 22 September at London Olympia.

Finally, The Big Debate series will return by popular demand to discuss topics including ‘how to make true progress to minimise packaging’s impact on the planet’.

Josh Brooks, Marketing and Community Director for Easyfairs’ Packaging Events, comments: “Our all new London Packaging Week event presents us with the perfect opportunity to redesign our seminar content. Our free-to-attend speaker sessions are part of what our event is known for and why visitors continue to come back each year. For 2022 we have three dedicated stages for all areas of packaging, meaning that there really is something for everyone to takeaway. We hope these insights will allow visitors to improve and adapt their own packaging concepts for the better.”

To register your interest to attend London Packaging Week, please visit www.londonpackagingweek.com or to enquire about exhibiting, contact the show team on +44 (0) 2088 438 800 or PackagingUK@easyfairs.com FMCG, beauty, luxury drinks, and premium product professionals are invited to attend this year’s all-new seminar format at London Packaging Week. With specially curated content designed to showcase the industry’s most cutting-edge insights, emerging trends, and pressing challenges, the programme is not to be missed.

London Packaging Week Teases Expert Seminar Content at New Look Show

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Create your brand’s future at London’s vibrant home of design and innovation 21 & 22 September 2022 | Olympia London REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND with the code 9141 londonpackagingweek.comPartof

As PPMA TOTAL Show 2022

Having attended every event to date, be that as an exhibitor, a visitor and now as Show Director, I can say with experience that the show’s successful formula is based on the fact that its agenda is always a true reflection of the direction of the industry, the needs of its members and the requirements of its visitors.

At PPMA, we pride ourselves in delivering the largest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event in the UK, all under one roof. And, once again, we’ll be back in hall 5 at the NEC Birmingham to present some of the latest smart manufacturing technologies, covering the entire production line – in fact, we often refer to it as the ‘production line’ event.

What can visitors expect from PPMA TOTAL 2022?

Now in its 34th year, how has PPMA TOTAL show maintained its longstanding success?

This year, the show will incorporate three major exhibition brands including Pakex and Interphex, feature 350 exhibitors and represent over 2,000 brands. Visitors will therefore benefit from unparalleled access to best-in-class machinery and ancillary products, live equipment demonstrations, industry experts as well as the opportunity to explore new solutions covering a vast range of sectors. These sectors range from food and beverage, pharmaceutical, household products and toiletries, building materials and supplies, pet care, microbrewery and distilleries, to FMCG and contract packing.

While innovation will undoubtedly be a continuing theme throughout the show, with such an exciting line-up of exhibitors for the 2022 event, and with so much on offer in terms of equipment displays, smart manufacturing solutions and live working demonstrations, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what the key focus will be at the show.

However, as economic challenges continue to place increasing demands on every business, machinery and equipment that can deliver real production efficiencies and cost savings through automation will be a key focus throughout the show floor. Labour saving machines

returns to the NEC Birmingham from 27 – 29th September, Richard Little, the PPMA’s Show Director, provides a preview of this year’s event.

Over the years, the show has established an enviable reputation for being a trusted event showcasing real live-working production machinery and equipment demonstrations from like-minded exhibitors who share a genuine interest in making a positive difference to the businesses of show visitors. If that means collaborating with another exhibitor on a neighbouring stand, the show’s culture nurtures and encourages these strategic partnerships to ensure visitors get the best outcomes for their specific requirements. That, in my mind, is the true spirit of PPMA TOTAL show, and why it still remains relevant and the ‘go-to’ event today. What will be the key focus for the show this year?

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Although the past two years has cemented the value of virtual events, it’s clear that while they have enabled businesses to stay informed and connect with suppliers, they simply can’t replicate the benefits of live events.

Our visitor audience wants to move on from virtual product launches and events and get close to the technology – to touch and try, and to speak one-toone with product and applications experts. What’s more, with PPMA TOTAL Show representing the largest gathering of industry specialists, all of whom have years of knowledge and expertise, where else can you go to gain free and invaluable consultancy, advice and input, all under one roof.

But what I truly find most exciting about exhibitions such as PPMA TOTAL is that they offer visitors insight into new innovations and solutions that they didn’t even know they were looking for!

Visitor Registration To connect with leading suppliers of processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision systems, visit PPMA TOTAL Show 2022. Free to attend, visitors can pre-register now at www.ppmashow.co.uk/visit or visit www.ppmashow.co.uk for more information.

|63 August 2022ENGINEERING PDATE and processing equipment will certainly be a draw for visitors looking to reduce the financial impact of rising labour costs. I also anticipate a post-pandemic return to sustainability being at the forefront of production requirements once again, with exhibitors keen to demonstrate how their equipment can adapt to handle more eco-friendly materials and processes.

With the show renowned for showcasing the largest single gathering of live demonstrations of working machinery on exhibitor stands, and the latest technologies in smart manufacturing equipment, visitors can expect a busy three days! There will also be a daily programme of presentations, interactive discussions and workshops at our onsite Seminar Theatre. Centred on the theme ‘The Future of….’, industry experts and exhibitors will share their thoughts, opinions and future insights on topical issues affecting the industry. We will be hosting a Gala Dinner on the first evening for more informal networking. Finally, there will be an opportunity to celebrate the best in innovation, smart manufacturing and entrepreneurship at the PPMA Group Industry Awards, which will be presented to award winners during the final afternoon of the show. Why visit PPMA TOTAL 2022?

Will there be any live events?

Sensors for the Relevant Process Steps

Pepperl+Fuchs has decades of experience in the automotive industry and electrical engineering, so it can offer all relevant measuring instruments for battery production from a single Rotarysource.Encoder ENI190 Coated foils are the most important source material for lithium ion batteries. They are delivered in large rolls from which they are processed during production. The unwinding speed of the rollers is measured using highprecision rotary encoders. The winding distance and material stock can be calculated using the speed. The speed value is also used to control the material supply and allows the correct web tension to be set. The new, extra-rugged ENI90 rotary encoder series is ideally suited for this task.

SmartRunner 3-D-Stereo and Time-of-flight

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Automating Battery Production for eMobility Applications

A double sheet control is used for each stacking unit ENI90 Speed Control

Ultrasonic Double Sheet Sensor M18 In the next step, pieces of foil roll that are suitable for the battery to be produced are punched out and assembled into battery cells. The punched material feed is monitored using ultrasonic double sheet sensors, such as those from the UDC18GS series. These sensors are equipped with two ultrasonic transducers and detect if one, two, or even zero sheets are in the sensing range. If the sheets have been incorrectly double-stacked, the process is stopped in time. This prevents the battery capacity from being reduced by having two layers with the same polarity next to each other. Using an ultrasonic solution double sheet detection means the process is not affected by ambient conditions or the optical properties of the material; although the films are often glossy, they are still reliably SmartRunnerdetected.Explorer 3-D Bonding the foil layers together creates cells, which are then joined together to form the finished batteries. In this step, it is important that all the required cells are actually available and in the right position in the specified grid. To verify this, a SmartRunner Explorer 3-D sensor creates a precise 3-D point cloud image so that the actual situation can be matched with the required positioning. The process step to connecting the cells is only initiated when everything is in the correct Pepperl+Fuchsposition. sensors have been part of the standard equipment in the automotive industry for decades. This is also true for factory automation in the field of electrical engineering: In both areas, customers benefit from the comprehensive expertise of the Mannheim-based company. A broad portfolio of proven standard devices is available for high-performance electricvehicle-battery production. Pepperl+Fuchs also offers custom automation solutions for specific applications.

The ultrasonic solution double sheet detection UDC18GS reduces having two layers with the same polarity next to each other

Powerful batteries for manufacturedapplicationselectromobilityarein highly automated processes. Numerous sensors using various measurement procedures ensure efficient control of machines and plants.

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