Boge hosts successful distributor conference
Boge Compressors recently brought together compressed air distributors from across the UK at this year’s Boge distributor conference to provide training to its front line sales force. A wide variety of Boge distributors were in attendance at the conference, which provided attendees with an opportunity to gain up to date information on the latest product offerings, the ability to familiarise themselves with technical aspects of the equipment and also the chance to network with other Boge distributors. An important part of the conference was the in-depth training on new Boge products, including recently launched oxygen and nitrogen generators. The latest range of oxygen generators, which includes 0 3 P to 0 15 P and 0 3 PE to 0 15 PE generators, provides users with a complete system for generating oxygen in-house and is a safe and reliable solution that features proven adsorption technology. The modular in-house nitrogen generators, which deliver purity grades of up to 5.0 (99.999 per cent) and use proven pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology, enable users to generate high purity nitrogen on-site. This is significantly cheaper than having nitrogen delivered by a gas supplier, with in-house nitrogen generators typically paying for themselves within less than three years. The conference featured a hands-on training session that concentrated on the role of energy efficiency and savings in compressed air generation, where attendees could use and experience Boge products in action. The conference was also an opportunity to train distributors in the best practice use of the Boge service cost calculator, which is a quick and easy quote calculator for customers considering investing in a compressor and associated services. This is one of a number of tools that Boge has been developing to support distributors and enhance customer service for end users. “We are absolutely delighted with the feedback we received from the distributors that attended this year’s successful conference,” said Mark Whitmore, general manager at Boge Compressors UK. “As a leader in the compressed air market, Boge aims to support its distributors by providing regular training, and by strengthening the tools and support that enable them to improve the company’s reach. The conference has also proven to be a valuable networking platform, which further builds the professional relationships between members of our nationwide distribution team.” The Boge distributor conference is an annual event held at the Boge Compressors UK headquarters in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.MP Filtri UK celebrates 25 years of customer service
MP Filtri UK celebrates 25 years in business this year. Parent company MP Filtri was founded in Italy 50 years ago and supplies a wide range of contamination control products to the fluid power industry. MP Filtri UK acts as the fluid condition monitoring wing for the MP Filtri group, both designing and manufacturing high quality instrumentation for portable, in-line and laboratory applications. MP Filtri UK reports that it has always been very proud of its high standard of customer service, and that its highly motivated, technically trained team, headed up by customer services supervisor Helen Harrison, is on hand to assist customers with their specific requirements. For more information phone 01451 822522 or email sales@mpfiltri.co.uk. Photo caption: The MP Filtri UK customer services team, from left to right: Amber Wareing, Olivia Edgecox, Tim Rodway, Helen Harrison, Luke Harding, Kerry Rodway, Tom Webb.
Gardner Denver wins manufacturing innovation award
Compressor manufacturer Gardner Denver is flying high after winning the manufacturing innovation award in in the Made in the Midlands Awards 2014 for its Hydrovane TO2 transit compressor. The awards, which celebrate the success of the manufacturing industry in the Midlands, were presented in front of more than 200 of the region’s top manufacturers, with Gardner Denver’s Redditch business praised for its ‘major step forward’ in compressor design. The new compressor was designed and tested at Gardner Denver’s Redditch Centre of Excellence facility. The company is one of the UK’s few remaining manufacturers of air compressors and a major local employer with more than 300 employees and a commitment to supporting smaller component manufacturers in the local supply chain. The TO2 is a transit compressor that provides power for on-board vehicle pneumatic systems. In developing the new product, Gardner Denver’s Redditch-based design team started from the premise that most onboard compressors are too noisy, too heavy and have complex ventilation and cooling demands. This means more cost – both the cost of fuel and the cost of maintenance, so the team set about developing a brand new, packaged design that could be integrated easily and reduce cost of ownership. ‘Something entirely different’ The result is a very lightweight unit, with an integrated dryer and AC electric motor with inverter technology, saving 50 per cent of the weight of a conventional DC unit; a feature that was commended by the judges who said: “The lightweight, quiet compressors developed by the Redditch business are set to have a major impact across a range of markets, both in Britain and worldwide. Gardner Denver’s innovation was something entirely different that we can see having so many applications. For such a simple component it’s a major step forward.” Steve Downes, sales director for Gardner Denver explained how the product was brought to market: “The T02 is bespoke and designed for each customer application. Hydrovane has created a product that can be tailored easily for many different vehicle types and engine technologies. Importantly, it is future-proofed as engine technologies continue to move towards more eco-friendly, greener options. “The design team worked closely with Wrightbus International in developing the product for the New London Bus, a green, diesel-electric hybrid concept. Trials proved so successful that we won the order for 600 standalone units – one for each of the new buses that are currently being rolled out in the Capital. “Hydrovane has also tailored the compressor package to meet the demands of all-electric buses and where required, can match the unit to a more traditional diesel installation. The Hydrovane T02 is not confined to applications in the UK. Successful vehicle installations operate in Germany, Netherlands and Sweden, with other European and Worldwide opportunities.” Photo caption: Steve Downes: “[The T02] is future-proofed as engine technologies continue to move towards more eco-friendly, greener options.”Antech appointed authorised distributor for UFI hydraulic filters
Antech has been appointed an authorised distributor for UFI hydraulic filters. With high-quality products at competitive prices UFI offers effective filtration solutions to maximise the useful life of oil. By protecting machinery and components with UFI filters, users can experience better productivity and fewer breakdowns. UFI has a wide range of filtration for all hydraulic requirements; including pressure filters, return filters, off line filters, suction filters and air filters. The company comments that its technical team can cross-reference or calculate the exact UFI filter requirements using the I-Caf design software. This enables Antech to properly size filters for each specific requirement. Antech remarks that its ‘System Care’ off-line filters are so named because they take care of efficiency and guarantee a long life of the system by keeping oil at the desired cleanliness. The company offers mobile trolleys fitted with UFI off line ‘System Care’ filters. These, claims Antech, are versatile and reliable and their portable and compact design makes it easy to operate in difficult to access areas. UFI Filters are available from stock at Antech, whether an upgrade or replacement is required. Antech comments that with stock levels increasing to meet demands and provide a quality service, the company is satisfied it can support all its customers' requirements. www.antech-hyd.co.uk
BFPA Yearbook 2014/15 now available
The 2014/15 edition of the British Fluid Power Association’s (BFPA) Yearbook and Members’ Directory is now available. This 144-page publication, published in association with DFA Media Ltd., is packed with updated information about BFPA and British Fluid Power Distributors’ Association (BFPDA) member companies, and the products and services they are able to offer to OEMs and end users. Many member companies are also featured in full-page Company Profile format. The publication also features a series of exclusive editorial articles focused on providing up-to-date insights into the latest trends and talking points within the world of fluid power and related equipment. Special editorials in this edition of the BFPA Yearbook include an interview with Dr Scott Steedman, Director of Standards at BSI, who explains the rationale behind standards and how they can help companies in terms of technical innovation and market growth. In a profile on BHR Group, Matthew Kercher, the Group’s Sales Manager, talks about the company’s range of world-class product development services, together with its strong focus on supporting the next generation of engineers in order to safeguard the future technological and economic strength of UK plc. The BFPA Yearbook also spoke with Professor Chris Melhuish, Director of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory; Mike Wilson, Sales & Marketing Manager – General Industry UK & Ireland at ABB Robotics; and Martin Walder, UK Manager – Industries at Rockwell Automation, about current and possible future developments in the world of robotics and automation, and the current and potential roles fluid power equipment and systems has to play within this important technology space. Additionally, The Yearbook spoke with Richard Smith, Engagement Director, Talent Retention Solution, about how the initiative can give experienced professionals, graduates and apprentices direct access to job opportunities in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector across the UK, as well as provide companies of all sizes with a valuable pool of industry expertise. Contributions from within the BFPA/BFPDA itself come in the form of articles especially written by Chris Buxton, CEO, the BFPA. The first of these looks at the politicisation of the UK education system and its impact on the manufacturing sector. In his second contribution, Buxton emphasises the importance and benefits of lobbying Government. On the training front, Martin Kingsbury, Membership Director, the BFPA, outlines the Association’s range of hydraulic hose courses, and explains how they can improve your staff’s ability to install and maintain hose efficiently in order to keep plant and machinery productive, reliable and safe. In an editorial looking at Standards, Yvonne Pearman, the BFPA/BFPDA’s Standards Project Manager, explains how the Association can help to promote and represent the activity and interests of its membership, in particular their involvement in standards development. Also featured is an article by the BFPA’s Statistics & Marketing Manager, Sarah Gardner, looking at the importance of statistics in your business and how the BFPA can help with providing valuable statistical information for its members. To obtain your copy of the BFPA’s Yearbook and Members’ Directory 2014/15, please contact Lorraine Hessey, Administrator Executive at the BFPA, on: 01608 647900, or send your request to enquiries@bfpa.co.uk. Please note that stocks are limited, so an early request is recommended.The BFPA launches new Training Academy website
The British Fluid Power Association (BFPA, incorporating the British Fluid Power Distributors Association (BFPDA), has launched a brand new website dedicated to its portfolio of training courses. The website (www.bfpatrainingacademy.co.uk), which complements the Association’s existing site (www.bfpa.co.uk), outlines a series of training courses that are available throughout the year. The courses can either be provided direct from the BFPA or through one of the Association’s associated training partners. Courses currently on offer include the following:- Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors The Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors is a one-day course designed to show the correct practices needed to work safely with and around hydraulics. The course is available either as an induction course for someone new to the industry, or a safety course for people who are not primarily hydraulic or fluid power technicians but work from time to time on machinery containing hydraulic components. The training day contains video presentation examples of safe working practices involving associated dangers of fluid injection injuries, together with examples of hose being manufactured from the raw components. A high-quality personalised course book and certification of attendance and registration on the BFPA national database give both the attendee and employer confidence that the correct methods and culture are being adopted and used. Hose Assembly Skills Course The Hose Assembly Skills Course is carried out in both a classroom environment for the theoretical element and shop floor environment for practical element. This two-day training programme is designed to bring the attendee up to a sound level of appreciation to enable them to development into a quality hydraulic hose technician. The Hose Assembly Skills Training Course also includes an assessment of the candidates’ skills and understanding. As with the Foundation Course, a high-quality personalised course book and certification of skills achievement and registration on the BFPA national database give both the attendee and employer confidence that the correct methods and culture are being adopted and used. Hose Integrity, Inspection & Management Course The Hose Integrity, Inspection & Management Course, launched earlier this year, has been written and developed using the technical expertise available to the BFPA and the BFPDA and sets out to establish a benchmark for training people responsible for hose inspection and management from a wide variety of industry sectors. It also set out to establish a recognised standard in hose management best practice. With the introduction of the one-day Hose Integrity, Inspection and Management course, the BFPA has further enhanced its training package to include all core issues surrounding the efficient inspection, analysis, identification, registering and recording of hydraulic hose. During training individuals will assessed with a view to being able to achieve a BFPA industry-recognised certificate; gaining either a pass, pass with merit or pass with distinction. As with the Foundation and Skills courses outlined above, a high-quality personalised course book and certification of hose management achievement and registration on the BFPA national database give both the attendee and employer confidence that the correct methods and culture are being adopted and used. Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course More information on this new course is scheduled to be available in the autumn of 2014. Raising standards Martin Kingsbury, Membership Director of the BFPA, said of the new website: “The BFPA has for many years been passionate about raising standards within the fluid power market and industry as a whole. With this objective in mind we have created a suite of valuable training courses that have been developed by utilising the knowledge of industry experts. Theresore, no matter what industry you are associated with – be it Construction, Marine, Agriculture, Offshore, Renewable energy, Rail, Mining or many others – these training courses from the BFPA Training Academy will be relevant for you or your employees. Kingsbury continued: “By establishing these training programmes, the BFPA aims to raise the awareness of people who work with hydraulic and pneumatic hoses at all levels: from the system designer and field engineer, to the machine operator and the person who actually makes hose assemblies.” For more information on BFPA courses, please visit: www.bfpatrainingacademy.co.uk. For other information related to the BFPA, please visit: www.bfpa.co.uk. Here you can find a wide range of information, including updates on Education, Publications, the BFPDA Accredited Hose Scheme, Forthcoming Events, and Latest News. For more information, please contact Lorraine Hessey, Administrator Executive, at the BFPA on: 01608 647900, or send your request or query to enquiries@bfpa.co.uk. About the BFPA The British Fluid Power Association, BFPA, represents Hydraulic and Pneumatic businesses commercially and technically throughout the UK. With some 250 Distributors and Manufacturers in membership the BFPA is a true full service Trade Association. In whatever section of the Fluid Power industry your interest lies be it technical i.e. Electrohydraulics, Pneumatic Controls, Motion Control, Linear Motion, Accumulators, Pumps and Motors, valves, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Cylinders, Seals, Hose and Fittings, Safety and Training, or commercial such as Overseas Exhibitions, Statistics, Political lobbying, European Directives and Guidelines. The BFPA has something to offer. For further information visit: www.bfpa.co.uk.MP Filtri and PK Hydraulics form new partnership
MP Filtri UK has appointed PK Hydraulics as Sales partner for Northern Scotland. PK Hydraulics has become a brand new distribution channel for MP Filtri products. MP Filtri is a manufacturer of hydraulic Filtration products, hydraulic condition monitoring equipment and hydraulic tank accessories. MP Filtri's Sales Manager for Scotland and Eire, Paul Gavin, said: “PK Hydraulics is a young and vibrant company who have achieved unrivalled and rapid growth in the North of Scotland. They have assembled an enviable team of hydraulic specialists and have been incredibly successful and innovative in their approach to the market. PK have enormous reach into marine, oil and gas and industrial markets, and we at MP Filtri are absolutely delighted to have a company on board who mirror our own customer service standards and ambition." Kevin Watson, MD of PK Hydraulics also commented: “MP Filtri are a very welcome and valuable addition to our growth plans. MP Filtri have become the first port of call in recent years for their range of particle counters which have rapidly become the industry standard. Their expertise in filtration and hydraulic fluid cleanliness will allow us to expand our offering to our customers, and enhance our training capabilities into the arena of fluid cleanliness helping them achieve improved hydraulic reliability." PK Hydraulics, which has a trade counter, manufacturing and administration functions at its current base in Aberdeen, will also soon announce a major new expansion and investment in additional Aberdeen warehousing and manufacturing facilities. PK also intends to offer the MP Filtri products through their catalogue and Internet channels, and has an experienced team of hydraulic specialists on hand to deal with more specialised enquiries.
Festo introduces workshop offering crucial pneumatic safety training
Festo offers a new training course, for design engineers and managers who require a deeper understanding of the safe application of pneumatics in relation to the requirements for the Machinery Directive (DIN EN ISO 13849-1) and associated standards. Bob Jackson, Safety Applications Manager at Festo, who is running the two-day workshops, comments: “Generally courses about safety and the Machinery Directive tend to look more into the electrical and electronic issues that can arise and neglect the pneumatics element. Plugging this skills gap, this course addresses good practise and safety standards relating to pneumatic and mechanical systems, focussing on specific safety areas around actuator systems and the options available for compliance under the Machinery Directive.” The first day looks at good and safe practise with pneumatics as covered by ISO 4414:2010, with the second day working through practical examples of how to apply this knowledge, understand the risks and limitations of different pneumatic solutions, while paying particular attention to the challenges of ensuring the safe and reliable operation of vertical axes. Topics covered include air supply, control valves and circuits, as well as actuators; stopping and holding a cylinder using mechanical and pneumatic methods, behaviours of actuators in safety solutions, clamping devices, circuitry and their usage. Jackson adds: “I believe this course will prove hugely beneficial for engineers wishing to ensure their compliance with the relevant directives by developing their knowledge of this topic through both theory and practical workshops.” Upcoming workshop dates scheduled at Festo’s training centre in Northampton are: 16th-17th July, 16th-17th September and 25th-26th November. Further dates are planned and the workshop can also be delivered in-house upon request.Beko holds training day for Mattei
Beko Technologies recently held a training day for Mattei Compressors. It was held at the Beko offices in Bromsgrove and included a buffet lunch with live demonstrations of the company's oil free products. The day started with an introduction and overview of Beko Technologies. Next was an oil free presentation given by Matt Harrison UK Sales manager where he explained the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of achieving oil free air, including the Bekokat catalytic converter and also the Metpoint OCV constant analyser used to measure Air Quality to ISO 8571.1. Live demonstrations followed with an opportunity to test and see how our products work. Compressed air was put through a system where we added moisture, the compressed air went through 2 stage filtration then a membrane dryer. A dewpoint meter was used to show the quality of the compressed air after the membrane dryer which showed below -30 °C. The Bekokat catalytic converter was also running together with the Metpoint OCV, Metpoint OCV is the first TÜV-certified* online system for the detection of the oil vapour content in compressed air. The measuring system can be used to protect the production processes or manufactured products. After lunch Matt gave a presentation on our Everdry units, zero purge dryers and also the well-known Bekomat zero loss drains. “I thought it was a well-structured, well planned and organised day, run by friendly very helpful people. The opportunity to see some of the products in use rather than looking at a screen or piece of literature makes a big difference” says Martin Chitty from Mattei Compressors. Beko Technologies offers these training days to give people an opportunity to increase their knowledge on a variety of topics including oil-free air, measurement technology, air treatment, condensate management and up and coming new products from Beko. Beko Technologies offers a basic compressed air training course and an advanced course for people who already have an extensive background working with compressed air. Another option is the e-learning interactive course “The Basics of Compressed Air Technology”. This innovative course is now available to all customers and partners, giving them the chance to share and benefit from BEKO’s vast experience in compressed air. The course “Basics of Compressed Air Technology” gives an insight into compressed air from the end users point of view. It provides information about applications and their quality requirements as well as how compressed air is produced and distributed. It explains how the quality is influenced by the components and layout of a compressed air system. Throughout the whole course emphasis is placed upon the need to balance quality and energy efficiency. The course is aimed at people new to the industry or at support staff within distributors who need an overview. It is also the first step on a more detailed learning program for those who require it. Beko Technologies also offers the facility for companies who wish to come in and hold their sales meeting and the Beko team can join for part to make a small presentation on its product and solutions. The training days can be tailored to specific areas for example ‘oil free’ or in-depth training on the large dryers Everdry. *Metpoint OCV certified by TÜV Nord in accordance with the requirements of ISO 8573-1, classes 1–4.BFPA launches a new Education & Training Task Force
BFPA CEO, Chris Buxton, describes a new initiative to address current training deficiencies in the Fluid Power sector. For some time, the British Fluid Power Association, its Directors and its members have recognised the absence of any formal regulation relating to the qualifications of those engineers, technicians and operators embarking upon work in either the Hydraulic or Pneumatic technology sectors. i.e. an equivalent to the Gas Safe Register (formerly known as CORGI) for operatives working with gas appliances. This is clearly an undesirable situation both from a professional perspective for the industry and even more importantly, in terms of Health & Safety considerations. As the representative voice of the industry the BFPA has decided to take action and address this long term problem. It is expected that the solution would take the form of an educational framework comprising a series of modules, all relating to a recognised level of competency with clear evidence routes and performance criteria. Some of the training modules already exist such as the CETOP Level I programme in Hydraulics, the BFPA Foundation Course and Hose skills programme plus more recently, the BFPA Hose Integrity, Inspection & Management course; but these are only a starting point for the initiative. It is anticipated that the ultimate outcome would take the form of a widely accepted set of industry standards enabling increased safety and competency at all levels. Ultimately they would seek to achieve the same status as the existing Gas Safety Scheme. Initially endorsed by the BFPA as best practice it is hoped that the framework could ultimately become at least a CETOP recommendation. There may also be the possibility of engaging with other bodies such as City & Guilds. Such a significant undertaking will not be achieved overnight and in recognition of the magnitude of the task, the BFPA Education & Training Committee has been restructured to become a ‘Single Issue Task-Force’ comprising of individuals from across the industry including members, end-users, academia, the HSE and other stakeholders. The purpose of this Task Force would be essentially six-fold: 1. Present the general aim/aspirations of the Task Force to the industry and its membership 2. Go into a period of Consultation & Debate with those members who wished to take part 3. Assess the information gathered from the consultation / debate 4. Determine a broad-range of Minimum Industry Standard Qualifications, how they should be modularised and what elements are missing 5. Create a timeline and mechanism for creating and delivering the training 6. Create discussion to gain CETOP and possibly BSI approval to enable reinforcement in UK market May the 23rd saw the first meeting of the BFPA task-force and the team have already begun to define the likely content of the various training modules. As part of the process, the task-force is also engaging with the Renewable industry via Renewables Training Network (RTN) – a division of RenewableUK – who are currently developing UK training standards for the industry both in hydraulics and other related areas. They are also seeking to engage with the end-user community in order to ensure that the initiative is customer driven across a wide range of market sectors. They hope to be in a position to launch the new framework by the end of 2014.EnerMech US and Africa acquisitions
Oil and gas engineering specialist, EnerMech, has extended its international presence in the cranes and lifting and valves sectors with two acquisitions in the US and Africa. The combined value of the deals is said to be approximately £4 million and are forecast to add an extra £25 million to group revenues over the next three years. Aberdeen-headquartered EnerMech provides a range of mechanical engineering services to the international energy industry, employs more than 2000 staff across 30 locations and the company expects 2014 revenues to exceed £280 million. In the US, EnerMech has bought Louisiana-based Diversified Oil Field Service Inc (Diversified), while in South Africa valves specialist Control Valve Technology (CVT) has joined the EnerMech stable. Diversified has a 20-year pedigree of providing crane inspections, repairs and maintenance services to the offshore industry throughout the Gulf of Mexico, in addition to hydraulic repair, testing and design, equipment rental and cranes sales. The acquisition is a strategic move to develop EnerMech’s crane offering in the USA, Mexico and other Latin American countries including Trinidad, Venezuela and Brazil, but it will also create additional opportunities for EnerMech’s other six business lines including hydraulics, hose integrity management and equipment rental. Diversified president Stan Elmore, co-owners Nathan Charrier and Ernie Guth and their 20-plus staff have transferred to EnerMech. The cranes business line will continue to operate from Diversified’s 17,000 sq ft facility at Slidell and there are plans to open a second Louisiana base at Lafayette to service central Gulf of Mexico operations. £20 million investment programme The acquisition of Cape Town-based CVT is part of a three-year £20 million investment programme to build a strong infrastructure across Africa, which has to date included the acquisition of cranes and load testing business Water Weights International SA, establishing a presence in Nigeria, Ghana and Angola, a trading entity in Mozambique, and the opening of new regional headquarters and workshop facilities in Cape Town, South Africa. CVT provides servicing, refurbishment and sales of control and safety valves used in the energy, mining and petrochemical industries. The company has a number of long-term customer relationships and has successfully executed projects in South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, Ghana and the Middle East. CVT’s 19 staff and owner Stephen David will transfer to EnerMech and David will lead EnerMech’s valves operations in Africa, alongside newly appointed regional director Jean François Roche, who joined EnerMech in February and is a former managing director of Société Générale de Surveillance in Algeria. The deal gives EnerMech access to a facility to support offshore rig repair work at Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape and the company said the new partnership will allow the introduction of other service lines to CVT’s existing client base. Excellent platform EnerMech CEO, Doug Duguid, said: “Both acquisitions will extend our service provision in the US and Africa, which are both extremely important regions for our future growth. At the same time, adding Diversified and CVT to our portfolio gives us an excellent platform to introduce our other services to their respective client bases. “Both businesses are profitable and highly respected in their sectors and combined with EnerMech’s more developed infrastructure and fiscal strength, they will be key building blocks as we expand our cranes and lifting services in the Americas and our valves operations and across sub-Saharan Africa. “Our philosophy of establishing a strong local presence and infrastructure, using wherever possible the skills of a local workforce, and investing in training and the latest equipment, will bring long-term dividends both for us and our clients.”Eriks opens sealing cell for oil & gas sector
Eriks Sealing Technology has opened a new development cell specifically designed for the rapid prototyping of oil & gas sealing products. The new facility, which is housed in the Birchwood Science Park in Warrington, incorporates a high-spec twin-spindle, large-diameter Mazak Integrex i-series multi-tasking machine capable of machining metals, rubber and functional thermoplastics, alongside the latest moulding and mechanical seal assembly facilities. The new cell will be exclusively for the development of functional prototype sealing products, in particular the many complex shapes and sizes demanded by the oil and gas sector. The cell is designed specifically to support Eriks’ customers in bringing new products to market quickly. The development cell is located alongside the polymer materials laboratory which has achieved ISO 17025 qualified laboratory status and the mechanical applications laboratory, which contains numerous application specific test rigs. Customers using the cell will also benefit from the know-how of Eriks’ global materials team, which uses the company’s long established expertise within the oil & gas sector to advise on the most appropriate materials for oil and gas applications. The new development cell exceeds the previous 3D prototype printing capability for fit-only testing to meet the growing needs of customers that require functional prototypes. Mick Holland, general manager of Eriks Sealing Technology, commented: “The oil & gas sector is exceptionally dynamic with short lead times for new products. The new development cell will enable customers to rapidly prototype new sealing products, eliminating unnecessary delays and significantly shortening the timescales for bringing new products to market.”Atlas Copco Compressors UK achieves triple certification
Atlas Copco Compressors UK has achieved three new certifications for its operations in the UK following the completion of a nationwide training programme focusing on the management of quality, health & safety and environmental impact. The triple certification comprises ISO 9001for quality, ISO14001 for environment and OHSAS18001 for safety. Steve Matthews, Atlas Copco’s newly appointed QSHE manager said: “Achieving these global benchmark standards adds to the company’s credibility and boosts confidence in its products and services. It demonstrates the company’s determination to deliver quality systems through tested procedures, while ensuring its management systems provide staff focus and discipline within a compliant framework.” The ISO 9001 standard relates to quality management systems and is designed to help organisations ensure that, while meeting statutory and regulatory requirements related to their products, they are able to increase customer and stakeholder satisfaction through the delivery of quality products and services. The ISO 14001 standard is an integral part of the European Union’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), which concerns performance improvement, legal compliance and reporting duties. OHSAS 18000 is an international occupational health and safety management system specification, designed to minimise risk to employees and implement improvement to an existing OH&S management system. Atlas Copco has also set its sights on achieving ISO 50001 and plans to help customers secure a 20 per cent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020.Linde Hydraulics and PMP Industries form global strategic alliance
Diversified Italian producer of power transmissions and fluid power, PMP Industries S.p.A., and German manufacturer of comprehensive heavy duty hydraulics, Linde Hydraulics, have entered into a global strategic alliance. The agreement broadens each company’s product portfolio, sales channels and regional coverage. Customers in construction, agriculture, forestry, mining and other mobile machinery segments will benefit globally from complete drive system solutions for self-propelled machines in both – open and closed circuit applications. Linde will offer PMP’s wide range of swing, track and wheel drives, along with hydraulic plug-in motors while PMP will add Linde’s sophisticated range of heavy duty hydraulic pumps, motors and main control valves to its portfolio. The alliance particularly leverages Linde’s technological advantage of its industry leading load sensing valve technology LSC for superior efficiency and productivity. The alliance enables both partners to offer system solutions by synchronising individual components while optimising their performance. Both companies will offer the other party’s products through their own extensive sales and service networks to utilise individual regional strengths. Linde Hydraulics is well-positioned in established in Western markets while PMP is particularly strong in growth regions. Through the alliance, both companies intend to significantly expand their market shares in the respective hydraulic and power transmission segments by 2018. “This important strategic alliance will not only support our ambitious growth targets, it will also help us exceed them,” said Luigino Pozzo, CEO and founder of PMP Industries. “Linde’s open loop hydraulic portfolio is superior in efficiency and productivity. Their products will complete our portfolio and give us additional competitive edge. Our joint technological package will be unique in the entire industry and increase our customers’ market success.” Thorsten van der Tuuk, executive vice president sales, marketing, research & development at Linde Hydraulics, remarked: “The partnership with PMP is a perfect strategic fit. It enables us to offer complete system solutions to our customers – out of a single hand. They will benefit from superior quality and commercially highly competitive technology and therefore add increasing value to their products. PMP brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge into this partnership, opening doors for additional growth opportunities.”Industry warned of grey repair threat to hydraulic and electronic drives
Non-official or ‘grey’ repairs to hydraulic and electronic drives are threatening industrial productivity by increasing downtime and placing warranties at risk, according to one of the UK’s leading drives and controls manufacturers. The warning, from Bosch Rexroth, has been issued to production and maintenance managers who continue to use non-official repairers, also known as the grey market, to repair highly sophisticated equipment. “We estimate that nearly 65 per cent of electronic drive repairs in the UK are completed by non-official repairers,” said Richard Chamberlain, UK service manager at Bosch Rexroth. “The situation in hydraulics is even worse. We estimate that circa 80 percent of hydraulic repairs are completed by the grey market.” Chamberlain added there is a misconception that hydraulic drives are easy to repair with no account taken of which components are used in the repair, or how this may affect any warranties. “It’s a big issue with hydraulics in particular, because it’s generally a simpler technology that many maintenance engineers believe can be just sent down the road to a grey repairer,” he said. “However, even the simplest repair completed in the grey market could increase the likelihood of a premature failure.”
Events
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Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week
05 - 06 June, 2024
NEC, Birmingham -
HILLHEAD 2024
25 June, 2024, 9:00 - 27 June, 2024, 16:00
Hillhead Quarry, Buxton, Derbyshire UK
