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UKAS accreditations for energy & engineering technical services

Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, has announced that it has been awarded two new accreditations by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to deliver services on behalf of its energy and engineering technical service business units, ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and ISO/IEC 17065:2012.

Navigating the future: The digital transformation of plant maintenance in the UK

In the ever-evolving world of plant maintenance equipment and services, the landscape is marked by increased demand for essential solutions that play a pivotal role in sustaining key sectors, both domestically in the UK and beyond. As industries strive for greater efficiency and productivity, a notable shift is taking place. PWE offers an overview of the growing significance of Maintenance 4.0.

Cutting the carbon footprint

Bachy Soletanche has announced it recently switched from diesel to electric forklifts at its manufacturing site in Burscough, Lancashire, as part of a companywide plan to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030.

New MTA President's Charity

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) traditionally support two charities during the year and for the first time, the President’s Charity has been chosen as the Children’s Hospital Charity, supporting Sheffield Children's Hospital to provide world-class care to children from all over the world.

Pump maintenance – ignore it at your peril

Regular pump system maintenance is essential to prevent significant cost and reputational issues. Thomas Marks, General Manager at the Association for Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) looks at several issues that poor pump maintenance can lead to and outlines some of the key steps that can be taken to minimise the chance of them emerging.

The need for facility checks in proactive maintenance

Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid specialist Global Heat Transfer, explains how manufacturers can make changes around the facility to improve the productivity of their heat transfer system and better prepare for incidents that could lead to health and safety risks or costly downtime.

How maintenance engineers can discover cost and energy savings

James Goodby, director at voltage optimisation specialist Powerdown220, explains how avoiding running unnecessary voltage through your equipment also reduces your maintenance costs.

The need for a Gen Z injection to meet digital-driven maintenance

Wendy Tai, Director of Product Marketing for ServiceMax, looks at why there is a need for a Gen Z injection to meet digital-driven maintenance challenges and asks whether the industry is doing enough to embrace and train a younger generation of technicians?

Atlas Copco Group launches new identity

Atlas Copco Group has launched a new identity, including a new Group logo, a new visual identity, and a new Group message: Technology that transforms the future.

Array of technology launches set for Southern 2024!

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2024 will open its doors again from 6-8 February. PWE takes a closer look at the forthcoming show.

The power of programmable lights

PWE takes a closer look at Turck Banner's programmable lighting solutions

Enhancing Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) through maintenance management

Donal Bourke, PEMAC Director of Sales, delves into the reasons why good maintenance management practices within manufacturing can significantly improve RAM. Additionally, he explores how CMMS software should align with RAM principles to help organisations reach new heights of operational efficiency.

Made Smarter-backed Spice Kitchen targets £2m sales and new jobs with tech investment

A manufacturer of spice products says it is forecast to double productivity and sales to £2m and create new jobs after investing in data and systems technologies, with the support of Made Smarter.

Remanufacturing bearings: How to yield economic and environmental benefits

Chris Johnson, Managing Director at bearing relubrication specialist SMB Bearings, explores how the remanufacturing process can yield economic and environmental benefits

Designing an energy-efficient compressed air system

With energy accounting for a significant proportion of the cost of ownership of a compressed air system, operators will want to ensure their equipment is optimised for best performance. Vanda Jones, Executive Director at the British Compressed Air Society discusses the importance of good compressed air system design in helping to mitigate for rising energy costs.

Navigating the future: The digital transformation of plant maintenance in the UK

In the ever-evolving world of plant maintenance equipment and services, the landscape is marked by increased demand for essential solutions that play a pivotal role in sustaining key sectors, both domestically in the UK and beyond. As industries strive for greater efficiency and productivity, a notable shift is taking place. PWE offers an overview of the growing significance of Maintenance 4.0.

First steps for efficiency gains

Amid reports that doubling energy efficiency by 2030 could cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as a third, energy specialist Aggreko is highlighting some of the key areas that industry can make immediate efficiency gains.

Industrial servicing tackles throwaway culture by focusing on circular economics

Circular economics is going to be a key focus for global businesses in 2024, according to the President of ABB Electrification Service, Stuart Thompson.

Talking Industry: Developments in robotics and automation

Held on 14 November, the last Talking Industry of 2023 revisited one of its most popular topics of robotics and automation, chaired Andy Pye.

The importance of door maintenance

The fact that Hart Door Systems has built a reputation for quality and longevity of its wide range of industrial doors, the importance of door maintenance should not be understated says Keith Fisher, Hart’s National Operations Manager (pictured).

LiftEx 2023 brings the lifting industry to Liverpool

LiftEx 2023, sponsored by CoreRFID, attracted the crowds to the Exhibition Centre located among the docks on the banks of the Mersey in Liverpool on 21-22nd November. Over 1000 visitors across two days came to see the lifting products and services from more than 80 global exhibitors. This included all the latest lifting products including hoists, mobile and overhead cranes, steel chains, wire rope, winches, shackles, web slings, rigging, spreader beams, height safety and load monitoring equipment, IT solutions and more. 

Coventry University Vice-Chancellor to speak at global climate summit COP28 in Dubai

Coventry University’s Vice-Chancellor will speak on how today’s youth can make a real difference at the global climate summit COP28.

Innovative Breakthrough in SAF Technology

The success of the first-ever 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) trans-Atlantic flight by a commercial airline, operated by Virgin Atlantic, signifies a new era in SAF technology. This step towards eco-friendly air travel was made possible thanks to an innovative process, BioForming Sugar to Aromatics (S2A). The technology was originally invented by Virent and jointly developed for commercialisation by Virent and Johnson Matthey. The process marks a significant move towards decarbonising the aviation sector and a breakthrough in SAF.

Expansion of Premium Care support packages for industrial tools

Fluke, a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement tools and software, has announced the expansion of its Premium Care support packages to include a wider range of market-leading industrial and electrical tools.

Winners announced at the LEEA Awards

The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) presented the winners of the LEEA Awards 2023 with their trophies at the Awards Dinner on 21st November, held at the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool. The winners of the annual awards recognising excellence in the lifting industry are as follows:

Tan Delta Systems launches SENSE-2, a new real-time oil monitoring system to significantly reduce operating costs for the plant, works and maintenance sector

Tan Delta Systems, a manufacturer of real-time oil quality monitoring sensors and systems is leading the way within the plant, works and maintenance sector with the launch of SENSE-2. The new oil condition monitoring kit provides real-time data about machine oil quality to optimise maintenance and reduce operating costs.

Industry 4.0 on-premise data intelligence platform launched

SICK has launched an Industry 4.0 on-premise data intelligence platform that enables manufacturing and logistics organisations to optimise their operating performance. SICK Field Analytics can be quickly and easily set up to provide meaningful, application-specific condition monitoring and process insights, independently of an organisation’s existing machinery and systems.

Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal Award Ceremony recognises pupils’ innovation

School pupils, university students and engineers travelled to London this week for the highly prestigious Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal Award Ceremony to receive recognition for their work in creating a Prototype based on a school pupils engineering idea.

West Cumbria well-placed for growth

Businesses, industry, academia and communities in West Cumbria are reported to be well-placed to work together to maximise a wealth of opportunities.

Real Progress campaign to accelerate global sustainability launched

ABB has announced it has launched its new global sustainability initiative, showcasing the power of technology and expertise to accelerate sustainability while enhancing productivity. ABB says its Real Progress campaign is a rallying call to customers, partners and suppliers, inspiring them to harness technology leadership and the solutions that exist today to amplify their own impact across process industries such as mining, metals, and pulp and paper.

Ovarro launches Graduate Programme

Ovarro, a remote monitoring specialist across several sectors — including water, oil and gas, broadcast, transportation and power — has unveiled an ambitious new Graduate Programme. The initiative is aimed at fortifying Ovarro’s operations in the water management and leak detection industry and developing a dedicated sales division. Five graduate hires have joined the global company at its offices in Chesterfield, UK.

Southern Manufacturing is back!

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2024 will open its doors again from 6-8 February. PWE takes a closer look at the forthcoming show.

Keeping cranes running straight and true

Lifting equipment specialist, Konecranes, has launched its RailQ 3D crane runway survey programme. The package has been designed to provide highly accurate measurement of crane runway alignment and is backed by comprehensive analysis of cloud-based data.

Large energy users urged to consider equipment sizing under new EU Energy Efficiency Directive

Following the European Union’s launch of a new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) to reduce emissions across the continent earlier this month, energy solutions specialist Aggreko is encouraging businesses to make sure their energy needs are being correctly specified.

Oil free compressed air: Factors to consider

Avoiding process contamination is a necessity for any hygienic application using compressors – ranging from the food and beverage sector, to pharmaceuticals to sensitive electronic environments. Claudia Vignelli, Product Manager Plant Air Centrifugal Compressors Ingersoll Rand, explores the variety of factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate oil-free compressed air technology.

Sustainable approach allows Remembrance poppy to be automatically assembled faster and more efficiently

Rockwell Automation has announced that its automation technology sits at the heart of new machines that assemble the Royal British Legion’s new plastic-free poppy.

Optimising control valve specification

Greg Wainhouse, Industry Account Manager for Water Applications at Bürkert, explains the importance of reviewing input data for control valve specification

Unlocking operational excellence

PWE takes a look at how developments in instrument condition monitoring can unlock operational excellence

Ultrasound and Vibration analysis: two key elements of predictive maintenance

Christopher Hallum, UE Systems North Europe Operations Manager looks at the role of ultrasound as a condition monitoring tool and why using vibration and ultrasound together is the best way to reach excellence in your maintenance practices

ABB’s Amina Hamidi wins Industry Personality of the Year in Instrumentation Excellence Awards

Amina Hamidi, Managing Director of ABB’s Instrumentation Business Line within the Measurement & Analytics Division, was named Industry Personality of the Year at this year’s Instrumentation Excellence Awards. The award was presented at a ceremony in London organised by Instrumentation Monthly publisher Datateam Business Media.

How industry can attract young engineers

Martyn Williams, managing director of COPA-DATA UK, explains how industry can help to tackle the skills shortage in the sector, with just a little influencing required.

Safeguarding legacy equipment: Addressing cybersecurity challenges for manufacturers

In the fast-evolving digital landscape, manufacturers face unique cybersecurity challenges, with IoT devices experiencing an average of 5,200 attacks per month. Add in ageing equipment, and the challenge to maintain operational resilience increases exponentially. Jeremy Whittingham, industry consultant and member of the Advanced Engineering* team highlights the vulnerabilities associated with outdated technology and provides manufacturers with insights on mitigating risks.

Engine overhaul provides Southern Water with sustainable CHP power

Finning, exclusive distributor of Cat engines and power solutions in the UK and Ireland, overhauled a CHP generator for Southern Water – helping the utilities company to benefit from a lower-cost and more sustainable way to power its operations. PWE reports

Simple workflow system brings efficiency and productivity savings for igus

Lyle Oxton had worked at igus for 3 years when he was tasked with implementing a workflow system. PWE reports.

Following the path to improved Overall Equipment Effectiveness

Martin Hurley, business development manager for industrial automation specialist Novotek Ireland, looks at how you can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Combilift celebrates 25 years of innovation

In 1998 Combilift originally made history with its world-first multidirectional C4000 3-wheel, all-wheel drive forklift. Last month, the company celebrated its 25th Anniversary at its headquarters in Monaghan, Ireland with the launch of its latest products. PWE reports

Turnkey steam project completed for UK’s largest centralised kitchen

Industrial process heating equipment and solutions specialist Babcock Wanson has completed a turnkey project to supply steam, via its BWD30 fire tube boiler, to cookers at IRC Cucina’s new Trafford Park centralised kitchen. PWE reports

Measuring vibration, linear and angular motion

Applications that require precise information on the linear or angular movement of an object rely on the accuracy of motion sensors within. Accelerometers and gyroscopes can be used to provide this movement data, and utilising developments in MEMS technologies means this is all possible within a much smaller space envelope. But as we push for increased functionality in smaller spaces, what can custom ICs do to benefit? Richard Mount, Director of Sales at ASIC design and supply company Swindon Silicon Systems explains. 

Cumbrian SMEs unite to form "Resolve Engineered Solutions" - a new era in comprehensive engineering services

A collaboration of four leading Cumbrian SMEs are embarking on a pioneering venture to establish "Resolve Engineered Solutions".

Celebrating 70 years of big trucks

The plant in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where Hyster Big Trucks are produced is celebrating its 70th year in 2023.