AxFlow says its service centre in Huddersfield now holds a wide range of single spring and cartridge mechanical seals in stock for immediate delivery. In addition the company is also running an extensive mechanical seal service and repair operation with facilities for cleaning, lapping, re-assembly and shaft mounting using laser alignment technology.
AxFlow managing director Tony Peters reports an increasing number of its customers are now taking advantage of the company's facilities for replacing existing sealing arrangements with AxFlow"s own single spring and cartridge seals when having their pumps serviced: "AxFlow cartridge seals have all the components pre-mounted on a shaft sleeve, making installation and removal simple tasks.” Peters added: “We can build the cartridge unit to match the application for the pump and its operating conditions. Having seen this side of the business growing steadily, through pump repair and servicing, we are now offering mechanical seals as a mainstream activity.”

SKF has launched an Oil Conditioning Unit designed to enhance oil lubrication in a range of demanding applications across industries including cement, mining and quarrying. The low pressure pump-filtration unit is designed to be easy to integrate with existing machine systems to provide a simple and efficient method of removing oil contaminants while maintaining oil temperatures at optimum levels. In practice, the new Oil Conditioning Unit can play a significant role in reducing wear, extend service life and significantly minimise lubricant, maintenance and repair costs.
The new SKF Oil Conditioning Unit creates optimal lubrication conditions by removing contamination, including abraded and oxidised particles, and maintaining oil temperature, resulting in correct oil viscosity. It is installed directly onto machinery and, once connected, is ready for continuous operation. Ongoing maintenance is not required and only periodic filter changes are necessary. It is particularly useful on machinery where filtration does not exist or where the current filtration is unable to meet operating demands.
By filtering the oil, using a kidney loop filtration system, the SKF Oil Conditioning Unit offers significant cost savings including lower lubricant costs, minimal waste oil disposal costs, reduced maintenance and component consumption costs, and lower repair costs. Potential machine downtime is also shortened.
The SKF Oil Conditioning Unit is available in two designs. The first is available for applications where only filtration is required. The second version combines an air or water cooler with the filtration unit to reduce lubricant temperature. SKF says it can also customise the filtration and cooling unit to include temperature, pressure and moisture transmitters, flowmeters, thermometers and various control valves. These enable SKF to customise the unit to meet a wide range of industrial applications.
With extended machine service life through reduced wear and improved lubrication, the SKF Oil Conditioning Unit helps to protect machinery from unexpected failures. This, in addition to the extended useful service life of the lubricant itself, leads to significantly reduced ongoing costs and increased productivity.

NSK is providing improved sealing and life performance across its range of RHP Self-Lube mounted bearing units - including high and low temperature HLT versions - with the introduction of the company's robust S-design seal on all inserts with diameters up to a maximum of 100mm.

When a boiler on site develops a fault or goes down unexpectedly, it’s a race against time for the plant management team to arrange an alternative before the issue affects business continuity. For the well-managed plant the problem can be dealt with quickly: the team will already have an established relationship with a hire specialist (even if they have never actually needed to hire a temporary boiler before) and that specialist will have already done a site survey to identify the type of kit needed, where it will be sited and what will be required to get it in place.

Three additional water heating appliances from Andrews Water Heaters and Potterton Commercial, both part of Baxi Commercial Division, have been supplied for installation in Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium. The two latest refurbishment projects, completed in 2008 and 2009 respectively, comprised the installation of a further Andrews Supa-Flo water heater and two Potterton Commercial NXR3 cast iron sectional boilers. The former has been fitted to provide hot water to the Players" changing rooms and some of the South Stand hospitality suites, while the boilers supply low pressure hot water (LPHW) to the South Stand heating and air conditioning systems.

Fulton was established in Bristol in 1966 to manufacture a range of vertical tubeless steam boilers. Today the company is an important manufacturing base in Fulton Inc's global network that also includes production facilities in the USA and China.

A Nilfisk sweeper is being used at the Wienerberger brick works in Kidderminster to help keep kiln and clay processing areas clean.

Although Kemperol is known for its flat roof waterproofing capabilities, the benefits of using it for pitched metal roof repairs are perhaps less well known. This application is claimed to be not only quick and cost-effective, but gives a reliable solution suited to patch repairs or whole roof encapsulation, so avoiding the expense and inconvenience of re-roofing.

Flexibility has always been a major attraction of Revlok mezzanine floors whose adaptable modular design reflects the experience of Lancashire-based parent company Doity Engineering Ltd. 

Breaking out old Terrazzo tiling is both expensive and time consuming. Project managers faced with removing old, cracked tiling are forced to contemplate a limited range of options.

The Centre for Alternative Technology first installed its Photovoltaic (PV) roof over 15 years ago. When it was first built it was the largest PV array in the UK, covering up to 112sq meters and generating up to 13.5 kilowatts. It has provided CAT with clean, constant source of electricity ever since. As of October 2006 the roof has produced 2885 KWH- enough energy to power eight houses and saved over 14 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Tennant Company has announced the results of an independent third-party study by Elliott Affiliates on the effectiveness of Tennant's ec-H2O technology. 

Works canteens kitchen ventilation systems can create significant problems for neighbours and the environment.

Speed of use, simplicity and cost-effectiveness distinguish the MHC range of condition monitoring instruments from Holroyd Instruments and has led to their widespread use across all industrial sectors.

Micro-Epsilon has now enhanced its inline infrared thermal imaging camera with a host of new features, accessories and mounting options, including a protective enclosure that allows the device to operate in ambient temperatures up to 200^oC - making the unit ideal for monitoring the temperature of steel, ceramics and glass.

Fluke, the global leader in handheld electronic test and measurement equipment, is offering a free, 72-page illustrated book, 'Introduction to Thermography Principles', designed to provide an introduction to thermal imager operation and procedures with an overview of the latest information on their safe, efficient and practical usage. Potential users of Fluke thermal imagers can request a free demonstration via the web site link www.fluke.co.uk/ti  then also request a free copy of the book (normally priced at £22).

Originally highly exclusive, thermal imaging is now mainstream.  In a relatively short time frame this technology has become the universal tool for effective predictive maintenance and it's easy to see why. 

A jury at St Albans' Crown Court has found TAV Engineering Ltd guilty of failing to protect workers and members of the public following an investigation into the explosion and fire at Buncefield Oil Storage Depot on 11 December 2005. Motherwell Control Systems 2003 Ltd was also found guilty of the same charge.

A growing number of Britain's manufacturers reported buoyant trading conditions over the past three months on the back of rising demand in overseas and UK markets, according to a major survey published by EEF, the manufacturers" organisation and BDO LLP.

Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES), one of the UK's largest mechanical and electrical building services businesses is using an advanced tester from Clare Instruments to improve the electrical safety testing of its power installations. 

Astrum, a designer and manufacturer of track links and structural components for armoured fighting vehicles and heavy duty earth moving vehicles, replaced its ageing air compressors with new CompAir units. It is claimed the new equipment will halve the company's energy use and increase productivity, but it will also reduce its carbon emissions by over 600 tonnes a year.

Spirax Sarco is investing close to £25 million to consolidate and modernise its manufacturing facilities in Cheltenham. The project will improve customer service, reduce order lead-times and ensure that the manufacturing operations are more environmentally-friendly.

Torqueleader have designed, manufactured and assembled the ATB Breaking Wrenches which utilises a 20° breaking action. This breaking action very clearly signals to the operator when the desired torque has been reached therefore vastly reducing the possibility of over torque.

The CBI has commented on the Index of Production data for March, which showed a 2% rise compared with the previous year.

BSI has opened an office in Qatar as part of the organisation's strategic plan to further grow BSI"s presence in the Middle East.

BITA, the British Industrial Truck Association has revealed signs of recovery in the UK forklift truck market at its 2010 AGM held in May.

Speaking at the 'Decisions at 18' Careers Conference at Royal Holloway University of London recently, Paul Jackson, chief executive of Engineering UK, highlighted the disparity in the percentage of female engineering professionals in the UK compared to other European countries. The fact that the percentage of women working as engineering professionals in Spain, Sweden and Italy, and the vast majority of other European countries, was twice that in the UK was simply not good enough he asserted and announced plans to commission a piece of research into the reasons behind the disparity.
Addressing the conference of teachers and careers advisors on the subject of STEM opportunities and barriers to entry, Jackson announced that EngineeringUK had carried out a recent review of the data relating to women in engineering and technology and identified UKRC research that showed that only 9% of UK engineering professionals are women compared to 18% in Spain, 26% in Sweden and 20% in Italy.
This continuing lack of female engineers was one of three major barriers to tackling skills shortages in the UK sector, Jackson argued. Poor take up and retention rates for Further Education engineering courses as well as a 10% decrease in the number of 18 year olds were also causes for concern but none more so that the fact the UK ranked worst in Europe for the number of female engineering professionals.
Paul Jackson said: "The fact that the proportion of female engineering professionals in the UK is the lowest in Europe is shocking. It"s essential we get behind these figures and understand why; what is it that our European neighbours are doing differently; what can we learn from them? Over the next twelve months, EngineeringUK will be commissioning research to understand what lies beneath this disparity and what the UK must do differently in future to address it. We need a step rather than incremental change in the number of women entering the engineering profession in the UK if we are to meet the future global technological challenges that lie ahead.”

Engineering construction firm Doosan Babcock has won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident's (RoSPA) most prestigious occupational health and safety award. The company was presented with the safety charity"s Sir George Earle Trophy at a ceremony in Birmingham recently.

ELGA Process Water introduces new membrane solutions for surface finishing applications

Regular calibration to International Standards is vital to ensure your torque equipment is operating at its peak performance, guaranteeing the accuracy necessary is being delivered.

The UK's tax system is tilted against manufacturing, stands in the way of growing a more balanced economy and needs major reform, according to a major report published by EEF, the manufacturers" organisation.

The UK's eight leading engineering organisations have launched a comprehensive call for action to ensure that engineering makes the maximum contribution to solving Britain"s biggest challenges: the economy, the environment, education, infrastructure and public services.
"Engineering the future of the UK - a vision for the future of UK engineering” is published by Engineering The Future, a collective body made up of the Engineering Council, EngineeringUK, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of Physics, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
This call for action follows a joint letter from the Presidents of the professional bodies urging the political parties to grasp the fact that engineering holds the key to creating a new, broader economic base.
Lord Browne of Madingley, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, commented: “The economic impact of engineering stretches far beyond the measurable output of factory production lines. From agriculture to IT, and from manufacturing to finance, engineering solutions are deeply embedded in every area of economic activity in the UK. Engineers will sit at the heart of efforts to rebuild a balanced economy based on a greater diversity of industries. Engineering solutions will also help to address the grand challenges facing society in the 21st century, including poverty, improved access to food and water and combating climate change.”
The overarching theme is that the UK is not fully leveraging the potential of engineering and that radical change is required. Government must play a central role and therefore detailed policy recommendations are provided on five dimensions. These recommendations are party-neutral and discussions are taking place with each of the main political parties as they prepare their manifestos for the upcoming general election.
 
The manifesto highlights five key policy priorities for government:

Pollution risks increase due to Arctic conditions

Explosion protection with a safer shade of green

Bespoke forklift truck attachments

Preferred supplier agreement signed

The forklift becomes a logistics unit

Conventional forklift trucks may be fast approaching their physical limitation, so how can future efficiencies and productivity gains be achieved? PWE reports.

Free guide to EN50191

Explosion protected safety switch key station

Bollards keep Bluewater car parks running smoothly

Economical, flexible robot

Commitment to welding skills development

Air cooled liquid chiller range with 'no frost' evaporator

Energy-guzzling chillers replaced

Expanded dirty service

Centrifugal pump

Finance in Industry

Many people are aware that the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) is the UK Trade Association for the compressed air industry and provides expert and impartial advice to members on technical, legislative, energy, environmental, and health and safety issues amongst its comprehensive list of services and benefits.

Indian business mission

Speaking at an official Indo-UK business seminar in Southern India recently, Patricia Hewitt MP, former cabinet minister and chair of the UK-India Business Council, said that the joint venture company forged between Manchester-based HMG Paints and Titan Paints & Chemicals of Coimbatore was an ideal example of how commercial partnerships can be fostered between the two countries.
Jointly organised by UK Trade & Investment and the Confederation of Indian Industry, the 'Partners in Action' seminar explored opportunities for partnering with the local business community, in order to expand overseas operations, and presented case studies of UK firms already doing business in India. The British Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India, Mike Nithavrianakis, led the seminar and a senior member of the Indian parliament, Poongothai Aladi Aruna, delivered a keynote address.
Two board members of Titan HMG Paints India Limited, Ravi Sam and John Fenton, used the occasion to announce that the JV will increase its production capacity three-fold over the next three years. It is also in the process of widening its product range to cover paint market sectors like marine finishes and specialist coatings.

Mach 2010 launches education zone