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A growing demand for electrification within several industries like steel, solar and semiconductors makes Kanthal to expand its production site in Walldorf, Germany. The aim of the investment is to capture the growth within electric industrial heating and drive operational improvements through increased automation.

At the Walldorf site, Kanthal manufactures products such as Fibrothal® heating modules, flow heaters, metallic heating elements, and diffusion cassettes. All these products enable industries to make the green technology shift.

The investment includes expanding the current premises with ~2500 m² manufacturing area through a lease agreement of a nearby facility, as well as new equipment and automation improvements. The number of employees is expected to increase with approximately 10 people.

 “The investment ensures that we can capture the growth in electrification of industrial heating, which will require a ramp-up of our operations globally. We expect a rapidly growing demand for our traditional heating solutions, but also for our newly developed high temperature process gas heaters that are currently being tested in a number of pilot projects,” says Aaron Roy, President of Business Unit Heating Systems at Kanthal.

“This will benefit customers with better availability and faster delivery of products that will be key in achieving their sustainability goals. In addition, the expansion shows the local community that we are investing in Walldorf and offering new and attractive jobs.”

The initiative started in May and is expected to be fully implemented in Q1 2024.

The UK government commissioned Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship highlighted that women entrepreneurs are underrepresented in the most productive sectors of the UK economy, and that female entrepreneurship could add a further £250bn to the UK economy.

The Review recommends that encouraging young women to study Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics i.e. STEM subjects, is key to increasing female start-up rates in those sectors.

Women still make up a minority of the STEM workforce. It is widely accepted that the lack of visible female role models in the STEM industry contributes to the low number of females taking up STEM related careers.

The Inspirational Women in STEM and Construction Campaign set up by Roni Savage with support from Natwest, Amazon and FSB, is an opportunity to identify inspirational female business owners in STEM and Construction, to act as role models to the future generations and challenge the status quo.

The nominee longlist includes over 70 include incredible women such as Sarra Hawes of Hawes Construction Group, Sophie Carr of Bays Consulting, Lucy Hall of Avvison Media, Charlene Campbell of Green Tea Architects, Stephanie Macdonald of 6a Architects, Rianne Scott of Oracle Solutions, Catherine Barratt of BAMUK Group, Flavilla Fongang of 3coloursrule, Alexandra Knight of StemasingKids, Cynthia Davis of Diversifying.io, Paulette Watson of Academy Achievers, Hollie Whittles of Purple Frog Systems and many others.

The final shortlist who will be announced at a celebration at the House of Lords in June 2023, will be encouraged to each mentor at least one of the young people who will be invited to the event.

Roni Savage, founder and CEO of Jomas Associates, an Engineering and Environmental Company serving the construction industry says “I am really excited about this campaign to identify other business women who have set up businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Construction, and the opportunity it brings to the next generation of women who will be mentored by them. By doing this, we hope to build a stronger pipeline which will boost our economy and empower others to challenge the status quo.”

According to Laura Capper Head of Construction and Manufacturing at Natwest “Empowering women in STEM and construction isn’t just about breaking gender barriers; it’s about strengthening the foundation of progress. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, we unlock a wealth of talent, creativity, and innovation that boosts the economy and propels the industry forward. Addressing existing underrepresentation can bring fresh perspectives, skillsets, and expertise, enriching teams and projects with their unique contributions building a future that is not only equitable but also built to last. The 2019 Rose Review demonstrated that up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as UK men.”

Accurate and reliable flow rate measurement for water, including ultrapure water, at up to 1000 litres per minute is easily achieved with the new SU Puresonic flow sensor from ifm electronic. Since this innovative sensor uses ultrasonic technology, it delivers results that are not influenced by the conductivity of the water, making it an ideal choice for use in water filtration and purification systems as well as in more general applications where precision and dependability are key requirements.

These new sensors use a stainless steel measuring pipe free of measuring elements, seals or moving parts. This means no additional restriction to the flow is introduced by the sensor and the risk of leaks and/or blockages, which can occur in mechanical flow measurement systems, is eliminated. As a further aid to reliable operation, the sensors also incorporate a self-monitoring system. This can be used to alert users to, for example, increases in particulate matter in the medium or to the build-up of deposits on the inner wall of the measuring pipe.

SU Puresonic sensors are available with G1 and 1” NPT process connections and a measuring range of 1 to 240 litres per minute, and with G2 and 2” NPT connections and a measuring range of 5 to 1000 litres per minute. All versions have an IO-Link output that provides comprehensive real time data for flow rate, medium temperature and sensor status, as well as a 4-20 mA analogue output, a pulse output, a switching output and a diagnostic output.

Compact construction means that installation is straightforward, even in applications where space is restricted, such as on water manifolds with a 50 mm pitch. Set up is equally straightforward as, unlike clamp-on devices, SU Puresonic sensors offer plug-and-play operation with no need to make adjustments for pipe material and wall thickness.

www.ifm.com

 Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company, today announced that Allen Li has been appointed to the new role of General Manager, China, reporting to Chief Revenue Officer Brock Ballard. Allen Li has had a long executive career at enterprise software leader SAP, including as Chief Operating Officer, China. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a master’s in Technology Management at Harbin Institute of Technology, and then an Executive MBA from University of Mannheim Business School.

While Bentley’s infrastructure engineering offerings have become well established in major design institutes and owner organizations, the company is also pursuing substantial growth opportunities as a platform for software development and distribution by Chinese entities. Allen Li has end-to-end responsibility for all of Bentley’s business in China, including recent and potential future joint ventures to offer local Chinese products leveraging Bentley technology.

Bentley Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Cumins said, “China is unique in the world for the scale and digital advancement of its infrastructure engineering, meriting a unique approach in go-to-market. We welcome Allen Li as General Manager, a new role within our organization. His experience leading initiatives to ‘regionalize’ enterprise software in China will be instrumental to Bentley’s forward-looking priorities there.”

Allen Li said, “I am very impressed by the strength of Bentley’s product-market fit and its technology leadership for infrastructure engineering in China to date, and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead Bentley in its next phase of growth, leveraging local and partner resources, in China for China.”

www.bentley.com

 With just two weeks to go, excitement is building for the return of the popular Big Bang Fair  –  the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK. 29,000 young people are registered to attend The Fair at Birmingham’s NEC - more than 60% of whom are from priority schools, those which have the highest proportion of young people from groups who are under-represented in the engineering profession.

Supported by organisations from across the engineering and technology sector and beyond, this year sees 26 new supporters join The Fair including DePuy Synthes, Nissan Motors and The Blair Project.

Also debuting at The Fair this year will be a newly formed ‘Opportunities in Aviation & Aerospace’ group – which includes Civil Aviation Authority, Aerobility, Royal Aeronautical Society, British Airways and TUI. Exhibiting in a joint space, the group are joining forces to showcase the skills and career opportunities available in the aviation and aerospace industry.

This mirrors a similar collaboration seen with the ‘Routes into Rail’ group which includes leading rail industry organisations.

Exhibitors have an array of exciting, interactive activities lined up for young people this year – all designed to ignite a passion for STEM. Highlights include exploring coding for good from Amazon, learning more about sustainability from Rolls Royce, changing lives with audiology and optometry from Specsavers, a drone coding experience from Code4Drones and a virtual reality space walk from the University of Sheffield’s Women in Engineering society.

Young people will also be able to find out more about engineering careers, including green careers, throughout The Fair and at the dedicated careers panel stage. This year will also see the return of stage shows – where The Ministry of Science will host an exciting live experiment and The University of Wolverhampton will lead a journey through time with chemistry.

Matthew Ewing, Vice President for Vehicle Engineering at Nissan, commented: "Nissan is delighted to exhibit at this year’s Big Bang Fair and help open the minds of young people across the UK to the possibility of STEM careers. Nissan has a rich history of engineering and manufacturing in the UK but as the industry navigates a seismic shift towards electrification and sustainable mobility, its essential that we engage and attract the next generation of talent into the sector.

“Young people truly are the future of our business, and our Nissan team is looking forward to showcasing the exciting opportunities available and helping them make more informed career choices."  

Joanna Cook, Senior HR Business Partner at NaturalMotion, commented: “We’re thrilled to invite students at The Big Bang Fair to virtually step into a game studio through our Access All Areas experience. Through this fun and educational event, we can further broaden access to STEM opportunities for everyone, especially young creative minds from different backgrounds.”

Phillip McShane, Associate Director – Big Bang Programme at EngineeringUK, commented:

“With the demand for engineers continuing to grow, it’s more important than ever that we’re igniting a passion for STEM among young people and giving them opportunities to meet real-life engineers and role models – so that more are inspired to pursue careers in engineering and technology.

“We wouldn’t be able to run The Big Bang Fair without support, so we’re delighted to welcome our returning supporters, as well as many new ones this year. It’s shaping up to be a really exciting event and we can’t wait to welcome our young visitors to discover the magic of STEM.”

Also taking place at The Fair, will be the student showcase for The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition – where this year’s finalists will exhibit their projects. Winners will also be announced at the awards ceremony, including the crowning of the prestigious UK Young Engineer and UK Young Scientist of the Year.

The Big Bang Fair is taking place from 21 to 23 June 2023 at the NEC in Birmingham. For more information visit: www.thebigbang.org.uk/fair

With an increasing volume of substandard products on the market, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has issued a handy checklist to help specifiers and users check whether personal protective equipment (PPE) is fit for purpose.

BSIF analysis carried out last year showed that much of the PPE on the market fails to match up to the advertised protection.  

It completed tests on 127 non-member products, which included checking their compliance with relevant standards and testing whether they perform as claimed. Only 18 (15%) of these products were fully compliant. This means 108 products (85%) failed to meet the regulatory criteria, many of which are still for sale to unsuspecting users. 

The findings around non-member products contrast with the results of tests on products supplied by BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, whose products are tested annually as part of the scheme’s audit process. Of 387 tests completed on Registered Safety Suppliers’ products, 332 (86%) passed immediately, and of the 55 (14%) that initially did not meet the test criteria, all issues were subsequently resolved.

The new BSIF PPE checklist has been created to help specifiers and users ensure that PPE complies with the law and conforms to PPE Regulation 2016/425. It presents a series of questions to ask when purchasing PPE, which are divided into sections for ease of use: Product Markings, Required Documentation, Product Condition, and Storage.  

Examples of questions included in the checklist are: 

• Does the PPE have a UKCA, UKNI or CE Mark applied to it?
• Was the PPE issued with User Instructions included?
• Is there a Declaration of Conformity with the PPE
• Is the PPE clean, undamaged and suitable for use?
• Was the PPE stored correctly, according to the User Instructions?

If any questions present cause for concern, users are advised to seek support and guidance from their company’s health & safety advisor and the manufacturer of the PPE. The BSIF can also provide general guidance.

BSIF CEO Alan Murray says: “This checklist is a reminder that while anyone can sell safety, you shouldn’t buy safety from just anyone. Failing to check your PPE is fit for purpose could leave you or your employees, for whom you have a duty of care, vulnerable and unprotected, and also expose your organisation to the risk of prosecution. The easiest way to check your PPE is compliant is by only buying from a Registered Safety Supplier.”  

The checklist can be downloaded for free at: Check-your-PPE.pdf (bsif.co.uk) 

 The BSIF also offers an‘Is it Genuine – Certification Checklist’ that provides further advice on how to check if the supporting documentation for your PPE is genuine and what to do if you are concerned. It can be downloaded at https://www.bsif.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Is-it-Genuine-2023.pdf

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today launched a comprehensive online developer support series for the new Boson®+ thermal camera and Hadron™ 640R dual camera module. The program includes integration support videos and additional online content, offering tips and documentation to help reduce risk while simplifying thermal product development in defense, industrial, and emerging use cases. “Teledyne FLIR provides data packages like comprehensive user guides, drawings, and app notes as well as GUIs, SDKs, and development kits to support the integration of our thermal camera modules in drones, handhelds, security products, and more,” said Dan Walker, vice president, product management, Teledyne FLIR.

“The integration support series is a key differentiator for Teledyne FLIR where we provide online support to enable our customers to start developing with our hardware, software, and tools immediately.”

Teledyne FLIR offers the most comprehensive development-to-production support in the industry. The new video and download series includes guidance on setting up radiometry, tuning, lens calibration, and software and MIPI integration for Boson+. Step-by-step instructions get integrators started interfacing the Hadron 640R with cutting-edge Qualcomm and NVIDIA embedded systems. Additional content will be added as available to continue to support integrators get to market faster. Plug-and-Play Integration With a thermal sensitivity of 20 millikelvin (mK), Boson+ is the most sensitive longwave infrared (LWIR) camera line in the market and is a drop-in upgrade for the widely deployed Boson thermal camera module. Hadron 640R pairs a performance-leading 640x512 resolution radiometric Boson® thermal camera with a 64MP visible camera in a single easy-to-integrate module.

Designed to optimize size, weight, and power (SWaP) and manufactured in the USA, the Boson+ and Hadron 640R are ideal for integration in unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), automotive, wearables, security applications, handhelds, and thermal sights. Full Support for the Entire Product Lifecycle The Teledyne FLIR advantage reduces cost and risk from development to production to product support. Designed for integrators and with industry-leading warranties, the SWaP and cost-optimized highperformance thermal camera modules are AI-compatible and can include factory-integrated lenses to speed development. Integration is made easy with application notes, videos, tools, and support from the applications team to enable optimized camera performance. With more than 40 years of US-based, full-rate manufacturing experience, Teledyne FLIR is the low-risk supply-chain partner. To learn more about the integration series, please visit www.flir.com/time.

What challenges are machine builders and switch-gear system manufacturers facing in today’s global markets? How can the right course be set for efficient engineering at an early stage in the game? This year’s Eplan L!ve 2023 event on 21 June 2023 is providing distilled answers, highlights from the new version of the software, and demonstrates how Eplan shepherds its customers on every step of their journey from engineering to manufacturing. And it does this from precisely the point where their clients find themselves in their processes. Companies such as Harro Höfliger, Kratos Industries and Sany will present some of their best practices on the world market and provide insights into their workflow practices and engineering methods that allow maximum consistency and efficiency.

Monheim, Germany – What are the current trends for engineering on the global market? How can topics including the energy transition, networking ecosystems, the skilled-worker shortage, and the digital transformation be implemented in the best way possible as regards engineering? Solutions provider Eplan will be providing focused answers to these question during its new online event “Eplan L!ve” on 21 June 2023.

High-profile players in machine building such as Harro Höfliger from Germany and Sany from China will be providing input and insights into their own well-tested methods and processes. Kratos Industries, a control cabinet manufac-turer based in the US, will be sharing its experiences with 3D control cabinet designs, including fully automated manufacturing using the Wire Terminal WT and Perforex Machining Centre, both made by Rittal. Informative and international “With this year’s new online event, we’re focusing on the challenges our customers are facing, particularly in the machine building and switchgear system manufacturing sectors,” says Eplan Vice President Customer Journey Jan Fleming. “Our goal is sharing practical experience – both from the manufacturer’s and the customer’s points of view. Along with market trends and customer’s own best practices, this distilled programme will also be presenting an initial preview of the upcoming version of Eplan. If we all share these experiences with each other, learn from one another and remain actively engaged in dialogue, we will ensure the highest efficiency for engineering in the future.”

A look behind the scenes: The new Eplan Platform After a first preview at the Hannover Messe, attendees will now also be able to become familiar with the Eplan Platform 2024. New mathematical calculation functions, greater ease of use in terminal management, and unprecedented possibilities for navigating through the 3D model of a control cabinet are just a few of the new features that users can look forward to. This all also helps make creating the digital twin in Eplan Pro Panel even easier. Another new function: When it comes to machine cabling in conjunction with Eplan Harness proD, spare wires can be connected in no time at all with just a click. Register free of charge at: www.eplan-software-com/live

Enerpac announces a new Ultra-Flat hydraulic cylinder series for those projects with small working space, starting at just 2,8 cm, but large lifting requirements up to 1000 ton. The CULP-Series with lifting capacity 10 – 50 ton, and CUSP-Series 10 – 1000 ton, are designed for applications where high lifting forces are needed in confined spaces.

With a 700 bar max operating pressure, the Ultra-Flat cylinders provide a 7 – 17 mm stroke, and are designed to withstand up to 4% side load at full lifting capacity. The CUSP-Series has an integrated tilting function up to 4 degrees, and a 6 – 10mm tilted stroke.

Safety is critical to all Enerpac products. CULP Ultra-Flat hydraulic cylinders are equipped with an internal stop ring that prevents the plunger from accidentally dropping at the end of its stroke. CUSP Cylinders have a “Red Line” as visual indicator to the operator when the maximum stroke has been reached. The CUSP-Series’ tilting plunger can be adjusted enabling equal distribution of load over its full surface. Even at maximum tilted position, most models will have a straight lifting stroke of 10 mm.


All Enerpac cylinders are built to last. In addition to low maintenance requirements, the Ultra-Flat hydraulic cylinders feature a nitro carburizing surface treatment providing greater load and wear resistance, as well as, corrosion protection in the harshest working conditions.

The CULP-Series and CUSP-Series Ultra-Flat hydraulic cylinders can be used with Enerpac hydraulic pumps - available in over 1000 different configurations – whatever the application’s requirements for speed, control, intermittent or heavy duty.

For more information on Enerpac Ultra-Flat hydraulic cylinders, visit: www.enerpac.com

Photo caption 1: Enerpac Ultra-Flat Cylinders for Big Lifts in Small Spaces.

Photo caption 2: The Enerpac CUSP-Series Ultra-Flat hydraulic cylinders.

This article can also be found in issue below.

Heat treatment processes are a crucial component of many manufacturing processes, and thermal loop solutions have become increasingly popular for achieving improved temperature control and consistent outcomes. But many OEMs are missing opportunities where thermal loop solutions offer more than just greater control. In this article, Peter Sherwin, global business development manager for heat treatment at industrial heating technology supplier Watlow, explores the possibilities of thermal loop solutions.

A thermal loop solution is a closed loop system with several essential components, including an electrical power supply, power controller, heating element, temperature sensor and process controller. The electrical power supply provides the energy needed for heating, the power controller regulates the power output to the heating element, the heating element heats the material, and the temperature sensor measures the temperature. Finally, the process controller adjusts the power output to maintain the desired temperature for the specified duration, providing better temperature control and consistent outcomes.

Performance benefits

Heat treatment thermal loop solutions offer several advantages over traditional heat treatment methods, including improved temperature control and increased efficiency. The thermal loop system provides precise temperature control, enabling faster heating and cooling and optimized soak times. In addition, the complete design of modern thermal loop solutions includes energy-efficient heating and overall ease of use.

Thermal loop solutions can also be integrated with Industry 4.0 frameworks and data management systems to provide real-time information on performance. Combining AI and machine learning algorithms can also provide additional performance benefits, such as the ability to analyze data and identify patterns for further optimization.

The effectiveness of heat treatment thermal loop solutions can be measured using metrics such as overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). OEE combines metrics for availability, performance, and quality to provide a comprehensive view of the efficiency of a manufacturing process. By tracking OEE and contextual data, organizations can evaluate the effectiveness of their heat treatment thermal loop solutions and make informed decisions about optimizing their operations.

Supporting sustainability

Heat treatment thermal loop solutions provide several sustainability benefits, including reduced energy consumption and waste. The power controller regulates the power output to minimize energy waste, and the possible integration with renewable energy sources provides a complete power solution that spans from element design to recycling. The thermal loop solutions, in combination with insulation design and materials, provide energy-efficient solutions that contribute to sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of heat treatment processes.

When discussing these systems in the context of greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact, it's essential to consider Scopes 1 (direct emissions), 2 (indirect emissions from energy), and 3 (other indirect emissions), as well as the less common Scope 4 (avoided emissions).

At the component level, energy savings can be realized using current technology. Advanced Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCRs) provide predictive load management functions and hybrid firing algorithms contribute to sustainability by optimizing the energy usage of heat treatment processes. These SCRs offer real-time monitoring and control of energy consumption, while predictive load management systems use specific algorithms to manage peak power loads and adjust to optimize for local conditions such as load shedding or load sharing.

Adaptive thermal system (ATS) solutions are the next frontier of thermal loop solutions. Watlow has decades of experience with thermal systems to help engineers and designers to incorporate ATS technology into a variety of industrial processes and products.

ATS, which combines sensing, heating and control technologies, represents a different and more innovative approach to controlling thermal performance for complex systems, and provides a merged design between heater and control systems.

Regulatory compliance

NADCAP, the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program, is an industry-driven program that provides accreditation for special processes in the aerospace and defense industries. Heat treatment is considered a "special process" under NADCAP because it has specific characteristics crucial to aerospace and defense components. These characteristics include process sensitivity, limited traceability, critical performance requirements and potential risk.

NADCAP heat treatment accreditation ensures suppliers meet industry standards and best practices for heat treatment processes. The accreditation process includes audits, thorough documentation, and ongoing process control monitoring to maintain high quality, safety, and performance levels.

The aerospace industry's AMS2750TMG pyrometry specification and the automotive industry's CQI-9 Issue 4 regulations are crucial for ensuring consistent and high-quality heat-treated components. Adherence to these regulations is essential for meeting the stringent quality requirements of the aerospace and automotive industries and other industries with demanding specifications.

Continuous improvement is also emphasized by both AMS2750G and CQI-9 Issue 4, requiring manufacturers to establish a system for monitoring, measuring and analyzing the performance of their heat treatment systems. This development enables manufacturers to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions, ensuring that heat-treating processes are continuously improving and meeting the necessary performance and safety standards.

By integrating these regulations into a precision control loop, heat treatment thermal loop solutions can provide the necessary level of control and ensure compliance with AMS2750G and CQI-9 Issue 4, leading to the production of high-quality, heat-treated components that meet the performance required and safety standards.

Heat treatment thermal loop solutions provide several benefits over traditional heat treatment methods, including improved temperature control, increased efficiency, and improved sustainability outcomes. The integration with Industry 4.0 and data management systems, as well as the use of OEE metrics, further help enhance the performance of heat treatment processes. As Industry 4.0 digital transformation continues to evolve, heat treatment thermal loop solutions will play an increasingly important role in the future of heat treatment.

www.watlow.com

This article can also be found in the issue below.