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Stephen Molloy, aerospace, defence and industrials director for the quality management services provider, G&P, has been re-elected to the board of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA).

Established in 2003, the MAA is the voice of Midlands-based companies supplying the aerospace industry, helping to grow business revenues and create high-quality employment in the region, also forging links nationally and internationally.

Molloy, who has already served an initial two-year term on the board, is a chartered engineer with a wealth of international industry experience in airframe and power generation environments. Since 2017, Molloy has led G&P’s activities in the aerospace industry where the company is successfully transferring its recognised quality management expertise in high-value manufacturing environments into the aerospace sector and supply chain.

When the Environment Agency decided to embark on a project to evaluate a range of condition monitoring technologies for application on their flood risk management pumping stations, they approached Faraday Predictive as one of the more innovative of condition monitoring suppliers.

Within only a few days of commissioning the Faraday Predictive system on a number of different types of pump at different locations, the Faraday Predictive system showed some very strong indications of rubbing friction on one of the newly (re-)installed Archimedean Screw pumps at one site (figure 1 shows the screw prior to installation in the pump).  It was clear this problem had been present at the commissioning stage, but was completely absent on an identical machine at the same site – see figure 2 below.

Such a rapid identification and diagnosis of problems was unexpected, but the underlying cause, of assembly error, highlights one of the problems and paradoxes associated with conventional fixed-schedule Planned Maintenance (PM): every time you carry out maintenance work on a machine, you run the risk of introducing a fault that was not there before.  So perversely, the more you maintain a machine, the greater your risk of reducing its reliability.  The ideal objective is only to do maintenance work on a machine when you know that there is a problem developing, but before it results in machine failure.  This is the key concept of a Condition-Based Maintenance strategy (CBM).  

Author: Andrew Wreford -  Rittal's Product Manager for IT Systems

Oxford University's Gardens, Libraries and Museums division (GLAM) forms one of the greatest concentrations of university collections in the world. GLAM holds over 21 million objects, specimens and printed items, constituting one of the largest and most significant collections in the world.

Faced with the challenges of increased data demand, the Museum of Natural History – one of the museums within GLAM – wanted to upgrade its IT infrastructure to house core network switches, responsible for running the services. A major rewiring project was undertaken with the aim of significantly improving the data connectivity for computers, phones and next generation devices.

The wiring presented a challenge in itself as the historically significant listed building was not best designed to accommodate the space for conventional hardware. This required ingenious methods to work with the fabric of the building.

Peli Products (UK) Ltd celebrate their 30^th anniversary year in 2022.  The company has grown significantly during this time, moving to bigger premises twice and acquiring a specialist foam engineering division.

With a 20,000 sq ft purpose-built facility with offices, warehousing and logistics operations in Glossop, Derbyshire, Peli Products (UK) is the largest stockist of the Peli™ range in the UK.  The foam engineering division is based in Dorset and occupies a 31,000 sq ft facility for design and manufacturing.

The Peli™ case range, displayed on Stand J130 at Southern Manufacturing, is ideal for protecting instrumentation, components and tools.  Peli cases are watertight, dustproof and crushproof and produced in over 70 sizes to suit all requirements.

Significant investment has been made in protective packaging services which are specifically tailored to fit the equipment; precision engineered foam ensures protection from drops, knocks and vibration.  These bespoke foam inserts optimise the space and are ideal for sensitive, fragile equipment such as electronics and tool control.

Tool control inserts organise tools efficiently and using coloured foam, ensure missing items are easily identified, eliminating the risk of Foreign Object Damage (F.O.D.).  Durable custom foam ensures tools are secured in position and fully protected in transit. 

The team of Peli foam specialists will be on stand J130.  They have a wealth of knowledge in assisting customers to prevent transit damage and they will be available to discuss individual requirements.

www.peliproducts.co.uk

Having correctly lubricated production machinery ensures operational uptime, minimises maintenance and creates value through asset optimisation. With over
75 years of expertise in the manufacture of rolling bearings, Schaeffler understands why this is so important and has created a range of perfectly
matched lubrication products to ensure world-class machine reliability.

Lubrication is essential to the correct functioning of any equipment with moving parts. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, lubricant has been required
to make machinery efficient and stop it from breaking down. Yet all too often this subject isn’t given the attention it deserves and 80 per cent of premature rolling
bearing failures could be prevented through the use of proper lubrication.

Unite, the UK’s leading union, is calling on the government to introduce effective measures to ensure that workers who cannot work from home are protected following yesterday’s (8 December) announcement that it is implementing Plan B, as a result of the rise of the omnicron variant.

Although the government has instructed workers who can do so to work from home, that does not apply to the majority of Unite’s members who will still be expected to work normally, in sectors including: automotives, construction, food production, passenger transport, logistics and healthcare.

The government has provided little or no information to employers and workers in these sectors to ensure that the danger of at work transmission is minimised.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The government’s mixed messaging has left workers confused and worried. It is not enough just to say that if you have to go out to work you should carry on doing so. The government must implement measures to maximise safety within our workplaces in order to protect those people who have kept this country going.

“It is clear that additional measures are needed in all sectors of the economy in order to reduce the risk of infection.”

Unite is calling on all workplaces to conduct reviews of their risk assessments and initiate appropriate control measures such as ventilation, barriers, social distancing with appropriate signage and ensure hygiene facilities are adequate.

Unite believes that face coverings should be mandatory in crowded and communal workplace areas, with FFP2 type masks provided for certain types of work such as that undertaken by frontline health workers. If face coverings/mask wearing are deemed necessary for workers for extended periods they should receive extra breaks, in order to recover.

Unite also believes that in order to help prevent the rapid transmission of all variants of Covid-19, the government should reintroduce the free supply of lateral flow tests to employers in order to ensure that workers are regularly tested and outbreaks are minimised.

If the government is serious about wanting to ensure that anyone who is a close contact of someone who has contracted the omnicron variant self-isolates, then the level of sick pay must be significantly increased. Sick pay in the UK is among the lowest in Europe.

Unite is highly concerned that unless such additional measures are taken then rates of infection will increase and huge pressure will be placed on the NHS, whose staff are already exhausted from coping with the effects of the pandemic for over 18 months.

Unite national health and safety adviser Rob Miguel said: “There are a whole series of measures that could and should be taken to reduce the risk of infection in the workplace.

“The government has a morale duty to ensure that these are fully implemented. It is not good enough to cross your fingers and hope that employers do the right thing, clear leadership and guidance is required.”

Winn & Coales International Ltd are proud to announce that the Marketing & Sales Director of Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd, Mr Andrew Stuart has been appointed to the IPLOCA Board of Directors.

IPLOCA, the International Pipe Line & Offshore Contractors Association has members in more than 40 countries, and represents around 250 of the key players in the onshore and offshore pipeline construction industry worldwide. IPLOCA is governed by a volunteer board of directors made up of 25 owners and senior executives of major pipeline contractors and service companies.

Mr Andrew Stuart joined the Winn & Coales International Group in 1990 at Denso South Africa (Pty) Ltd as a Production Manager in the factory. In 2015 he moved to the U.K. to take up the position of Export Sales Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. On the 1st of January 2021, Mr Stuart was appointed as the Marketing & Sales Director of Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd.

Mr Stuart stated, “It is a privilege to be elected to the IPLOCA Board, I am looking forward to representing the Associate Members and contributing to this prestigious association over the next two years.”

For more than 90 years, the Winn & Coales International Group of companies has been creating bespoke and off-the-shelf solutions that provide enduring protection against corrosion and chemical attack to buried and exposed pipes, valves, fittings, steelwork, marine structures, tanks, and concrete bunded areas.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr Stuart every success in his new appointment.

On stand H250 at the Southern Manufacturing exhibition, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) will be introducing a host of new product lines from its extensive cutting tool portfolio. From the 8^th to 10^th February at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, the Tamworth manufacturer will demonstrate its latest cutting tool innovations alongside the new technologies available from WIDIA and BIG KAISER.

ITC has an outstanding reputation for the quality, consistency and performance of its solid carbide end mills, drills and thread milling ranges; and at the Farnborough event, ITC engineers will be on-hand to discuss the latest product lines that can boost productivity for manufacturers.

One of the new ITC products on show will be the latest 6054 Series of end mill developed specifically for the machining of steel and exotic material types. The geometry of the 6054 Series has a centre cutting geometry with harmonic fluting to maximise material removal rates and swarf evacuation whilst minimising vibration to enhance surface finishes and tool life. This rigidity and performance is further enhanced with a shallow chip gullet that guarantees exceptional core strength for high material removal rates and stability. Complementing this is the polished harmonic flutes, Cupro coating and chip breaker that evacuates swarf at an extraordinary rate.

Snickers Workwear leads the way in developing responsible Hi-Vis protective wear.

With an extensive range of Jackets, Trousers, Shorts, Toolvests, Shirts and Fleeces for men and women, there’s a host of garments in the Snickers Workwear range to satisfy the specific requirements of Class 1, 2 and 3 protection levels.

The requirements of EN standards for wearing high visibility are interwoven with the Snickers Workwear hallmarks of functionality and comfort in all the garments. What’s more, the lightweight Repreve® Polyester padding in the NEW AllroundWork Class 2 Hi-Vis padded jacket takes sustainablility in Hi-Vis workwear to a new level.

This world-leading brand of recycled performance fibre combines with the hardwearing polyamide fabric and CORDURA® reinforcements for enhanced durability that’s windproof, and warm, while stretch panels ensure optimal mobility.

Developed for craftsmen and women in the road, logistics, facilities and general construction sectors who must stay warm and visible in chilly conditions, like all Snickers Workwear Hi-Vis clothing, its durable, colour-fast protection that will last for wash after wash, retaining shape and comfort.

Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear range of ProtecWork and Snickers Workwear Hi-Vis protective wear is easy. You call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk and download a digital catalogue; or you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dressing for the cold is like building a house – start with a good foundation.

The Snickers Workwear Baselayer clothing for professional tradesmen and women uses high-tech breathable fabrics for ventilation and body moisture transport for sustainable warmth and comfort.

The Base-, Mid- and Toplayer clothing combines to keep you working dry, warm and comfortable wherever you are on site. With sustainability at the forefront of Snickers Workwear’s clothing philosophy, garments are available in recycled polyester and merino wool as well as the 37.5® technology ventilating fabric to suit different types of work in a variety of cold and wet weather conditions.

The cutting-edge AllroundWork, FLEXIWork and LITEwork designs and fabrics will keep you warm and dry - so you won’t get cold, wet and shiver. All the garments are made from quick drying, fabrics that come with special ventilation features to control and regulate the heat from your body.

All in all, Snickers Workwear Baselayer clothing will give you the kind of warm, dry and fresh working comfort you wouldn’t have thought possible. That’s why Snickers Workwear is the brand of choice for working outside in the winter.

So, to make sure you get the right protection, visibility, flexibility, durability and ventilation, check out the Climate Control garments from Snickers Workwear that work together to suit your workday.  

For more information on Snickers Workwear’s sustainability philosophy and it’s Climate Control garments you can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.