News Industry Convention to discuss the future of British manufacturing
DURING THE GLOBAL Manufacturing Festival (which takes place on 14th to 24th March in Sheffield), global leaders from manufacturing and engineering will be addressing how the industry can support Prime Minister, David Cameron, in his mission to ‘rebalance the economy’. The Manufacturing Convention, held on
March 15th, will bring together senior leaders from Boeing, Siemens UK, Tata Steel and Westinghouse and will address the key issues relating to the nuclear sector, emerging markets, the UK skills strategy for manufacturing and the key growth area of advanced manufacturing. Juergen Maier, managing director of Siemens Industry UK, said: “Manufacturing has made a magnificent turn-around to drive the UK’s broader economic recovery in 2011. “As the economy slows, manufacturers now
need to hold their nerve and stay confident by boosting investment in skills, plant and technology and the coalition government can do more to support the whole image and profile of manufacturing.”
Sir Roger Bone, president of Boeing said: “The Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield is an opportunity to celebrate the successes of British manufacturing and the Convention will allow leaders to debate the issues that are key to the future of the Industry. I am extremely proud to represent Boeing during the Festival and look forward to opening the Convention.” Mike Tynan, vice president of
Westinghouse, said: “As the government demands even more growth from the manu- facturing sector, it is crucial that we look at future-proofing the industry, looking at emerg- ing markets as well as established ones, and focusing on low-carbon sources of energy and
the next-generation of manufacturers.” Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber and chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Manufacturing Task Group, will be the Master of Ceremonies. He said: “The Global Manufacturing Festival will be an opportunity to showcase the knowledge, technology and expertise which is so rich in the Sheffield City Region. I am delighted to chair the convention and bring business leaders together to discuss best practice for the future development of the industry.” Other speakers include Keith Parker, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association; Rod Smith, deputy president of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers; and Klaus Bonde Ørskov, project manager of the Danish Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)
www.globalmanufacturingfestival.com
Apprentices in Engineering programme is extended
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION is extending its Advanced Apprentices in Engineering pro- gramme with the announcement of more posts starting in September. This will provide the successful
applicants with a route to a university education while simul- taneously earning a wage and benefiting from a combination of hands-on training at Rockwell Automation and study at Milton
Drives save 35 TWh of electrical energy in 2010
ACCORDING TO Vacon, around 35 TWh of electrical energy was saved last year with the help of its AC drives. These energy savings helped reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by about 17 million tons which, for its part, help mitigate climate change.
The savings corresponds to the amount of energy produced by approximately six 700MW nuclear power reactors in a year, the company adds.
Producing the same amount of energy using the current
electricity production methods would have caused about 17 mil- lion tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which corresponds to the annual emissions of about 4.5 million cars. "Vacon has delivered AC drives since 1995, and they are used to control electric motors, and in renewable energy generation. Competing or substitute technical solutions do not exist for AC drives and are not within sight," said Vesa Laisi, president and CEO.
www.vacon.com ODVA welcomes new ‘principal member’
BOSCH REXROTH is to become one of ODVA’s principal members, joining Cisco Systems, Rockwell Automation, Omron and Schneider Electric. The company’s increased par- ticipation builds on its long-term support of ODVA technologies and the ODVA organisation in which it has been an active member for several years. Users will realise significant benefits in increased availability of ODVA- compliant products under the Rexroth brand, especially those implementing the EtherNet/IP network, it explains.
“Our customers demand open, interoperable solutions for
Design Solutions MARCH 2011
Rexroth’s core product offerings in drives and controls, and our abil- ity to do so will be enhanced by our increased integration of ODVA technologies into our solutions, especially EtherNet/IP,” said Dr. Bernd-Josef Schäfer, senior vice president, Technical Electric Drives and Controls in the Business Unit Industrial Applications, Bosch Rexroth. “ODVA welcomes the increased participation of Bosch Rexroth as a principal member as well as their expertise in such areas as motion control and OEM machinery,” said Katherine Voss, executive director, ODVA.
www.odva.org
Keynes College. The aim is for successful apprentices to either specialise as commercial engi- neers or move into technical client account management over time. T: 01908 638833
Supporting the Bloodhound project
PARKER HANNIFIN is supporting the Bloodhound SSC project, which will see a specially devel- oped car attempt to achieve the first 1000mph record on land. The company will supply a range of advanced hydraulic equipment that will be used in the initial test stages right through to the final in-car systems. In particular, it has provided equipment that will be involved in the control of the car’s aerodynamic trim system and the air braking system, as well as ground support equipment for use during the record attempt. Parker is working with the
Bloodhound engineering team to develop a series of test rigs, which will provide critical test data for the subsequent evolu- tion of hydraulically powered air brakes and control of winglets situated over the front wheels to maintain aerodynamic stability. In addition, the company will be supplying dedicated hydraulic power packs and specialised ground support systems for use during the test and world record attempts, which will be carried out in 2012 at the Haskeen Pan in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
www.parker.com 5 In brief
Gates Corporation, formerly known as The Gates Rubber Company, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. Jim Nicol, chairman of Gates and
CEO of Tomkins, Gates’ parent company, said: “We are delighted to celebrate this milestone – and a legacy few companies realise – with our employees and customers around the world.”
www.gates.com/100
Moss Express has helped a large control panel manufacturer, which was making electrical cabinets for lighting at the 2012 Olympics, when it ran into stock supply problems. Moss’s new hardware range of IP65 locks, lift-off hinges, gaskets and handles, enabled the company to complete the control panel to a very tight deadline.
www.mossexpress.co.uk
Twiflex, part of the Altra industrial clutch, brake and couplings group, has moved to new manufacturing premises in Bedford. Altra has made a significant investment in new machine tools, planning, training and logistics to achieve a much larger and more flexible manufacturing facility.
www.twiflex.com
Nord-Lock is introducing laser marking on each washer pair – including the Nord-Lock brand, the control number and a type code – to improve traceability and control. The company has ensured that the laser marking does not compromise the quality in terms of corrosion resistance and locking function.
www.nordlock.com
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