HIGH SPEC CLEAN ROOM FOR HIGH PRECISION MACHINED PARTS


Since William Hughes, a specialist manufacturer of springs and wire components, acquired AC Services in the summer of 2015 the company has been busy establishing an 80m² high specification clean room at its Stalbridge, Dorset headquarters. Rated at Class 7 in accordance


with ISO 14644-1 this subcontract facility is the only one of its kind in the UK. It is already being used by leading manufacturers in sectors including aerospace and hydraulics for the cleaning of small batch,


precision machined and fabricated parts to meticulous standards. “From the outset we wanted to create a facility featuring the latest, modular clean room technologies and furniture,” explains special processes manager Shaun Tattershall. “We have adopted the previous solvent and aqueous cleaning systems (both of which offer ultrasonic capability) used by AC Services but pretty much everything else is new.” This includes high grade stainless


steel furniture designed to help minimise particulate levels. Designed for optimum product flow based on the latest lean manufacturing methodologies, the open plan clean room will be suitable for any company looking to subcontract its cleaning requirements. The clean room which incorporates an inspection dark room so that parts can be viewed under ultra-violet light is already being used for oxygen-related cleaning applications, predominantly for Honeywell.


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WEARSIDE PNEUMATICS APPOINTED ATLAS COPCO PREMIER DISTRIBUTOR


Gateshead-based Wearside Pneumatics has been appointed as a premier distributor for Atlas Copco Compressors in the North East of England. Formerly a Class 1 distributor, the company now offers the supply and installation of Atlas Copco’s full range of energy-efficient industrial compressors, rough vacuum pumps, nitrogen generators and spare parts. “Becoming a premier distributor


represents another significant milestone in our history that both strengthens our relationship with Atlas Copco and expands the range of energy efficient solutions we are able provide to customers,” comments general manager Dean Horn. “We owe our success to working as a close knit team, setting goals and joint targets with everyone involved in achieving them.” The company now has access to Atlas Copco’s rotary screw stationary compressors from 2kW up to 315 kW including VSD and VSD+ variants, scroll and piston compressors, rough


vacuum pumps and nitrogen generators, compressed air treatment equipment, spare parts, pipework and accessories. Additionally, the company operates customer services including preventative maintenance, repairs and reconditioning, air audits, leak detection and air quality testing. In order to increase its compressor


servicing capacity Wearside Pneumatic moved in November 2013 from its original Washington site to a larger new home on the Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead. The company is undertaking a recruitment drive to add more engineering staff to its eight-strong workforce. www.atlascopco.co.uk


AWARDS CELEBRATE MANUFACTURING S


afety features prominently in this issue, bringing various aspects to the attention of both employers and employees that are often overlooked. Any accident in a workplace is one too many so this is an issue that must be addressed and one closely linked with maintenance. We preview Maintec and the Health & Safety event which take place in March and promise to introduce many innovations and provide interactive forums. Energy management continues to feature particularly in the area of compressed air systems efficiency while the latest pump and valve products offer improved reliability and uptime.


Susan Deane Editor


4 FEBRUARY 2016 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT


Dynamic manufacturers and talented apprentices from across the UK were recognised at the national EEF/ Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards held in London in February. Acorn Stairlifts scooped two


awards and was crowned Winner of Winners – a title awarded to the most outstanding and inspiring company out of all the national winners. The firm, which has been manufacturing and installing stairlifts for over 20 years and employs over 800 people in the UK and 1,400 worldwide won the Outstanding Export Award sponsored by growth-focussed investor Dunedin. The award was given in recognition of its achievements in exporting into more than 80 countries. It has invested heavily in overseas markets by setting up its own subsidiaries in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and


New Zealand. The company’s turnover in North America is now higher than in the UK and it is the market leader for stairlifts in the US. Named runner-up in the Business Growth Award sponsored by DHL Global Forwarding, Acorn’s turnover in North America has trebled from £19.5m to £58.6m in the past four years. During this time its worldwide exports have more than doubled from £35.7m to almost £80m. Every nine minutes an Acorn stairlift is installed somewhere in the world. Judges described the company as


being a great example of UK manufacturing success and growth through innovation in product, process and marketing. “All our winners proved that successful innovation goes beyond product and process,” says Aldermore group managing director business finance Carl D’Ammassa. www.eef.org.uk/awards


Typically, these comprise high precision machined components, springs and other parts that go into oxygen equipment such as breathing apparatus, face masks and ducting. These parts, some of which are used in liquid oxygen (LOX) systems are cleaned using approved cleaning solvents and solutions. The solvent and aqueous cleaning


systems within the new facility can accommodate precision parts up to 300 by 200 mm in size. www.wmhughes.co.uk


AB SYSTEMS DRIVES AFTERCARE FORWARD WITH VEHICLE FLEET


Process cooling and materials handling expert AB Systems has invested in a fleet of vehicles fully equipped with everything its in-house engineers require to effectively and efficiently service, maintain and install equipment for the company’s UK customer base. The move reflects the company’s rapid growth and expanding reach in both materials handling and process cooling markets as well as its aim to provide an industry- leading, fast and reliable maintenance service. State-of-the-art racking


systems provide AB Systems’ team of installation engineers with easy, direct access to essential tools, spare parts and maintenance equipment, enabling first class maintenance and repair services to be undertaken promptly. The vans will be stocked with equipment from OEMs including Nova Frigo, Avian Granulator and SB Plastics and universal parts, ensuring repairs can be carried out quickly in addition to planned preventative maintenance and servicing. “Aftercare is vital which is why


we’ve made a significant investment in a new fleet that’s equipped with advanced, bespoke racking systems,” says managing director Jeff Day. AB Systems has over 22 years’


experience in providing innovative system design, installation and maintenance services for process cooling and materials handling solutions. The new fleet follows the company’s recent expansion of its purpose-built facility that houses thousands of essential spares and equipment and the launch of its three-year warranty packages for chillers. www.ab-ltd.co.uk


/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT


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