CABLING & CABLE MANAGEMENT r
MARSHALL-TUFFLEX SUPPLIES PLYMOUTH LIGHTHOUSE LABS
hen a new COVID-19 Lighthouse Laboratory was approved in Plymouth in November 2020, the Government required a quick turnaround to set up the testing facility in order to meet demand and tackle the virus. After its proven success in supplying the Nightingale Hospitals, Totus Engineering specified Marshall-Tufflex PowerPoles and Odyssey Bio trunking to complete the fit out. In March 2020, the Government launched facilities specifically dedicated to COVID-19 testing to support the UK’s fight against coronavirus. Known as Lighthouse Laboratories, or, Lighthouse Labs, this network of “mega” testing laboratories was set up to rapidly process thousands of samples per day. The Lighthouse Lab in Plymouth will have the capacity to process up to 40,000 COVID-19 tests a day. Due to the urgent nature of the build, the
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Department of Health appointed Kier and Totus Engineering due to their previous performances on Nightingale Hospitals. The clients brief was for the laboratories to be operational within 11 weeks from start of works. Therefore, the entire supply chain needed to adhere to a tight schedule of deliveries to ensure all necessary installation was completed. Bob Corne, contract manager at Totus Engineering, recognised Marshall-Tufflex’s success in delivering its bio-trunking to 10 emergency NHS Nightingale Hospitals nationwide,
transforming its manufacturing and delivery procedures to meet demand for flexible and urgent deliveries – many within the same day. Bob says, “the Lighthouse Lab in Plymouth required a cable management solution that would safely house power and data points, and we needed this incredibly quickly to meet the build programme. I knew from Marshall-Tufflex’s outstanding work on the NHS Nightingale Hospitals that the team would be able to meet the deadlines required for this project, as well as
provide a robust, anti-microbial solution to help inhibit the spread of bacteria.” Bob specified 46 double sided PowerPoles and 510 metres of Marshall-Tufflex’s Odyssey Bio PVC-U trunking. The trunking uses a silver ion solution that disrupts key cell functions of bacteria and prevents them from reproducing – meaning 99.9 per cent of harmful bacteria will not survive on the surface: a key requirement for the build. Within ten days of the order being placed, area sales manager Nick Parkyn ensured product was delivered to site so the team at Totus Engineering could begin the installation as quickly as possible. Thanks to the ease of installation and Marshall- Tufflex’s ability to meet the schedule, the build has now been completed and the site was handed over to the NHS to begin operations on the 27th January 2021 – well within schedule. “The NHS has worked tirelessly over the past year to face the challenges presented by coronavirus,” says Nick Parkyn. “In these unprecedented times, we want to support the fight against the virus and ensure we provide a robust, anti-microbial product as soon as contractors need it, to get mass testing and track and trace systems up and running as soon as possible.”
MARSHALL TUFFLEX 01424 856 600
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Cables important as ever in wireless age I
By Stewart Beer, site manager at Electrix International
n a wireless age, the use of cables may be losing its function in some industries, however for others, the role they play is as important as ever. In the case of the manufacturing, as technology becomes increasingly integrated, so does the prominence of cables. Within the manufacturing industry, cables are key for both the delivery of electricity to machinery and transporting digital information between consoles and departments. They also do a whole lot more, playing a vital part in ensuring the safety of workers and creating streamlined forms of communication between staff and robotics.
In the future, technological advancements in manufacturing will rely even more on the increased efficiency and safety of cables. While innovation is key to manufacturing’s success, safety should always be the priority. For a deeper insight, read our guide below and find
out how cables are adapting and continuing to pave the way forward for the manufacturing industry. The 5G revolution is tipped to bring new speeds and capabilities to technological sectors. However, maintaining cabled connections is key because wired connections allow businesses to use a dedicated bandwidth. The benefits of this include faster information transfers, reduced risk of network transfer interruptions, and fewer chances of connection outages – all essential for an industry that relies on efficiency,
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
Connection outages can halt the production process, particularly where automation is used. The consequence of this can result in burdening costs and lost profitability. For safety, a wired connection is always the most reliable and the most secure compared to a wireless connection. Industrial ethernet means that information can
be processed at high speeds and transferred to machinery. When devices are working in unison and in sync with each other, this speed is essential. While wireless capabilities continue to improve, cables will still produce the most efficient form of connection. With automation comes a large amount of movement. However, with the efficiency of cabled connections, robotic wires must withstand a high amount of stress and tension through their constant and alternating bending cycles. Because of this, special requirements for wires are needed to prevent breakages and other safety concerns. These wires must be protected from damaging conditions, including exposure to oil, chemicals, and high temperatures. With the large number of wires required in robotics, the use of robust cable management systems is another way that wires can be protected. Here, wires are separated when passing into electrical enclosure boxes. This means that when wires are exposed for connection, particles are prevented from touching the cables. This is particularly important in terms of the
safety of the operators, preventing chances of accidental harm.
While wires are essential to manufacturing, ensuring that they are safe should be a bigger priority. As far as technological advancements within cables are concerned, improving insulation and voltage grade has been a major focus in recent years. In terms of insulation, the industry’s objective is to produce better quality polymers to reduce the thickness of insulation, whilst maintaining strength. Newer smoke retardant PVC is becoming
commonly used in place of regular PVC in manufacturing. PVC has long stood as a useful insulator for wires due its flame and oil resistance. However, in the event of a fire, the plastic coating produces a high quantity of smoke. While the innovation of thermoset plastic is not new, its use as cable coating is now more appropriate. In the event of a fire, low levels of smoke are produced. This allows workers to safely evacuate working premises. Further to this, Teflon is a popular alternative to PVC. It is predominantly used for low voltage or communicative wiring, essential for manufacturing. While PVC can withstand temperatures of around 160F, Teflon can withstand heat of around 480F.
ELECTRIX
electrixinternational.com ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SUPPLEMENT • FEBRUARY 2021 S11
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