• • • NEWS • • •
Government backs Blyth gigafactory to build electric vehicle batteries
U
K battery company Britishvolt has received an in principle offer of government funding though the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) for its planned gigafactory in Blyth, Northumberland. Once complete, the factory will produce enough batteries for more than 300,000 electric vehicles each year. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government’s support for the gigafactory will help to unlock a significant amount of further support from private investors. Alongside private sector investment, the project is set to create 3,000 direct highly skilled jobs and another 5,000 indirect jobs in the wider supply chain.
Mr Johnson said: “Britishvolt’s plan to build a new gigafactory in Northumberland is a strong
testament to the skilled workers of the North East and the UK’s place at the helm of the global green industrial revolution.
“Backed by government and private sector investment, this new battery factory will boost the production of electric vehicles in the UK, whilst levelling up opportunity and bringing thousands of new highly-skilled jobs to communities in our industrial heartlands.” Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the news is a major boost for Britain and a resounding vote of confidence in the North East economy.
He said: “In this global race between countries to secure vital battery production, this government is proud to make the investment necessary to ensure
Millions of free 3D CAD models now available through DesignSpark
R
S Components and Ultra Librarian, the world’s largest CAD library, have teamed up to integrate the Ultra Librarian CAD models library directly into RS’s DesignSpark online platform.
DesignSpark members can now access the Ultra Librarian Parts Finder to access millions of free 3D models, significantly reducing PCB design cycle times. The DesignSpark platform is a suite of free-to-use rapid PCB prototyping tools offering schematics unlimited in number and size, unlimited layers, nodes, pads and connections, integration with RS parts libraries, a library editor to create custom libraries, and integration with free DesignSpark mechanical and electrical CAD systems. CAD models through Ultra Librarian can be accessed by entering a known part number or one or more keywords. CAD models can be viewed then
downloaded for free, and then imported directly into
DesignSpark or any other major PCB CAD tool. Carol North, senior digital development manager at RS Components, said: “Part selection and design-in can be major bottlenecks in the electronic design process, because engineers have to source digital models for each component.
“Our new partnership with Ultra Librarian solves this problem by adding free, drop-in CAD models via the DesignSpark platform.” Frank Frank, founder and product architect at Ultra Librarian, added: “Partnering with DesignSpark is giving engineers the ability to have a full circle experience of tools to simplify and advance their design process.” Visit
https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/ultra- librarian-parts-finder to access the Ultra Librarian Parts Finder.
10 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2022
UK’s retains its place as one of the best locations in the world for auto manufacturing.” Graham Hoare, president of global operations at Britishvolt, said: “This is further endorsement of the work the UK Government has done to help develop the world’s best battery ecosystem and accelerate Britain into pole position in Europe. “Low carbon, sustainable battery cells, and associated R&D, are the essential ingredients on the glidepath to net zero. Only responsibly produced batteries will lead to a successful energy transition.”
Practical guide answers the key questions on vibration monitoring
F
or engineers involved in designing and specifying vibration monitoring systems then a new practical guide from the leading supplier of turbine supervisory and high integrity protection equipment could prove invaluable.
This free to download guide covers all types of vibration monitoring along with the key questions to ask when designing or specifying a vibration monitoring system. This three-part guide from Sensonics offers comprehensive and practical assistance which discusses the types of sensors and monitoring systems available, how they are used and addresses the key questions an engineer should ask when designing an integrated vibration system for their application.
Sensonics said it recognises the wide variety of vibration monitoring solutions
available to industry and is happy to advise on specific applications. “From supplying customised sensors through to fully installed systems, we can help,” the company said. For your free copy of the guide, visit
https://www.sensonics.co.uk/specifying- vibration-monitoring-systems-engineers- guide/.
Joshua Austin raises the bar G
lobal Associates has appointed Joshua Austin, one of the first apprentices to join the company’s global training academy in 2015, as its new service manager. Over the past 12 months, Mr Austin undertook the role of key accounts service engineer, where he continued to build client relationships whilst dedicating time not only to his own
continued training, but also to
supporting other apprentices within the business. Paul Wetherfield, chief executive of Global Associates, said: “Joshua is undoubtedly a success story for our company. Everyone has an
obligation to the industry in which they work to leave a legacy of new talent which is greater than when we started. This led us to create the global academy which enables us to support and develop the next generation of building controls talent. “Joshua was one of the very first apprentices to join the academy and since then his enthusiasm and willingness to embrace every aspect of his role has seen him work his way up within the company. I am, therefore, delighted to announce his promotion to the position of service manager, which he has rightfully earned through hard work and his continued desire to train and develop within his role.” Mr Austin said: “I am delighted to have been selected to take on the role of service manager and am grateful for the recognition and opportunity to play such a pivotal role within the department and company as a whole.”
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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