Vacancies at PRVCall Us: 01495 769697

Blog

PRV Engineering > Blog
11 Nov 2016

Hyperloop One agree deal with Dubai Road Transport Authority

Hyperloop One has agreed a deal with the Dubai Road Transport Authority to assess the delivery of a hyperloop system that will reduce the time taken to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

The system which works using a vacuum-sealed pod transport system could potentially reduce the time taken to travel the 90 miles from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in as little as 12 minutes. Whilst initially the aim is to concentrate on what a hyperloop system can achieve across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there is speculation that it could be expanded at a later date to build links with neighbouring Gulf countries. The current travel time by plane between Dubai and Saudi Arabia is 2 hours; with Hyperloop that travel time could be halved.

Read More
4 Nov 2016

The next generation of UK engineers

Today Sir James Dyson announced that he is to open his own institute to train engineers stating that the UK needs another million engineers in software, hardware and electronics by 2020 if UK companies are to remain competitive.

The institute, based in Malmesbury, Wiltshire will open in the Autumn of 2017 with an initial intake of 25 students and will offer a four year engineering degree in partnership with the University of Warwick. Students will be paid a salary while studying and will not pay tuition fees, but most importantly in the world of engineering, students will work on live projects alongside mentors and research staff allowing them to get hands on, real life experience.

Read More
28 Oct 2016

Laser, plasma or waterjet cutting?

When you work in manufacturing you have a decision to make; laser, plasma or waterjet cutting? ‘Which one is best?’ is the first question that many people ask. The most up to date and technologically advanced must be the best, surely? Well that’s not the case. In fact there could be a case for using any or all 3 of the manufacturing processes depending upon your needs and what you value most from the machine.

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, from speed to cost and even waste. So let’s take a look at each option.

Read More
20 Oct 2016

Can floating turbines improve the renewable energy sector?

Can floating turbines operated further out at sea harness more wind power and improve the renewable energy sector?

This was the idea being explored and piloted off the coast of Norway in 2009 and after 6 years of successful operations the company behind that pilot, Statoil, took the decision to invest in building the world’s first floating wind farm in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

They will be installing a 30 MW wind turbine farm on floating structures at Buchan Deep, 25km offshore of Peterhead. The turbines will harness the wind and provide energy to approximately 20,000 mainland homes. Supply of that electricity is anticipated to start towards the end of 2017.

Read More
14 Oct 2016

Why leaves cause delays on the rail network

The weather has turned positively autumnal with a drop in temperature and leaves starting to drop from the trees. At this time of year commuters across the country groan and begin to think about how often the weather is likely to disrupt their daily journey to work. Leaves on the track is frequently put forward as the major reason for causing seasonal disruption to services on our rail network, and whilst at face value the reason sounds a little far-fetched, leaves on the track are in fact, a real safety hazard.

So why do leaves on the rail network cause so many problems? There are 2 key areas where leaves cause problems:

  1. Trains lose their adhesion as the rails become more slippy
  2. Leaves act as an insulator and can disrupt electrical signals on the track.
Read More
7 Oct 2016

Supply chain opportunities come with the approval of Hinckley C

The recent approval for the new nuclear plant at Hinckley Point had businesses across the region breathing a sigh of relief. Hundreds of companies locally and further afield pre-registered to become part of the supply chain solution for EDF Energy and its contractors with the aim of securing long term work in the region. With 90 major tier 1 contractors requiring further supply chain contracts of their own, the opportunities for businesses in and around the region are huge.

Many smaller local businesses took the step to improve their own staff development and training and internal processes with the aim of being ready and able to meet the demands of the project. The project which will take approximately 10 years to complete will provide more than 25000 jobs and have more than 5000 people working on site at any time. It is anticipated that it will provide 900 permanent jobs on completion.

Read More
30 Sep 2016

CNC Machining is moving to the desk top

There are few products that we use in everyday life that have not had CNC machining take some part in their production. Cars, planes, household machines and appliances, medical parts and toys all get to visit the CNC machine at some point in their production.
CNC or Computer Numerically Controlled machining has become more versatile then ever over the years. The number of axis has increased and the types of machine available now mean that increasingly smaller and more intricate parts can be manufactured using CNC machining.

Read More
23 Sep 2016

Hummingbird – the world’s lightest folding bike is ready for testing

British motorsport company Prodrive announced this week that testing of the Hummingbird folding lightweight bike would begin in October, with anticipated production and sales starting early in 2017.

The Hummingbird is the concept of London based designer Petre Cracuin. Petre along with co-founder Ligia Stan has a passion for bikes and the project was born out of their desire to have a lightweight folding bike that was not only a pleasure to ride but was also easy to carry around and looked good. Despite having multiple bikes themselves, they realised there was nothing out there that fitted the bill so Petre set to work to solve the problem and the Hummingbird was born. A folding bike that is comfortable to ride, looks good, is easy to fold and carry and weighs in at an astounding 6.7kg. To put that in perspective, that’s the same as two normal weight domestic cats!

Read More
18 Sep 2016

Reasons for coating busbars

There are a few reason for plating or coating busbars. Cosmetic reasons or provision of insulation are a couple but the most common reason for coating busbars is to inhibit corrosion.

Busbars are commonly made from copper, which in itself is quite resistant to corrosion but busbars are often used in environments where higher levels of protection are needed. Over time, copper oxidises and can impact the surfaces conductive properties. So plating or coating busbars, not only reduces corrosion but also improves the longevity and conductive properties of the item.

Read More
12 Sep 2016

Osseointegration trial for military personnel in the UK

Improvements in manufacturing processes and capabilities allow for more complex and diverse solutions to be thought up for an increasing number of problems. The ability to cut and machine smaller and more complex parts using modern techniques like waterjet cutting, 3D printing and various multi axis machines, combined with software developments mean this is becoming increasingly evident in the medical and pharmaceutical world. The ability to make one off, custom implants and limb replacements for specific patient needs is opening up a whole new world.

Read More

Search

Categories

Recent Comments

Events

December 2024
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

Tag Cloud

Aerospace aviation CNC Machining Construction Engineering Engineering Developments Manufacturing New technology PRV Engineering Technology