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8 Nov 2015

Regeneration Projects in Newport

Regeneration projects are taking place across Newport as part of a drive to improve existing sites, facilities and properties, as well as build new ones. The aim is to make improvements, both in the city centre and wider geography that will create a better environment for people to live, work and visit.

One of the major regeneration projects, Friars Walk is due to open next week on November 12th. The 390,000 square foot leisure and retail centre will be a major benefit to the local economy and is bringing top names brands like Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Mothercare and Cineworld to the city. Gourmet food outlets and restaurants are also signed up and ready to open next week. A recent recruitment fair for the centre attracted over 4000 job seekers.

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30 Oct 2015

Additive Manufacturing in the Aero Industry

Back in 2014 we were talking about the experimental 3D printed joints being tested by the Airbus Group. The Rotite Fastener, was being tested on bicycles before being progressed into aircraft, but it was hoped that the technology could be developed and progressed into the aero industry making the attachment of electrical and mechanical components easier.

Additive manufacturing (the process of building components layer by layer) started off being used just for building prototype parts, but has now moved on to producing in flight components in the aero industry.

In March this year 3D printed parts got the go ahead from the FAA to be used in flight and as a result Boeing have used additive manufacturing to install over 20,000 non metallic 3D printed parts in their planes. They are using 3D printed parts in military and commercial aircraft.

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23 Oct 2015

UK – China Industry Relations | Investment or Timebomb?

This week it’s been announced that Tata Steel could slash up to 1,200 jobs across Scunthorpe and Soctland. Caparo Industries has called in the administrators and now up to 1,700 of their staff are facing real uncertainty about their futures. The UK Steel industry is in crisis and many commentators are rushing to blame China. But the fact of the matter is that the global Steel industry is in crisis, not just the UK, with many nations overproducing and even our closest neighbors in the EU undercutting British produced Steel. At a time when unprecedented trade deals are being fought for and signed across the globe we have to ask if we should still be trying to use China as a scapegoat or if it’s time to reconsider our economic ties with the emergent power.

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16 Oct 2015

Pilotless helicopter tested in the battle to fight wildfires

First came driverless cars, then came research into autonomous ships to help with transport freight emissions. Earlier this month Mercedes Benz tested an autonomous big rig on a public road and this week the news is of a pilotless helicopter being tested to help in the battles with wildfires in the United States. Autonomous and remote controlled vehicles are being used more and more in the battle for improved efficiency, safety and sustainability.

Earlier this week a Lockheed Martin helicopter capable of flying autonomously was launched in Idaho. Whilst the helicopter is capable of flying without a pilot, there was a safety pilot on board during the testing. The helicopter completed multiple drops of water that it had scooped up and then delivered to a demonstration ridge.

Why a pilotless helicopter?

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9 Oct 2015

TPP & TTIP | What Do They Mean For Manufacturing?

There’s been a lot of talk in the Media about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) this week as it’s finally been agreed upon between states after a 12 year negotiation. Though the TPP does not directly affect the UK there is a similar agreement in negotiation called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) which is between the US and various EU countries. These agreements are meant to encourage Free Trade and are being sold as ‘good for everyone.’ It’s very obvious that this is almost never the case in the world of business.

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2 Oct 2015

How do we solve the skills gap in the UK?

A recent survey revealed that Finance Directors are more worried about the skills shortage in the UK than they are about the UK remaining in Europe. In fact, it ranked second only to concerns regarding the oil price. A worrying statement!

We ourselves have written previously about the skills shortage in engineering indicating that the practical skills needed are not being taught early enough. The misheld perception that engineering jobs are ‘dirty’ and carried out in oil covered overalls or while wearing hard hats on a building site is a perception we need to change. Schools need to open the eyes of their students to the possibilities of engineering careers out there. We also need to ensure that the practical skills that come with these jobs are taught and practiced throughout any period of education. There is little point in learning the theory of how to do something for 3 or 4 years and then not being able to apply that practically when looking for employment.

It seems, that these concerns do not only relate to engineering, but to employment as a whole in the UK. A report by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants recently stated that UK school leavers are the worst in Europe for essential skills. Whether they are leaving school at 18 or graduating later, employers state that students are lacking the skills they are looking for. It seems the most basic skills such as communication and teamwork are a struggle for many and is given as a major factor when deciding whether to employ a young person.

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28 Sep 2015

3D Printing | Additive Manufacture Moves From Prototype To Production

Traditionally 3D printing, or ‘Additive Manufacture’ has been used mainly to create prototypes and showcase design ideas. The speed with which Additive Manufacture (AM) can take place along with the versatility of the manufacture method causes it to be the most obvious choice when creating new designs.

An example of where AM is still being used for it’s traditional versatility is the surgeons of Great Ormond Street Hospital using a 3D printer to create a model of a patients’ Trachea. The surgeons had to perform a delicate surgery on a child. They used a CT scanner to map the boys’ Trachea, 3D printed an exact model of it and then assessed which surgical instruments fit the tiny spaces best.

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18 Sep 2015

Electric Car Industry Boosting Busbar Uptake

In the majority of instances a busbar is a better choice for conduction needs however the uptake of busbars as standard parts has been somewhat slower than one might imagine when looking at all the benefits they bring. The benefits over cabling in most instances are quite well documented.

  • Versatility both in terms of the various connections and the ease with which busbars are installed and changed means they are quicker and easier to slot into design work
  • Physical costs of installing busbars are lower because they are easier to install and wiring errors are eliminated
  • Busbars can be made to order and between the various different material make-ups there are busbars fit for almost any purpose
  • Busbars allow better thermal management both due to their inherently better connections and also their sleeker design, which allows for greater space for airflow or cooling systems
  • Busbars can connect at right angles, the space saved by using busbars because significant when compared to large bundles of cables required in many projects
  • Because of their modular design busbars can deal with changing energy loads far better than traditional cables
  • Although initial material/part costs may be higher for a busbar solution in the majority of cases the labour saving plus the saving over the lifetime of the materials (such as alterations) will more than recoup that initial outlay
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4 Sep 2015

Addressing The Shortfall – UK Engineering Expertise

It’s no secret how much engineering is worth to the UK economy. Estimates are that engineering makes up almost a quarter of UK turnover. As a percentage of UK GDP engineering grew steadily through the global financial crisis. It is clear that the UK is still an engineering powerhouse with world renowned expertise, projects and businesses.

  • UK has 17% of the Global Share of Aerospace revenue
  • £30.7 billion in automotive exports
  • UK Engineering sector employs 5.5 million people
  • Bioscience and Renewable Energy sectors on the cutting edge
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28 Aug 2015

The Importance of Quality Control

Quality control in manufacturing is essential to provide your clients with high quality products and customer service.

Failing to run quality control checks in an effort to provide a quick service and get products shipped out sooner can backfire and result in costly product recalls by your end client. Ultimately, that means loss of business and increased costs for them. It may even result in you losing your client. So, as a manufacturer, quality control is essential.

You want your clients to receive high quality goods and products and be happy with your service. Ensuring quality control along the way in your manufacturing processes will maintain a reputation for delivering products without defect, enabling you to retain your clients and benefit from repeat business.

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