Blog

31 Oct 2013

Choosing the right Tool Making service

October 31, 2013
PRV Engineering, Tool Making

There are many methods employed in Tool Making, ranging from the traditional processes to the more modern methods using CAD designs and CNC machining. It goes without saying, that the technique employed depends upon the quality, precision and quantity of tools required.

With improved machining technologies and design capabilities, it has become easier to produce high performance precision manufactured tools. However, designing and making these tools requires a great deal of planning, high performance equipment, technical know-how and of course, skill.

So, what should you take into consideration when searching for a good tool making service?

3D Printers – What’s the Latest?

October 25, 2013
3D Printing, New Technology

Last year we wrote a post about the introduction of 3D printers to industry.

We made some assumptions about how education, engineering and architecture industries would be likely to use this latest technology. Well 18 months down the line, let’s take a look at the developments of 3D printers and see how they are being used.

The commercial cost of 3D printers has reduced and their use seems to have been incorporated into just about every industry possible.

Hollywood and the film industry has embraced 3D printing wholeheartedly, with costumes, models and monsters all now being made using 3D printing techniques. This 3ders.org article tells in more detail how the production of concept models etc. is much quicker and easier using the latest technology.

16 Oct 2013

Celebrating the UK Aerospace Industry Sector

October 16, 2013
Aerospace, New Technology

In the current economic climate, when all the news we see is about job losses, decline and closures it’s easy to forget that the UK has some great success stories.

Take the UK aerospace sector. A recent article in the Engineer by Jon Excell and Stuart Nathan highlights the fact that the UK has the world’s second largest aerospace sector, yet no-one really seems to recognise it.

The UK aerospace sector has bucked the trend of the economic downturn and continues to grow. UK firms design and manufacture some of the most talked about feats of engineering and the UK aerospace industry is recognised internationally as being one of the best in the world.

9 Oct 2013

The benefits of silver and tin plating

October 9, 2013
Plating Services

Plating provides many benefits to products made from metal and other materials. It not only improves corrosion resistance and decorative appeal, but also increases solderability, enhances strength, reduces friction and alters conductivity. Plating can also help with paint adhesion.

Silver and tin plating are essential for parts that are designed to carry heavy electrical currents and are also viewed as being critical to modern technology.

19 Sep 2013

PRV Engineering – Your one-stop shop for Busbars

September 19, 2013
Busbars, Plating Services

Within the engineering business, Busbars are commonplace. But what are they and what do they do? PRV Engineering pride themselves in their Busbar business and thanks to the company’s new plating facility, the future looks good, not only for PRV but for potential clients too.

What are Busbars?

In electrical power distribution, a Busbar is a strip or bar of copper, brass or aluminium that conducts electricity within a switchboard, distribution board or other electrical apparatus.

Five Axis Machining is the way forward

September 12, 2013
5 Axis Machining

Five Axis machining PRV-Engineering Ltd are constantly moving with the times and investing in equipment to make sure the company stays ahead of its competitors. Over the last 12 months, managing director Simon Jones has invested more than £1.25million as part of the overall development of the Pontypool based engineering company.

Through the acquisition of and constant investment in new technology, PRV has moved forward at a significant rate of knots with one of the latest additions to the company’s plant being a state of the art, vertical travelling column machining centre with full Five Axis Synchronous milling ability – the Mazak VTC800/30SR

What is Five Axis machining?

Read More

5 Sep 2013

What is industrial spray painting?

September 5, 2013
Spray Painting

Spray painting was invented in 1892 and whilst it might not require the imagination of Picasso or Constable, it does need a high level of skill to do the job well.
But why do we need to spray paint machines in the industrial sector? Why not just leave the manufactured machines in their original state?

The answer is two-fold. Spray painting not only protects the customers’ machines against rust, but it makes the machines look good!

Six spray painting methods

Air gun spraying
HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure)
LVLP (Low Volume Low Pressure)
Electrostatic spray painting
Air assisted airless spray guns
Airless spray guns

The main variables that industrial spray painters consider when undertaking a job are as follows:

29 Aug 2013

Powder coating provides the perfect finish

August 29, 2013
Powder Coating

Powder coating is the process of coating a surface in which a powder material is applied using an electrostatic or compressed air method. It is also one of the most advanced techniques for applying a protective and decorative finish to almost any type of metal.

The process of powder coating basically involves spraying an electrostatically charged powder on the surface that needs to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the surface, forming a smooth, durable and uniform coating, with a high quality finish.

Many businesses, industries and consumers around the world speak highly of the process which provides one of the most long-lasting, colour durable, economical and high quality finishes. No matter which colour or texture you are looking for, powder coating can provide the right solution.

22 Aug 2013

Further changes to CE marking in the construction industry

August 22, 2013
Manufacturing, News, Steel Fabrication

What is CE Marking?

CE Marking is the conformity marking for products sold in the European Union and has been a common requirement on things such as toys and electrical goods for many years. It consists of the CE-Logo and, if applicable, the four digit identification number of the notified body involved in the conformity assessment procedure.

What does the CE mark mean?

By affixing the CE mark a person takes on responsibility for the conformity of the product. CE marking is a visible sign that the product complies with all relevant product supply law.Its presence together with the Declaration of Conformity gives the product to which it is affixed presumption of conformity with relevant product safety Directives. CE marked products are entitled to free movement throughout the European market.

The construction industry has gone through one of the most significant changes for a decade this year, when CE Marking of construction products became mandatory in all member states throughout the European Union and the European Economic Area. It’s also preparing itself for further change.

13 Aug 2013

Getting more from electric vehicles

August 13, 2013
Engineering Education, New Technology, Uncategorized

Electric Vehicles (EVs) first came into existence in the mid-19th century when electricity was among the preferred methods for motor vehicle propulsion, providing a level of comfort and ease of operation that could not be achieved by the gasoline cars of the time.

The internal combustion engine remains as the dominant propulsion method for motor vehicles, but electric power is certainly commonplace in other vehicle types, such as trains and smaller vehicles of all types.

UK scientists claim that by simplifying the power electronics they have developed a way to help Electric Vehicles travel further on a single battery charge. Lead by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) researchers have created a new material that they say can act as a more effective capacitor than those currently used in EVs, which require complex cooling systems.

Choosing the right Tool Making service

So, what should you take into consideration when searching for a good tool making service?

Read More

3D Printers – What’s the Latest?

Celebrating the UK Aerospace Industry Sector

The benefits of silver and tin plating