Hydraulics & Pneumatics January/February 2023

SPOTLIGHT After closing for two years, customers have been welcomed back to the Mersey Ferry route from Liverpool to Wallasey. The upgrade to the ferry terminal means that the iconic Mersey Ferries are back in Seacombe. YUKEN EUROPE’S role in this upgrade was paramount. Working on the hydraulics for the new bridge and the landing platform that links the ferry to the pontoon. Yuken Europe developed a bespoke hydraulic system designed to meet the required technical specification provided by the customer. By working with Mersey Travel, the team created an enhanced safety system. The hydraulic system had its own complexity as it needed a solution to adapt the gangway system to manage the effect of high frequency tidal and weather conditions often seen on the Mersey. t | 0151 486 4696 e | office@yukeneurope.com w | https://yukeneurope.com/ FPS AIR COMPRESSORS says it can provide a number of tips and initiatives to reduce the energy consumed by compressed air systems. In particular, the company offers the new NOBEL PM series of oil-injected rotary screw compressors, which feature IE4 permanent magnet motors, variable speed drives and an extended airflow range for the highest level of energy efficiency and quiet operation. The company says this industry-leading performance helps to counter the current trend of spiralling energy costs, which look likely to remain high for the foreseeable future. Compared with the operating costs of a standard compressor. As an example, a user operating a 37 kW Nobel DVPM air compressor could enjoy savings of up to £25,000 a year or more. Compressed air usage represents a significant proportion of electricity costs at manufacturing plants, food production facilities, machine shops, packaging plants, garages, body shops and woodyards – essentially any facility using compressed air. FPS says a big part of the solution is to get savvy about specifying the optimal technology, notably the compressor. The energy costs linked to an air compressor’s operation during its service life represent more than 80% of total lifecycle costs. The company says there are three principal compressor metrics to consider: specific energy; greater FAD (free air delivery) performance; and a wider operating range to suit varying demand. t | 01865 892 620 e | sales@fps-compressors.co.uk w | www.fps-compressors.co.uk/energy-saving-air-compressors HOW TO CUT ENERGY CONSUMPTION UPGRADE HAS SAFETY AT ITS HEART HOIST & WINCH says it has recently completed a challenging project for one of the UK’s biggest construction companies involved in large-scale new home development projects. Faced with a demanding and highly technical brief, Hoist & Winch rose to the task, providing a turnkey lifting system solution to ensure complete success for its client. The requirement was to install a concrete ceiling mounted 7.5t swl (safe working load) lifting beam and manual chain hoist into the basement energy room of a large new tower block. This development is part of a large-scale prestigious regeneration project providing 5500 sustainable new homes in North London. At the design stage, following formal tender and contract award, Hoist & Winch set about identifying the optimal solution. Due to restricted access into the basement area, the company decided to utilise a two-piece lifting beam design with an overall length of 7m. To join the two lifting beam sections, Hoist & Winch designed a central splice joint of bolted construction with a reinforced bottom beam flange. In order to spread the lifting loads over a greater area of the concrete ceiling slab it was decided to mount the lifting beam via four intermediate cross members, each having a four-bolt/anchor fix into the concrete ceiling at both ends. Featuring a robust bolted construction design it was possible to deliver the lifting beam to site in fully dismantled form for ease of transportation and access. t | 08450 171126 e | sales@hoistandwinch.co.uk w | www.hoistandwinch.co.uk CONSTRUCTION PROJECT COMPLETED HI-LINE INDUSTRIES, a UK-based leader in the design, manufacture and installation of energy- efficient compressed air purification equipment, is reporting continued growth in year-on-year sales, with results for the last quarter well ahead of forecast. The company says this positive news is a reflection of the added value provided by the company’s products and services, which help UK users of compressed air to achieve genuine competitive gain. To support its growing sales, Hi-line has completed a management reshuffle that will ensure its expanding customer base can take advantage of even higher service levels. Following on from the appointment of Steve Smith as managing director in May 2022, Brad Beesley is now general manager, heading up the Sales Department. In addition, Darren Sims now sits at the helm of the Technical Department as the company’s new technical director, while Craig Watson takes up the role of business administration manager to lead Hi-line’s Administration Department. All report directly to Steve Smith. Hi-line says everything about it at present centres on growth, emphasising the success story of this forward-thinking UK manufacturing business. By way of example, spring 2023 will see the start of an extension to the company’s UK headquarters in Burton-upon-Trent. This significant project will provide a huge boon to the in-house manufacturing processes, while simultaneously increasing warehouse space. t | 01283 533377 e | enquiries@hilineindustries.com w | www.hilineindustries.com SALES GROWTH AND MAJOR PLANS FOR 2023