April 2019

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies says it is creating a turning point in the purchasing of B2B seals and components with its “Industrial Supply and Services” online platform exclusively starting in the UK as the first local market. The company says the Industrial Supply and Services (ISS) platform is the first online marketplace for high-quality B2B sealing solutions and components, setting new standards in the procurement of industrial parts, constant time pressure and waiting for offers are now a thing of the past and 24/7 availability and local order processing enable unrivalled speed for deliveries within the UK. Industrial Supply and Services platform is said to be much more than a simple online shop or anonymous marketplace with thousands of offers from daily changing merchants and from completely different needs segments – ISS is an industry-focused marketplace for the UK that includes the offerings of trusted local vendors. To make this possible, Freudenberg says it has worked with its long- standing local trading partners and integrated them as platform vendors in the project. The advantages are obvious: for the customers, this means a larger selection of products as well as comparisons regarding price, availability and additional services. The local order processing also ensures the fastest possible shipping. The range of products in 2018 for UK is limited to seals of the Freudenberg and DICHTOMATIK brands, but already includes more than 40,000 items – from O-rings to pneumatic seals and rod seals. However, Freudenberg will expand rapidly in terms of entering other regions and extending its product and service offering. Visit www.pwemag.co.uk for the full release. t | +49 (0) 6201 80 89 1907 e | jan.helms@fst.com w | uk.iss.fst.com HERAEUS NOBLELIGHT reports The National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol is using its sophisticated Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) technology to optimise the thermal input and control, necessary for selected composite pre-preg lay-up operations. CAE has been extensively employed to determine the precise positioning of infra-red modules during laying up of pre-preg material. The NCC has engaged Heraeus, who use simulation and CAE, featuring ray tracing and Computational Fluid to describe and understand the behaviour of complex systems using mathematical models, programs and computers. The first task of Heraeus was to carry out a reflection measurement of the composite to establish the material property for the subsequent optical simulation. The product CAD files were then imported with a wireframe representation of the desired heating zones. Visit www.pwemag.co.uk for the full release t | 0151 353 2710 e | ian.bartley@heraeus.com ABB has announced it has launched its smallest, lightest robot yet as part of its growing offering of solutions for small parts assembly. The IRB 1100 was designed to meet the challenges of semiconductor, pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturers needing to handle small and often delicate parts while working at speed without compromising productivity or quality. ABB says the IRB 1100 offers up to 35% faster cycle times to maximise productivity, and best-in-class repeatable accuracy. Powered by ABB’s new OmniCore controller, it is equipped with advanced motion control capabilities, making it ideal for supporting rapid assembly, pick and place and materials handling applications. With a 10 % percent smaller footprint and a 20 % lighter, slimmer body compared to previous robot generations, the IRB 1100 can be deployed in confined spaces. e | robotics@gb.abb.com w | www.abb.com/robotics Compact and lightweight robot Following significant investment in the UK market, BRAMMER BUCK & HICKMAN celebrated the opening of a new engineering service centre in Aylesford, Kent on Wednesday, March 13th. The company says the centre offers a specialist workshop, repair and engineering services designed to reduce downtime and increase efficiency for customers nationwide. Live gearbox and motor refurbishment demonstrations were held throughout the day, along with a demonstration of condition monitoring services including vibration analysis, ultrasonic equipment and laser alignment. The event also showcased Invend - Brammer Buck and Hickman’s Industrial Vending solution. Demonstrated by regional key account manager, Matt Newland, customers got the chance to see Invend in action as well as receive in-depth knowledge on how to implement this solution within their premises. t | 0870 240 2100 e | marketing.uk@brammer.biz w | www.brammerbuckandhickman.com/#bloc -news. Maidstone Engineering Centre Advanced CAE technology Online marketplace for industrial components LANEMARK COMBUSTION ENGINEERING says the operational effectiveness and control that are at the heart of its process gas burner technology are both being clearly demonstrated in a specialist application in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. The company has installed a TX tank heating system at Thomas Chadwick and Sons – part of Standard Wool UK – who supply processed blended wool to customers around the world. Reflecting increased business for the company, Lanemark says the system is delivering tangible gains in both energy usage and process efficiency, compared to an older system that it has replaced, with the focus on the production of wool grease, a natural by-product of the wool washing operation. t | 024 7635 2000 e | info@lanemark.com w | www.lanemark.com Optimising wool processing 28 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk April 2019 Process, Controls & Plant