New aerospace, contract for Rhodes Interform

Rhodes Interform, part of Group Rhodes, continues to lead the way in mechanical and hydraulic press manufacture and refurbishment with another major project win in the aerospace industry.

The contract, recently completed successfully, is phase one of two for the refit of a 1989 vintage 3000 Ton ‘Chester Hydraulics’ SPF press, at BAE Systems Samlesbury in the North West.

The press is a critical piece of equipment that manufactures major parts for the Typhoon (Eurofighter) Aircraft.

Rhodes Interform’s Technical Director Peter Anderton said: “This is a specialist repair to the ‘hotbox’ ensuring the stringent temperature accuracies required during the manufacturing process are maintained. We won the contract based on our vast expertise in the manufacture, design and repair of SPF presses in the aerospace sector.  The lockdown was obviously a difficult time for the industry, but over the past few months we have won a number of contracts for both new machinery and equipment refurbishment.  We are very optimistic for the continued recovery of the UK aerospace sector.”

Rhodes Interform’s machine refurbishments offer customers a cost-effective solution to dramatically improve equipment life and increase productivity. The company provides a complete one-stop refurbishment service, from arranging where necessary for the machine to be transported to the company’s maintenance facility in Wakefield, through to retrofitting new components and re-commissioning on site. 

Rhodes Interform’s parent company Group Rhodes, based in West Yorkshire, boasts a 200 year metalforming history and has also been manufacturing presses to form composite materials from as early as the 1930s. The company has won Queen’s Awards for both Innovation and International Trade in recent years, particularly for its work in the aerospace sector.

NSK, Packaging machine specialist standardises on NSK linear guides

Thanks to a long-term collaboration with Acumo AB (NSK’s authorised distributor in Sweden), one of the largest manufacturers of packaging machines in the Scandinavian marketplace is not only able to meet its own quality and efficiency demands, but those of its customers. Through Acumo, Österbergs Förpackningsmaskiner AB has now standardised on NSK linear guides, which offer quality, precision and long service life to users of its machines.

Österbergs Förpackningsmaskiner AB describes linear guides from NSK as “outstanding”. Photo: Österbergs Förpackningsmaskiner

Formed in 1975, Österbergs focuses on flexible, customised solutions with optimum quality. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company offers everything from plain push packaging solutions to those featuring advanced industrial robots, and everything in between. Österbergs bases its production model on a standard machine which the company subsequently tailors to the specific requirements of each customer. T

his strategy leads to a wide range of unique product combinations that necessitates the support of agile and technically-adept suppliers, such as NSK and its authorised distributor Acumo. As a premium brand, not every distributor can sell NSK’s high-quality products.

The company only works with authorised distributors able to demonstrate the knowledge and experience needed to meet the expected standards. Authorised distributors must also act in accordance with NSK’s ethical and compliance policies. As a fully authorised distributor, Acumo first contacted Österbergs back in 2010, representing the starting point of a long-term collaboration that remains strong to this day.

“I immediately liked one of Acumo’s position indicators, which they presented perfectly in time with our development work,” says Ulf Nordling, Project Manager at Österbergs. “By chance, we discovered that Acumo also offers NSK linear guides. The combination of the wide product range, quality and service offered by Acumo, prompted us to commence the collaboration.”

Quality is a business ethos at NSK, Acumo and Österbergs, from first contact to final delivery. Through personal relationships between the companies, the collaboration has flourished, with Acumo's comprehensive understanding of what Österbergs needs and demands proving a key factor in the partnership’s success. "Acumo is nice to work with; we get fast deliveries and a high quality of NSK cut rails." says Ulf Nordling.

For many years, Österbergs has standardised on both linear guides and ball screws from NSK. To ensure short lead times, Acumo carries a large stock of NSK solutions, including the NH/NS series (with surface treatments such as Duralloy® and low-temperature chrome), which the company cuts to the required lengths at its workshop using a water-cooled cutting machine.

Each NSK linear guide for Österbergs is cut to length using advanced machinery at authorised distributor Acumo. Photo: Österbergs Förpackningsmaskiner

NSK offers engineering support to all of its authorised distributors. Each one of its handpicked partners employ well-trained, competent staff with industry experience and a thorough understanding of customer processes.

Based on his long industry experience, Ulf Nordling is convinced that linear guides from NSK are outstanding. He points out that customers pay attention to, and appreciate, the high quality of NSK linear guides, with many even calling up to offer positive feedback.

“We want to show that we provide the best,” says Ulf Nordling. “At Österbergs, we are genuinely happy with Acumo as a supplier and get good help in emergencies. We have developed a close collaboration where Acumo intuitively knows what we need. In addition to high-quality solutions, we get help with calculations, choice of interface and product knowledge when needed.”

During the past year, Österbergs has bought several more of NSK’s NH/NS series linear guides with Duralloy® surface treatment to ensure even longer service life in machines for the forestry and paper sector. The new machine is yet another example of the proven collaboration between technology supplier NSK, authorised distributor Acumo and the expertise of Österbergs.

A new video about NH/NS linear guides is available on YouTube under https://youtu.be/_62TERdood

Elesa quality handles for commercial catering equipment

When manufacturers of commercial catering equipment are looking for standard components with high-quality style and robust ergonomic execution, they are likely to find the growing Elesa market-leading range highly suitable. Their expanded series of standard and custom bridge handles being a case in point, and especially compatible with ovens, combination ovens, microwave ovens, and other worktop preparation and storage equipment. Usually being held with one hand while the other is occupied, these handles are also used on stand-alone heating cabinets and refrigerators, which call for high quality handles with concealed fixings.

Commercial kitchen equipment manufacturers operate in a small and very competitive market – a true niche where quality and design are major differentiating factors. This type of equipment requires handles that are simple, elegant, quick, and easy to use and clean, for doors and other opening panels.

Modern equipment styling in stainless steel and glass calls for compatible hardware to match, and incorporating top-quality production values that ensure long service life. They are usually required to withstand multiple daily cleaning cycles, often using aggressive chemicals and equipment e.g. brushes, hoses, cloths.

The Elesa EBP series bridge handles in reinforced technopolymer fits the need for a small bridge style handle and is also available in a sanitised version (SAN) with silver ion inclusion. For lifting of bench top equipment or handling of large removable panels the series EPR offer a simple solution with multiple colour options.

Where style and colour are important then the larger ETH bridge handles in Technopolymer and aluminium provide an ergonomic solution. For heavier duty stainless steel equipment, the Elesa GN 333.6 are highly finished and highly functional to match modern clean designs of kitchen equipment for all levels of professional installations.

These Elesa handles offer excellent haptic properties that are easy to grab in a hurry and provide a positive “feel” so that the operator has confidence that the equipment will open and close comfortably, as expected, day after day.

Atlas Copco officially opens world-class custom engineering workshop following major investment

Atlas Copco’s Systems Hemel Hempstead custom engineering workshop is to be officially opened today (20th January, 2015) following the completion of a £680,000 (€870,000) upgrade to strengthen its world-class credentials.