European Springs Web Team, Author at European Springs

As a large proportion of the nation’s workforce heads back to their workplace, there are some businesses that have managed to hit the ground running, whilst others have struggled to find their feet. Whilst a lot of the issues faced by some businesses is down to the industry they operate within; other businesses have managed to thrive during this period due to forward planning and investing in the latest technology available.

Here, we take a look at how innovation has helped businesses get back to work, placing particular focus on how automation has held the key to many manufacturing and engineering business’ success.

Benefits Of Automated Technology In Covid-19

Automated technology and other forms of innovations relating to the Internet of Things have catapulted manufacturing and engineering firms productivity levels in recent years, and this has showed little signs of slowing down despite the wide-spread effect of Covid-19 across the world.

Businesses that already have some automated technology installed into their current processes have found they have been able to continue operating at close to normal levels throughout the pandemic. This has meant that productivity levels haven’t been affected, and therefore there will be no backlog of orders as many other businesses come back to work in the coming weeks.

Some of the main benefits that automated technologies can bring to your business are:

Uninterrupted productivity all year round
Consistently more accurate part production and output
Significantly lowered operating costs
Improved worker safety
Easy integration with existing processes and machines
Better future planning
Easily identify any inefficiencies in your current process
Vastly reduced environmental footprint

At European Springs & Pressings, we have been operating at close to normal levels throughout the pandemic, as we have been extremely busy providing a whole host of vital components for respirators. This work wouldn’t have been possible without our continual investment in the latest and greatest technologies available in the springs and pressing world.

All of our investments have helped our team to continue working at close to optimum levels, whilst also maintaining social distancing measures at all times. With up-to-date and autonomous machines operating continually throughout the day, our staff have no need to come into close contact with each other with the current measures put in place by the government.

There is a similar theme for other businesses who have extensively invested in autonomous technology for their workforce, as this technology is meant to compliment employee skillsets and strengths, as it takes the pressure off staff to conduct some of the more mundane tasks that can be completed by a machine significantly quicker and more accurately.

Why Now Is The Right Time To Invest In New Projects

Now that you have some insight into how innovation has helped many businesses across the UK get back to work during the pandemic, you may be wondering if now is the right time for your business to begin investing in new projects to futureproof your company. Whilst it certainly can feel counterintuitive to begin investing in a new project right after getting back to work, there actually couldn’t be a better time to begin your innovation journey.

Here’s just a few reasons that now could well be the perfect time for you to invest in a new project:

Many of your competitors will be in a similar position to your company, as they are trying to find their feet following the pandemic, so if you’re able to get a head start on innovating within your business, you could reap the rewards in the future.
Several companies that produce the necessary components for innovative products will be looking for business, and with many companies not in a position to invest in new technology, they may be struggling to get much interest at this stage. This is a perfect opportunity for your business to come in and potentially negotiate a good deal on the implementation of new innovative technologies, as the provider will be desperate to get orders in.
Rather than waiting months, or even years, to have your new project started on, you could see your new technologies installed within a matter of weeks during current circumstances. With a small number of orders likely placed, companies will be keen to get their products installed within your premises as soon as possible to show other interested parties they’re still open for business.

If you do require any further assistance when thinking about investing in new projects, then please feel free to get in touch with us to see how we could help you. As custom spring manufacturers with over 70 years of experience, we are capable of providing you with the right springs and pressings for your next project. Contact us today to begin discussing your vision for the next few years, and see how the team at European Springs & Pressings can help you with your next project.

It’s fair to say the last few months have brought up some negative stories around the industry due to the Covid-19 situation; however, in the last month there have been some fantastic, positive news stories pouring out of the sector.

Here, we take a look at some of the biggest stories from around the manufacturing and engineering world, whilst offering some of our own insights on each story.

UK Manufacturing Shows Signs Of Recovery Following Covid-19 Pandemic

Recent figures have shown signs that the UK manufacturing industry is showing signs of recovery following some of the worst damage inflicted during the Covid-19 outbreak. A survey from HIS showed that factory output had declined at a significantly slower pace in May than it had in April.

These positive signs came after lockdown measures had been eased slightly during May, which highlights how the industry is ready to get back to work, whilst employing social distancing measures to ensure the safety of all members of staff.

It should be noted that over the course of June, the figures should continue to show more signs of recovery for a larger range of manufacturing businesses, with most non-essential shops and workplaces set to open on the 15^th June.

It is vital that each and every company that works within the manufacturing and engineering sector do all that they can to get our industry back up and running, as our products and services could well hold the key to the country’s wider economic recovery in the months and years to come.

To read the full article, why not visit The Guardian’s website?

75% of People Now Believe In The Importance Of UK Manufacturing

New research has emerged that shows that 75% of people now believe more strongly in the importance of UK manufacturing. The research, which was conducted by Cadence Innovation Marketing, involved 2000 adults from around the country.

The most enlightening finding from the report was that 75% of people are now firmly behind the manufacturing sector, mainly down to the way the industry has stepped up to meet the challenge of supporting the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The nation has plenty of faith in the industry and believes that it genuinely has the power to help the economy get back up and running over the coming months.

It also found that 76% of people are concerned about cheap imported goods being brought into the UK in the wake of Covid-19, further highlighting just how important it is for UK manufacturers to continue growing their output and creating high-quality products.

As a UK based spring manufacturer, this news is fantastic to hear and we will continue doing our part to ensure the good name of manufacturing in this country continues to go on.

You can read more about the research by visiting The Manufacturer, where you’ll find more insight on other aspects of Cadence Innovation Marketing’s findings.

SpaceX Rocket Launch & Successful Docking With ISS

Spacecraft are a breath-taking feat of modern engineering and manufacturing, and in late May, after a delay of a few days, SpaceX’s craft successfully launched in America. The successful mission marks the first time that NASA astronauts have launched from US soil on a commercially built spacecraft. It was also the first manned launch of a spacecraft for nearly 10 years.

Launching on Saturday 30^th May at 3.22pm, SpaceX Crew Dragon docked with the International Space Station around 19 hours after take-off on Sunday morning, in a journey that saw the spacecraft orbit the earth at speeds of up to 17,500mph.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX corporation was founded in 2002, and since then has set about achieving the goal of enabling people to live on other planets in the future. This successful mission will hopefully go some way to achieving this goal in years to come.

You can read more about the journey, and find a few videos of the spacecraft in orbit by visiting The Engineer.

New Electronic Material is Stretchable, Self-Healing and Illuminating

New materials are constantly being developed and tested, and though each of these materials is impressive in its own way, the new material which has recently come out of the NUS Institute for Health and Innovation & Technology definitely caught our eye.

HELIOS (Healable, Low-field Illuminating Optoelectronic Stretchable) is a brand new material that can be used in both wearable technology and robotics. Whilst it pretty much sums up what the material does in its name, the material is completely self-healing, stretchable and electronic – a mixture that will stand it in good stead for future invention we are sure. There’s no doubt in our minds that this type of material is definitely the future of technology, and will likely be used extensively throughout the manufacturing industry.

Whilst we could go on forever about this incredible new material, we will instead point you in the direction of Interesting Engineering’s post on this new innovation.

At European Springs & Pressings, we regularly update our news page with all sorts of insights into the world of manufacturing and engineering, as well as with company updates, so be sure to check in regularly to see our latest take on the goings on in the industry.

With the manufacturing industry experiencing disruption as we have never faced before, it’s not surprising that a lot of things have been put on hold. Industry 4.0 was a much talked about subject before the global pandemic, but it still remains a relevant issue now.

In this article, we’re taking a look at how important Industry 4.0 is and how it will be affected going forward.

Why is Industry 4.0 Important?

Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution it’s often called, is the future of manufacturing. With the advent of the Internet of Things, virtual reality, blockchain, drones, Big Data, robotics, augmented reality, and so much more, it’s clear that digital technology plays a key role in manufacturing.

Discussion about industry 4.0 may have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 crisis, but many important elements are still set to be implemented this year. 5G rollout is one of them. Artificial intelligence remains just as important as well and many manufacturers depend on additive manufacturing.

There are many benefits to Industry 4.0, including how technologies can help companies to react to the market more quickly (and easily), how work-life balance of your employees can improve, how it’s innovation-centred and how it can lead to fast designs and productions.

The industry is undergoing a massive digital transformation, which can help businesses to remain competitive while driving innovation forward.

Industry 4.0 and Cybersecurity

With so much technology already in the works, cybersecurity is a concern, especially considering how devices are increasingly connected and automated. This can leave them vulnerable to attacks. It’s crucial that technologies are safe against these attacks by having protection built into their code, for example.

Blockchain is helping to ease some of these concerns by creating safer systems. Blockchain allows for decentralised digital transactions where information is securely stored in blocks that are then sealed. This premise allows machines to communicate safely.

So, while it’s crucial to continue advancing technologies, it’s also important to remember that the future of 4.0 will have to include sophisticated security.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and robots will remain just as important and, by 2030, AI-enabled next-generation robotics will transform both industries and society. Technology such as this one will be pivotal in all areas of life, from healthcare and aerospace to electronics and the private sector.

Artificial intelligence allows machines and robots to interact with one another and to learn from and adapt to different situations. This will lead to an exponential growth of industry, from driverless systems in the automotive sector to more intelligence aircraft.

5G Rollout

We mentioned how 5G is one of the main technologies to come out recently, but we can’t expect to see a full-on rollout yet. It’s still early days when it comes to this amazing technology but, once it becomes commonplace, it’s set to impact industries everywhere.

5G will likely continue to be implemented in 2020. This technology will improve automation and increase the speed of information transfer. Machines, including those that work independently, will see a boost in performance because of this. 5G, therefore, can lead to a burst of productivity for companies across the nation and the world as well.

Better Human-Machine Communication

Many people fear that automation will lead to job losses, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Of course, there will be exceptions but, overall, automation will lead to both humans and machines working together. Industry 4.0 will lead to an improvement of cooperation and communication between humans and machines, from better sensors in factories to better artificial intelligence systems.

This, of course, will lead to increased productivity for manufacturers, which will contribute to a financial boost to both the company and the economy.

High-Tech Sensors

Machines already have sensors in order to perform their tasks well. For example, a robot needs to know when to stop filling a bottle or when to stop working if there’s a foreign object on the belt. However, the future of Industry 4.0 will see even better sensors. Machines will self-analyse and constantly monitor themselves; they will also analyse algorithms and predict which tasks are needed from the data they studied.

Unplanned maintenance and downtime could affect companies financially, but this can help them to stay open.

European Springs and Technology

As spring manufacturers, we believe it’s important to stay up to date with the latest technological developments, especially as Industry 4.0 is here to stay – and will have a major impact on the future of manufacturing. This digital revolution has also allowed for increased innovation and creativity, something that will continue to lead to improved machines and solutions.

Our premises are also smart, as we invest a great deal in automation led by humans. This, combined with our modern, cutting-edge machinery, allows us to carry on providing our customers with the best springs, wireforms and pressings in the market.

Get in touch with us to learn more about what we can do for you.

With many businesses in the manufacturing and engineering sector heading back to work in recent weeks, there has been some trouble getting back to normal working practices for some. With social distancing measures a requirement within the workplace, it has been challenging for many in the sector to maintain high production standards.

Businesses who had previously invested in robotics and AI technologies prior to the outbreak have found the transition a much smoother process, and in this article, we will explore some of the reasons why. We will also take a closer look at how robotics are already being used within a number of industries around the world to minimise the risk of infections.

Robotics Leading The Way In Deep Cleaning Practices

One of the main ways that robotics is helping to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak is by assisting in deep cleaning methods in premises throughout the world. In some areas, it is simply too dangerous for humans to go in and deep clean all areas of a premises, and this is where robots come in.

Danish manufacturer, UVD Robots, has seen a huge spike in the number of machines being ordered across Europe and in China. The company specialises in ultraviolet-light-disinfection robots, which are capable of replacing cleaners in many settings. There is obviously worldwide demand for robots with cleaning capabilities, as they are far more likely to maintain more rigorous cleaning regimes than their human counterparts; all of which is required in a pandemic such as this.

Outside of manufacturing, American retail giant, Walmart, are using robots to scrub their floors instead of humans during the coronavirus outbreak. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that many other industries and companies around the world will adopt similar measures in the coming months to reduce the chances of cleaners coming into contact with harmful bacteria on a daily basis.

With robots now capable of leading the way when it comes to deep cleaning practices, employees can rest assured that each day after they finish their shift, a robot will have effectively cleaned up their workspace by the next morning. This will give all employees peace of mind that they are working in as safe an environment as possible, whilst also giving employers confidence they are continuing to abide by social distancing and cleaning best practices during the coronavirus pandemic.

Robotics Helping Businesses Prepare For The Future

With social distancing measures set to stay in place for the foreseeable future, with some experts stating they could roll over well into 2021, robotics is set to play a vital role in manufacturers getting back to normal operational levels in the coming months. AI technologies have long been used within the engineering and manufacturing industries, but now is the time to review existing processes and identify opportunities for machines to take on some of the more menial tasks normally carried out by humans in the workplace.

One of the main way’s robotics can help businesses in the short term is by taking on the role of some employees, to aid with social distancing measures in the workplace. If manufacturers are able to ensure that robots successfully carry out repetitive tasks that were once carried out by employees, they can reduce the need for as many employees in the business at any one time. This is a vital step for employers to take, and could help minimise the risk of transmission of coronavirus within the workplace.

It’s also worth noting that manufacturers who already have robotic technologies integrated within their existing business model will have a kickstart when they get back to work. All tasks that were originally carried out by robots can continue to be carried out right away, meaning that no social distancing measures are required to be put into force. Productivity can pick up exactly where it left off for some components, whilst managers focus their attentions on enabling employees to come back to work in a safe environment.

Here at European Springs & Pressings, we have been fortunate enough to continue working safely throughout the entirety of the pandemic thanks to a combination of forward planning and robotic technologies we have invested in over the years. Our team have adapted well to working under new social distancing guidelines, whilst continuing to provide vital components for a variety of healthcare equipment, such as ventilators.

As one of the country’s leading spring manufacturers with over 70 years’ experience in the industry, we realise just how important it is to continually invest in the very latest technologies to continue expanding our output capabilities on a consistent basis. That’s why we have always taken steps to purchase the very latest manufacturing equipment and robotic innovations that are capable of assisting us with manufacturing processes, which has allowed us to be in the position we are in today.

The UK manufacturing sector is constantly changing, and this is especially true amid the current healthcare crisis. Every month, we look at the latest news from this industry in order to showcase what’s been going on; there have been plenty of developments in April, so take a look below at some of our favourite news stories from the last month.

UK Manufacturers are Helping Healthcare

One of the best bits of news to come out in April was the fact that many UK manufacturers have chosen to help the NHS deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. They are contributing to the production of ventilators and other essential tools and equipment, which have helped countless professionals and patients across the nation.

For instance, AE Aerospace produced over 6,000 ventilator parts in less than a fortnight, which was achieved by the staff working 24/7; Composite Integration are using their design and manufacturing capabilities to create face visors. There are plenty more examples of UK companies helping the medical industry.

European Springs are also doing our best to help out – from springs for ventilators and syringe drivers, we’ve been busy contributing to this sector and are thrilled to be able to help professionals across the UK. You can read more about our work in our article “Our Small Medical Components Are Playing a Large Role in Today’s Healthcare Climate”.

Make UK Say Apprenticeships Need to Continue

The manufacturers’ organisation has said that care needs to be taken not to keep the ‘next generation on lockdown’. Make UK believe that engineering and manufacturing employers shouldn’t postpone their apprentice recruitment plans, since more than 2,000 young people are looking for placements.

With many companies considering delaying or cancelling such programs due to the current situation, Make UK knows that manufacturers should look at the future of their business, especially considering how apprentices can offer new ideas that are key for growth.

Vauxhall in the Wirral Might Reopen with Social Distancing in Place

With some countries already easing their lockdown measures, it stands to reason that the UK will follow, sooner or later. So, many companies are already preparing for the inevitable and thinking about how they can ensure production while still obeying safety rules that will, no doubt, remain in place for a while.

The Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, Wirral, is leading the way with its social distancing plans. The company wants to ensure that their employees have a safe return to work, so it has added signs of physical distancing throughout the plant, from the factory floor to rest areas and bathrooms.

Other measures include separate entrances for different groups of employees and the compulsory use of face masks and eye protection.

Re-Energising the UK Aircraft Industry

Founded to re-energise the UK aircraft sector, AERALIS will build innovative aircraft using a modular design in order to motivate a generation of young people to train in aerospace engineering, manufacturing and STEM subjects.

The company plans to provide a modular fighter trainer aircraft range to many air forces around the world, including the Royal Air Force. It’s important that the aircraft have the ability to be repaired several times in a fairly easy way, since they will be used for training. The outer wings, the empennage and the nacelle are likely to be made from composite.

AI is Helping Coral Reef Conservation

Technology is a key part of manufacturing, especially due to the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0. Artificial Intelligence is just one of the important technologies that are transforming the sector and the world. From helping to improve manufacturing processes to helping people with disabilities, AI can be used in a range of different ways.

Coral reef conservation is a great example of that. The technology is being used in the Philippines to monitor, characterise and analyse the resilience of coral reefs in an effort to preserve them. Corals create a habitat for many marine species, and are incredibly important for the planet’s ecosystem, so it’s vital that they’re protected.

They are currently being harmed by the effects of overfishing, bottom trawling, rising temperatures and coastal development, so projects like these may be the answer to help coral reefs.

Airbus Will Swap Seats for Cargo to Help Businesses and Trade

Airbus is already looking to swap seats for cargo in order to help airlines and global trade, which are suffering from the effects of lockdown measures everywhere. The aerospace company is developing a modification for their A330 and A350 family of aircraft to allow airlines to install freight pallets onto the cabin floor.

This is aimed at helping airlines to remain afloat and to help curtail the global shortage of cargo capacity. With the modifications, it will also be easier for medical equipment and supplies to be transported. The alterations include increased fire protection and 9G load-resistant capability, so that nothing moves while the planes are in the air.

European Springs are leading custom spring manufacturers, and we believe it’s important to stay on top of the latest industry news. You can also keep up to date with these and other items of news by checking our blog page, where we publish articles related to manufacturing and engineering on a regular basis.

Get in touch today if you’d like to learn more about our products and how we can help you remain competitive in the current global situation.

It’s fair to say that the economy is currently suffering from the preventative measures that are in place to protect people from the Covid-19 outbreak. With all non-essential businesses being asked to close, those in the retail and hospitality industry are just some of the industries being hit hard by the closures.

But when it comes to the UK manufacturing sector, the government has said that workers should go to work as normal where they cannot work from home and are healthy enough to do so. Businesses have been encouraged to observe public health guidelines in relation to maintaining a distance of at least two metres from others and continue to practice regular handwashing. In a time of crisis throughout the world, it’s been refreshing to see that there have been some fantastic bright moments within a time of darkness for so many, with many in the manufacturing industry rising to the challenge of helping to combat the virus. We have looked at just some of the ways in which industry is playing an important role.

Institute for Manufacturing in Cambridge

It has been reported that the Institute for Manufacturing in Cambridge are working with medical teams in the battle against the virus and managing the ongoing crisis. Those working in the engineering department are now concentrating their efforts on looking at the flow of patients through wards and the logistics of managing vital medical supply chains – highlighting through simulations, how a rise in patients in hospital will affect the day to day activities. Students are also focusing on the hospital’s oxygen supply, and how it might be replenished and filtered.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust Collaboration

A collaboration between Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and Leeds University has seen modifications being made to a sleep apnoea machine being phased out of service, transforming it into a ventilator that can be used to treat those with Covid-19. The machine works in a constant positive airway pressure mode, ensuring that the pressure inside the mask is marginally raised, making it easier for them to breathe – providing enriched oxygen of between 40 to 60 per cent. With pressure building on the NHS to provide more ventilators during the coronavirus outbreak, it’s fantastic to see scientists and clinicians working alongside academics and technicians to provide valuable solutions.

Robotics Leading the Way

Developed in just over a week by the UK Dementia Research Institute, robotic technology previously used when testing for infections in vulnerable people has been repurposed to help with Covid-19 testing. With the government looking to increase tests to 100,000 before the end of the month, this is a innovative way to help towards hitting this target. Each robotic module is able to produce just short of 1,000 coronavirus samples in a 12-hour period. The platform is currently being accredited, and last week was already being utilised within two hospitals in London, which have one robotic module each.

The hi-technology material handing process by robotics system tube bending process. The hi-technology automotive parts manufacturing process control by computer system.

European Springs Helping to Battle Covid-19

Here at European Springs & Pressings, we are playing our part in the fight against Covid-19. Alongside many others within the manufacturing industry, we have been on call to provide vital equipment to the healthcare sector – meeting additional demand from our customers, some of whom are working around the clock.

As a team, we are already used to dealing with huge orders for our diverse range of clients – so we were more than happy to step up production on the orders needed for the medical sector. And quickly! Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, European Springs & Pressings were supplying around 6,000 parts a year to a manufacturer responsible for creating ventilators for critically ill patients.

In recent weeks, we have seen this rise to 29,000 parts. Another ventilator manufacturer we work with also increased its order from 9,000 for the whole of 2019, to 24,000 parts to be delivered in just April and May this year. On top of this, we have also been supplying vital parts to a customer in the healthcare sector, which makes filters for breathing apparatus.

Recently, their order has upped from 600,000 parts a year to one million. Other work prompted by the coronavirus outbreak has included a request from manufacturers in the USA and Poland for 12,500 springs to be used in protective visors and 60,000 parts for a UK firm which make safety valves for use during patient incubations. We understand the critical – and important – nature of the work that our clients are carrying out, which is why we have been helping customers by turning out samples for new products within days. Whilst many projects within the industry may currently be on hold, we’re proud to be playing a part in doing everything we can to get through the current pandemic.

In such uncertain times, it’s amazing to see the industry step up and play a part in the crisis, after all, we are all in it together. If you’re struggling to source metal components for your important healthcare projects, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Author: European Springs Web Team