Somers Forge Invest £1million in New CNC Vertical Borer

Thursday, 3rd February 2022

Since July 2021, Somers Forge have been adding to their impressive machine shop by investing over £ 1 million on new CNC Vertical Borer. This investment has been made from their continued success in the marine sector, the investment will further increase their machining capabilities and capacity.

By adding this machine to their unrivalled range of lathes, it will allow Somers Forge to continue to exceed in producing quality finished machined components. After a three-month building process, the new CNC vertical borer is up and running and with the capability to machine diameters up to 25100mm! As well as bringing Somers a new grinding capability.

Somers Forge is a leading open die forge, suppling items from black forgings to critical finished components across sectors including nuclear.

The Workings of a Verticle Borer

A CNC Vertical Borer is a highly advanced machine tool used primarily for precision machining of large, heavy components. Unlike traditional lathes, which rotate the workpiece horizontally, a vertical borer positions the workpiece vertically, allowing for enhanced stability and access when machining large and heavy parts. This configuration is especially advantageous for items like engine casings, turbine components, large gears, and other substantial items that demand high precision and stability.

The CNC (Computer Numerical Control) capability adds a layer of automation, ensuring that the borer operates with exceptional accuracy and consistency. Programs guide the cutting, boring, and shaping processes, allowing the machine to perform complex operations in a fraction of the time manual work would require. CNC Vertical Borers are commonly used in industries like aerospace, marine, oil and gas, and heavy engineering, where precision-machined parts are essential for performance and safety.

At Somers Forge, the newly introduced CNC Vertical Borer can accommodate large-scale workpieces, providing enhanced capacity for tackling complex projects with efficiency. This machine enables Somers Forge to produce components that meet exacting specifications, helping clients achieve durability and optimal performance in their applications.

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd named double finalist at Somerset Business Awards 2022

Wednesday, 2nd February 2022

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd has been announced as a finalist in two categories at the Somerset Business Awards 2022 – ‘Best Use of Technology’ and ‘Somerset Manufacturer and Producer’ Award.

The awards, run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, received a record-breaking number of entries and only the most outstanding businesses that Somerset has to offer have been named finalists.

Rotec’s business ethos is to embrace new and emerging technologies, in order to provide their clients with robust and innovative solutions such as Hydraulic Power Packs. Their investment in Parker Internet of Things (IoT) technology has earned them a place at the grand final in the ‘Best Use of Technology’ award category.

IoT enables engineers to remotely control and monitor various performance and safety parameters using strategically placed, wireless sensors to provide data and control systems over the internet.

IoT technology can lead to a reduction in downtime, better response rates and speed of intervention for predictive maintenance. For more, visit the Rotec website.

Named finalist for the ‘Somerset Manufacturer and Producer of the year’ category at this years’ awards is testament to Rotec’s innovative development of several bespoke winch systems for both leading regional and national names within the Utilities sector. Rotec is proud to have a team with diverse skill sets and capabilities including specialist design engineers, allowing them to be able to deliver on such challenging projects.

Somerset Chamber Executive Director, Emma Rawlings, said,
“These awards are the largest in Somerset and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about [Somerset’s] diverse business community and I’m looking forward to the grand final next month.”

Paul Prouse, Managing Director of Rotec Hydraulics, commented,

“We’re delighted to be announcing Rotec has been named a double finalist at the 2022 Somerset Business Awards. We have been named among the most innovative and forward-thinking businesses operating in the county.

“Being named finalist in two categories is a testament to our fantastic, and diverse team of employees who have continued to provide solutions and outstanding products and services to our customers throughout a challenging period for all businesses.

“We are extremely proud to have been named finalists for two Somerset Business awards. Investing in and utilising cutting-edge technologies and providing innovative solutions for our clients has always been at the heart of our business.”

This year is the 17th anniversary of the awards with the grand final taking place at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on 11th March, hosted by BBC presenter and journalist, Claire Carter.

Investment in Nottingham Increases Capacity and Improves Customer Service!

Wednesday, 2nd February 2022

Hydroscand Ltd recently installed a new production line at our Nottingham branch which is now fully operational.

Jason Byrne, Branch Manager and Deb Wardle, Assistant Branch Manager at our Nottingham branch, explain why we needed a new production line.

“As our business has grown considerably over the past 12 months. It became apparent that to continue to provide our excellent levels of customer service and efficiency, we would need to invest in restructuring our team and equipment.

“We decided that the most suitable long-term solution would be to create a space, within the right-hand side of the warehouse. This would allow us to install an additional production area, that could be used solely to produce hose kits and hose assemblies for our Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers.”

Once the area had been identified, the products and racking were cleared to give a blank canvas to work with. The necessary machines and equipment were then ordered.

“Over the course of the next 2-3 weeks, we had many exciting deliveries that arrived. These included: two new cutters, plenty of hose rail and stands to create the two production lines, a H120 swaging machine and a brand new H60 swaging machine, with a 350-ton crimping force for hoses up to 4” diameter. We also installed a new turntable and crane lift.

“There was a lot of electrical work that needed to be installed, to enable both 240v and three phase machines to work, as well as a new extractor system. All machines and electrics were in place after about six weeks.”

The decision was made to paint the floor to finish off the new install. The team applied three coats of Epoxy Floor Paint over a weekend.

“Once this was cured, we were able to create areas for components, kitting and completed orders prior to shipment. After 8 weeks we were finally set to make use of this fantastic new investment.

“The introduction of the lines has meant that we can use the equipment in the branch area purely for our walk-in customers at the trade counter, meaning that we can provide a fast, efficient and uninterrupted service.

“The production side of the business has continued to grow, and the new dedicated lines have been in constant use every working day since being installed.”

Jason added: “It has made the process of making hoses and hose kits faster and more efficient.”

Rebecca Galley, Managing Director added, “It has been great to work with the team on this project. They have identified the need for dedicated production space and designed the solution themselves. The new facility gives more than double the capacity we had previously as well as meaning we can work safely and efficiently to serve our customers. Well done to everyone involved!”

180 Tonne Super Grid Transformers Delivered to Neart na Gaoithe Wind Farm

Wednesday, 2nd February 2022

Following on from the delivery of two 160 Tonne shunt reactors for Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm, Collett complete stage two of the project, delivering two 180 Tonne super grid transformers to the onshore substation.

As with the first stage of the project, Collett was appointed to provide a door-to-door service for both super grid transformers. Once again working with their trusted partners, Collett transported the loads from the client’s factory to port ahead of their journey to the UK.

Shipping into the Port of Sunderland, the two transformers were discharged from the vessel using a 550t strut crane and landed onto their 14-row flat top trailer with all works under Collett scope of responsibility.

Collett’s Projects Department chartered a Terra Marique ro/ro barge for the second stage of the transport project. Utilising the vessel’s hydraulic roadway, each of the loaded trailers were safely driven onto the vessel by the Collett Team and secured for the onward 20-hour voyage to the jetty at EDF UK’s Torness Power Station in East Lothain. On arrival, Collett were once again on hand to undertake the transport operations.

Having rolled the two transformers from the vessel on day 1 of this stage of the operation, both units were transported out of the power station on consecutive days for the five-mile trip to the onshore substation site. Travelling under Collett private escort and with road closures in place on the A1 between 6am – 6:30am, Collett travelled the short distance North to the Innerwick junction. Here, with the permission of East Lothian Council and under a traffic management plan, both transformers were transported with rolling road closures on the minor roads to facilitate safe passage to site.

The trailers departed Torness and transited the A1 under the pull of a single 8×4 tractor unit. On reaching the Innerwick junction, Collett added a second tractor unit at the rear providing additional traction, travelling in a push/pull formation. This formation was then strengthened on final approach with a third tractor unit, effectively double-heading the combination along the two and a half mile internal challenging track to the construction site.

Delivering over two consecutive days, and with adverse weather conditions having an impact on the accessibility of the site roads, for the second of the transformers, the Collett Team employed a fourth tractor unit to complete delivery. With one unit pushing the loaded 14 row flat bed and three to pull, provided the required traction to deliver the final 180 Tonne super grid transformer to the desired location.

Having delivered the super grid transformers to the substation site, both were offloaded and installed onto their respective bunds by Collett Heavy Lift, utilising specialist hydraulic jacking and skidding equipment and completing stage two of the project.

The Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm, jointly owned by EDF Renewables and ESB, will feature up to 64 turbines and with a planned capacity of 450MW, will be capable of powering up to 391,000 homes.

Month: February 2022

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