February 2022

“Finally the law is changing this year to require new builds and major renovations to include vehicle charging points to be installed.” Said Brendan Beaver, manager of METREL UK, a supplier of electrical test solutions. “So how are you going to test these installations once you have completed them. We know that there has to be some dc protection, at 6 mA but and some ac protection at 30 mA, but how can we test them both with problems?” Brendan asked. “There are a number of systems, consisting of an adapter and multi-function tester, on the market that will test chargers. However there is only one I know of that costs less than a thousand pounds, Metrel’s MI3125 multi-function tester and A 1532 EVSE adapter are tough and will help customers enter the EVSE testing market.” t | 01924 245000 e | brendan.beaver@metrel.co.uk HOIST AND WINCH says it has come a long way in a short space of time. From humble beginnings in 2007, the company today offers a full spectrum of lifting equipment services to the UK and global marketplace. The Hoist and Winch portfolio now comprises product sales, installation, service, inspection, repair and hire, with a special emphasis on project work. With increasing demand, the reputation and corporate profile of this ISO9001-accredited business is rising fast. The company says it excels in managing the supply and installation of standard and explosion-proof air- powered/electric hoists, while another strong business area is hoist hire, an offer that includes higher capacity air/electric hoists. As one of many market differentiators with its competitors, the company also offers installation services for rental hoists. Although Hoist and Winch serves a number of sectors, the company is particularly at home supplying demanding industries such as heavy construction, cement production, petrochemical, offshore, marine, mining and tunnelling, many of which require explosion-proof equipment. The Hoist and Winch distribution, hire and workshop facility is centrally located in the Midlands, at Alcester. However, the company also offers the facility to purchase many items of lifting and winching equipment online, whether for standard or ATEX environments. In addition, material handling equipment and height safety products are also available via the website. A notable part of the business is exporting: the company exports all order values, from spare parts and small items, up to complete packages of lifting equipment comprising a mixture of powered/manual hoists, overhead cranes and ancillaries. Hoist and Winch has built up a strong working relationship with a number of key freight forwarders, exporting equipment to Africa, Asia, Australia, Central Europe, the Middle East and South America. t | 08450 171126 e | sales@hoistandwinch.co.uk w | www.hoistandwinch.co.uk Siemens, working in conjunction with BRAMMER BUCK & HICKMAN, a leading UK supplier of industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and services, has donated protective facemasks to two overseas charities. The facemasks were ordered by Siemens through Brammer Buck & Hickman – Siemens’ preferred supplier – at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, as one of a number of measures to keep their staff safe. The masks were welcomed and used by Siemens’ factory staff and those deemed critical workers – including hospital maintenance and those working within power stations. However, with government rules and advice in 2020 regularly changing to reflect the shifting nature of the pandemic, the demand for disposal facemasks was considerably reduced. Rather than retain these facemasks, Siemens has donated them to two charities for use overseas: Collective Aid and Medaid UK. w | https://uk.rubix.com Facemasks donated to charities To meet the demand for faster, more efficient production, ABB has announced it is adding two new members to its OmniCore controller family. Available for a range of robots across ABB’s portfolio, the new E10 and V250XT controllers offer best- in-class motion control, as well as 20% energy savings and future-proofing through built-in digital connectivity and 1000+ additional functions to meet changing requirements. The company says these two new controllers extend the possibilities for enhanced robot control in a variety of industries, from electronics assembly to automotive, logistics, and general manufacturing. “The growing demands of the industry for quicker, more diverse production and greater responsiveness to changing market conditions calls for solution that bring new levels of speed, accuracy and flexibility,” says Antti Matinlauri, head of product management for ABB Robotics.” w | https://new.abb.com/products/robotics/controllers/omnicore New robot controllers New Year, new laws Lifting equipment services As part of the Group’s network development strategy, RUBIX says it continues to extend its engineering, motion control and automation services offer in the UK with the acquisition of Leicester-based KJN Automation Limited (KJN). Established in 1997, KJN is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of aluminium profile and associated products and accessories. KJN’s workshop in Leicester is a one-stop shop for customers requiring aluminium profile solutions across the country. The company is renowned for supplying high-quality aluminium profile solutions and components, and for its expertise in precision engineering; value-added services include turning, milling, grinding, spark eroding, sawing, fabrication and welding, as well as bespoke CNC machining and CAD design services. KJN’s dedicated design team can design and build bespoke workstations and panelling. w | www.aluminium-profile.co.uk w | www.rubix.com 38 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk February 2022 Industry Update Acquisition strengthens UK portfolio