For a UK-based manufacturer of plastic pipe systems, flexibility was essential when handling large-section pipework and the customised angle and bend connections required by end customers. To support final assembly operations, Hoist & Winch has supplied and commissioned a turnkey package of eight aluminium mobile gantry cranes offering 2-ton safe working load (Swl), each equipped with a 110V single-phase electric chain hoist. The equipment was installed in a dedicated section of the manufacturer’s final assembly area, where pipe sections – used to protect electrical cables – are fitted with angle and bend connections. The company supplies customers across a wide range of industries, including the growing datacentre sector. Flexibility was therefore a key consideration in the specification. Manufactured by Reid Lifting, the aluminium mobile gantries supplied by Hoist & Winch feature adjustable height and span width, allowing the configuration of each crane to suit the available workspace and the dimensions of the pipes that require handling. With a maximum working hook height of 6 metres and bridge span of 4 metres, the cranes provide sufficient capacity and reach for the largest pipe sections currently processed by the company. They also offer an element of future-proofing should the manufacturer introduce larger sections. Visit https://pwemag.co.uk/ for the full release t| 08450 171126 e |sales@hoistandwinch.co.uk w| www.hoistandwinch.co.uk 22 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk October/November 2026 Industry Update Pipe Dreams Become a Lifting Reality For many manufacturers, production data exists - but getting it into the hands of the people who can act on it is often the real challenge. At William Hughes that has changed with the introduction of a new real-time production dashboard that gives shop floor teams instant visibility of manufacturing priorities, enabling them to make informed decisions without waiting for updates from the office. Displayed on two large rotating screens, the dashboard draws live information directly from the company’s ERP system and updates every hour, providing operators with a constantly refreshed view of what needs attention. The display uses a simple colour-coded system. To make the information even more actionable, jobs are grouped into small, medium and large spring categories, allowing teams to quickly identify and focus on the work most relevant to their area. Previously, this critical production information was held within the office and communicated to the shop floor through periodic updates. By making the data visible to everyone in real time, employees can now see exactly what needs to be produced and adjust their work accordingly. “The impact has been immediate”, said Engineering Director Emma Burgon, “Our teams are responding to production priorities independently, without the need for constant communication or manual direction. Everyone can see what needs to happen next, and they are taking action”. t| (01963) 363377 e| sales@wmhughes.co.uk w| www.wmhughes.co.uk When an OEM or retrofit application requires precise linear measurements, even in harsh, outdoor environments the GCA series of cable transducers, available from sensor specialist Baumer are designed for safe, low-maintenance operation. The key features and benefits of these cable transducers include easy installation, ultra-compact and robust design, combined with long-life components. Together, these key features help to ensure precise measurements, even in the most demanding applications. A key reason for their high precision measurement and long-standing durability, is their precisely guided mechanical winding of the steel cable. Where angled of flexible cable travel is required, optional pulleys are available. Additionally, the cable is sheathed with polyamide, providing protection against corrosion along with superior bending proof performance. Application versatility is assured because they are designed to incorporate a wide range of standard interfaces, enabling quick and simple integration in any control environment, without the need for any additional adjustment aids. In addition, the encoder and cable mechanics are designed to ensure perfect interaction, while high linearity of up to ± 0.01% of the measuring range is available with the flexible GCI/GCA series.When the requirement for cable transducers is for outdoor applications, the compact GCA5 series provides robust and space-efficient solutions. With compact plastic housings and protection ratings up to IP67, these options are particularly suited to applications where space is limited. t| +44 (0) 1793 783839 e| sales.uk@baumer.com w| https://www.baumer.com/gb/en – More at: https://www.baumer.com/ gb/en/product-overview/distance-measurement/cable-transducers/c/295 Robust Cable Transducer Proximity sensors are playing an increasingly significant role in today’s machine monitoring applications, especially in harsh environments where systems demand, effective and reliable measuring of shaft vibration, position, and speed on rotating plant. To meet these demands condition monitoring specialist SENSONICS offers an established range of proximity probes including a configurable universal driver option the Senturion X eddy current proximity probe system (XPR04 Series). The XED04 driver is suitable for all standard probe cable length combinations. This innovative sensor incorporates a calibrated probe, extension cable and driver and performs non-contact distance measurement targeting a rotating machine shaft utilising the eddy current principle. This combination forms a tuned circuit while the target material and variations in probe face to target distance are detected in this circuit by the driver. This type of measurement system provides a linearised voltage output proportional to target gap with a API670 standard nominal sensitivity of 7.87mV/um for 2.5mm measurement range (or extended range version 3.94mV/μm for 4mm measurement range). The driver unit offers DIP switch selectable system lengths of 5m, 7m or 9m, with a front panel green LED indicating the selected option. This provides flexibility on-site when installing the system. t| +44 (0) 1442 876833 e| sales@sensonics.co.uk w| www.sensonics.co.uk More at: https://www.sensonics.co.uk/proximity-probes Proximity Probe Sensor Real-Time Data Production Dashboard
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