Growth in the automotive and industrial sectors of the European Springs & Pressings Cornwall factory in Redruth has led the board to conclude that the time is now right to acquire an additional sister site in Cornwall.
The new site will specialise in the industrial element of the business, allowing continual growth across both industrial and automotive spring sectors with new operational space affording new opportunities for expansion across both sites.
Michael Gibbs, Managing Director of the Cornwall factories says: “In the last year turnover has increased by 40% and we’ve grown from a team of 43 to over 60. Having recently relocated to a larger site in Redruth from Indian Queens in 2013 and extended the factory, we are rapidly outgrowing our current premises and the timing is now right to expand again.
Supported by Lesjofors, our parent company, the investment, in excess of £2m, in purchasing the new building and in facilities, technology and operations is a strong indicator of the strength of manufacturing in Cornwall and we’re delighted to be further investing in and supporting the South West’s £12.5bn manufacturing industry.”
Over 20 staff will be based at the new site and it is planned to be fully operational from Spring 2018.
Christmas is just around the corner and the time to think about gifts is upon us. Here at European Springs, we are passionate about the holidays and about everything spring-related, so we’ve put together a 12 Days of Christmas list: Spring edition!
With so many objects containing springs, it’s not surprising that many Christmas gifts will also contain one of these little mechanisms so, in this upcoming holiday season, which items made up of springs can you gift people in your life?
Day 1 – Pen
A lot of pens contain springs inside; more specifically, compression springs. Think of pens that have buttons you can click to retract the ball – they need springs to function correctly, otherwise, they wouldn’t work. A pen can be a great gift any time of the year, including Christmas, so why not kick off your 12 Days of Christmas with this simple, yet highly practical item?
Day 2 – Umbrella
With the UK weather the way it is, especially in December, what better present to gift someone in your life than an umbrella? These useful items absolutely need tension springs to open and protect people from the rain. These springs are usually located towards the bottom of the umbrella shaft and at the top, and allow it to slide upward and lock into position.
Day 3 – Kitchen Scale
If you know someone who really needs a scale for their kitchen, gifting it to them during December and in the run-up to Christmas is a great idea – and just in time for baking delicious holiday treats! These types of scales may contain springs (such as compression or extension) to function properly and measure ingredients, and usually work by reporting the distance that a spring bounces under a weight.
Day 4 – Office Supplies
Many people will appreciate receiving not just stationary but also office essentials, such as calculators and paper clips (which are wire forms). Just like pens, they are needed pretty much everywhere, be it in the home or at the office – and most businesses will have them too, from retail stores to advertising companies. Springs are present in many of these office supplies, such as in staplers, which need them to apply staples to paper.
Day 5 – Watch or Clock
Another fantastic gift this December is a watch or a clock. No matter which one, the truth is that, without springs, they wouldn’t be able to tell the time. Be it in the clasp or in the mechanism, springs (specifically, clock springs) are absolutely essential to power up the wheel and make the watch tick.
Day 6 – Toys
A lot of children’s toys contain springs. From jack-in-the-boxes and wind-up toys to remote-controlled cars and the famous slinky, springs are required in order to make all of them bounce around or walk. Without springs, many popular toys could not have been invented!
Day 7 – Toaster
Another great item for the kitchen! This holiday season, why not consider replacing an old toaster and enjoy deliciously crispy bread? Toasters require springs to bounce the bread up when it’d done – otherwise, you’d have to remove it yourself, as the tray wouldn’t come up the way it does. A fantastic gift that a lot of people will love!
Day 8 – Computer Mouse
Almost everyone needs a computer mouse. Be it for work or leisure, you can’t operate a desktop computer without a mouse and many people prefer to use this little piece of hardware instead of a laptop pad. Inside a mouse, springs are required to allow the buttons to work, meaning that, without them, you wouldn’t be able to click on folders and websites!
Day 9 – Bicycle
A bicycle makes a fantastic gift for a child, teenager or an adult, as it’s always a guaranteed success. It’s also a gift that can’t exist without springs. From the suspension to the saddle (and from hybrid to mountain bicycles), springs are a key element of the many parts that make up a bike.
Day 10 – Mattress
If you’ve been putting off buying a new mattress, what better time than gifting yourself one this Christmas? Compression springs are a crucial element in some mattresses and allow for the gentle bounce you feel when you lie down. These springs will return to their initial position when you get up, meaning the mattress will retain its original shape and form.
Day 11 – Trampoline
A trampoline could not function without springs either. This amazing object will make someone very happy this holiday season, be it a child or an adult, with extension springs allowing them to jump up on its mat. These springs are compressed and extend when people jump on the trampoline, causing it to bounce them upward!
Day 12 – Car
What better way to end your 12 Days of Christmas than with a car? Vehicles are brimming with springs, from their suspension to their wheels. There are many types of springs contained in cars as well, such as coil, torsion and leaf springs.
Whether you choose one of these 12 Days of Christmas’ gifts or not, there are so many objects out there that require springs to work that you are sure to get one of them anyway! From everyday items to more unusual ones, springs are an integral component.
2018 is rearing its head, and the engineering industry is already looking to the expected trends the New Year will bring. Tension springs look set to play a key role in some of the big engineering movements of 2018, as the age-old mechanical component continues its efficacy in line with hi-tech innovations.
Tension springs are metal coils wound tightly to operate with varying levels of tension. They are designed to stretch to a predetermined length when a load or force is applied to them. This is usually used to ensure the components that stretch the springs will always return to their original position.
Automation and Robotics
With the fourth industrial revolution taking place as we speak, new advances in technology are driving unprecedented demand for engineers, technicians and technologists in numerous industries. One industry that is expected to continue trending in 2018, and which demands the input of tension spring designers and manufacturers, is the automation and robotics industry.
There is widespread adoption of plant automation systems and robotics that is set to continue impacting productivity in the foreseeable future. Springs are a fundamental component of robotic movement, contributing essential tension and compression for smooth, human-like mobility.
Every single component of a robotic device is vital for it to function in the way it is supposed to, so the quality of tension springs must be fit for purpose. Manufacturers of quality tension springs are sure to see demand from the robotics industry in 2018.
Digital Manufacturing Outlets
Another prominent expectation for engineering in 2018 is the growth of digital manufacturing outlets like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The demand for solutions and services in the online space looks set to continue growing, and suppliers of components and tech are an important part of the chain.
With increasing use of this type of manufacturing for automobile parts, tools and medical devices, the demand for quality tension springs from the supply chain will keep spring engineers and manufacturers busy in the foreseeable future.
Collaboration with Manufacturers and Suppliers
Open innovation is expected to proliferate further in 2018, as modern research practices continue to promote collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers, underwriters, engineering services firms, consultants and freelance engineers. These collaborative projects promote innovation and ingenuity, and the role of tension springs is sure to escalate as many of the more cutting-edge technologies rely on them for essential mechanical functions.
The engineering industry is going through one of its most exciting transitional phases of all time. Trailblazers in invention, electronics, computing, robotics, and general technological research are driving this industrial revolution, and the demand for skilled engineers is soaring year upon year. 2018 looks set to see engineering lead the way in the continuing march into the future of the digital age, so anyone involved in the industry has plenty to be excited about.
A New Place for Tension Springs?
With all the technological advances in the modern age, there is still no better mechanical component for certain jobs than the humble and reliable spring. Tension springs are finding new places with each move forward in engineering, and they are sure to play a huge role in the engineering trends of the new year.
European Springs are leading experts in spring manufacturing and high-speed press technology. We have over 50 years of experience, proving that we have the knowledge and expertise to provide the highest quality tension springs to all our customers.
UK industries have had a year of ups and downs as the political climate has taken its toll on the confidence of the markets. While it has been an interesting year for the manufacturing industry, there have been plenty of positive points over the past few months. So, what was happening in UK manufacturing this year and how will this impact 2018?
Ups and Downs
After Article 50 was triggered back in March, things looked a little uncertain within the industry. However, we have experienced a number of boosts over the year that have helped to keep the industry optimistic for the future.
While some months saw less positivity and confidence in the industry, it looks like we shall be ending the year in a strong position.
Technological Advancements
It is no surprise that the technology within the industry should continue to improve and develop. However, 2017 has seen the evolution of these technologies to such a point that experts are warning that we must be prepared for the fourth industrial revolution.
According to an independent review, advanced digital technology could give manufacturing a huge boost, creating and changing thousands of jobs. The head of Siemens UK stated,
“The best thing we can do is to make ourselves ready for it in a very proactive way and that means training our people… we need to up skill one million existing workers in the industrial and manufacturing sector.”
Skilled Workers Needed
In the months following the triggering of Article 50, there was an element of uncertainty for many workers from overseas. As a result, there has also been a level of uncertainty in employment, as employers look for skilled workers to fill gaps that are already present in some cases.
In fact, a recent report stated that around 265,000 more skilled engineers are needed in the UK every year in order to meet demand. According to this report, 51% of 11-16-year-olds would consider a career in engineering, showing an optimistic future for the industry. This figure is up from last year which saw only 40% of the age group stating that they would consider a career in engineering.
Looking to the Future
While it is very hard to predict the next year within the industry, it is encouraging to see that over the past year, the UK manufacturing industry has regularly surprised us with its resilience. Despite political uncertainty, the industry has managed to achieve high levels of success, so it is likely that we will continue to be surprised by the manufacturing industry in 2018.
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2018 is just around the corner, so what better time to look at the future of the manufacturing industry as a whole? As spring manufacturers, we believe that innovation and flexibility are incredibly important to the future of the industry, which is why we always strive to continuously improve ourselves.
However, even though these elements are crucial, they are not the only ones that could have an impact on the industry as a whole. From technology advancements to political and economic climates, there are many things that could affect the future of manufacturing, including the following:
Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things
Technology is advancing at an incredibly rapid pace, and the factory of the future is not that far away. The Industry 4.0 and, especially, the Internet of Things (IoT), are contributing to an increasingly intelligent, automated and sophisticated manufacturing industry. Just in 2016, there was an 85% rise in automation on the part of UK manufacturers, who implemented automated processes on plant floors that allowed for increased productivity.
As for connectivity, the IoT is already transforming the industry by ensuring that thousands and millions of devices are connected and sharing information in real time. This allows devices to keep track of everything, from the supply chain to the factory floor and beyond.
Earlier this year, it was forecasted that there would be 8.4 billion connected ‘things’ in use in 2017, which indicates an increase of 31% from 2016. With figures growing this fast, it is fair to say that, by 2020, many more millions and billions of devices will be connected around the world.
Brexit
In this period of political and economic uncertainty due to Brexit, it is not surprising that the future of manufacturing is not 100% certain either. The UK is currently the 9th largest industrial nation in the world, and many of its trade and relationships are tied to the EU. Manufacturing accounts for 45% of all UK exports, for instance, a big figure that clearly showcases the importance of trading with the European Union.
However, whether the deal the government secures with the EU indicates an end (or significant changes) to these relationships or not, manufacturers can still invest in local businesses and seek trade deals with other non-EU countries. The ability to adapt to the changing times is crucial, so we believe that being flexible can help the industry to thrive in spite of the changes that might be coming its way in the near future.
Skills Gap
While the manufacturing industry does appear to have a bright future with all the advancements that are being made on a regular basis (despite Brexit’s uncertainty), there still appears to be a skills gap in general and in some sectors, such as engineering. Engineering UK believes that we will need an additional 1.8 million engineers and technically qualified workers by 2025, as there seems to be a 20,000-a-year shortfall.
This skills gap can be addressed through apprenticeships, for example, so that there is a focus on technical education and on the creation of a highly-skilled workforce for the future.
The manufacturing industry doesn’t appear to be declining in any way, despite the fact that there is a skills gap in some sectors and that the current political climate does not lend itself to complete certainty. This is why we focus on innovation and adaptability. No matter what happens in the future, businesses need to be ready to adapt.
The manufacturing industry continues to grow, and, at European Springs, we are proud to say that we can help with our springs and wireforms! Get in touch with our team today to learn more about how we can help your manufacturing project and we’ll be more than happy to help.
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High-quality transmissions are vital for vehicles to run properly, and high-quality coil springs are needed for transmissions. Also known as helical springs, coil springs store energy and release it, absorb shock, or maintain forces between contacting surfaces. These springs are vital for the automotive industry, as they are fundamental in objects such as transmissions. Transmissions are one of the most important elements of a vehicle, as they aid in driving power from the engine to the wheels.
As the bases of suspension systems, coil springs are preferred in terms of space, weight, durability, and easiness of manufacture. As lightweight components, they offer a lot of power regarding the use of less metal to hold larger weights. Additionally, coil springs are typically made from steel, ensuring that they are self-preserving and durable.
Importance of Spring Durability
A spring’s ability to not lose force or shorten under a given force is what relates to its durability. To ensure a spring is durable, the material’s stress cannot be greater than the strength permitted by the material. When metal has a load applied to it, it has to deflect elastically first and then plastically if the load is high enough.
After the metal returns to its previous shape after unloading, elastic deflection occurs. Plastic deflection involves a permanent deformation in which the metal is unable to return to its previous shape. In durable springs, the elastic part of the deformation is utilised to receive the deflection. The stress and temperature also play a key part on the durability of a spring, alongside relaxation/creep and fatigue.
Increased Performance
Performance is determined by a vehicle’s transmission, and coil springs allow for the highest possible force requirements and reliability. A varied number of parameters determine coil springs’ dynamic performance, such as the spring body diameter, the wire diameter, and the number of coils. A change in a parameter can make a big difference in the springs’ dynamic performance and, subsequently, in a vehicle’s handling characteristics and ride.
Coil springs offer increased performance for vehicle manufacturing through precise manufacturing. They can be made up of silicon, carbon, chromium, and manganese, amongst others, with its exact composition depending on the amount of pressure the springs need to withstand. These springs are required to withstand massive amounts of weight with shock absorbers, which allow for trucks to transport heavy loads. Coil springs permit weights exceeding the original capacity by absorbing the weight and springing back any resistance.
We understand the need for durability and strength in coil springs, as the automobile industry requires solutions which permit heavy loads to be safely carried. Here at European Springs, we provide high-quality coil springs for a wide range of industries.
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