News: CMD launches latest beautiful product

Rotherham manufacturer, CMD, has launched Miro, an innovative, dynamic monitor arm made in the UK. It has already received the prestigious Red Dot award for product design.

Eastwood-based CMD is a designer and manufacturer of power distribution and ergonomic solutions in the workplace and makes products such as workstation hardware and power track systems for use in the commercial office, retail and hospitality sectors. The company, thought to be the UK’s largest manufacturer of desk-based electrical products, employs 158 people and has been a market leader of award-winning products and services since 1988.

Miro is a sustainably designed dynamic monitor arm that enables precise and effortless adjustment of flat and curved screens. With increasing screen sizes and desk space at a premium, Miro’s unique True Vertical Movement, small desk footprint, and 180° stop mechanism prevent tangled cables and colliding screens for a healthy and productive workspace.

Crafted from energy-efficient materials, Miro contains up to 30% less embodied carbon than competitor products.

Advertisement
It is the latest innovation from Andrew Wills, the renowned ergonomic designer behind some of the world’s best-selling monitor arms. In developing Miro, he set out to create a more sustainable arm that also offers a new kind of movement.

Andrew Wills, Designer of Miro, said: “Every other monitor arm on the market currently moves in an arc. So when you move a screen up and down, the path of the arc also moves it sideways, making it difficult to position your screen exactly where you want it. I’ve always wanted to create an arm that moves completely vertically to give you that precision adjustment. So with Miro, we said let’s do it, let’s get True Vertical Movement.”

The distinction “Red Dot” has become established internationally as one of the most sought-after seals of quality for good design.

With its manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Rotherham, CMD has its design studio in London. At the upcoming Clerkenwell Design Week, Miro is taking centre stage, as CMD opens its showroom to celebrate the award.

CMD website

Images: CMD

Read more...

News: Eadon design engineers help add twist to Royal Docks

Engineering design consultancy, Eadon Consulting is playing a pivotal role in the development of an impressive new pedestrian and cycle bridge at London’s Royal Victoria Dock.

The company works across a number of sectors, with expertise in mechanical, control, hydraulic and structural design and is based within the AMP Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Working in partnership with Buro Happold and Moxon Architects, design engineers have developed a 305 metre, step-free crossing that will serve as a crucial link, connecting the ExCel Centre and Custom House station on the north side of the dock to the expansive Silvertown development.

The bridge is part of the £5bn regeneration of a 60-acre historic site that is being revived and reimagined as a waterside destination. But the bridge is more than just a convenient way to cross the docks – it's an architectural marvel, in its own right.

The new bridge will have a sleek, elegant design that skims across the water in a 'Double S-curve' shape, providing ample space for both cyclists and pedestrians. The zig-zag design creates a breath-taking crossing experience while allowing for seating areas where people can rest and take in views across the dock.

Advertisement
A spokesperson for Eadon said: "At the heart of the bridge’s design is its distinctive ‘Double S-curve’ configuration, which not only enhances its visual appeal but also maximises the efficiency of the crossing. Additionally, the inclusion of a double bascule mechanism at the midpoint allows the middle section of the bridge to be lifted, enabling the seamless passage of large vessels through the dock without any interruptions.

"Eadon’s role is to support the mechanical and electrical design of this equipment. We have successfully completed RIBA Stage 3, delivering initial concept design drawings, and assisted in the submission of the successful Planning application. Looking ahead, we anticipate progressing to RIBA Stage 4 soon, marking the next phase of this exciting project."

Architects Moxon say the bridge will serve over 3,000 people an hour at peak times – a flow that ‘far exceeds’ the capacity of the existing footbridge.

Lendlease’s project director for Silvertown, Ed Mayes, said: "This new bridge is key to unlocking the potential of the site, transforming the connectivity across the Royal Docks.

"The stunning design of the new bridge will elevate it as a gateway to Silvertown’s exciting new piece of the city, and provide car-free access for all, establishing the Royal Docks as a pleasurable place to live, work and play."

Eadon website

Images: Moxon

Read more...

News: Bailey bridge for Forge Island

The team delivering the flagship Forge Island development in Rotherham got a first look at progress of the manufacturing of a new pedestrian bridge earlier this month.

The bridge will offer a vital connection from the town centre to the new family-friendly leisure destination – as well as link to the town’s incredible engineering heritage.

The 46m metre-long bridge is currently being constructed in North Yorkshire before being installed on site in June and will become a key element of the new landmark place which is being delivered by nationwide placemaker, Muse, in partnership with Rotherham Council.

The previous "Tesco bridge" was removed last year.

The design takes inspiration from the world-famous Bailey Bridge; a portable, steel truss bridge designed and developed by Rotherham-born civil engineer, Donald Bailey, which was used by the military throughout Europe during the Second World War.

The Bailey Bridge was a feat of engineering; lightweight and simple to erect without the use of tools, but also strong enough to withstand huge weights including military vehicles. It has secured a place in history as one of the most important engineering and technological advances of WWII – playing a major role in helping Allied Forces to victory. Bailey Bridges have continued to be used extensively in civil engineering construction projects across the world, often to provide temporary crossings for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Read more about Bailey in this Rothbiz article on the bridge's 75th anninersary in 2017.

The new bridge offers a contemporary take on the original design to create a permanent structure for the town. It was designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects and is being fabricated and manufactured by SH Structures, specialists in the design and manufacture of complex steel structures.

The diamond truss steel design that is synonymous with Bailey Bridges will be clad with red/brown perforated steel panelling that tonally matches the colour of planned Forge Island buildings and celebrates history of the area, which originated as a steel forge in the 19th century. It will also be illuminated at night to make a stunning visual feature of the unique structural elements of the Bailey Bridge.

Advertisement
The bridge will provide pedestrians and cyclists with an eye-catching crossing from the town centre to the new landmark destination which will feature a mix of independent eateries alongside boutique cinema operator, The Arc and national hotel chain, Travelodge, all set within attractive new public realm.

Andrew Fairest, Project Director at Muse, said: “It’s fantastic to see the bridge taking shape and see how a contemporary take on the pioneering Bailey Bridge design will create something quite special at Forge Island.

“For Muse, the history of a place is an instrumental part of its story – and informs how we go about creating its next chapter. The bridge not only provides a physical link to what will be a much-needed family-friendly offer for Rotherham, but a metaphorical one to the incredible industrial heritage of this town. We’re excited to be making Forge Island a major part of Rotherham’s story once again.”

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and Economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “The bridge, which will link the heart of the town centre to the heart of the industrial past, will also pay tribute to the world-changing creativity and craft our residents have been a part of in the past – and the innovation yet to come. Once in place, the bridge will be the key thoroughfare between the incredible leisure and food facilities on Forge Island and the wider town centre. I cannot wait to see this new iconic feature on the Rotherham skyline.”

Work on the £47m Forge Island – which was announced as 100% in October 2022 – started on site in November 2022 overseen by lead contractor Bowmer + Kirkland working alongside the wider project team which also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture. Forge Island is set to open to the public in 2024.

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / RMBC / SH Structures

Read more...

News: AMP firm invests in innovative industrial 3D carbon fibre printing technology

A Rotherham design and additive manufacturing business has invested £100,000 in new technology to keep it at the cutting edge of industrial 3D printing.

Addition Design, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, has welcomed a new Stratasys F370®CR FDM Composite Printer as part of its investment package.

Tom Fripp, director at Addition Design said: “This new innovative 3D printer is a welcome addition to our business. The investment will improve the quality of change parts and format parts that we are able to produce.

“It will open up new opportunities for us to be able to deliver higher performance parts with reduced lead times. Customers will also benefit from the unique combination of Addition Design’s additive design capabilities with very high performing materials.”

Addition Design is one of the first businesses in the country to invest in this new technology.

Tom added: “During 2022 we saw strong demand from pharmaceutical clients and subcontract packers for our fast turnaround change parts.

“The existing 3D print systems at Addition are very good for volume and precision work but the change parts and format parts tend to be large, robust components on low volume. The new printer is better suited to this application. However, it also takes things a step further by allowing us to print carbon fibre reinforced components, hugely increasing the performance of the parts that we can produce at Addition.

“It also extends our offering into new markets including forming tools and high performance automotive.

“Industrial 3D print technology is at the forefront of enabling businesses to minimise downtime and improve profitability, what’s not to love about that!”

Advertisement
The Stratasys F370®CR FDM® Composite Printers supplement traditional fabrication technologies, allowing industrial manufacturers to replace metal components with high-strength 3D printed composite parts. This accelerates throughput while avoiding the opportunity cost of using production resources or the lead time of outsourcing.

This product was launched to market in 2022 to make work-holding fixtures, soft jaws, and component parts with composite 3D printing in a fraction of the time and cost it takes to machine a metal equivalent.

“We are really excited to be taking this step up in industrial 3D printing and branching out into printing in Carbon Fibre. By using this robust technology, we will be able to overcome some of the challenges in the industry at the moment by meeting the demand for fast turnaround change parts, reducing costly downtime for organisations.

“Our business is focused on design and manufacture solutions that unlock the power of industrial 3D printing for medical, industrial, food, pharmaceutical, sports and consumer goods markets, this investment will help us to achieve even more in 2023 and the years ahead,” added Tom.

Chris Andrews, Regional AM specialist, SYS Systems, said: “The last 18-24 months have put immense pressure on the manufacturing sector, and the F370 CR represents a fantastic mew addition to the Stratasys range to help alleviate some of these challenges.

“We see more and more companies everyday substituting machined metal for strong and rigid 3D printed carbon fibres, not only reducing weight and cost but freeing up your team with 24/7 reliable printing, thanks to being built on the existing and widely adopted F123 Series platform.

“Seeing Addition Design be one of the UK’s earliest adopters of this new technology emphasises the commitment to their customers. Giving them access to the brand-new FDM Nylon-CF10 for everything from bespoke jigs and fixtures, to end use production parts.”

Addition Design website

Images: Addition Design

Read more...

News: Dinnington design firm expands 3D print service

A Rotherham product design company has raised £500,000 from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), to help expand its 3D print production service and target new markets.

AME Group is based at Dinnington and designs products for many leading consumer brands including Jaguar, Vax, Hornby Railways and Harris Brushes. Its 3D print service was initially introduced to produce prototypes. However, following an initial £750,000 investment from NPIF last year, the company invested in new equipment and is now offering a low-volume production service with rapid turnaround times.

It currently produces components for clients in the aerospace, defence and the luxury yacht market. The latest funding will enable it to broaden its product range and target new sectors, as well as meet the growing demand for its design services. AME Group was founded in 1998 by Ian Jones, who is Finance Director. It currently employs 28 staff and expects to create around ten new jobs in the next two years.

Advertisement
Rich Proctor, the company’s CEO, said: “3D printing is catching on quickly as it enables companies to shorten lead times by manufacturing small batches in the UK, test new product ideas and respond rapidly to market trends.

“Many businesses are also looking to redesign their existing products to reduce cost or make them more sustainable. And overall, there is a greater appreciation of products and their ability to differentiate a company in the market, rather than relying solely on digital assets.”

Maurice Disasi of Mercia added: “AME Group is recognised as one of the leading product design specialists in the UK and it is now establishing itself as a specialist in 3D print production. This latest funding will enable it to meet growing demand for its services.”

Sean Hutchinson at the British Business Bank said: “We are pleased that the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund is continuing to support high-growth businesses in the North, providing vital funding to aid companies like AME Group to meet market demands, and innovate their services. The development of AME Group’s production and their plans for product expansion is testament to the role NPIF plays in creating a more prosperous regional economy, through the businesses its funds invest into.”

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

AME Group website
NPIF website

Images: Mercia

Read more...

News: PES Performance working on "Tesla of e-bikes"

With extensive expertise in carbon fibre, PES Performance in Rotherham are working on designs for the world's most sophisticated e-bike.

Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Performance Engineered Solutions (PES) Ltd is a high-performance engineering solutions business.

The team is working on a project, known as the Rapture eBike, which is built with a lightweight and durable carbon-fibre monocoque in place of the traditional double-diamond bike frame. It has been engineered by the experienced design team from PES Performance in conjunction with CrownCruiser Motors.

The project has now received a £139,970 grant from Innovate UK, which will help enable CrownCruiser Motors to set up an operations and assembly centre in Sheffield, working in partnership with Sheffield City Region to build, promote and sell the eBike.

Adebola Adeleye, founder of CrownCruiser Motors and brainchild of the Rapture, said: "This moment is many years in the making, driven by a deep passion to develop an eBike that would revolutionise sustainable transport. With the Rapture, we will bring a design and quality of materials that has never been produced at such an attainable and affordable price point.

"To achieve that, we are harnessing some of the UK's best design and engineering expertise to bring the Rapture vision to life. With the help of Innovate UK’s funding, we are on track to make this vision a reality."

Dean Gardner, engineering director at PES Performance, added; "This is an exciting project for us to be involved with. We have used much of our composites experience and skills from high performance motorsport, in the design and creation of the Rapture carbon fibre eBike. We're looking forward to helping CrownCruiser Motors bring a whole new eBike concept to market."

Advertisement
Pitched as a desirable alternative to motorised transport, the Rapture is an eBike that you actually want to be seen on, "its styling fits a modern futuristic city that has said goodbye to dirty congestion."

Dame Sarah Storey, Sheffield City Region active travel commissioner, said: “Electric bikes are proving to be an important factor in enabling more people to cycle in the Sheffield City Region. Throughout this pandemic the demand for eBikes has been significant.

“This Innovate UK funding helps Sheffield to lead the development and assembly of the superbly crafted CrownCruiser eBikes, which will be an important part of delivering additional capacity to consumers and to build the skills base in the region.”

Innovate UK Executive Chair, Dr Ian Campbell, commented: “In these difficult times we have seen the best of British business innovation. The pandemic is not just a health emergency but one that impacts society and the economy.

“CrownCruiser, along with every initiative Innovate UK has supported by this fund is an important step forward in driving sustainable economic development. Each one is also helping to realise the ambitions of hard-working people.”

The start up has a carbon fibre lay up facility under construction in Nigeria - the rest of the market relies heavily on China.

CrownCruiser website
PES website

Images: CrownCruiser

Read more...

News: Eadon develops high volume, regulation compliant PPE face shield

Design experts at Eadon Consulting have developed a high volume, regulatory compliant face visor to aid in the fight of Covid-19.

A rapidly expanding engineering design consultancy, Eadon Consulting, works across a number of sectors, with expertise in mechanical, control, hydraulic and structural design and has moved office four times in six years within the AMP Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham due to the growing nature of the business.

Using its wide variety of design skills, the project took only two weeks to go from concept, testing and hospital trials to injection moulded parts.

Called "Sheffshield," the finished product is BS EN 166 compliant and provides an effective barrier to liquid splashes and droplets. It comprises a single polypropylene headband with the option of either a full face shield or goggles style eye protection; both visor options are are easy to interchange and clean.

Advertisement

A spokesperson for Eadon Consulting said: "Having started 3D printing face shield parts we soon recognised that the this wasn't a long term solution and would not create the volume needed by the NHS and front line workers.

"To enable the volumes required we developed an injection moulded solution that complies with BS EN 166:2002, uses a UK supply chain and can be reused through chemical sterilisation. The supply chain has been set up to supply up to 10,000 units per day and hence can fulfill large orders very quickly."

Mayor of the Sheffield City Region (SCR), Dan Jarvis, recently issued a call to arms to South Yorkshire businesses, to join the national efforts to help make life-saving medical equipment during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Eadon said that it aims to establish a long term solution for the cost effective supply of PPE into the NHS and others in need of protection. "With support from the Local Enterprise Partnership, we are looking to create a sustainable business that offers employment opportunities."

Eadon Consulting website

Images: Eadon Consulting

Read more...

News: Rotherham-based former soldier getting ready to launch satellite system

A former soldier in the Parachute Regiment has taken a giant leap towards creating a novel launching system using balloons to put satellites into space following a collaboration with design engineers at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Sean Ardron set up Rotherham-based Arkeik in 2017 to explore how high altitude balloons could be used to take a small payload up to an altitude, where they could be orientated and then launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

With the help of the AMRC, he now believes his innovative High Elevation Launch Platform (HELP) could be operational within 12 months and might even replace ground-based rockets to give UK industry a doorway into space exploration.

With multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) and the project was paid for using funds from the HVMC as part of a commitment to working with small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Sean Ardron, founder of Arkiek, said: "Although my background is not in this industry, I had worked on land based projects with BAE Systems while I was in the military, but I could not have got to this stage without the support of the AMRC in visualising the idea behind the launch system.

"High altitude balloons using the free lift with lighter-than-air gas had not been looked at for a long time because the surrounding technologies to make them efficient just wasn't available. Recently, there has been a massive increase in small technology for the use of rotary drones so we have repurposed a lot of that for what we need.

"I just needed to develop a computer system that can take a small payload up to a certain altitude, orientate and then launch into LEO."

Advertisement

Arkeik has already carried out test flights reaching 5km above sea level and the next step is to create a working prototype, which starts with a design the company can show to potential investors.

Billy Redpath, senior project manager at the AMRC's Design and Prototyping Group, said: "The system Sean has is similar to a weather balloon which has a drone attached to it. It gets to an appropriate altitude, orientates, launches a satellite and then you guide it back to the ground.

"The designs they were using for presentations to potential funders had been created in-house and didn't necessarily convey the project accurately, so we visualised it for them."

Billy and his team of engineers were not given specific dimensions or criteria for designing the prototype, but they were able to use a healthy dose of artistic license to capture the essence of the novel launching system.

The images will form an important part of Arkeik's marketing strategy as the company applies for funding and grants to pay for research into housing larger payloads, building fully reusable ballonets and developing their Unmanned Aerial System.

"I am really pleased with what Billy and the AMRC have produced, I wouldn't have had the capacity to do what they have done. Quality designs are something you really need for projects, especially when you are trying to get people to fork out money," said Sean.

"We know all the individual parts work, we have tested them, we just need to get a working prototype that hopefully looks like the design created by the AMRC. That is what the investment will help us with."

The ability to put satellites into orbit is limited due to the necessity of ground launching from a rocket. Small satellites, such as the ones Arkeik hope to work with, are classed as secondary cargo which means they cannot commission a rocket nor dictate the orbit that they launch to.

At present, that means companies using micro-satellites must either compromise on their preferred orbit or wait an undetermined amount of time until the right rocket launches.

Sean continued: "We can certainly sell this technology. Currently, the UK doesn't have a launch capability which means companies here have to send their satellites to India or piggyback off rockets in the USA.

"A standard cube satellite is 13x10cm and weighs a kilogram so I can quite confidently say we could launch them from HELP. Once operational, it would be weather dependant, but we could send a platform up to the right altitude and launch all in just three hours.

"If everything went perfectly and we got the money we needed, we could quite easily have this operational within 12 months. Eventually, it could replace ground-based rockets and give UK business and industry a doorway into space exploration."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Rotherham students get their design fix

University Centre Rotherham Graphic Design students have been tasked with an exciting project by a successful graduate and founder of The Design Fix.

Graduate Amy Kilner visited the £12m town centre campus and met with foundation degree students to share her experiences of working as a creative lead at design agency, Hotshot. She is also the founder of The Design Fix – an online community of over 50,000 followers using the hashtag #thedesignfix to highlight how creativity inspires them as designers. The hashtag has been used 150,000 times so far whilst The Design Fix has been featured across blogs and stories 2,000 times.

Amy studied a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Graphic Design Communication Design (Top-up) at University Centre Rotherham and completed her course in summer 2019.

A brief was provided by Amy to the students on The Design Fix-led project titled Positive Creativity. This project is aimed at highlighting the benefits of online users sharing their work digitally and via social media, with wide-ranging opportunities such as references, constructive feedback, networking and the possibility of beginning new adventures and journeys for the budding Graphic Design students.

Tasked with creating artwork which communicates positive aspects of sharing work online, the Graphic Design students have been provided free reign to use their creativity in crafting exciting and relevant visuals.

As part of The Design Fix's participation in student award series The NeXt Big Thing Awards, the chosen finalists will be shared across all of The Design Fix's platforms for its thriving online community to see and share their thoughts on. Three finalists will receive a one year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Advertisement

Amy said: "The whole idea is for the students to use their creative expression to highlight how to use social media in a positive light – especially when sharing work.

"You have to like what you do otherwise there's no point; that's why the learners have chosen this course and this project is a good outlet for them to share their passion."

Graphic Design Foundation Degree Year 2 student Jack Reavey was one of the class of University Centre Rotherham students Amy provided the project brief to.

Jack said: "The project is an advertising campaign celebrating positivity in creativity and encourages people to post on social media whom may have previously not wanted to in fear of negative comments. It seems a good idea for people to engage with social media and put their work out there – there are decent people online who may pick up on this.

"I want to approach this with typography. Words just behave all the time! They're versatile and never get grainy. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do."

Graphic Design Lecturer Tracy Gelder was present for the project brief and previously taught Amy when she was an aspiring Graphic Design student.

Tracy said: "For our students, this year is all about design work with work-based employers. The students now have the liberty to work with live clients. For example, Amy's visit is a wonderful opportunity for them to ask questions and delve in to how things are changing in the workplace.

"It's a brilliant chance for them to get ready to hit the ground running when out in the wider world."

Hotshot Creative Agency website
Design Fix website
UCR website

Images: UCR

Read more...

News: A smashing year for Rotherham glazing firm

Façade & Glazing Solutions (FGS) has completed more than 100 projects and has secured more than £40m of new projects in the year since it was divested from the Saint-Gobain Group.

The firm specialises in conception, engineering and installation of glazed façades and building envelopes. It rebranded from Sologlas in 2012 and brought together three separate operating divisions into its 65,000 sq ft premises at Manvers in Rotherham in 2011.

The business relaunched as Facade & Glazing Solutions UK Ltd (FGS) following its sale to private investment firm CoBe Capital on August 1 2018.

The company operates throughout the UK and partners with main contractors, facilities managers and property owners to provide a complete "glazing" building life cycle solution.

Advertisement

Craig McGilvray, CEO at FGS, said: "We are pleased with our financial progress and remain on target to break-even in 2020 and to achieve a turnover of £50m by December 2019.

"The business has evolved over the past 12 months and thanks to a hardworking and dedicated team we are in great shape for the future. Three of our recent projects have received architectural awards, we have improved the efficiency of our fabrication operations reducing production times by 21% and we have introduced several sustainability initiatives which have resulted in reducing the average weekly energy consumption by more than half.

"Our focus is now on the future. We are developing our strategic plans out to 2025 focusing on growing our major and regional projects businesses and strengthening our repair and maintenance proposition. We remain focused on developing our processes and delivering projects in which we excel."

The three award-winning projects are The Student Centre at UCL which won a Schueco Excellence Award, the V&A Museum in Dundee and the Macallan Distillery, Speyside, which both won a national RIBA award. The Macallan Distillery (pictured) has also been shortlisted for a RIBA Sterling Prize and winners will be announced in October.

FGS website

Images: FGS

Read more...

News: Eadon integral to new Bermudan bridge

Design experts at Eadon Consulting are working on a project to replace a key bridge in the beautiful North Atlantic Ocean territory of Bermuda.

A rapidly expanding engineering design consultancy, Eadon Consulting, works across a number of sectors, with expertise in mechanical, control, hydraulic and structural design and has moved office four times in six years within the AMP Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham due to the growing nature of the business.

In December 2017, Ramboll, the lead consultant, along with Knight Architects and Eadon Consulting, won the contract to deliver full design services for two ageing crossings that have connected L. F. Wade International Airport with capital city, Hamilton to the west, and the town of St. Georges to the east, for over 50 years.

Eadon Consulting's role is as the lead mechanical, electrical and hydraulic designers. Starting from a blank sheet of paper the team has worked through a feasibility options study considering both fixed and moving bridges for the two locations.

Swing Bridge, which currently joins St George's Harbour with the west of the island is a critical link for both motor vehicles and marine traffic, and will be replaced by a bascule bridge (sometimes referred to as a drawbridge) with a distinctive curved soffit, providing a 22 metre clear channel for shipping access to St George's harbour.

Advertisement

A spokesperson for Eadon Consulting, said: "The selected solution with its distinct shape and colours captures the soul of the island. After a public consultation on the 26th of September, the design has been approved and we are looking forward to moving the project through to the final detailed design and on to site.

"The stunning bascule bridge is an elongated shell structure made of steel. The bridge will rotate around two horizontal pivot bearings, located within the deck cross section. The deck is being lifted by a pair of hydraulic cylinders, located between the bearings on a bespoke pier."

Eadon's bespoke design solution has enabled the architectural impact of the concept to be maintained.

The bridge has a curvaceous and flowing appearance, defined by a small number of continuous edge curves. It will be finished in a pale grey, with soft tones of orange or pink to accentuate the forms. The mix of white and pastel colours references the distinctive palette typical of buildings throughout Bermuda.

As well as an aesthetically pleasing appearance, the curved design minimises the collection of water on the bridges, an important factor in resisting the corrosive effects of the tropical maritime climate.

Other bridges that have been supported by Eadon's team include the Lower Hatea bridge in New Zealand, the Copenhagen Swing Bridge and the Greenwich Reach Swing Bridge and Merchant Square Bridge in London.

Eadon Consulting website

Images: Ramboll / Knight Architects

Read more...

News: Macalloy's crowning glory for Sydney's skyline

A unique addition to the skyline of Sydney, Australia has been made possible by steel products made in Rotherham by Macalloy.

Dinnington-based Macalloy are world leaders in design, manufacture and supply of threaded bar and cable systems to engineering and construction projects across the globe. Approximately 80% of the company's turnover is from export.

Described as a "centerpiece and architectural statement," the $250m (£137m) Arc by Crown development is almost complete in Sydney's Central Business District (CBD).

The 25-story development includes residential apartments, serviced apartments, multiple levels of basement carparking, two levels of retail and a rooftop terrace.

Architecture firm Koichi Takada produced a striking design incorporating heritage-inspired lower brick levels transitioning to a modern glass-and-steel tower, capped with a sleek public rooftop that will feature daybeds, a water feature and a bar. The eye-catching roof includes a number of steel arches.

Advertisement

Macalloy has made these arches a reality. Over 300 Macalloy Stainless 520 M42 Tendons have been used to help support the roof. The arched metal fins that cantilever and curve over the rooftop lounge are connected with the tension bars.

Koichi Takada, architect on the project, said last year: "If you ask a child about the Sydney skyline, they draw the Opera House or Harbour Bridge. We wanted to respond to that, we wanted to create something with that quality, something a child could recognise and draw."

Super strong and aesthetically pleasing, Macalloy products are the choice for architects around the globe. The thread is rolled, rather than cut. This gives rise to the use of smaller diameter bars for a given metric thread, resulting in material cost saving.

Innovative products from Macalloy are used to provide strength in bridges, airports, stadia and buildings including the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai and the Marina Bay Sands development in Singapore.

Macalloy moved to the former Rotherham colliery site at Dinnington from Sheffield in November 2006 as part of their continued expansion.

Macalloy website

Images: Koichi Takada

Read more...

News: AMRC at the cutting edge

Experts at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, has demonstrated the use of advanced 3D printing technology for the traditional knife-making industry in Sheffield.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is a world leading model partnership between industry and academia that focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

Its Design and Prototyping Group (DPG), develops everything from conceptual designs, to fully functional prototypes for a range of industries and recently joined forces with a highly respected Sheffield knife maker to design and develop a bespoke, 3D printed titanium chef's knife.

Advertisement

Stuart Mitchell, 48, has been making knives for more than three decades, cutting his teeth in the trade as a keen ten-year-old at his father's knee. His bespoke blades are made using many of the same tools his dad used before him in the same red-brick workshop his family took on in 1980.

Despite his feet being firmly rooted in tradition as a craft maker, Stuart's curiosity about additive manufacturing made him want to find out whether the advanced 3D printing technology could be combined with his top quality knife making skills to create something truly beautiful and unique.

The project has allowed Stuart to compare and contrast the end product with his own handcrafted knives.

Andy Bell, design strategy manager for the DPG, said: "This is design-led disruption in the truest sense of the word; a craft maker applying advanced manufacturing technologies and exploring how this could change their business model now and in the future."

Advertisement

Stuart - whose knives are used across the world in Michelin star restaurants and by members of the Royal family - took receipt of the AM knife at his workshop in Portland Works at the end of summer. He was struck by the quality of the piece.

"I was impressed by the profile of the blade – it replicated very well what I would do by hand, particularly the taper from the spine to the edge," said Stuart. "It did need a degree of grinding to apply an actual cutting edge but the tolerances of the edge were good to start with, very fine. I didn't realise it would print that fine.

"I love the AM knife, it's different and hasn't been done before. Working in that very traditional way and to have something brand spanking new in the workshop is great - what's not to like? What it perhaps also shows, particularly with all the advances in AM, is that there is still a place for what I do as well - an ideal product would perhaps marry the two."

Stuart accessed the expertise and state-of-the-art capabilities at the AMRC and benefitted from a grant-funding scheme run by the AMRC specifically to help small to medium enterprises fund research projects, under the Catapult SME assistance scheme.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Beatson Clark's small and stylish solution for M&S

Marks and Spencer (M&S) own-brand salad dressings are now being sold in smaller, more stylish bottles made in Rotherham by Beatson Clark after research showed that consumers found themselves throwing too much dressing away.

The Greasbrough Road firm, which has been making glass bottles and jars in Rotherham since 1751, specialises in providing glass packaging solutions for niche brands in the food, drink and pharmaceutical markets worldwide.

English Provender Company (EPC) conducted research for M&S which found that customers thought the existing salad dressing bottle was too big. As a result they often threw away the unfinished product when they felt it had passed its use-by date, creating unnecessary waste.

They also wanted a bottle that would look attractive on the dinner table and offer greater control when pouring; although a beautiful design, the existing bottle (a bespoke embossed 275ml dressing bottle) was quite large and the neck was too wide, making it difficult to control the pour and portion control of some of the salad dressings.

Advertisement

EPC and M&S asked Beatson Clark;s in-house design team to create a new bottle which would respond to this customer feedback while also taking into account technical considerations such as line constraints and fill speeds.

The resulting 235ml container is a smaller stand-out artisan bottle with a narrower neck which allows consumers to control the flow of dressing more easily.

Kevin Vyse, lead packaging technologist at M&S, said: "Our new dressing bottle looks small but substantial and was designed following extensive testing to make sure it fits into the average fridge door much more easily than its predecessor, as well as being easier to pour from.

"With its minimalist and simple design the new bottle looks very different to anything else on the market at present. The clear glass, which contains on average 30% recycled material, lets the consumer see the product within and gives the quality feel we were looking for."

Advertisement

The salad dressings EPC makes for M&S all have very different textures, and some are thinner than others, so all the recipes were tested at ambient and fridge temperatures to ensure that they poured easily.

Lynn Sidebottom, sales and marketing director at Beatson Clark, said: "We were delighted to be asked to create this new dressing bottle for M&S on behalf of our long-standing clients English Provender Company.

"Our technical innovation and our flexibility are two of our strengths and everyone is really pleased with the finished container."

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

Read more...

News: Wilson Benesch on the AMRC's AM wavelength

Engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham continue to collaborate with a Sheffield-based high-tech audio company to develop parts for some of its luxury products.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is a world leading model partnership between industry and academia that focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

Its Design and Prototyping Group (DPG), develops everything from conceptual designs, to fully functional prototypes for a range of industries and was approached by local firm Wilson Benesch to use its additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities to realise a selection of new titanium components.

Founded in 1989 and owned and directed by Craig Milnes and Christina Milnes, Wilson Benesch is a globally recognised brand, designing and manufacturing, high-tech luxury home consumer audio products. Loudspeakers, turntables and Hi-Fi furniture are built from advanced materials technology, such as carbon fibre composites.

Wilson Benesch, who have worked with the AMRC on a number of developments, recognised the considerable potential for creating highly optimised structures that benefit from both advanced materials technology and manufacturing processes. The net result has been the development of highly functional, but also aesthetically striking components to give Wilson Benesch the edge over its competitors.

Advertisement

Project engineers from the DPG, Abdul Haque, Luke Hill and Daniel Tomlinson worked on the project alongside project manager Marcus Crossley and James Hunt, head of strategy for near net shape processing at AMRC.

The team were given a clay model of how the company envisioned the tonearm mount could look and were then able to reverse engineer this by using a CT scanner to create a scan image that was uploaded onto a computer and interpreted to create a new CAD part geometry.

Luke said: "The initial challenge was to try and work with the complex organic tonearm surfaces that director Craig Milnes wanted based on the clay model. When we created a form Craig was happy with and that we were confident could be manufactured using additive manufacturing (AM) processes, we could continue with the detailed design work ensuring the tonearm would fit the Wilson Benesch system requirements. We used the capabilities of selective laser melting AM with Ti-6Al-4V powder to create an internal through channel to feed a wire through the back of the tonearm.

"This is something unique, and as far as performance goes is an ideal solution because Wilson Benesch wanted to create a vacuum within the tonearm. They also specified a tight tolerance between the component and the mounting point, but they needed to feed a wire through somewhere, so this was a perfect approach. The internal wiring keeps the tonearm aesthetic uninterrupted and organic and the wire is not trailing about so it will not get tangled or spoil the appearance."

AM is a sound choice where there is a high degree of complexity in a part or to add functionality into an assembly – like the tonearm mount. The advanced technology also meant the mount's part count was reduced from fifteen down to just two.

The 500g steel spheres were also redeveloped, stripping away material and weight but at the same time improving performance. Through-channels were added to high-stiffness titanium alloy material.

Luke said: "Additive manufacturing brings the flexibility desired by manufacturers because of the ability to quickly and iteratively make design improvements without requiring tooling changes or involving different processes, but simply changing the CAD model and sending it to print on the machine."

James added: "A lot of the approaches we have taken here are making the best of additive manufacturing.

"That's why we were interested in taking up this project because it allowed us to demonstrate a number of processes, techniques and technologies that we are using within additive manufacturing that could be applied to anything.

"In having the facilities here available for companies and SMEs to come and try, it allows them to de-risk the activities so they don't have to go and buy a piece of equipment at £500k or they don't have to even go as far as paying someone to make parts for them.

"As can be seen through this process, it's not just a case of sending a drawing and someone printing it off, there is a development cycle that in turn feeds an understanding of how the process works so that the new parts fit the process better. So having that as an available service is of great benefit to companies."

Advertisement

Craig Milnes, design director of Wilson Benesch (pictured top, right), added: "James and Marcus, along with the DPG engineers, Abdul, Luke and Daniel have been invaluable in this project, allowing Wilson Benesch to push through design concepts into finished prototype components that extol all of the virtues of the Wilson Benesch brand. That is to say, conceptually unique, technologically and materially advanced, aiding the ultimate goal of advancing the state-of-the-art in audio design and high fidelity music reproduction."

Christina Milnes, managing director of Wilson Benesch (pictured top, left), said: "Wilson Benesch have collaborated consistently with centres of excellence in engineering, design and manufacturing since the foundation of the company. Indeed this is one of a number of projects that we have worked on with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) since the centre was established in 2001. Having access to this kind of technology is a major asset to the Sheffield City Business Region and manufacturing centres that serve it."

Wilson Benesch website
AMRC website

Images: AMRC / Wilson Benesch

Read more...

News: AME Group's "gamechanging" work in medical sector

AME Group, a leading prototype manufacturer that is based in Dinnington, Rotherham, has highlighted the role of good design in healthcare - an industry driven by innovation.

The growing company combines a team of creative designers and technical designers who work on new products and create high-specification prototypes using 3D printing technology for customers including Dyson, GlaxoSmithKline, Hornby, Morphy Richards and Unilever.

The business was founded in 1997 after managing director Ian Jones - a mechanical engineering graduate, who cut his teeth working at the Selby coalfield - was made redundant from his job with British Coal. It is now based on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery.

In the company's "Gamechanger" publication, Tim Stern, design manager at AME Group, said: "In order to relieve the strain on hospitals and doctors' surgeries, patients will be increasingly relied on to use remote diagnostic and monitoring devices. This raises some big issues for the designers of medical devices.

"The increased reliance on patients to use equipment means that products will need to have an intuitive design that is easy to use. Devices will also need to deliver quick results that are easy to interpret.

"As the medical space becomes more crowded, hardware and user interface design will become key differentiators, with buyers more likely to factor user experience into their purchasing decisions."

Advertisement

One such product that AME group has worked on is MicroBioSensor (pictured, below) - supporting the University of Manchester spinout company to develop potential applications for its detection chemistries into commercially viable products.

A number of prototypes were developed to address the problem of medical device use actually increasing risks of patients contracting an infection. The outcome is an early warning device that, with a simple change of colour, identifies an escalating infection and the appropriate treatment. The device fights multi-drug resistance by improving the management of effective antibiotic drugs, facilitating care away from hospitals and reducing pressure on the healthcare system.

Another product where the focus is on the user is RapidRhythm (pictured, top), which could soon reduce heart screening times by over 80%.

User-centric design from AME Group has helped to develop a wireless handheld device that allows heart patients to be screened in just 90 seconds. The current screening method is an electrocardiogram (ECG) test, a procedure that takes up to 20 minutes.

RapidRhythm requires less training than traditional ECG and provides fewer failed readings.

The product was engineered in 3D CAD, with a number of test prototypes created using AME's in-house facilities. This enabled engineers to assess the design, highlight issues and minimise the risk and potential costs of resolving them at a later date.

AME's low volume production facilities will be used to manufacture a small quantity of the devices, which will be used to validate the Rapid Rhythm product in the field.

AME Group website

Images: AME Group

Read more...

News: Rotherham traders head to Yorkshire Youth Market

Young entrepreneurs representing Rotherham will set their stall out this week as part of a competition to find the county's best young stallholder.

Rothbiz reported in May on the work of the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) in running a nationwide competition that celebrates young entrepreneurs trading on our markets, festivals and fairs.

A number of heats - including Rotherham on May 26 - have provided opportunities for young people to gain experience in trading. Markets are low-risk, affordable, and flexible platforms to test out, launch and grow a business and young people aged 16 to 30 from around the UK have taken part.

Two traders from Rotherham have been chosen to go through to trade at the regional Yorkshire finals at Leeds' famous Kirkgate Market on August 1. The largest covered market in Europe was the founding location of Marks & Spencer which opened in Leeds Market as a penny bazaar.

Jordan Mangnall, who runs Jaded Heart in Rotherham town centre will be taking part tomorrow. Aged 20, Jordan opened her store on Moorgate Street in March 2017 and has since launched over 170 products including exclusives from Bomb Cosmetics as well as clothing, alchemy and jewellery ranges. Jordan plans to introduce a further 80 products to the store to mark a period of strong growth and significant increases in both sales and footfall.

Advertisement

Also taking part is Lauren Charlton from Rotherham who sells handmade illustrated designs and prints under her Yorkshire Print brand. Enterprising Lauren, 27, decided to launch the business whilst studying fine art at Manchester School of Art.

At the end of the event, one young trader will be crowned Yorkshire's Young Trader of the Year and three Highly Commended trophies will be awarded. Judging will be by markets industry experts.

At least one trader from every area will be offered a pitch on the National Youth Market in Stratford-upon-Avon on 31 August and 1 September. A £500 prize is up for grabs.

Joe Harrison, chief executive of the NMTF, said: "The event is a real demonstration of the potential of the region’s markets to support young entrepreneurs to test, grow, and launch a lean business.

"Yorkshire is leading the way in the UK – this event is the first of its kind in the country. Market operators have come together to support young traders with enthusiasm and professionalism."

Jaded Heart website
Yorkshire Print website
NMTF website

Images: Jaded Heart / Yorkshire Print / facebook

Read more...

News: Atkins makes Sheffield move

Atkins, one of the world's leading design, engineering and project management consultancies, has moved its Rotherham office to Sheffield.

Now part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, Atkins acquired MG Bennett & Associates Ltd in 2008. MG Bennett was formed in 1984 and was based at Whiston in Rotherham, specialising in mechanical and structural engineering.

A continuing part of the company's investment in the local area, over 70 staff have moved into the office in the Sheffield Digital Campus in Sheffield city centre.

Atkins is already working with the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), connecting its clients across the UK with experts at the AMRC to discuss new ways of using innovative off-site construction techniques to improve safety and operating efficiency.

To support the next generation of engineers, Atkins will also be sending ten apprentices for supplementary training at the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham, making it the AMRC's biggest employer partner.

Advertisement

Philip Hoare, chief executive of SNC-Lavalin's Atkins business in the UK & Europe, said: "By moving into the heart of the city, Atkins will be even better placed to deliver to clients across the region – bringing the right skills to projects in the North, and the skills of Yorkshire to projects around the world. As the office grows, it will draw on the region's vast talent pool, and help attract more highly skilled workers to Sheffield."

The company has taken a ten year lease of 7,000 sq ft of space on the third floor of the Acero building.

Commercial Property Partners, Colloco and Knight Frank acted for joint owners, Scarborough. Lambert Smith Hampton acted for Atkins.

The Atkins / Bennett team has worked on a diverse range of projects including The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies in Scotland, British Antarctic Survey' Halley VI Research Station, and helping Sheffield Forgemasters International Limited (SFIL) in the manufacture of large nuclear reactor parts.

One of the earliest contracts involved designing tunnelling machines used on the Channel Tunnel.

Advertisement

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority (pictured, second right), said: "I was pleased to meet with representatives from Atkins at the opening of their new office in Sheffield, and hear their ambitious plans for contributing to the economic growth of our region with fresh perspectives, skills and talent.

"As a major provider of engineering, design and project management, Atkins will play a key part in creating a global hub for engineering excellence at Sheffield's Digital Campus, which will contribute to our wider vision for a Global Innovation Corridor. This corridor will link sites across the Sheffield City Region that excel in research and advanced manufacturing – such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

"Atkins' choice of location also demonstrates that investor confidence in the Sheffield City Region continues to increase, following significant investments from companies such as Boeing and McLaren. Our region is a great place to live, work and invest in, and I look forward to seeing Atkins play an important role in our future success."

Atkin's former base - the 6,800 sq ft Bennett House in Whiston - has already been sold and new tenants include Bike Box Alan, the supplier of airline bike transportation products.

Atkins website

Images: Atkins

Read more...

News: New hire for PES Performance to meet double digit growth

Rotherham-based engineering solutions company PES Performance Ltd has further expanded its engineering design team to meet increased client demand.

Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Performance Engineered Solutions (PES) Ltd is a high-performance engineering solutions business.

Simon Bainbridge joins the team as senior design engineer from his previous role at Atkins Energy, where he designed mechanical handling equipment for various civil nuclear and defence programmes. Simon started his career at Siemens, working as a R&D design engineer in their metals processing division.

The multi-disciplinary team of design and performance engineers delivers high quality and technologically advanced engineering solutions to clients. The PES Scanning business utilises CT & 3D optical scanning systems to deliver specialised services, including reverse engineering, quality inspection, design optimisation and planned preventative maintenance.

Advertisement

Simon Bainbridge, senior design engineer, at PES Performance (pictured, right), said: "What attracted me to PES was the wide variety of projects that they undertake for clients. Currently I'm working on projects in the aerospace, green energy and industrial sectors, including an Innovate UK backed R&D project, which for an engineer is great.

"It is also good to be part of a team of engineers that have the flexibility and experience to adapt to any client and offer them effective turnkey solutions."

Dean Gardner, engineering director at PES (pictured, left), added: "It is difficult to find design engineers with the experience to match our specific requirements as an engineering solutions business, operating in multiple high performance environments.

"Simon has the engineering design skills we need. He has the experience of working on a variety of small and large scale design projects, latterly working on nuclear decommissioning solutions for the industry and he will be a key addition to the PES Performance as we further widen the team's capabilities."

PES Performance website

Images: PES

Read more...

News: Addition Design slots into new space at AMP Technology Centre

Professional industrial design and research company Addition Design has this month opened its first office space in the AMP Technology Centre in Rotherham.

The new company, headed up by former Fripp Design director Tom Fripp, has taken up 1,000 sq ft of space in building number three, a £4.5m, 32,000 sq ft facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), which opened in 2016.

Providing incubation space on the AMP, the Technology Centre has been designed to accommodate a range of manufacturing-related activities, from fledgling engineering and technology companies, to University spin-offs and subsidiaries of established companies.

Established in February 2017, Addition Design is a joint venture with the Chester Medical Solutions [CMS], a Cheshire-based pharmaceutical and medical solutions company. With offices in North Wales and Israel (and a new US base in Boston, MA set to open this year) CMS specialises in manufacturing and packaging materials for the pharmaceutical industry. With CMS’ strong network in the North West, an area that leads in the medical industry, and Tom Fripp's knowledge of design and the advanced manufacturing sector, Addition Design is able to offer an end-to-end service, from design to completion.

Advertisement

The company sets itself apart from competitors by offering two areas of research; design research, which sets the foundations for the development of products where the manufacturing processes are generally known, and additive manufacturing research, which focuses on projects which significantly benefit from the advantages of additive manufacturing or 3D printing. The company is also working on the development of its own 3D print technologies.

Addition's new space is split into three rooms; an office space, workshop and meeting room, all of which will allow the company to develop both in design and research.

Tom Fripp, design director of Addition (pictured, right), said: "As a high value engineering firm, it's incredibly important for us to be based at the AMP Technology Centre. Being located alongside the likes of McLaren and Boeing is a huge draw to our customers, and to be within walking distance of these globally successful companies supports our vision for the future.

"The smaller businesses here are also an attraction, as collaboration will be key to the company's growth. We have built up such a strong network in Sheffield and the ten-minute drive to and from the city centre means that we have fantastic access to the engineering talent pool coming from the two universities."

Dave Patterson, managing director of CMS (pictured, left), added: "Addition Design is a fantastic fit with the Chester Medical family of companies. Tom's level of expertise within his industry is invaluable; Addition is already working closely with Quay Pharmaceuticals on researching and designing new drug delivery technologies, something that CMS wouldn't have been able to explore without Addition's skills and knowledge of design research. We hope that this relationship will enable us to explore new avenues and establish the CMS family as a leader in the industry."

Addition Design website
AMP Technology Centre website

Images: Addition Design

Read more...