It’s been a hectic few months within the manufacturing industry, from Industry 4.0 continuing the push towards the digitalisation of the industry to the uncertainty that Brexit brings with it.

In this article, we will share our take on some of the top stories coming out of manufacturing in the past few months.

UK Manufacturing Growth in September 2018

It’s fair to say that UK manufacturing has faltered in the past 10 months due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, but September of 2018 saw a stronger growth within the industry than previously forecast.

The growth came thanks to rebuilding inventories, efforts to clear backlogs of work and inflows of new business into UK manufacturing businesses.

The IHS Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 53.8 in September, compared to 53 in August 2018, with any reading above 50 indicating expansion.

Rob Dobson, director at IHS Markit, said: “September saw a mild improvement in the performance of the UK manufacturing sector. Domestic market demand strengthened, while increased orders from North America and Europe helped new export business stage a modest recovery from August’s contraction. Business confidence also rose to a three-month high.”

This can only be seen as very welcome news after the trials and tribulations that 2018 has brought with it thus far. Here at European Springs, we are confident, that the industry will continue to grow into 2019.

Manufacturing

Industry 4.0 Continues to Grow

The ‘fourth industrial revolution’ is well and truly underway; Industry 4.0 is certainly here to stay, and strides have been made throughout this year to further solidify its status. The digitalisation of manufacturing is long overdue, and Industry 4.0’s focus on interconnecting all machines within a factory through the Internet of Things is helping to propel this modernisation forward. Enabling all machines to communicate with each other and learn from their own mistakes has led to more efficient workflow within many factories.

The growth of Industry 4.0 in the past few months has led to many firms increasing productivity and relying less on human workers at a factory level, freeing up more time and resources for focusing on other concerns, such as creating new products and increasing efficiencies further.

As the digitalisation of engineering continues to accelerate in 2019, we expect Industry 4.0 to be equally as important, if not more so. Expect to see the market grow exponentially in the coming years, as more streamlined processes are implemented within the industry.

IIOT

China’s 55km Mega-Bridge

A truly incredible engineering feat, China’s mega-bridge spans an impressive 55 kilometres (34 miles) and connects Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland cities of Macau and Zhuhai, making it the world’s longest sea crossing. The bridge took over 9 years to construct, cost around £15.3 billion to build and is designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons.

The bridge was officially opened on 23rd October 2018 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, alongside leading officials from both Hong Kong and Macau.

As part of a scheme connecting China’s tech hubs, the mega-bridge will be primarily used by freight vehicles and shuttle buses, with private vehicles requiring a permit to cross.

Bridge Structure

Brexit

There’s no escaping it; Brexit has dominated the news both within the industry and on a wider scale across the entire UK. Whilst the intricacies of Brexit are still largely an unknown, there is no denying the fact that many companies within the UK are taking preventative measures as they prepare for Brexit, regardless of the deal the UK get from the EU.

In the coming months, we should hopefully know more about how Brexit will affect the manufacturing industry. But whilst the current outlook post-Brexit is undeniably bleak, we are confident that the UK manufacturing industry will recover over the coming years, thanks to the determination of each and every person who works within the sector.

Brexit

These are just a few of our top picks from the very latest news coming out of the manufacturing industry over the last few months. As spring manufacturers, we are keen on keeping a close eye on all of the very latest news within the industry; be sure to check back in soon for another look at the most up-to-date news within manufacturing.

Engineers are in extremely high demand. In fact, the UK actually has a shortage of engineers, so there is no better time than now to go after that dream engineering job. This lucrative career path is incredibly diverse and wide-reaching, you can work in a multitude of different industries such as space, robotics, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, to name just a few.

If engineering is your passion, and you feel you could dedicate your life to designing and building the future, then read our advice on how to secure your dream job in engineering.

Engineering Degrees

Whilst not, by any means, the only path into engineering, an engineering degree is the most common way, and for some sectors, a requirement. Engineering degrees offer a wide range of specialisations, and graduates are in high demand all around the globe. You can develop an expert understanding of computer circuitry with an electronics engineering degree or study such topics as thermodynamics and technical drawing with a mechanical engineering degree.

Getting an engineering degree is the most conventional path to a career in engineering. It can set you up for professional success in the engineering field and help you secure that dream job.

Engineering Apprenticeships

An engineering apprenticeship is a less conventional path, but a much more practical one for those who really like the idea of getting stuck in straight away. On an apprenticeship, you will be employed by an organisation and receive on-the-job training in a specific role alongside studying for industry-recognised qualifications, all while earning a wage for your work.

Typically aimed at school leavers and viewed as a viable alternative to university, apprenticeships combine full-time work with part-time study and suit those who may be less academically inclined but are interested in gaining more practical skills to use in a technical environment. With an engineering apprenticeship, you gain real-world experience in an engineering field of your choice, and you will develop the skills you need for future employment.

Obtain Work Experience

If you’ve chosen the engineering degree path, you should be aware that employers will favour those who have complemented their degree with relevant work experience – something that a lot of graduates may lack. Work experience will benefit not only future job applications; you could also end up being offered permanent employment at your work placement if you perform well. It’s important to add all work experience you have gained to your CV, no matter how short the time period may have been.

Some engineering degrees will include a placement year, and some organisations offer paid internships or industrial placements. You can search for work experience opportunities online, through your university, or you can contact organisations directly to enquire.

Prepare a Tantalising CV

You’re going to need a stand-out CV in order to acquire that dream job. Start early, before your degree or apprenticeship has finished; just write your predicted grade and/or qualification on the CV and start sending it out to potential employers. There are many resources online to help write a great CV; if you’re a student there should be a career’s department that can help out, as well as workshops where you can bring your CV in for individual feedback.

Your CV is key to telling a potential employer all about yourself and why you would be a great fit for the job. Don’t sell yourself short – be honest and get applying as soon as possible.

Check the Application Process

Not every company will have the same application process. Make sure you read up and understand the application rules and requirements, to ensure that you understand what is being asked of you when you apply for a role. Some companies will require additional information that they may want submitted before a certain time; others may require testing to be performed before an interview.If a job advert requests a covering letter, make sure you write one up, as not doing so significantly hurts your chances of progressing in the application process.

Ensure you know what is required of you – it will determine how successful you are in the application stage.

Tailor Each Application

Every application you send off should be specifically tailored to the job you’re applying for. Show the company you’re applying to that you’ve done your research and know what they’re looking for (and why you fit their requirements). Companies have to sift through hundreds of applications for just a few positions, so make sure you stand out and show the employer why you’d be the perfect fit for that dream job.

When putting together a covering letter to accompany your CV, always refer back to the job specification and make sure you give examples of how you meet each of the criteria. By doing this, you can be confident knowing that you have shown your potential employer how your previous experience can be used in the role you are applying for.

Whatever path you choose to take, we here at European Springs Ireland believe that a career in engineering could help you achieve your dreams; you could potentially change the world with your work. As spring manufacturers, engineering is what we do, so if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us, and we would be happy to assist you.

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There are many spectacular women in the field of engineering, but with females making up less than 10% of the engineering workforce at the start of 2018, it’s clear to see that changes have to be made to close the gender gap within the industry.

Here, we take a look at some of the top female engineers within the industry, who have had truly incredible careers.

Jocelyn Goldfein

Jocelyn Goldfein has held many senior engineering roles throughout her professional career, including Director of Engineering at Facebook and Vice President at VMware. She holds a BS in Computer Science from the prestigious Stanford University, and since graduating in 1997 has completely transformed engineering in the technology industry.

VMware

Jocelyn Goldfein worked at VMware for an extended period of time, beginning her employment in 2003. She was initially given the responsibility of building core virtualisation technology and contributed to the company’s remarkable growth in revenue.

While working for VMware, Goldfein was given more and more engineering responsibilities, which included the development of desktop and developer products. Her hard work led to her becoming Vice President of the company, and in this role, she helped the company reach even higher levels of success.

Facebook

Goldfein worked as the Director of Engineering at social media giant Facebook for over four years, helping to further develop certain aspects of the networking site, as well as helping it move forward to the next generation of technology.

While at Facebook, Goldfein led the company’s push on mobile infrastructure, using her engineering skills as well as her computer science knowledge to develop apps and revolutionise the site in a way that made it easier for people to use on the go.

Goldfein also launched major new product initiatives during her time at Facebook, all of which continue to be used by millions of people all over the world every day. These product initiatives include News Feed, Search and Photos. Goldfein managed these projects alongside her strategic engineering operational initiatives, which included major changes to Facebook’s technical recruiting strategies.

Inspiring Women/Today

Goldfein is now Managing Director at Zetta Venture Partners, a company who lead funding rounds for start-ups applying AI to solve business problems. Alongside this role, she is also an active public speaker, with a particular focus on inspiring young women to enter the field of engineering.

In 2017, Goldfein was named in Business Insider’s list of 43 Most Powerful Female Engineers – she came in at position number 9.


Lisa Perez Jackson

Lisa Perez Jackson is a chemical engineer, and in 2008 she became the first African American to be the head of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a role she held until 2013. She is now the Environmental Director at Apple Inc.

Early Life

Jackson was born on 8th February 1962 in Philadelphia and adopted at two weeks’ old by Benjamin Perez, a postal worker, and his wife Marie, who was a secretary.

Jackson grew up in a middle-class suburb of New Orleans, and although her immediate world didn’t surround her with the poverty and environmental issues that gripped other parts of the city, she was still well aware of the adversity that these people faced. This awareness is recognised as one of the factors that contributed to Jackson’s passion for the environment in later life.

She attended St. Mary’s Dominican High School, an all-girls’ Catholic institution, she proceeded to attend Tulane University, where she studied chemical engineering.

Jackson graduated in 1983 and went on to do a master’s degree at Princeton University. Following her graduation, she focused on working for non-profit environmental organisations until moving into more advanced positions for the US government.

Professional Career

Lisa Perez Jackson joined the EPA in 1987 as a staff-level engineer, working on remediation programs, waste clean-up regulations and overseeing hazardous waste clean-up projects throughout central New Jersey. She later served as the deputy director and acting director of the EPA’s regional enforcement division.

Jackson worked for the EPA for 16 years, then moving on to join the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as assistant commissioner of compliance and enforcement in 2002. In this role, she headed up many campaigns to improve the local environment and was highly praised by many environmentalists.

After an incredible career, Jackson was nominated by President Obama to become the Administrator of the EPA. In this role, she pledged to focus on air and water quality and limiting greenhouse gases, using her understanding of chemical engineering and her past experience to introduce many new ideas and plans to the position. Jackson stepped down from the role on 15th February 2013 and took up a role with Apple to oversee environmental issues for the company. In 2015 she was promoted to vice president of environment at Apple.

Marissa Mayer

Marissa Mayer is an American engineer, business leader and computer programmer, and former CEO of Yahoo!. In 2014 she was ranked as the 16th most powerful woman in the world by Fortune Magazine and was in America’s 40 Under 40 in the same publication.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEcQrILxTlc

Early Life

Mayer was born in Wisconsin on 30th May 1975 as the daughter of an engineer and an art teacher. She enjoyed a small-town childhood, where she was involved in many different activities.

Mayer had always aspired to be a doctor; however, while at Stanford University she discovered her passion for computer science. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science, specialising in symbolic systems, and an MSc in Computer Science, specialising in artificial intelligence.

She then went on to undertake research internships at SRI International and at the UBS research laboratory in Zurich. Her hard work and success led to her receiving 14 job offers as soon as she had finished her postgraduate degree.

Professional Career

Mayer went on to work at Google, with her job offer coming directly from founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Mayer led Google’s user interface and web server teams and contributed largely to the company’s success as their 20th employee and first female engineer.

During her time at Google, she worked on some of the company’s most used web tools, including Google Maps, Street View and Gmail. She was also responsible for approving all of the Google ‘doodles’.

After more than a decade working for Google, she was appointed CEO of Yahoo! in July 2012, and helped turn the company around by changing course and slowly battling falling stock prices. In 2017 Mayer announced her resignation from Yahoo! to start a new project with an old colleague, Enrique Munoz Torres. The pair started up Lumi Labs, a business focusing on artificial intelligence and consumer media.

As spring manufacturers, we always have our finger on the pulse of the engineering industry. So be sure to check in each month to keep up to date with the latest engineering news.

 

We spend a lot of time looking at the most exciting updates from the world of engineering – the new inventions and innovative solutions which are making waves within engineering circles. However, we also like to think about the bigger issues within our industry – and one of those, of course, is the question of who will take up the mantle and ensure that these crucial developments continue into the next generation and beyond.

Luckily, we are constantly seeing evidence that the next generation is full of budding young thinkers who are more than ready to rise to the challenge and pioneer their own advances in engineering. So how do we inspire our children and ensure that this passion is encouraged?

Introduce Construction Toys at Play Time

If you’re looking to start tapping into your children’s engineering spirit from a really young age, you could introduce construction toys into your child’s daily play time. For slightly older children try origami; this can be invaluable when it comes to developing skills of creativity, inventiveness and problem solving. Best of all, it’s incredibly fun, so long as you don’t impose limits on what should or shouldn’t be created. Instead, children who are encouraged to see their imagination as the only boundary will naturally learn to push to make new things possible.

2 years toddler playing at home

Encourage ‘What If’ and ‘Why’ Questions

Almost every young person loves to fire a relentless barrage of questions at their parents, and many of us are guilty of offering overly simplified answers rather than encouraging them to explore their questions further and even research the answers for themselves.

Young people who are curious about their world can ask some pretty tough questions, and its fine not to know the answers. However, if you decide to treat these occasions as opportunities for shared learning, you’ll encourage them to continue looking for answers about the world – the engineering mindset!

Of course, there’s nothing worse than pushing young people into an occupation which they’re just not interested in; we’re certainly not suggesting that engineering is the only valuable route to take. However, if children have a natural enthusiasm for problem-solving and construction, then encouraging them will definitely help to keep these interests alive.

Increase Awareness of Engineering

A career in engineering can be for anyone if the right practical and problem-solving skills are developed from an early age. If a young person is looking to pursue a career in engineering, it’s critical they aren’t deterred from this, simply because they aren’t seen to be academically achieving the highest grades in their class.

In engineering, employers are always on the look out for young people with the right types of knowledge and skills that can be moulded over time. No one is expecting a young person to possess all the necessary skills straight out of school; as long as there is a foundation to build upon and a willingness to learn, you have every chance of securing your dream job in engineering.

Engineers Working

Apprenticeships

Gaining hands-on experience in engineering is absolutely vital. If a young person is interested in taking up a career in engineering, then apprenticeships are one of the best ways to get into the industry. Not only will you get paid whilst learning, you’ll get real hands-on experience in how engineering works. Whilst learning about how engineering works from the classroom is great, nothing beats learning on the job.

In recent years the amount of apprenticeships within a whole host of industries has increased hugely, as employers are finding it more difficult to hire competent young people in trade sectors. If you prove your worth during your apprenticeship, the company you carried out your training with may well offer you a full-time position upon completion of your training. It’s hardly surprisingly that the number of such apprenticeships are on the rise, with so many talented young people gaining workplace skills that can set them up for life-long careers in their chosen sector.

We’re always looking out for the next great minds who may become the spring manufacturers, engineers or innovators of the future, so it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to share these tips and ensure that young people are being encouraged to question and expand their practical skills.

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We at European Springs Ireland are excited to announce that we will be attending Medical Technology Ireland; a high-profile event which is helping attract global suppliers to the Irish Medical Device Industry. This year’s event has drawn in over 200 exhibitors and will feature presentations from leading international medical device experts.

But what exactly happens at Medical Technology Ireland? And how can a company like ours benefit from attending? More importantly, why should you attend? Here’s a quick look at what this event has to offer.

European Springs Ireland at Medical Technology Ireland

Medical Technology Ireland

Medical Technology Ireland is an event showcasing the latest technological developments from the world of medicine right here in Ireland. Over two days, products and solutions for the Irish medical technology design and manufacturing industry will be on display, with expert talks, interactive demonstrations and key-note speakers all making up the jam-packed schedule.

Taking place on the 26th and 27th September in Galway, this exciting event features over 200 exhibitors, promising a high-level conference with potentially fascinating new initiatives. This two-day conference features a host of exciting activities, from medical experts giving informative speeches, to on-stage interviews with professional executives.

What Does the Event Entail?

With over 1,500 attendees, there is much to be expected from this event, including over 30 hours of informative content to educate businesses and ultimately assist them with their development. Day one of the event features a number of fascinating talks regarding relevant subjects within the world of manufacturing, from The Future of 3D Printing to Current Challenges and Opportunities in the Irish MedTech Landscape.

The excitement continues on the second day, where some of the interesting seminars include Smart Technologies for Medical Device Manufacturers to Man & Machine – The Five Stages of Man/Robot Collaboration. The first day of the event focuses heavily on the medical industry, with the second day looking more at the manufacturing side of the latest in medical technology.

There is a diverse range of professions from all over the world visiting this fantastic event, including product design engineers, consultants and research developers. This is not only your chance to learn from experts in the field of medical technology, but it is also a way for you to gain potential customers and connections. From these interesting talks, we can broaden our own knowledge, as we communicate with a vast array of individuals who share the same passion for excellence.

The event has been met with tremendous success; reviews from previous years include:

 ‘’The show has all the hallmarks of being Ireland’s premier event…we will be back!’’

 ‘’We found this year’s Medical Technology Ireland exhibition at the Galway Racecourse to be a very positive event, with a high footfall and high level of visitors…this event will be a major contribution to our growth in the Irish MedTech market.’’

 ‘’The show exceeded our expectations with many new contacts made and subsequent good quality new business enquiries have been received. The show allowed us to raise our profile amongst the key players in the Irish Medical Sector.’’

Whether a company in the industry or even an individual wanting to increase your knowledge of this fascinating sector, there is much to be learned from the two-day event.

Don’t Forget to Come and See European Springs

Events like this are an amazing opportunity for those within the industry to raise their profile whilst learning a great deal from the experts. As spring manufacturers, we at European Springs Ireland work closely with the medical industry, providing high-quality springs for a wide range of life-saving and highly sophisticated medical equipment.

Expo

For businesses who have the opportunity to attend events like this, it is greatly important to do so, as it can help your business progress, giving you the chance to widen your connections and learn about the latest innovations. We are excited for the Medical Technology Ireland to begin.

For more information on the event, take a look at their website here: Medical Technology Ireland.

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People may not notice just how much of a role springs play in our day-to-day lives. Everything from your coffee maker to your car brakes, your toilet to your remote control – all these everyday products rely on the humble spring. The history of this revolutionary technology dates back longer than you might think.

Everything from tools, such as hammers and spanners, to small components, such as springs and hinges, are just as important

Early Spring Technology

What do we classify as a ‘spring’? The helical shape of a compression spring (a coiled spring) is well recognised as the ‘standard’ spring shape. However, this design was not humanity’s first introduction into this life-changing technology.

An early example of spring technology is the bow and arrow. This prehistoric weapon works using a simple non-coiled spring, in the same way as a modern-day tension spring. When the bow’s string is pulled back, it tightens and creates a bounce when released; this is considered a ‘spring’. Given that bone arrowheads have been discovered dating as far back as 61,000 years ago, this suggests that this form of spring technology is at least this old.

Coiled springs, on the other hand, are a much more modern invention, appearing as late as the 18th Century.

Bronze Age

Springs began to take on a more sophisticated form in the Bronze age, shown through the spread of tweezers in many cultures during this time. A type of chariot created in 1333 BC, which was popularised by Tutankhamun, featured an early suspension system designed with leaf spring shock absorbers. This type of spring technology was also used during the Roman era for their chariots.

The Renaissance

Leonardo Da Vinci was the mastermind behind springs being employed into the design of pistols. In 1493, Da Vinci discovered that the use of a small spring would allow a pistol to be shot using just one hand, completely altering the way firearms were used.

Hooke’s Law

Hooke’s Law, devised in 1676 by British physicist, Robert Hooke, is a physics principle which states that the extension of a spring is proportional to the load applied to it, so long as this load does not exceed the material’s elastic limit.

The force is equal to the ‘spring constant’ in Newtons per metre, multiplied by the extension in metres. This equation was, and still is, paramount in the creation of objects that use springs.

Industrial Revolution

The original coil spring was patented in 1763 by R. Tradwell; it was considered revolutionary since, unlike the leaf spring, it did not need to be lubricated or spread apart. It was during this era that new forms of spring technology began to crop up, such as balance springs, clock springs and mattress springs. They were more accurate and inexpensive to replace, which led to the mass production of metal springs.

Today

The advancement of spring technology came on leaps and bounds as time went on. Now springs can be found everywhere, from bikes and cars to watches, toys, door locks, trampolines and even jet skis. Here at European Springs Ireland, we work with a wide range of different springs, including: spring clips, torsion, tension, compression, gas, motor and more – all of which can be used in a number of industries.

If you would like to speak to us about how our springs could be used in your next project, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will be more than happy to advise you.

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