Author: European Springs Web Team

Well, what a year it has been!

We are incredibly proud of the team here at European Springs and all that we’ve achieved throughout the previous year. To celebrate these magnificent achievements, and to highlight some of our team’s proudest moments, we have compiled a list of some of our favourite projects and discuss some of the challenges we’ve undertaken throughout 2016; a year which has seen European Springs take to the high-street and become a part of football history.

Olympic Work at West Ham

London Stadium

With the football season kicking off in August, West Ham wanted to celebrate their move to their new home, the London Stadium. The East London football team were originally based at the Boleyn Ground, or Upton Park, from 1904 until the 2015-16 season, at which point they were to relocate to the London Stadium.

However, before they could play their first game against Bournemouth on August 19th, a few finishing touches were needed to be put in place. One such change was to design, engineer, and install canopies over the retractable seating voids inside the stadium. In this project, we worked alongside Fabric Architecture to manufacture a spring solution, and the results were phenomenal!

Springing into Action for Tate Modern

At European Springs, we manufacture and provide the highest quality springs, with everything from compression and tension springs to bespoke wire forms and pressings. One of the most prolific and most involved projects that we were proud to be a part of was when James and Taylor Ltd in London contacted us to produce a spring mechanism for the new Tate Modern gallery.

Our London site in Beckenham pulled out all the stops and was proud to be part of such an amazing engineering project. But you may be wondering how European Springs ties into the project at hand?

Tate Modern Art Gallery

Well, the terracotta and metal façade engineering firm previously approached us to design, develop, and sample a design for the scaffolding fixing clips. However, the scaffolding was, in fact, set to come down sooner than previously anticipated. With this, we had to finish the spring mechanism in just over a week.

We were extremely proud when we managed to complete the task within the allotted time and to the highest quality possible. The hurdles that we had to overcome, other than the incredibly short time constraint, was the nature of the incredibly complex tasks from start to finish, involving unwavering precision and accuracy on every single part of the project that we manufactured.

However, in the end, everyone that worked on the Tate Modern project deserved a huge amount of praise for the work that they have achieved. It was so fantastic, that the Tate even produced a stop-motion film of the Tate Modern being built from the ground up!

Spotlight on: Liberty of London

If there are two things you can say about European Springs, it’s that we manufacture a wide array of springs, forms, and pressings and that they are produced to the highest quality.

As a result, Liberty London – a retail store in London – approached us to produce and deliver 80 springs for their window displays. And we didn’t disappoint!

Liberty London Retail

Initially, you would have assumed that the springs were to be used as components for machines, but they were actually for the displays themselves; the typical compression springs that we manufacture were used to hold the various display items in place. This project showed the public that European Springs are capable of produced any size of spring, from millimetres in length to the two-metre-high items that formed the Liberty London window displays.

This brilliant collaboration showed off the versatility and creativity of our team, and we couldn’t be happier to have been part of such an amazing exhibition. We are proud to say that, along with the various industries that we work with day in day out, the retail industry is now an industry in which we can work to achieve great things.

Even without the fantastic projects that we’ve been honoured to have been involved in, 2016 has seen European Springs invest in some new and exciting technology that enables up to produce springs and pressings at a much faster rate and to a higher order of accuracy. Not only that, our London site has even gained the ISO 14001 Certification, and we are extremely proud of everyone that has been involved throughout such a fruitful year.

At European Springs, we constantly strive to achieve the best results for us and for our clients. If you want to know more about the projects that we have worked on this year, then why not contact us on 0044 7889171165 and one of our friendly members of staff will be more than happy to help.

3D printing allows for fast and affordable prototyping; it has been used in engineering in order to create accurate representations of designs in a shorter period of time. CAD design is utilised in conjunction, helping to produce streamlined results with fewer errors in the finished product.

By reducing the cost of prototypes, 3D is allowing for the construction of optimised robots that are increasingly more durable. With 3D printing in the engineering industry, engineers are able to apply its advantages to several sectors.

 

QuadBot

3D printable and programmable, QuadBot is presently still running a Kickstarter campaign in order to fund its first production run. Students from Manchester University and Engimake founders, Jack Scott-Reeve and Josh Elijah, utilised their master’s degrees in engineering from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering to develop the Quadbot. Its primary function is to be a learning tool, guaranteeing groups and workshops have an easy-to-use tool that needs little maths, electronics, 3D design, and coding experience.

The robot is completely open source with Arduino C++ and Ardublockly Graphical as main recommended software. It contains approximately 27 hours of 3D printed parts, Bluetooth module, servo motors, cables, and cords. The QuadBot is capable of dancing, walking, avoid obstacles, and much more, allowing for endless creations due to its open source platform.

 

Mars Medical Challenge

This challenge is seeking K-12 United States students to create a 3D design of a medical device capable of sustaining the physical health of an astronaut on a 3-year mission to Mars. The requirement? It needs to be 3D printable for use in emergency situations, diagnostics, first-aid, and other medical solutions.

Hoping to develop technology that will allow humans to travel in space for long-term missions of exploration, the entries are required to be six inches by six inches. The winners of this project will be announced on 28th March, with the big prize being a tour of NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.

3D printing is here to stay, allowing both engineering professionals and students to create optimised designs that are faster to manufacture and more affordable. As leaders in spring and high-speed press technology, here at European Springs we can help you find the perfect springs for you 3D printed project. Get in touch with us by giving us a call on 028 9083 8605 to speak to our skilled team. We’re always happy to answer any query you might have!

Alternatively, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to see our latest news.

For graduates looking for a career in engineering, now is probably the best time to be looking as graduate pay for engineers has increased by 4% since last year.

The news comes as a report from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has been released, showing that a graduate of engineering who goes into a related position following their time at university can now expect to earn around £28,000 per year, a £1,110 increase from the figure reported last year.

The Graduate Salary Landscape

To be an engineer isn’t just a rewarding career choice, it pays incredibly well too, especially when compared to other graduates in different industries. According to the HESA , engineering graduates are earning 22% more than graduates in other sectors, with the average salary being £22,984.

Engineer and Apprentices

While the increase in graduate pay is incredible news for the newer additions to the industry, there’s further good news for employees already practising engineering related roles. Although a smaller rise, salaries of engineers as a whole has increased by 2% – great news for an ever-expanding industry!

The skills of an engineer are always going to be in demand, and previously it was reported that there just simply weren’t enough engineers to undertake the work required of them. However, this salary increase is a great indicator that the industry is definitely moving in the right direction; otherwise there would be no raises at all!

Because of the competitiveness of the industry, it is important to all engineering firms to retain their employees at all costs. One of the main reasons that employees stay with their respective companies is the salary. It is a widely known fact that the engineering industry invests in their workers, and by offering them a well-paid position that is maintainable in the long run – unlike many positions within other industries.

Location, Location, Location!

As with other sectors, where you are located can heavily impact the amount that you can expect to receive. Different regions around the UK will have different pay expectations, and while the average graduate can expect the £28,000, there will be areas that may pay more than this.

Heating Engineer Repairman in Boiler Room

According to EEF, the Manufacturers Organisation, region has always played a part in the salaries that the highest earnings are generally found in the South, with engineers who work within businesses in the South East scooping an average of £40,000. Shockingly, the area which receives the lowest average for engineers is the South West, where industry professionals can expect salaries averaging at £36,000 per annum.

The Future of Engineering

As the engineering industry appears to be on the up with regards to growth, these figures should theoretically rise as the demand for engineers continues to exist.

It is hoped that these attractive salaries and the sustainability of the positions that are available will continue to attract younger generations into the industry.

Senior Engineer and New Employee

With the help of various universities around the country who are able to provide fruitful courses with high-quality graduates emerging from the end of them, the engineering sector is set to grow from strength to strength following a period of too many engineering tasks needing to be undertaken, but not enough qualified engineers to undertake them.

As there are so many engineering sectors, it is impossible to say which ones will continue to rapidly expand. Every sector has expectations and when it comes down to it, it all depends on the supply chain and how much the world need their services.

Here at European Springs Ireland, we work with a variety of different engineering industries, and we are extremely excited to hear that graduates are getting a well-deserved pay rise. We are investing in the future of engineering – and that is always a plus!

If you’d like to find out more about our wire form, spring or pressing services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today – we’ll be more than happy to help.

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The most common metal that is used to manufacture springs is an alloy of steel and carbon; an alloy normally referred to as carbon steel that can contain various percentages of carbon depending on the final use.

However, various spring manufacturers, such as European Springs Ireland, tend to use additional metals that alter the chemical structure and behaviour of springs. As such, we have listed a couple of popular metals that are used, as well as carbon steel, to enhance the properties of springs that are used across the world.

Chromium

Chromium is a transition metal that traditionally has a grey colour. Naturally, it is a hard metal that has a relatively high boiling point. The reason chromium is used is because of its high resistance to corrosion and hardness.

When added to steel, chromium increases the structural hardness of the alloy itself, which is great for springs (like compression springs or die springs) that are used in an incredibly heavy bearing environment, such as vehicle suspension in heavy duty or high-performance vehicles. It can also be used in environments where the temperatures are relatively high, such as in oil drilling.

Man is working in the splashing molten iron

Silicon

Silicon is an element that is so common on Earth that it is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Silicon is widely distributed throughout all types of matter, anything from sand and glass to common silicates such as those found in electronic boards and in our favourite porcelain and ceramic dishes.

Because of its various uses, it’s easy to deduce that silicon is incredibly hard and it also can withstand incredibly high temperatures. As such, spring manufacturers across the world tend to use silicon in springs where they are required to absorb a large amount of shock, predominantly in race cars.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a non-ferrous alloy that is incredibly tough and has a very high resistance to corrosion. Because it doesn’t contain any iron, stainless steel is nonmagnetic, which is great for applications where there is a rotating electrical current present.

Lamborghini Aventador

Because of its ductility, hardness and high resistance to corrosion, some stainless steel alloys are used to manufacture highly strong and ductile springs that are used in a multitude of industries; from the medical sector to aerospace, automotive and defence industries.

Since the Industrial Revolution, we have been investigating new and exotic metals to try and improve the standard pieces of equipment that we use in everyday life. As highly specialised spring manufacturers, European Springs Ireland is focused on ensuring that the end result is of the highest quality and is purpose built for the right application.

If you would like to know more about the springs that we manufacture and design, then please get in touch today on 028 9083 8605 and we will be more than happy to discuss any queries you may have.

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As a company with almost 70 years of expertise, European Springs & Pressings regularly undertake a wide variety of complex projects. Our technological knowledge and skill is clearly showcased through every final product, ensuring high-quality and innovation.

With over a hundred years of history, West Ham United Football Club is deeply entrenched in English football history. For the first time in over a century, the club has moved to a new home – the London Stadium. In close teamwork and collaboration with Fabric Architecture, we manufactured bespoke springs for a renovation that corresponds with the stadium’s next step in sports.

 

Improved Bespoke Spring Manufacture

As market leaders in spring manufacture, we continuously strive for optimised procedures and technology to produce a streamlined, high-quality spring. For West Ham’s new stadium, we utilised a new Fortuna coiling machine with this process in mind; we delivered tailored springs, designed specifically for dissipating loads from the stadium’s canopies.

Fabric Architecture, award winning experts in tensile fabric structure, had specific engineering requirements due to the undertaken stadium project. They were required to design, engineer, and install large-scale fabric canopies that would be placed over the existing retractable seating voids inside the stadium.

Through the new Fortuna machine, we were able to strengthen our design of wire coiling from 0.3mm to 26mm. New opportunities for more exciting projects have subsequently opened, including new markets across multi-industries. Managing Director of European Springs & Pressings, Michael Gibbs, reinforces a vital factor in the industry and for our business: engineering solutions.

For us at European Springs & Pressings, ensuring that we keep investing “skills training and machinery is part of an ongoing growth strategy for the organisation that has seen us grow from an £800k operation to £7.5m turnover over the last 15 years.”

 

A Close and Proactive Relationship with Fabric Architecture

Collaboration in engineering is vital; managing the quality of every project ensures that every step of the design and the manufacturing processes are streamlined and produce the highest possible quality. With technical proficiency from several industries, the end result has an increased intricacy and detail that guarantees a safe and superior product.

Our relationship with Fabric Architecture, according to Director of Design and Engineering Nigel Browne, was “ fast, efficient, and very knowledgeable in assisting us to design a system that helped dissipate the loads from the canopies.”

Quality and safety are always top priorities at European Springs & Pressings, and our streamlined wire coiling signifies that, at all times, the 60,000 capacity stadium can guarantee the safety of everyone. As our Production Managers love West Ham, Michael Gibbs added, the “subsequent suggestion that the springs were powder coated in the club’s famous claret colour, has added a personal touch that has truly made the team feel part of sporting history.”

Additionally, here at European Springs & Pressings we are proud to now forever watch over the West Ham United Football Club and their fans with our high-quality springs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 028 9083 8605 to enquire about our springs and pressing services.

Alternatively, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to see our news and updates.

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Aerospace is a truly fascinating field, from the early days of the Wright Military Flyer to the Apollo 11 that took the first man, Neil Armstrong straight to the moon. Now space travel to Mars seems like a real possibility, thanks to the advancements in aerospace engineering.

Travelling to mars, highly intelligent drones and completely automatic passenger planes. What else can we expect from the world of aerospace?

Drone over US city

Data Management

The US government recently invested $200 million into the “Big Data” initiative to make use and manage large quantities of data.  Some of this investment is going into DARPA’S XDATA program to help drones and other surveillance tools to collect and manage data more efficiently.

System Software

System software that is used by passenger planes is becoming more advanced than ever, with the software handling more of the plane’s duties than it has previously. Improvements in aircraft software is helping to reduce the time taken to land airplanes and the amount of energy consumed. In the future it could be possible for passenger planes to be completely automatic and be fully functional without the need of a pilot.

Better Craft Communication

Nowadays, a message can get from the cockpit to the landing station with ease. Boeing is now working on a drone swarming system that will improve the way drones communicate with other to enhance efficiency in surveillance and targeting. Boeing states eventually it wants to apply the technology to passenger planes, soon it will be nearly impossible for a plane to go missing without a trace.

Space Launch System Flying Over The Clouds

All the Way to Mars

NASA is trying to make space travel to Mars a reality by the 2030s. There is already a fleet of robotic spacecraft and rovers around Mars that has helped NASA understand the great red planet in vast detail. But NASA is trying to make it possible for humans to one day live and work on Mars, so they are examining data such as Mars levels of radiation to help protect the astronauts once they land there. ESA have just recently become the second space agency to successfully land a spacecraft in Mars.

Future advancements in aerospace engineering look to be incredible; could you imagine not only being able to travel to Mars, but also having a house there?

We at European Springs Ireland are always interested in the latest developments that take place in the world of engineering Please don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information. You can give us a call on 028 9083 8605 and we will be more than happy to help.

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