Category: News & Updates

In the last decade, we’ve seen an immense growth in the amount and popularity of video games, and a lot of them can have educational benefits as well as providing entertainment. Many popular video games employ engineering concepts, and can be a great way to inspire children to become future engineers. In this blog, we’ll be going through our top 5 engineering video games for children, that are both enjoyable and inspiring.

1. Minecraft

Age 8+

There’s a reason why Minecraft is beloved by many. It’s relatively simple concept leaves endless room for creativity and exploration, allowing the game to be completely tailored to personal preference. This means that kids can build entire worlds working independently or with friends, giving them creative freedom which is an integral aspect of engineering. Minecraft allows children to learn about design, mechanics, and problem-solving in a fun and expansive way.

2. World of Goo 2

Age 8+

This award-winning physics game is a fantastic choice to inspire budding engineers, combining structure-building with key physics concepts. The premise of the game is to build structures using goo balls in order to complete challenges, creating a motivating and creative experience for children. Its whimsical design keeps children entertained, whilst teaching them key principles of mechanics and problem solving.

3. Kerbal Space Program (1 & 2)

Age 10+

This game is particularly suited to children who have an interest in space or astronauts. In this game, you can build your own rocket ship. You have a variety of rocket parts, like engines and fuel tanks, which you must assemble into a ship that can function – and lift off the ground without immediately exploding. This game is great for teaching children concepts like balance, aerodynamics, and functionality.

4. LEGO Worlds

Age 7+

Similar to Minecraft, LEGO Worlds give children the freedom to create their own worlds using block structures. Users can construct buildings, vehicles, and landscapes using LEGO bricks, teaching children problem-solving and logic skills that are essential within engineering. Moreover, the popularity of LEGO sets and cinematic adaptations means that this game will be sure to appeal to and inspire children.

5. Crazy Gears

Age 4+

This IOS and Android based game is a captivating option for on-the-go gaming and introducing children to critical think ideas. In this game, children work through levels of gears, chains, rods, and pulleys, teaching them how each one works together to form the basic components of a machine. Even though this game is designed for younger children, it’s mobile design can serve as a great way to entertain and educate children of all ages.

Honourable Mentions

These are some games that didn’t quite make our top 5 cut, but are still standout games that can teach children a thing or two about engineering.

• Space Engineers – Similar to Kerbal Space Program, Space Engineers involves construction, survival and exploration in space, allowing you to build space ships, space stations, and civil or military outposts.
• Scrap Mechanic – This game has a similar creative aspect to Minecraft and LEGO worlds, where you can choose from over a hundred building parts to create vehicles or building. This game is interactive and inspiring, and even has a fun multiplayer aspect.
• Poly Bridge – This bridge simulator game is filled with physics-based puzzles, teaching children how to construct a bridge that can stand on its own. The sandbox mode in this game allows players to build impressive and functional structures.

Videogames are excellent tools for growing and stimulate children’s brains. They allow for puzzle solving, creativity, and logic skills to develop, inspiring the next generation of engineers. Engineering is an industry that always benefits from bright new ideas and individuals, and at European Springs Ireland we are dedicated to helping young people start their careers in this field.

With over seven decades of experience in our field, we have built a positive reputation both domestically and internationally as leading spring manufacturers, but what makes our services so popular? Because we work closely with our clients and take time to understand their needs and support their projects.

Finding a reliable, honest, and experienced spring manufacturer shouldn’t be a challenge, so read on to see why our processes are so successful and discover how we can support your next project.

Tailored Spring Designs for Any Application

Our customer-driven approach to spring design ensures that we meet the needs of our clients’ projects. We pride ourselves on this bespoke process that steps away from stock spring limitations and, instead, creates a product built specifically for its intended use.

This way of thinking is something we have developed not just because of our long-term expertise in this field but also because of the broad variety of sectors that we have worked with. Whether it is industrial areas such as oil and gas or commercial ventures such as machine and product design, we know that our process is highly effective at addressing a range of applications.

One proven example is the work we conducted to strengthen the well-known Öresund Bridge. Previously, severe vibrations threatened the stability of this bridge between Sweden and Denmark, and we were part of an international team designing custom dampers that featured high-quality compression springs designed to manage the problematic vibrations caused by fluctuating cables during adverse weather conditions. Our bespoke dampers, each containing precision-engineered compression springs, are designed to absorb and counteract the vibrations.

Part of the Lesjöfors Group

Another benefit our clients enjoy when choosing us as their spring manufacturers is that we are part of the Lesjöfors Group. Since 2007, we have stood alongside and collaborated with dozens of the leading manufacturers across Europe. Having access to global resources means we support and are supported in creating any springs to suit even the most demanding specifications.

This way, we continue to be the local manufacturer that our clients need, but with access to the technology, materials and designs that ensure our tailored service operates smoothly and with reliable results. It also means that we can handle projects of any size and complexity, delivering high-quality products on time and within budget.

First-Class Manufacturing Facilities

We’re proud to have state-of-the-art spring manufacturing facilities that help us to serve clients across the globe. Our engineers are among the best in the industry, with years of experience and a deep understanding of spring manufacturing. We continually invest in upskilling our team and upgrading our facilities to stay ahead of industry trends and technological advancements. This commitment to innovation allows us to offer our clients cutting-edge solutions that are both efficient and cost-effective. Whether you need a custom spring design or a high-volume production run, our team has the expertise and resources to deliver exceptional results.

Commitment to Quality

Quality is at the core of all our manufacturing processes and is evident to our clients with every spring we make for them. We are fully accredited members of The Institute of Spring Technology and the Institute of Sheet Metal Engineering, which supports our registration with BSI to ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards. These certifications reflect our commitment to maintaining the highest levels of quality and sustainability in our manufacturing processes. We believe that quality begins with the materials we use, which is why we source only the best materials that meet the stringent standards required for your project.

Our in-house tooling capabilities allow us to create custom tools for each project, ensuring consistency and accuracy throughout the production process. Additionally, we offer a range of finishing techniques, such as plating, powder coating, and polishing, to enhance the durability and performance of your springs. Our commitment to quality ensures that every product we deliver is optimised for its intended application.

Sustainably Manufactured Springs

When choosing us, you are choosing a spring manufacturer dedicated to supporting sustainable manufacturing practices and regulations. The recent introduction of new carbon reporting requirements has reinforced our dedication to environmental responsibility. These regulations are designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and the reduction of carbon emissions across the manufacturing sector, aligning with the ambitious targets set by the European Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Our proactive approach involved integrating energy-efficient practices into our operations, from optimising production methods to implementing waste reduction strategies. By adhering to the latest EU carbon reporting standards, we comply with regulations and contribute to a broader industry shift towards sustainable manufacturing. This dedication ensures that our clients can trust us to deliver high-quality products while also supporting global efforts to protect the environment, which can be included in their own brand as a business that values sustainability.

Leading Irish Spring Supplier

As leading spring manufacturers, we closely monitor the shifting trends within our industry. Despite the international challenges we’ve all experienced, we see a bright future for Irish manufacturing in our facility and the nation as a whole. Contact us to discuss the requirements for your next project and see how we can fulfil them.

Recently, the European Union (EU) introduced new carbon reporting regulations with the specific aim of enhancing transparency, accountability, and the reduction of carbon emissions across industries, in particular the manufacturing sector and its operations.

This is just the latest development in a series of steps the EU has taken to improve sustainability and effectively fight climate change.

Such regulations and their impact represent a significant shift in how manufacturing companies manage and report their carbon footprint. As leading spring manufacturers, we are aware of the various aspects and ramifications of such changes; in this blog, we will focus on the set of opportunities and challenges they bring to manufacturers in reshaping the industry’s approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The New EU Carbon Reporting Regulations: An Overview

As we mentioned, the new carbon reporting regulations introduced by the EU recently are part of a broader initiative focused on the ambitious targets set by the European Green Deal, which aims for the EU to become climate neutral by 2050.

These regulations demand that manufacturing companies provide comprehensive, accurate reports on their carbon emissions, from energy usage to waste management. This reporting framework is designed to not only track manufacturers’ direct emissions but also consider the environmental impact on their entire supply chain.

The EU has implemented standardised reporting formats and methodologies to simplify, make everything more accessible, and ensure consistency and accuracy across the board. Companies are now required to submit their carbon emissions data every year, which will then be reviewed and verified by independent third parties. The goal is to create a transparent system where emissions data is readily accessible, allowing all stakeholders involved, including investors, consumers, and regulatory bodies, to make informed decisions based on a business’s environmental performance.

How Will These Regulations Impact Manufacturing Companies?

Many companies will wonder how these regulations will impact the manufacturing sector. The answer is that they will have significant implications. Let’s have a closer look.

• The first and most obvious consequence is the increased investment in monitoring and reporting means, which are essential to meet the compliance requirements set forth by the EU. Manufacturers will have to adopt advanced technologies to precisely measure emissions across various stages of production, including upgrading existing equipment, using new data management systems, and training their staff to manage these systems effectively.
• The new regulations will drive companies to reevaluate their strategies to reduce their carbon footprint. This means they will shift to renewable energy sources, optimise manufacturing processes to be more energy-efficient, and reduce waste.
• For many manufacturing businesses, this transformation will help meet regulatory demands, enhance their overall efficiency, and reduce costs in the long run. However, it is an important transition, and, like all changes, it will pose challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may lack the resources to invest in the necessary upgrades.

Compliance Requirements and Reporting Standards

The new EU carbon reporting regulations centre on compliance with high and strict standards. Manufacturers must adopt a new, more detailed, systematic approach to following the specific guidelines outlined by the European Union. This includes the use of standardised emissions factors and calculation methodologies that allow for the reported data to be more accurate and flexible. The information gathered, in fact, will be comparable across different companies and industries to have a bigger picture of the entire industry. To further solidify the accuracy of this process, the emission data collected must be finally verified by accredited third-party auditors to prevent discrepancies and guarantee total integrity.

Internal controls and processes are another relevant aspect that will be affected by the changes. Integrating carbon accounting into manufacturers’ existing financial and operational reporting systems will allow them to consistently track and record emissions data; regular audits and assessments will complete this process to ensure standards are consistently met and identify additional areas for improvement.

Achieving and maintaining compliance will require a continuous effort towards more sustainable practices. Should companies not respect the new standards, the EU will enforce penalties, such as fines and sanctions, to underline the importance of adhering to these regulations.

Benefits and Challenges for Manufacturers

These significant changes naturally come with both benefits and challenges for manufacturers.

In terms of opportunities, the first one to highlight is the potential for enhanced corporate reputation and increased competitiveness. Manufacturing companies that are able to showcase a constant commitment to sustainability and transparency are likely to be preferred by environmentally conscious consumers and investors. This aspect is not to be underrated, as it translates into a stronger brand image and greater market opportunities. Another valuable benefit is the potential reduction of operational costs associated with energy consumption and waste management.

Challenges will also be around the corner. As we mentioned earlier, the initial investment in new technologies and processes can be heavy, particularly for SMEs that don’t have many resources yet. Also, the need for accurate data collection is incredibly resource-intensive, requiring both substantial time and effort from the staff, which often overcomplicates things, at least initially. With the risk of penalties on the horizon, manufacturers must then find the time to navigate these challenges carefully, carefully balancing the need for compliance with the practicalities of their capabilities.

What Does the Future Hold? The Industry Response

So, with all these shifts, what does the future hold for the manufacturing industry in Europe? These newly introduced regulations are likely to change things quite heavily, spurring the development of new technologies and processes aimed at reducing emissions and improving efficiency. For instance, we already know our springs are contributing to sustainable energy production. So, as companies adapt to these new requirements, we can expect to see a greater emphasis on sustainability and innovation, which could lead to a more competitive and dynamic sector.

So far, industry response to these regulations has been varied. Predictably, some companies welcomed the push towards sustainability while others expressed concerns about the costs and feasibility of compliance. However, there is a growing awareness that these regulations are part of a broader and unavoidable shift towards a more sustainable future. The good news is that associations and organisations are offering a lot of support to help businesses navigate this complex transition, offering guidance on best practices, facilitating knowledge sharing, and advocating for policies that support sustainable manufacturing.

European Springs IE: Leading the Charge in Sustainable Manufacturing

At European Springs & Pressings IE, we are at the forefront of sustainable practices and are well-prepared to embrace the new EU carbon reporting regulations. With a long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility, our company has already implemented numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint.

Our proactive approach and investment in advanced technology position us as one of the European leaders in sustainability within the manufacturing sector. Contact us today to discover the quality and opportunities we offer when you choose us for your projects. Download our catalogue, and rest assured, we will always respect the planet to guarantee future generations a better and greener future.