Engineering skills included in new manufacturing Diploma

A new flagship qualification will allow 14 to 19 year olds to study how engineering skills are applied in the manufacturing industry.

The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product design (MPD), which is being introduced in 28 areas around England from September as an alternative to GCSEs and A-levels, will allow students to gain accredited vocational qualifications in disciplines ranging from computer aided design (CAD) to operations and maintenance.

The choices of qualifications, known as additional and specialist learning (ASL), has recently been released ahead of the launch of the Diploma in MPD and is intended to complement the study of core principles relevant to all manufacturing sectors by offering clear progression routes into the industry.

Paul Turnbull, who has been involved in the development of the Diploma in MPD on behalf of science, engineering and manufacturing skills council Semta, said: "The purpose of the Diploma in MPD is to give young people a sound understanding of what manufacturing is in an applied, real-life context. Obviously, engineering skills play a vital role in the manufacturing process, so it is important students can learn these within the broader context of the manufacturing industry.

"There is overlap between the engineering content of the Diploma in MPD and the Diploma in Engineering which was introduced last year. But while the Diploma in Engineering focuses in more depth non these kinds of technical skills, the Diploma in MPD looks more broadly at the commercial and practical considerations involved in developing, producing and selling a product. Its core topics cover product design, materials science, production systems and business and management, and it also pays close attention to 'employability' skills like communication, innumeracy and ICT, as well as 'soft' skills such as critical thinking and team work.

"The ASL offers an additional dimension to delivering an education which prepares students for the workplace. As well as engineering, students can pick from a wide range of existing, recognised qualifications specific to a particular manufacturing sector or to a particular manufacturing theme, or they can chose a different topic altogether, for example a modern language, which h could be useful to them. This offers students the widest possible choice of future paths, preparing them for further academic study in college or university, and gives them the chance to gain qualifications that will be recognised in the workplace if they choose to seek a job or further vocational training through an Apprenticeship or similar."

The Diploma in MPD has been developed by employers working with the five manufacturing skills councils - Semta, Improve, Cogent, Skillfast-UK, Proskills. Employers will play a central role in its delivery, working as part of consortia, or partnerships, with school and colleges. Their role will range from offering work placements and helping with project topics to assisting teachers' Continuing Professional Development.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for employers to shape the education of the next generation of workers," added Mr Turnbull. "Not only is this putting manufacturing right at the heart of mainstream education, it is mirroring the way companies train and develop staff in the workplace and giving young people practical skills they require in the workplace."

The ASL list includes a range of BTEC engineering manufacturing pathways such as applied science, operations and maintenance and electrical and mechanical, as well as City & Guilds Certificates in CAD at levels 1 to 3. The catalogue of ASL options will be added to and adapted over time to reflect changes in vocational qualifications and training.

For further information on the Manufacturing Diploma Development Partnership, e-mail: paul.newham@nexnet.co.uk

For a full guide to the ASL options available and further information relating to the  Diploma in MPD, view website: http://www.manufacturingdiploma.co.uk

Shims, washers and flat parts by the million

Need shims to a specific thickness or washers to precise dimensions? Need a flat part that is truly flat, stress free and burr free? If what you need is out of the ordinary and not an "off the shelf" item, the chances are that the quickest and most economical way of producing it will be by photochemical machining (etching), although few engineers are familiar with the process and its benefits.

The first great benefit of this production method is in the speed of manufacture. Etching does not require hard tooling that can be expansive and take weeks if not months to source. It uses digital photo tooling, or in the case of Precision Micro, no tooling whatsoever. The Company now uses Laser Direct Imaging (LDI)… transferring the digital design direct to plate without the use of film phototools, speeding the overall process and dramatically increasing the levels of precision achieved. LDI also enables designs to be changed and optimised at little extra cost, removing the need for compromise to avoid the cost of press tool modification.   

Etching is a cold chemical process that corrosively removes unwanted material. Complex designs cost no more to produce than simple ones. Flat parts remain as flat as the original sheet material from which they are made, unlike pressed parts that are subjected to substantial mechanical forces and stresses. In most instances, pressed parts will have burrs caused by the shearing action of the press tool. These can be removed in a subsequent operation but etched parts are completely burr-free and need no further finishing. Precision Micro's high throughput, etching facility also makes large volumes economical to produce.

The next time you need quick, precise, burr free, flat parts, in quantities from tens to millions, consider "Photochemical Machining", one of industry's best-kept secrets.

For further information, e-mail: westonl@precisionmicro.com    Refer to page 40

Dedicated servicing operation to provide
comprehensive service and support for all machine brands

Plastics processors, packaging and plastic recycling companies in the UK only need to remember a single name for the spare parts and support of all their dryers, granulators, blenders material loading systems and temperature control.

As of this month Revelop Ltd. will take over all engineering and spare parts activities of distributor PL Machinery for all brands, while the latter will focus entirely on selling new and refurbished equipment. Also based in Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire, Revelop is headed by Neal Northwood who has more then 20 years of experience in the plastics machinery industry.

"Setting up Revelop allows us to completely concentrate on the support and maintenance needs of our customers," says Neal Northwood. ""As a dedicated service provider we remain brand independent and can work with the best suppliers of spare parts in order to keep equipment running optimally."

Wherever possible, Revelop will use spare parts sourced from OEM's a healthy stock exchange parts are also available. While servicing and maintenance is carried out by Revelop certified technicians, who can also be on hand at short notice if customers have an unexpected stoppage. Engineering is carried out to the highest standards and all equipment is maintained accurately and professionally.

Customers who wish to buy directly from our spare parts department will also be able to discuus their issues with our technicians.

"A service contract with Revelop is an undertaking to ensure maximum production availability and minimize downtime," Neal adds. "To keep downtime to a minimum we can have a technician on site within 24 hours and hold selected spare parts of all major brands in stock. Customers can choose from a selection of different service levels and different lengths of contract. Together, we assess the service needs of our customers and tailor an agreement that minimises costs and stoppages."

He continues: "It is an established fact that scheduled maintenance increases the working life of production equipment and reduces the risk of unplanned stoppages in production. It is also the most financially advantageous option for maximizing the working life and reducing the energy consumption of every machine. Working with Revelop our customers can concentrate on running their business, while we focus on keeping their machines optomised.

Revelop in profile
Revelop services are available throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.

Revelop is completely brand-independent and offers spare parts and a wide choice of service contracts for all types of ancillary equipment within the plastic industry to suit large and small companies.

For more information, e-mail: neal.northwood@revelop.eu, or view website: www.revelop.eu

The micro electro-osmotic pump connector enables precise and extremely smooth flow rates in an integrated system

Dolomite's Micro Electro-Osmotic Pump Connector provides easy and direct integration of Dolomite microfluidic chips with Nano Fusion Technology (NFT) micro electro-osmotic pumps. This two-channel miniature pumping connector provides a low internal volume of 8 µl and a flow rate range of 0.1 µl/min to 6 µl/min. Providing an extremely smooth flow and precise control in the low flow rate range, the Micro Electro-Osmotic Pump Connector enables the development of complete small scale pumping systems ideal for use in a wide range of applications e.g. academic, handheld instrumentation, drug discovery, clinical diagnostics etc.

With no moving parts or pulsation, a smooth flow is easily obtained at high pressures up to 2000 kPa. Powered via connection to a DC supply or battery, electro-osmotic flow is generated in the pump through the application of a low voltage across the two electrodes. For more advanced management of flow rates, a pulse width modulated (PWM) power source and micro flow meter can be supplied for closed loop flow rate control.

The pump can operate directly with either de-ionised water or methanol, however using indirect methods such as using a sample loop between the pump and the on-chip working area, the micro electro-osmotic pump can be used with any liquid.

For further information on the micro electro-osmotic pump connector as well as the full range of microfluidic capabilities available from Dolomite including pumps, connectors/interconnects, chips, valves, flow sensors, custom design and full instrument design, please visit www.dolomite-microfluidics.com.

For further information about micro electro-osmotic pumps, view website: www.nft-eop.co.jp    Refer to page 40