Steel skills boost for Wales

A new £7 million programme to help Wales' steel industry develop new products and technologies for the 21^st century was announced by Education Minister, Jane Hutt, on Wednesday 19th August 2009.

The STRIP (Steel Training Research and Innovation Partnership) project will make use of European Structural funds to support Welsh universities and colleges in improving the industry's competitiveness, the Minister said.

It will ensure the higher level skills needed by the industry - providing Masters and Doctorate studies for graduates across Wales as well as training and up-skilling existing workers.

Led by Swansea University together with Bangor, Cardiff and Glyndwr universities, and collaborating with 22 companies who make up the partnership, the scheme will receive £4 million from the Convergence European Social Fund as well as funding from the university and industry partners.

The aim will be to develop specialists who can lead the way in creating innovative steel products and technologies, as well as undertake projects in areas such as carbon capture and renewable energy to secure the industry's future sustainability.

The project will work closely with large steel companies with bases in Wales and with smaller companies who make up a vital supply chain for the material to identify their training needs.

It will help these businesses to lead Wales out of recession and will complement existing Assembly Government work with SEMTA Sector Skills Council to upgrade skills in the metals sector and the provision of skills training for steel businesses experiencing short time working through the acclaimed ProAct scheme.

Announcing the funding, Education Minister Jane Hutt said: "The STRIP project will deliver tomorrow's steel technologists and equip people working in the industry with new skills and knowledge.

"I am delighted that this project will harness the world-class assets in universities and leading companies - and provides the extra impetus provided by our management of European funds where we are committed to focus on vital sectors of the Welsh economy."

Made up of a pan-Wales consortium of leading science and engineering academics, STRIP has strong research and training links to the steel industry and with a number of strip steel and metal companies in the region.

The new initiative will enable individual companies to increase links with the higher education sector, encouraging the wider supply chain to take full advantage of the knowledge, skills and resources available. It will also help the industry respond effectively to the global challenges it faces in a fiercely competitive marketplace.

Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said: "Steel is a key pillar of the Welsh advanced manufacturing base - and to secure its future it is vital for the industry to re-group, re-train and re-equip for the upturn of the global economy post-recession.  To succeed in this ambition we must secure top quality individuals with high level skills to drive forward the industry and boost economic growth."

Swansea University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard B Davies, said: "This is a hugely significant and timely project. Swansea University's School of Engineering is ranked 8^th in the UK for materials and metallurgy and has a long and successful record of collaborating closely with the steel industry in Wales. 

"This project builds upon existing collaboration - but on a larger scale and with a renewed sense of purpose in helping to deliver a stronger post-recession economy - with each partner university mobilising their research strengths and facilities to support the high level skills, high value added end of the steel industry."

Kevin Bygate, Business Development Director Corus Colors, said the initiative was critical to address high level skills shortages faced by the industry

He said: "The products of Corus Colors are the most specified in the world for the building envelope because of the product quality and their functional features. Much of what we market today and what we will market tomorrow is based on work done at the Sustainable Coatings Centre at Swansea University's School of Engineering and as part of the Engineering Doctorate programme.

"STRIP is an exciting initiative that will not only deliver high quality applied research but also address the critical high level skills shortages currently faced by Corus in Wales."

Case Study
As a leading manufacturer of steel and aluminium industrial coatings BASF Coatings Limited ensure their staff are well equipped with the skills to sustain their business in a competitive market.

From their base in Deeside, North Wales, BASF supply paint products to companies such as Corus who use them for coating their metal products which have multiple applications in domestic appliances, automotive parts and the construction industry.

Part of the global BASF Chemical Company, the North Wales division takes part in collaborative R&D projects to develop new processes and technologies to maintain their high quality products and to ensure they are at the forefront of innovation in their field.

Dr Nick Brown, Director at BASF Coatings Limited, said: "Currently we support two students looking at high speed curing methods and future coatings which will allow BASF to take advantage of faster coil coatings curing processes such as with the use of near infra red technology. It will also help us to develop coatings with scratch resistance and self cleaning properties which will be needed in the future. These activities will improve our products, lower processing costs and enhance energy efficiency. 

"Our largest customer is Corus Colors based in North and South Wales. We have an excellent relationship which has resulted in numerous joint development projects."

"The STRIP project is very welcome as it will support more activities like this, leading to higher skills and the development of next generation products which will keep us competitive in the global market.

For further information on BASF Coatings Limited contact Dr Nick Brown, Tel: 0124428-7736/mobile; Tel: 07970 281320 or view website: www.basf.com

Gravograph´s ISO 900 mechanical engraving
machine ensures high productivity for cutting or
milling as well as medium and large engraving jobs 

Gravograph´s new mechanical engraving machine provides many new functions, including ´point and shoot´ and handling of strips without length limits. IS 900 is designed for flat engraving of identification plates or cutting and engraving of sheets of any material, including aluminium.

IS 900 can engrave at up to 100 mm/s over a large 660 x 460 mm area, ensuring high productivity for cutting or milling as well as medium and large engraving jobs. IS 900 stands out by its intelligence, its ergonomics and its many innovations. (Refer to the pictures on the right).

The engraver´s intelligence is provided by its IQ+ electronics. Developed specifically by Gravograph for its engraving machine range, the new electronics increase working speeds by up to 50%, allowing a maximum speed of 100 mm/s. IQ+ also enables the introduction of new functions such as ´Point n´Shoot´, along with plug-and-play incorporation of any type of controlled accessory, such as additional spindle motors, swarf removal functions or lubrication.

Excellent ergonomics are provided by the novel design, registered by Gravograph, of the IS 900 enabling it to handle strips of unlimited length, with a 660 x 460 mm engraving area. Material feed can also be from the open area, via the back of the machine. The engraver can be placed in the middle of a workshop, or against a wall, or in a corner between two walls, and all functions remain available whatever its layout. IS 900 is 100% compatible with Gravograph´s Braille Dispenser Kit, making it easy for the customer to engrave and place metal beads in the plates to generate Braille characters. Large plates can be clamped with just one hand, raising productivity. All clamps are locked in a single operation by one handle. Less than 10 s is needed to install and clamp the plates.

Its many innovations distinguish the IS 900 from other models on the market. First, the ´Terrain follower´ enables the IS 900 machine to engrave accurately even on a non-flat surface, following the shape and height of the sheet with an optical sensor. Second, the ´Point n´Shoot´ function uses a laser pointer for visual positioning of the engraving on the item and simulating the engraving work before executing the programmed task.

For further information contact, Fabrice Juszczak, product manager, email: fabrice.juszczak@gravograph.com or view website: www.gravograph.com or in the UK, e-mail: marketing@gravograph.co.uk   Refer to page 49