IST NEWS

Latest IST News

RECENT IN-HOUSE AND TAILOR-MADE TRAINING COURSES

Mark Hayes, Senior Metallurgist and IST’s training course tutor has been very busy again in the first half of the year performing In-House and Tailor-Made training courses both here in the UK and abroad, along with the normal standard training courses held at IST.

January - Belgium - Material Selection, Spring Manufacture and Failure & Prevention

January - India - Material Selection, Spring Manufacturing, Spring Design and Failure & Prevention.

February - UK Material Selection, Spring Design and IST’s CAD Software.

March - France - Compression, Extension and Torsion Spring Design.

April - Belgium - Material Selection and Basic Spring Design.

May - UK - Material Selection, Manufacturing Technology and Compression Spring Design.

June - UK - Material Properties, Spring Manufacture and Compression Spring Design

June - UK - Material Selection, Compression Spring Design and IST’s CAD Software

June - Belgium - Material Selection, Manufacturing Technology, Torsion Spring Design and Failure & Prevention.

In-House and Tailor-Made Training Packages are designed specially to meet your own company’s training requirements and/or those of your customers. Offering a wide range of training packages including Compression, Extension and Torsion Spring Design, Manufacturing Technology (which can incorporate Accurate Spring Measurement and Inspection & Quality Control), Failure & Prevention and Material Selection.

In-House courses can be any of our standard courses and Tailor-Made can be mixed and matched from the various course syllabuses to create the perfect training course you require, alternatively if you have any other specific requirements we will look at these as well.

These training packages can be performed anywhere in the world on a one to one basis, or for a maximum number of 20 delegates. Delegates can be from your own company or a variety of companies together - including spring manufacturers, material suppliers and spring users alike - everyone within the spring industry can benefit from our knowledge.

Training can be provided at your own company premises, at IST or a venue suitable to you and for the duration of one or more days.

Should you require any further information regarding our In-House and Tailor-Made Training Courses, please contact Mark Hayes on Direct Dial +44 (0)114 252 7984 or Email m.hayes@ist.org.uk.

FORTHCOMING IST TRAINING COURSES

23rd, 24th & 25th September 2008
MATERIAL SELECTION AND BASIC SPRING DESIGN
Days 1 and 2 cover Material Selection and Day 3 covers Basic Spring Design.

MATERIAL SELECTION - Day One & Two - Covering all aspects of material selection, including General Properties of Materials, Basic Ferrous Metallurgy, Optical Metalography Demonstration, Material Selection for Static Applications, Coilability, Springmaking processes and Residual Stresses, Selection for long term or high temperature applications; dynamic applications; springs in corrosive conditions, Special Properties, Materials and their Specifications and Information needed to select the optimum spring material.

BASIC SPRING DESIGN - Day Three - Covering the basics of the Spring Design of Compression, Torsion and Extension springs, including Static Properties of Spring Materials, Relaxation Performance of Spring Materials, Fatigue Properties of Spring Materials, Corrosion Properties, Spring Material Specifications.

4th, 5th & 6th November 2008
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY.

Covering Materials Manufacture and Processing, Spring Forming, Heat Treatment, Prestressing, Grinding, Accurate Spring Measurement, Finishing, Inspection and Quality Control. Providing all those involved with springs the knowledge and understanding of spring manufacturing processes.

2nd, 3rd & 4th December 2008
SPRING DESIGN AND FAILURE & PREVENTION
Day 1 Compression Spring Design, Day 2 Extension and Torsion Spring Design and Day 3 Failure & Prevention.

SPRING DESIGN - Day One Compression Spring, Day Two Extension & Torsion Spring. Covering the best practice and theory of Compression, Extension and Torsion Spring Design. Learning how to establish the best material for which spring type and why, about the manufacturing processes your design undergo to create the final product and establish the facts about computer aided design.

FAILURE & PREVENTION - Day Three Failure & Prevention including Lectures on How Springs Could Fail, Causes of Spring Failure, Spring Failure Analysis, The Prevention of Spring Failure, Demonstration of Failure Analysis Techniques and Case Histories.

For further information on the above training courses, including a brochure and course syllabus, or to register, please contact Julie Bull on Direct Dial +44 (0)114 252 7983 or Email j.bull@ist.org.uk. Details of our training courses can be found on our website at www.ist.org.uk, where on-line registration can also be made.

DUSSELDORF

IST’s once again exhibited at the recent Wire Exhibition in Dusseldorf. Our stand was manned by Mark Hayes, Senior Metallurgist, Mike Bayliss, Senior Engineer and Andrew Watkinson, Managing Director and Margaret O’Malley who took out the UKSMA Group Trip.

IST felt that this year’s show was a big success and brought back many leads, which have all been followed up and have generated some good business for us. See the Front Page for a summary of proceedings at the show.

While at the recent Wire Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Andrew Watkinson met up with Mr Isao Kato from the ISO TC227 workgroup for standards development (and JSMA), for which IST are a participating member in several of the committees.

Mr Andrew Watkinson & Mr Isao Kato

CASMI

IST will once again be exhibiting at SpringWorld, Chicago in the USA from the 15th to the 17th October 2008 on Booth Number 0909 and we like to invite any Members attending the exhibition to come and see us.

INDIAN EXHIBITION

IST will also be exhibiting at the Wire & Cable Exhibition in Mumbai 20th to 22nd November 2008, more details for which will be announced nearer the time.

JAPAN VISITS MADE BY ANDREW WATKINSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR

On 21st May 2008 Shinko Machinery Company was visited and on 22nd May the new Itaya factory was visited. Both companies gave presentations on services and a factory tour.

JSMA 60TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING

On the 22nd May 2008, Andrew attended the 60th Anniversary Meeting at the Shinegawa Prince Hotel along with Nick and Daniel Goss from Goss Components Ltd. Over 250 guests attended the event.



Andrew Watkinson, Managing Director, held a short meeting with Dr Muhr of Mubea (and also president of VDFI) during the trip to Japan. Topics discussed included the future of spring industry research and development, and the improvement of links between VDFI and IST. IST wish Dr Muhr success in his Presidency of VDFI.

Latest Membership News

CONTACT NAME CHANGE

Rözmas Chuo Otomotiv Yay Sanayi A.S. contact name has changed to Mr Ferruh Kayhan and his direct Email address is fkayhan@rcstr.com.

COMPANY NAME CHANGE

With immediate effect Hanes International UK Limited is now incorporated under the name of Leggett & Platt Components Europe Limited, trading as L&P Springs UK.

With immediate effect Exploramed is now MoxiMed Inc.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Verenfabriek Roveron B.V., have moved to:

Graafstroomstraat 15, 3044 AN Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS.

All other details remain unchanged.

ISO CERTIFICATION

Mollificio Valli S.r.l. are pleased to announce their Environmental Management System has achieved ISO 14001: 2004 Certification.

PRESS RELEASED IN APRIL 2008 BY CHARLES HORSFALL - WEBSTER & HORSFALL

Guy Horsfall died peacefully at home amongst his family and dogs on Sunday the 30^th March at Fox Hollies, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield.

A memorial service was held at St Cyprian’s Church, Hay Mills, Birmingham at 12 noon on Friday the 2^nd May 2008.

Guy Horsfall, born on the 12^th August 1950 and educated at Cheltenham College, joined the family businesses of Webster & Horsfall Ltd and Latch & Batchelor Ltd in September of 1970.  Initially working on the wire mill shop floor, Guy soon moved over to Latch & Batchelor becoming Production Manager and then, in 1982, Production Director.

The fact that the two companies are still trading profitably is largely down to Guy and his unrelenting efforts in managing the changing fortunes of L&B being inextricably linked with W&H.

The fact the company, being a shaft rope specialist, survived the wholesale closure of 80% of its customer base when the Conservatives announced the annihilation of British Coal, is in it’s self an amazing testament to Guy’s talents. 

That fact and that every last one of his employees would walk to the end of the earth for him is another.  At an age with so much still to offer, he is a great loss to our companies and the global mining and heavy lifting industries.  His knowledge of both and wire rope applications in general, will be sorely missed.

The mood at Hay Mills is one of stunned disbelief at what has occurred, but also one of absolute determination to build for the future on the new secure foundation that Guy and his immediate team have established.  All concerned with running the two companies are quite clear what has to be done to stay on the course Guy envisaged.

Ann, Guy’s widow, and daughter Tessa and son George along with all the extended Horsfall family are devastated by Guy’s death, as are his wide circle of friends and business associates who have been sending messages of condolence from all corners of the globe.

Webster & Horsfall Ltd, Hay Mills, Birmingham, West Midlands. B25 8DW. UK.
Tel: +44 121 772 2555 Fax: +44 121 766 5816
Email: chorsfall@websterandhorsfall.co.uk Internet: www.websterandhorsfall.co.uk

BOLD INVESTMENT AT TURTON SPRINGS

Turton Springs has entered 2008 with record order levels. After a difficult 2007, where we came under a lot of pressure from rising raw material costs and yet more rising energy prices, we can look to the future with renewed confidence, Managing Director, Douglas Maxwell commented “Last year was the first blip that we have had for well over a decade. The early promise of increased sales activity at the start of 2007 just didn’t materialise, as people have seen contracts not being fulfilled to the extent expected and customers are obviously wary of being left with a stock of product.

“Having said this, all of the sales and marketing activities undertaken last year have for sometime now started to yield results. We are dealing with many new customers in new markets and with new products
“Our existing relationships have all been strengthened and we are seeing new levels of work coming in all areas. We have a bold investment plan in place for the next couple of years, and from what we have already seen in 2008, we have every reason to believe that our goals and aims are achievable.

Turton Springs Ltd, 92 Burton Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. S3 8DA. UK.
Tel: +44 114 270 1577 Fax: +44 114 275 6947
Email: sales@turtonsprings.com Internet: www.turtonsprings.com

A BRIGHT BAND OF NEW APPOINTMENTS AT BRITE BAND

Three key appointments have been announced by specialist steel coil processor Brite Band in response to a more than doubling of turnover over the past two years, fuelled by new contracts in Slovenia, Slovakia and continued market penetration across Europe and Australia.

Margus Part takes the role of General Manager to drive the company’s continuous improvement initiatives using his long experience in mechanical and production engineering.

Grzegorz Syroka moves to Production Manager following rapid promotion within Brite Band. Greg is an IT specialist and holds a Masters Degree in Mining, Engineering and Geology from Poland’s premier University of Science and Technology.

Peter Kucharski is an experienced businessman and IT specialist with a brief to continue the automation of many Brite Band processes, in tandem with his significant expertise in the development of computer data and management information systems.

Managing Director John Hanson said the acquisition of new customers across the globe – together with the company’s move into special grades such as Hastelloy, Monel and other exotic materials required a step-change in the expansion and experience of the managerial roles within Brite Band.

BRIGHT BAND - RAY FINALLY ENTERS INTO THE SPIRIT OF RETIREMENT!

The Brite Band Company Limited, Unit 15 Manywells Industrial Estate, Cullingworth, Bradford, West Yorkshire. BD13 5DX. UK. Tel: +44 1535 271427 Fax: +44 1535 275676
Email: j.hanson@briteband.co.uk Internet: www.briteband.co.uk

RÖZMAŞ SEPARATED FROM JAPANESE PARTNER CHUO

WAFIOS AG EXHIBITS NEW VERSATILE CNC SINGLE-HEAD BENDING AND COILING MACHINE BM 30 AT THE WIRE

 The design encompasses the concept already familiar from the existing BM series of turning the wire rather than the bending head. The fixed position of the bending head offers a wealth of benefits in terms of performance, process reliability, quality and service life. One very practical example of these benefits is the method of energy supply: The wiring is safe and reliably secured against entanglement or wear.

The bending head comprises four axes, including the lateral traversing axis, as a standard feature. Coiling processes are made possible by the continuously rotatable bending and mandrel axis, which also permits the production of closed loops without the need for any other optional attachments. The bending and cutting device are neither pneumatically nor hydraulically controlled, substantially reducing set-up times and making the system far less susceptible to faults. Together with the precise control of operating processes, these features provide a decisive range of benefits. 

WAFIOS machine users will certainly be interested to know that all the popular tool types used on WAFIOS CNC single-head bending machines from 6 to 8 mm can also be used on the BM 30.

For the development team at WAFIOS, process reliability and quality were top of the list of priorities for the new machine model, as evidenced by the capability for complete manual displacement of the infeed unit together with the straightener. The machine operator can choose any one of three positions, depending on the production range. The result: Not only improved safety and quality, but also an increase in operating speed.

The development of the new BM 30 places WAFIOS firmly in the high-end sector, and provides impressive proof of what can be achieved using modern mechanical engineering, electronics and control systems today. This is a highly successful concept combining innovation with proven engineering concepts which provides all the right answers to the demands of today’s manufacturing producing in terms of flexibility, economy and performance.

WAFIOS AG EXHIBITS WORLD PREMIERE WITH FMK SERIES SHAPED SPRING COILING MACHINE AT THE “WIRE” IN DÜSSELDORF

And as far as ergonomics are concerned, the whole design has been conceived to provide optimum working comfort and convenience for future users. Reaching distances and accessibility to work or safety-relevant areas, the working position at the control desk or minimized risk of injury due to sharp corners and edges around the machine: Nothing has been left to chance. The result is a machine design which not only stands out as pleasingly different from the crowd, but whose unique attributes are reflected by its appearance.

The external look creates an impression designed to arouse interest in what lies beneath the outer skin. Here too, the FMK has plenty to boast about. The compound table, intelligent software, supplementary attachment positions. There is plenty to digest, but one bite at a time.

Let us start by looking at the specifications. The FMK is being launched in two basic versions. The FMK 2 covers the working range from 0.6 – 2.0 mm, while its bigger sister the FMK 3 is for 1.2 – 3.2 mm. Both models come with 6 axes as standard issue, which can be upgraded to a maximum of 8 axes. The basic equipment package comes with 6 CNC axes and 1 rotary unit. The equipment variants optionally permit 7 CNC axes with a total of 2 rotary units, 8 CNC axes with 3 rotary units or 8 CNC axes with 2 rotary units plus 1 indexing mandrel. Two axes are reserved for wire feed, one is intended for rotatable wire guidance, and the remaining two axes control the compound table.

The Cartesian compound table system permits simple low-cost tool design even when producing complex spring geometries. Its outstanding flexibility permits a wide application spectrum for the produced torsion springs. By eliminating the need for additional tool carriers such as sliding elements, cost outlay in production can be substantially reduced.  Eccentric operations are possible without major tooling output. Coiling, bending and cutting tools are positioned on the compound table. The ability to program additional setting positions helps substantially reduce tool adjustment distances and consequently makes for a sustainable increase in economy. As a result, with only two axes the compound table offers almost the same functionality as a conventional spring coiling machine.

The FMK series comes with a new version of the proven control software WAFIOS WPS 3. Alongside familiar features such as clearly arranged intuitive menu prompting on the touch screen, and continuous monitoring of all machine functions, the control system also offers user support in the configuration and positioning of tools. The automatic control system permits a significant reduction of set-up times, as once a position has been selected it can be saved and simply accessed again in the program for repeat production runs.

For torsion spring manufacturers, the FMK series from WAFIOS offers an alternative to existing machines on the market, and sets whole standards in terms of flexibility and economy.

The WAFIOS FMU series machines (0.16 – 6.3 mm wire diameter) are still available for the manufacture of highly complex springs.

Wafios-Metoma Ltd, 21 Colemeadow Road, North Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 9PB UK. Tel: +44 1527 65396 Fax: +44 1527 67570  
Email: sales@wafios-metoma.com Internet: www.wafios-metoma.com

NEW EUROPEAN MARKETS FOR CORUS WIRE ROD

Material supplier Member Corus Wire Rod Business have announced that the growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe are opening up new opportunities for them. Over the past year, the company has doubled the volume of automotive component steels it supplies into the region and tripled its customer base in these emerging economies. Consistent supplies of wire rod are now being delivered into Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia, where Corus has attracted a host of new customers in the past 12 months. In addition, high-quality steel has been sent into Russia, opening up a new supply route into a market that is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. The move recognises the importance of these countries in the future of Europe, as there are some major car plants in the region and the market is growing. Corus estimate that the rate of adoption of their steel in the region has been faster than anywhere else in the world, with annual sales up by almost 70 per cent. Supporting this eastern expansion is the network of Corus offices across the region, including wire rod representatives working in Prague, Budapest, Kiev, Poland and Moscow. Through collaboration with the University of Gent in Belgium, the company is also exploring optimum logistics routes into Eastern Europe and beyond so that they will be able to offer UK levels of service and availability across Europe.

Corus Wire Rod Business, PO Box 1, Brigg Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. DN16 1BP. UK
Tel: +44 1724 402944 Fax: +44 1724 381069 Email: john.wilkinson@corusgroup.com

BEKAERT - STAINLESS STEEL WIRE MILL JOINT VENTURE

Belgian wire making Member NV Bekaert SA has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Indian steel company Mukand to set up a 50/50 joint venture for the production of stainless steel wires.  The two companies will each invest €18 million in a new factory to be built in Maharashtra, India and which should come into operation in 2009.  The proposed plant would have a capacity of 12,000 tonnes a year and will broaden Mukand’s product portfolio with the addition of stainless steel wires to the range of alloy and stainless steel long products that they have previously produced.

BEKAERT TO ACQUIRE FULL OWNERSHIP OF BEKSA (TURKEY)

NV Bekaert SA and Haci Ömer Sabanci Holding A.S. signed a letter of intent in February this year for the acquisition by Bekaert of 50% of the shares in Beksa Celik Kord Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S (Turkey). As a result Bekaert will acquire full ownership of Beksa, in which it already has a 50% stake. The purchase price related to this transaction is estimated at € 40.3 million.

The transfer of shares will be executed after receiving approvals from the respective authorities.

Located in Izmit, Beksa manufactures steel cord products and Dramix® metal fibers for a variety of industrial applications, amongst others in the automotive and building industry. Beksa employs about 330 people and recorded € 80 million sales in 2006.

Marc Vandecasteele, Group Executive Vice President of Bekaert, stated: “This agreement allows us to fully integrate Beksa in Bekaert’s global manufacturing portfolio. Beksa will be further developed both as a key supplier to the growing domestic tire market and as an export base. Along with our local management we will pursue our business strategy to deliver high quality products to our customers. We will also maintain the good relationships we have built up with Sabanci throughout the years.”

Turgut Uzer, President Tire, Tire Reinforcement Materials & Automotive of Sabanci Holding, commented: “With the increasing internationalization of Beksa’s client portfolio Sabanci had become less aligned with the long-term strategy for the company. We have come to a good agreement with our longstanding partner Bekaert on the sale of our share in Beksa. We thank them for twenty years of excellent collaboration in the joint venture and wish them a successful continuation of the business.”

Bekaert SA, NV., Bekaertstraat 2, B-8550 Zwevegem. BELGIUM.
Tel: +32 56 76 65 14 Fax: +32 56 76 79 51 Email: katrien.lippens@bekaert.com Internet: www.bekaert.com

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