A LORRY carrying part of a 400ft wind turbine tower caused chaos on the roads when it broke down outside Maldon.
The vehicle with its "abnormal load" was on its way to a new wind farm development in Bradwell on Tuesday afternoon when a hydraulic pipe stopped working and the lorry was forced to stop in Fambridge Road, near the Roundbush pub.
Under police escort, the lorry was one of three huge transporters carrying parts of the turbines to Hockley Farm in Bradwell-on-Sea, where a 10-turbine wind farm is under construction.
A police spokesman said: "The lorry was broken down from 2pm to 4pm and it was finally escorted away in a convoy with accompanying vehicles.
"Officers travelling with the lorry were able to organise diversions and control traffic effectively." The development has not been without controversy.
Plans for the 26 turbines angered residents when they got the go-ahead upon appeal to the government Planning Inspectorate in 2010.
The disruption this week has fuelled fears that further big deliveries, that are planned over the next few weeks, will lead to further problems on the roads.
Twitter user @Dengie100 commented: "First of many serious traffic delays due to wind farm installation at Bradwell – Shame the Govt planning inspectors didn't get stuck."
However, Michael Williams, project manager at the site, has assured residents this will not be the case.
"Our thanks go to the police who quickly and safely diverted traffic but we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience the delay caused to road users.
"Future deliveries are expected to run as normal, with a further one taking place on Friday between 10am and 3pm.
"This is an exciting stage for us and marks the culmination of all the hard work carried out so far."
Police have added that they will be working closely with the contractors to ensure traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.
The wind farm is scheduled to become fully operational by this summer and will have a total generating capacity of 20.5 megawatts, enough green electricity to meet the average annual demands of up to 12,000 homes.
Wind farm developers have been accused of "offering bribes" to planning authorities across Lincolnshire.
Conservative county councillor Stephen Williams made the attack on turbine applicants at a meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee at Lincolnshire County Council.
The allegations came weeks after the council published the results of a survey into its stance against more wind farms. The results claimed 89 per cent of people supported the county council's policy.
The council pledged to stop the "unrestrained invasion" of wind turbines across the country in June last year when the executive, led by Martin Hill, moved to resist new wind farm developments.
2013年3月7日 星期四
2013年2月24日 星期日
Wind farm battle is won by villagers
VILLAGERS who have fought against plans for a four-turbine wind farm on land in south Warwickshire wept out of happiness after councillors voted to refuse to give their consent to the scheme.
In a battle that has lasted for more than four years, Broadview Energy’s application for the farm, on land close to Bishops Itchington and Knightcote, was rejected by Stratford District Council’s planning committee last Tuesday.
Having received around 1,500 letters of objection, including from Coventry Airport, the Ramblers Association and Warwickshire County Council’s archaeology department, council officials had encouraged councillors to vote against the plans.
Their unanimous decision, at the end of a two-hour meeting, centred around the view that the turbines would have been a blight on the landscape - in particular to the Burton Dassett beacon tower, that three homes would have suffered an “unpleasantly overwhelming and unavoidable presence” and that the farm would have had a “significant negative impact” on archaeological finds at the site that date back to the Roman period.
There was also concern over unresolved safety issues on how the turbines would impact on air traffic at Coventry Airport and the fact that the wind farm could have potentially interfered with a telecommunications microwave link.
Around 200 people attended the meeting - while many more were able to watch it live online. Among those at the meeting was John Bolton, a member of campaign group Feldon Residents and Wind farm Turbines (Frawt), who said: “There were tears of joy at the end of the meeting. You can see the enormous amount of local feeling there is here.
“The biggest issue was that people did not want the Burton Dassett hills to be spoilt. This is an important Warwickshire resource.”
Olly Buck, Broadview’s development manager, said: “Obviously we are disappointed. We have worked closely with the council’s planning officers over a number of years to achieve a suitable design and we had hoped that this would lead to a recommendation for approval.
“We believe the site has the potential to make an important contribution towards Government targets for renewable energy generation and the transition towards a low carbon economy, so we will seek to immediately lodge an appeal.”
Students and teachers of Kalindi College, Delhi University, have come up with an innovative way to harness wind energy produced by Metro trains.
The project, a part of the university’s Innovation Projects Scheme, aims to use the high speed winds produced by trains, as they move, for electricity.
The team, which consists of 10 students and two teachers, has proposed using small turbines that are placed strategically to tap the energy.
A turbine has a rotator with blades attached to it. When the wind strikes the blades, they start moving and mechanical energy is produced. This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy which can be stored in batteries.
In a battle that has lasted for more than four years, Broadview Energy’s application for the farm, on land close to Bishops Itchington and Knightcote, was rejected by Stratford District Council’s planning committee last Tuesday.
Having received around 1,500 letters of objection, including from Coventry Airport, the Ramblers Association and Warwickshire County Council’s archaeology department, council officials had encouraged councillors to vote against the plans.
Their unanimous decision, at the end of a two-hour meeting, centred around the view that the turbines would have been a blight on the landscape - in particular to the Burton Dassett beacon tower, that three homes would have suffered an “unpleasantly overwhelming and unavoidable presence” and that the farm would have had a “significant negative impact” on archaeological finds at the site that date back to the Roman period.
There was also concern over unresolved safety issues on how the turbines would impact on air traffic at Coventry Airport and the fact that the wind farm could have potentially interfered with a telecommunications microwave link.
Around 200 people attended the meeting - while many more were able to watch it live online. Among those at the meeting was John Bolton, a member of campaign group Feldon Residents and Wind farm Turbines (Frawt), who said: “There were tears of joy at the end of the meeting. You can see the enormous amount of local feeling there is here.
“The biggest issue was that people did not want the Burton Dassett hills to be spoilt. This is an important Warwickshire resource.”
Olly Buck, Broadview’s development manager, said: “Obviously we are disappointed. We have worked closely with the council’s planning officers over a number of years to achieve a suitable design and we had hoped that this would lead to a recommendation for approval.
“We believe the site has the potential to make an important contribution towards Government targets for renewable energy generation and the transition towards a low carbon economy, so we will seek to immediately lodge an appeal.”
Students and teachers of Kalindi College, Delhi University, have come up with an innovative way to harness wind energy produced by Metro trains.
The project, a part of the university’s Innovation Projects Scheme, aims to use the high speed winds produced by trains, as they move, for electricity.
The team, which consists of 10 students and two teachers, has proposed using small turbines that are placed strategically to tap the energy.
A turbine has a rotator with blades attached to it. When the wind strikes the blades, they start moving and mechanical energy is produced. This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy which can be stored in batteries.
2013年2月19日 星期二
Swipe Diamond Trove
As 29 passengers sat aboard a Zurich-bound flight here Monday evening waiting for the last bags to be loaded, gunmen wearing police uniforms raced up to the plane and stole more than 120 packages of diamonds worth at least $50 million, and possibly much more.
Some of the eight masked robbers stood in front of the Helvetic Airways jet plane with machine guns, pointing laser sights at the pilots, while others forced ground workers to open the plane's cargo doors, according to Belgian prosecutors and other people familiar with the events.
The thieves snatched the parcels of jewels and sped off in minutes without firing a shot, said Belgian prosecutor Ine Van Wymersch. Many travelers on the plane and inside the terminal didn't know what was happening. "It was well-prepared and very professional," she said.
The theft rattled Antwerp, a world hub for trading in gems and precious metals. Nearly all of those valuables pass through Brussels Airport.
The thieves appeared to have detailed information about both the cargo and operations at the airport, and likely had help from people at the airport, according to an aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about the incident. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, international law-enforcement officials have been concerned about security threats posed by people working inside airports and other sensitive facilities.
The brazen heist is Europe's highest-value airport-tarmac holdup in a decade, aviation-security exports said. Authorities on Tuesday didn't detail exactly what was stolen, so estimates of the value of the goods varied. The declared value of the stolen diamonds, a mix of rough and polished stones, was about $50 million, according to a spokeswoman for the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, a coordinator for local diamond traders. The aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about what happened said the jewels could be worth up to $350 million.
Ms. Van Wymersch, the prosecutor, declined to place a value on the stolen gems.
Swiss International Air Lines, for which Helvetic operated the flight, said neither the passengers nor the four crew members aboard the Fokker 100 jetliner were hurt.
At 7:47 p.m. Monday, a black Audi A8 sedan and black Mercedes van—both with blue police-style lights—pulled up to the plane, which had just been loaded, according to Ms. Van Wymersch.
The robbers appeared to know that one segment of the airport's perimeter, protected by two layers of 10-foot-high fencing and concrete blocks, could be crossed more easily because of construction, said the security specialist knowledgeable about what happened. The fences were cut before the two vehicles—models often used by Belgian security forces—reached the airport, this person said. The thieves slipped onto airport territory between security patrols, said another person familiar with the events.
The assailants appear to have waited, proceeding only after receiving word that the valuables were loaded onto the plane from an armored truck that arrived at the airport with an armed escort, according to the aviation-security specialist. The robbers' airport-police uniforms were precise down to armbands, this person said.
One vehicle was later found burned and "was probably used" in the theft, Ms. Van Wymersch said. "At this stage of the investigation, everything is still possible."
Some of the eight masked robbers stood in front of the Helvetic Airways jet plane with machine guns, pointing laser sights at the pilots, while others forced ground workers to open the plane's cargo doors, according to Belgian prosecutors and other people familiar with the events.
The thieves snatched the parcels of jewels and sped off in minutes without firing a shot, said Belgian prosecutor Ine Van Wymersch. Many travelers on the plane and inside the terminal didn't know what was happening. "It was well-prepared and very professional," she said.
The theft rattled Antwerp, a world hub for trading in gems and precious metals. Nearly all of those valuables pass through Brussels Airport.
The thieves appeared to have detailed information about both the cargo and operations at the airport, and likely had help from people at the airport, according to an aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about the incident. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, international law-enforcement officials have been concerned about security threats posed by people working inside airports and other sensitive facilities.
The brazen heist is Europe's highest-value airport-tarmac holdup in a decade, aviation-security exports said. Authorities on Tuesday didn't detail exactly what was stolen, so estimates of the value of the goods varied. The declared value of the stolen diamonds, a mix of rough and polished stones, was about $50 million, according to a spokeswoman for the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, a coordinator for local diamond traders. The aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about what happened said the jewels could be worth up to $350 million.
Ms. Van Wymersch, the prosecutor, declined to place a value on the stolen gems.
Swiss International Air Lines, for which Helvetic operated the flight, said neither the passengers nor the four crew members aboard the Fokker 100 jetliner were hurt.
At 7:47 p.m. Monday, a black Audi A8 sedan and black Mercedes van—both with blue police-style lights—pulled up to the plane, which had just been loaded, according to Ms. Van Wymersch.
The robbers appeared to know that one segment of the airport's perimeter, protected by two layers of 10-foot-high fencing and concrete blocks, could be crossed more easily because of construction, said the security specialist knowledgeable about what happened. The fences were cut before the two vehicles—models often used by Belgian security forces—reached the airport, this person said. The thieves slipped onto airport territory between security patrols, said another person familiar with the events.
The assailants appear to have waited, proceeding only after receiving word that the valuables were loaded onto the plane from an armored truck that arrived at the airport with an armed escort, according to the aviation-security specialist. The robbers' airport-police uniforms were precise down to armbands, this person said.
One vehicle was later found burned and "was probably used" in the theft, Ms. Van Wymersch said. "At this stage of the investigation, everything is still possible."
2013年2月6日 星期三
Dreams become reality at UW-Stout with new 'Fab Lab'
Have you ever wanted to invent something but didn't know how? Well now at UW-Stout your dreams can become a reality.
It's a concept that began more than a decade ago in Boston and that concept is called Fab Lab, which is a digital fabrication lab. It means users have the opportunity to develop ideas just by clicking a mouse.
"What we like to think is you can take your idea and you can make it come to life," said Randy Hulke, Discovery Center Director.
The sky is the limit down in the Fab Lab at UW-Stout.
"I'm going to hit go here and it's going to send it to the machine," said Mike Cropp, Fab Lab Manager.
There are five machines that can make a variety of products such as a mini-mill, a vinyl cutter to make graphics and even a router to make a rocking horse is possible.
"This machine is a laser engraver. It cuts materials like wood and plastic," said Cropp.
The Fab Lab Manager even cut out a business card holder with my name on it for my desk.
"It's going back and forth right now. It's engraving the logo into the acrylic right now," said Cropp.
Students and soon members of the community, most likely spring, can use the facility at Stout to make their dreams come true.
"We're also running industry projects through here. We're allowing innovators, entrepreneurs that sort of thing, access to this space as well," said Hulke.
In the Fab Lab users have the opportunity to communicate with different Fab Labs around the world via camera to share ideas with places like Barcelona.
Only three other Fab Labs exist in Wisconsin and the creativity is endless. There's even a machine to build 3d models.
"What the software does is it will take that file, slice it into layers and then it will additively build your part in 3D," said Cropp.
A 2-inch model that was made by the machine took 6 hours for the machine to build.
"We can use these machines to build other machines that can do the same thing," said Cropp.
"Ideally what it would be is something that may be has some potential to become a business [or] maybe somebody's got a hobby they really enjoy doing," said Hulke.
The Fab Lab opened this week and took a few months to complete but was made possible through a multiyear $520,000 growth agenda award from the UW System.
Electrox supplied a bespoke automated marker/reader, which features a custom workstation to house a Scorpion Rapide laser and two Keyence SR650 cameras. This has been specially designed to hold the laser upside-down; however this brought its own problems – namely keeping the laser clean for the highly precise marking required.
Electrox overcame this with the addition of carefully positioned air knives, which ensure dust generated from the tooling being marked never comes into contact with the laser.
Brandauer specified the Scorpion Rapide because its high performance optic fibre laser offers precision marking on metal and plastics. It is now used to sequentially mark a 2D data matrix code on thin gauge (0.1mm) stainless steel strip.
The process is completely automated allowing marking of more than 20 million parts per annum to be undertaken. Furthermore, the workstation has been designed to fulfil poka yoke failsafes, ensuring marks are not only present but also readable, providing safe shut down and containment within the process.
This is complemented by a Raptor laser which is used to create customer specific 2D traceability codes on specialist power generation products and bespoke components for low volume and prototype applications.
It's a concept that began more than a decade ago in Boston and that concept is called Fab Lab, which is a digital fabrication lab. It means users have the opportunity to develop ideas just by clicking a mouse.
"What we like to think is you can take your idea and you can make it come to life," said Randy Hulke, Discovery Center Director.
The sky is the limit down in the Fab Lab at UW-Stout.
"I'm going to hit go here and it's going to send it to the machine," said Mike Cropp, Fab Lab Manager.
There are five machines that can make a variety of products such as a mini-mill, a vinyl cutter to make graphics and even a router to make a rocking horse is possible.
"This machine is a laser engraver. It cuts materials like wood and plastic," said Cropp.
The Fab Lab Manager even cut out a business card holder with my name on it for my desk.
"It's going back and forth right now. It's engraving the logo into the acrylic right now," said Cropp.
Students and soon members of the community, most likely spring, can use the facility at Stout to make their dreams come true.
"We're also running industry projects through here. We're allowing innovators, entrepreneurs that sort of thing, access to this space as well," said Hulke.
In the Fab Lab users have the opportunity to communicate with different Fab Labs around the world via camera to share ideas with places like Barcelona.
Only three other Fab Labs exist in Wisconsin and the creativity is endless. There's even a machine to build 3d models.
"What the software does is it will take that file, slice it into layers and then it will additively build your part in 3D," said Cropp.
A 2-inch model that was made by the machine took 6 hours for the machine to build.
"We can use these machines to build other machines that can do the same thing," said Cropp.
"Ideally what it would be is something that may be has some potential to become a business [or] maybe somebody's got a hobby they really enjoy doing," said Hulke.
The Fab Lab opened this week and took a few months to complete but was made possible through a multiyear $520,000 growth agenda award from the UW System.
Electrox supplied a bespoke automated marker/reader, which features a custom workstation to house a Scorpion Rapide laser and two Keyence SR650 cameras. This has been specially designed to hold the laser upside-down; however this brought its own problems – namely keeping the laser clean for the highly precise marking required.
Electrox overcame this with the addition of carefully positioned air knives, which ensure dust generated from the tooling being marked never comes into contact with the laser.
Brandauer specified the Scorpion Rapide because its high performance optic fibre laser offers precision marking on metal and plastics. It is now used to sequentially mark a 2D data matrix code on thin gauge (0.1mm) stainless steel strip.
The process is completely automated allowing marking of more than 20 million parts per annum to be undertaken. Furthermore, the workstation has been designed to fulfil poka yoke failsafes, ensuring marks are not only present but also readable, providing safe shut down and containment within the process.
This is complemented by a Raptor laser which is used to create customer specific 2D traceability codes on specialist power generation products and bespoke components for low volume and prototype applications.
2013年1月24日 星期四
Wind turbines 'could interfere with weather forecasts'
It has objected that interference from the dozens of giant blades would lead to "false warnings of severe and hazardous weather being issued", while heavy rainfall and flood alerts could be missed, according to a newspaper.
The agency has written to planning authorities to register opposition to plans to erect more than 20 turbines at a mountainous site in Wales near one of its weather stations.
It said that the 400ft constructions could reflect the electromagnetic waves emitted by radar, creating "clutter" which can interfere with the accuracy of readings of atmospheric conditions.
The Met Office has lodged objections to proposals for the wind farm at Llanllwni, Carmarthenshire, which is currently under appeal, according to the Daily Mail.
It is also expected to fight plans for a 28-turbine site at Brechfa, which will go before planners in March. The sites are both a few miles from a weather radar at Crug-Y-Gorllwyn in Carmarthenshire, which gives coverage for south and west Wales.
The Met Office argued that analysis of the June flooding close to Aberystwyth showed the adverse effect that another wind farm, 14 miles away from the same radar, had on the accuracy of rain forecasts.
A spokesman said: "Weather radar is the only means currently available for monitoring in real time the location and intensity of a range of weather hazards, including rain, hail and snow. "Clutter from wind turbines can lead to false warnings of severe and hazardous weather being issued.
"Another risk is the potential for missed warnings where either rainfall returns are obscured either by clutter or because more aggressive quality control, developed to try to mitigate wind farm clutter, can have the side effect of deleting real rainfall signals." It is the latest skirmish in the battle over wind farms, an issue which has split the Coalition.
Greg Barker, the climate change minister, has said they can be "wonderful" and "majestic" but his energy minister John Hayes has promised to "protect England's green and pleasant land" from them. A study in November found that wind farm noise causes "clear and significant" damage to people's sleep and mental health.
"Ireland has the potential to generate far more wind energy than we could consume domestically," Mr Rabbitte said. "The opportunity to export this green power presents an opportunity for employment growth and export earnings which we must seize if we can."
Millions of British homes will be powered by clean electricity exported from Ireland following an agreement that could secure the State billions in UK investments.
The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) estimated that up to 30,000 jobs could be created across the country by 2020. According to the Department of Energy, the construction phase of a 3,000 megawatt project alone could create up to 6,000 jobs.
The 80 megawatt Mount Lucas windfarm, one of the biggest in Ireland and the UK, will be just one of a string of clean energy hubs that could export its wind energy across the Irish Sea. IWEA chief executive Kenneth Matthews said Ireland stands to become a major renewable energy exporter.
"The electricity sector is on the cusp of transformational change with renewables and wind energy at the heart of it," Mr Matthews said. "Efficient use of existing and new interconnectors to increase our ability to integrate wind energy and to export surplus wind-generated electricity will be central to this transition."
The agency has written to planning authorities to register opposition to plans to erect more than 20 turbines at a mountainous site in Wales near one of its weather stations.
It said that the 400ft constructions could reflect the electromagnetic waves emitted by radar, creating "clutter" which can interfere with the accuracy of readings of atmospheric conditions.
The Met Office has lodged objections to proposals for the wind farm at Llanllwni, Carmarthenshire, which is currently under appeal, according to the Daily Mail.
It is also expected to fight plans for a 28-turbine site at Brechfa, which will go before planners in March. The sites are both a few miles from a weather radar at Crug-Y-Gorllwyn in Carmarthenshire, which gives coverage for south and west Wales.
The Met Office argued that analysis of the June flooding close to Aberystwyth showed the adverse effect that another wind farm, 14 miles away from the same radar, had on the accuracy of rain forecasts.
A spokesman said: "Weather radar is the only means currently available for monitoring in real time the location and intensity of a range of weather hazards, including rain, hail and snow. "Clutter from wind turbines can lead to false warnings of severe and hazardous weather being issued.
"Another risk is the potential for missed warnings where either rainfall returns are obscured either by clutter or because more aggressive quality control, developed to try to mitigate wind farm clutter, can have the side effect of deleting real rainfall signals." It is the latest skirmish in the battle over wind farms, an issue which has split the Coalition.
Greg Barker, the climate change minister, has said they can be "wonderful" and "majestic" but his energy minister John Hayes has promised to "protect England's green and pleasant land" from them. A study in November found that wind farm noise causes "clear and significant" damage to people's sleep and mental health.
"Ireland has the potential to generate far more wind energy than we could consume domestically," Mr Rabbitte said. "The opportunity to export this green power presents an opportunity for employment growth and export earnings which we must seize if we can."
Millions of British homes will be powered by clean electricity exported from Ireland following an agreement that could secure the State billions in UK investments.
The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) estimated that up to 30,000 jobs could be created across the country by 2020. According to the Department of Energy, the construction phase of a 3,000 megawatt project alone could create up to 6,000 jobs.
The 80 megawatt Mount Lucas windfarm, one of the biggest in Ireland and the UK, will be just one of a string of clean energy hubs that could export its wind energy across the Irish Sea. IWEA chief executive Kenneth Matthews said Ireland stands to become a major renewable energy exporter.
"The electricity sector is on the cusp of transformational change with renewables and wind energy at the heart of it," Mr Matthews said. "Efficient use of existing and new interconnectors to increase our ability to integrate wind energy and to export surplus wind-generated electricity will be central to this transition."
2013年1月21日 星期一
Esko CDI Spark 4260
Describe your company?
Veepee Graphic Solutions is the flexo division of Veepee Group, which was established in 1961. Our Bengaluru-based company’s processing facility is housed in an 8,000 sq/ft plant and has a team strength of 35 person. We are equipped with state-of-the-art technology from Esko, Dupont and Flint, and is one of the premier trade shop for flexographic pre-press and platemaking in India.
What does the machine do?
The Esko CDI 4260 is the full HD version of Esko’s CDI 4000. It is equipped with inline UV2 in addition to a combination of round-top and flat-top technology. With the CDI 4260 we are able to optimise quality in both, the narrow as well as wide-web segment, and produce high quality flexographic plates.
Why did you choose this particular machine?
Esko released this full HD version of their CDI at Drupa 2012, where I saw it and was impressed with the technology, which I think has the ability to revolutionise the flexible packaging segment, because it brings the flexo quality closer to that of gravure and offset. This suited our requirements perfectly. Hence we decided to go ahead with it.
Did you look at any other similar machine?
No. As we were already familiar with Esko technology, we decided to install this latest machine, our third Esko, which even today is the only installation in South East Asia.
Why did you make the purchase?
Our choice of the CDI was more or less a conscious decision. Our partnership with Esko dates back to 2002 when we installed Esko’s front-end software. Our first CDI 4836 was installed in 2006 by which we made our foray into high-end flexo pre-press and plate processing segment. We installed a second CDI 4836 HD-enabled with inline UV in 2009. And, when this new machine came along, we opted for it.
What features do you particularly like?
The capability, which enables us to do away with pin holes and mottling. We have observed that it has considerably increased the print life of plates with stable highlight dots. This has enabled us to achieve 30% increase in ink densities.
Is there anything you wish it had that it doesn’t?
It has adequate features and the end-result of the product is satisfactory.
How fast is it?
With 40 optics laser heads, we are able to churn out more number of plates with consistent quality.
What’s the quality like?
With the new platemaking technology, the quality of the prints produced is comparable to gravure and offset. The colour reproduction is sharp and Veepee can produce output upto 200lpi.
How easy is it to use?
Its easy load – a new feature – has made the machine a very convenient one to use. It is designed such that a single person can manage the whole process efficiently.
Has it won you any new work?
Yes. The new technology has helped us get new clients in the wide-web flexible packaging segment and has also enabled us to convert a lot of high-end gravure jobs to flexo.
How much time or money has it saved?
Due to the high speed of the machine there is increase in productivity and has thus improved the turnaround time for jobs. We believe, “Time saved is money earned”.
Veepee Graphic Solutions is the flexo division of Veepee Group, which was established in 1961. Our Bengaluru-based company’s processing facility is housed in an 8,000 sq/ft plant and has a team strength of 35 person. We are equipped with state-of-the-art technology from Esko, Dupont and Flint, and is one of the premier trade shop for flexographic pre-press and platemaking in India.
What does the machine do?
The Esko CDI 4260 is the full HD version of Esko’s CDI 4000. It is equipped with inline UV2 in addition to a combination of round-top and flat-top technology. With the CDI 4260 we are able to optimise quality in both, the narrow as well as wide-web segment, and produce high quality flexographic plates.
Why did you choose this particular machine?
Esko released this full HD version of their CDI at Drupa 2012, where I saw it and was impressed with the technology, which I think has the ability to revolutionise the flexible packaging segment, because it brings the flexo quality closer to that of gravure and offset. This suited our requirements perfectly. Hence we decided to go ahead with it.
Did you look at any other similar machine?
No. As we were already familiar with Esko technology, we decided to install this latest machine, our third Esko, which even today is the only installation in South East Asia.
Why did you make the purchase?
Our choice of the CDI was more or less a conscious decision. Our partnership with Esko dates back to 2002 when we installed Esko’s front-end software. Our first CDI 4836 was installed in 2006 by which we made our foray into high-end flexo pre-press and plate processing segment. We installed a second CDI 4836 HD-enabled with inline UV in 2009. And, when this new machine came along, we opted for it.
What features do you particularly like?
The capability, which enables us to do away with pin holes and mottling. We have observed that it has considerably increased the print life of plates with stable highlight dots. This has enabled us to achieve 30% increase in ink densities.
Is there anything you wish it had that it doesn’t?
It has adequate features and the end-result of the product is satisfactory.
How fast is it?
With 40 optics laser heads, we are able to churn out more number of plates with consistent quality.
What’s the quality like?
With the new platemaking technology, the quality of the prints produced is comparable to gravure and offset. The colour reproduction is sharp and Veepee can produce output upto 200lpi.
How easy is it to use?
Its easy load – a new feature – has made the machine a very convenient one to use. It is designed such that a single person can manage the whole process efficiently.
Has it won you any new work?
Yes. The new technology has helped us get new clients in the wide-web flexible packaging segment and has also enabled us to convert a lot of high-end gravure jobs to flexo.
How much time or money has it saved?
Due to the high speed of the machine there is increase in productivity and has thus improved the turnaround time for jobs. We believe, “Time saved is money earned”.
2013年1月14日 星期一
Dream factory
Red Wall is a round, wall-mounted speaker designed by Johannes Torpe for Bang & Olufson. Below is a Torpe designed flashlight for WiseDive.
The creative director of Danish audio products manufacturer Bang & Olufsen says he has the perfect job. Gan Tian finds out more about the synergy between design and engineering.
When Johannes Torpe was appointed creative director of Danish audio products manufacturer Bang & Olufsen, he felt like the protagonist in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. "For Danish kids, Bang & Olufsen is just like that dream chocolate factory. I bought a pair of Bang & Olufsen earphones when I was 13. Now I'm 39 and they're still fantastic," he says. "And now, I am Charlie," Torpe says happily.
The Danish man is in charge of Bang & Olufsen's overall design direction. He not only gives his opinion on the shape and color of electronic devices, but also shares his ideas on the label's brand image and its workshops' interior design. He says it's a job that mixes music and design.
Torpe developed an interest in music at a young age. He says his mother wanted him to learn the violin, but his father wanted him to play the guitar, while he was keener on the bass and drums. As a teen, Torpe started a band and held a few concerts. He made his own drum kit and even designed a stage and lighting system, all of which led him to his current job.
But how does music connect with design? First, close your eyes, and think of a CD player. What do you see? Usually, it is a big, black or silver box.
"But our company offers slim devices without buttons, that have a soft touch. It is something like a piece of glass that you can click," he says.
In Torpe's opinion, however, it is a bad time for audio products. From the 1960s through to the 1990s, it was very easy to design these, because there were media, like CDs, cassette tapes, or DVDs.
"They offered something visible, something that you could put in a machine, so there was always something you could 'wow' with," he says. "For example, there was one CD player in which I could put six CDs and it changed them automatically, and had a strong futuristic mechanical design."
But now, everything has gone digital and all the music in the world is in your pocket and there is little mechanical to show. "So, now my goal is to take this music out of devices, and make it sound good," Torpe says of his new daunting task.
Torpe is working on a device now that makes digital music sound less digital, or warmer. "It is difficult. I'm making speakers as small as possible, that can play good, big sounds."
The key to success is to "link" creativity with high technology. For an audio product company, it means there should be a link between designers and technical staff.
The first meeting after Torpe was on board as the creative director was about televisions. He talked about how users could control TVs, but the directors dismissed his idea as "impossible".
However, one senior engineer, who looked a bit like a bearded Viking, approached Torpe a week later and invited him into his workshop, in the factory's basement.
"I can't tell you what he made, because it is a business secret, but I can assure you, that what he presented to me, is what exactly I was talking about. He built it out of wood, a web cam, some cables and some panels in the hardware store around the corner of the factory," Torpe recalls.
The creative director calls the engineer the company "link" and emphasizes the synergy between creativity and engineering. Torpe has the vision and engineers make it a reality. This creation will likely hit the market in the near future.
"If you go to a company like Sony or Panasonic, you just get the impression that this is a big company. But here at Bang & Olufsen, when I walked in for the first time, I was touched because I found everything here was done by hand," Torpe says.
Torpe likens his job to being a designer at a brand like Hermes or Louis Vuitton, where designers produce only a limited amount of products. "For me, as a little boy in Charlie's big factory, I have to do something very special," he says.
The creative director of Danish audio products manufacturer Bang & Olufsen says he has the perfect job. Gan Tian finds out more about the synergy between design and engineering.
When Johannes Torpe was appointed creative director of Danish audio products manufacturer Bang & Olufsen, he felt like the protagonist in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. "For Danish kids, Bang & Olufsen is just like that dream chocolate factory. I bought a pair of Bang & Olufsen earphones when I was 13. Now I'm 39 and they're still fantastic," he says. "And now, I am Charlie," Torpe says happily.
The Danish man is in charge of Bang & Olufsen's overall design direction. He not only gives his opinion on the shape and color of electronic devices, but also shares his ideas on the label's brand image and its workshops' interior design. He says it's a job that mixes music and design.
Torpe developed an interest in music at a young age. He says his mother wanted him to learn the violin, but his father wanted him to play the guitar, while he was keener on the bass and drums. As a teen, Torpe started a band and held a few concerts. He made his own drum kit and even designed a stage and lighting system, all of which led him to his current job.
But how does music connect with design? First, close your eyes, and think of a CD player. What do you see? Usually, it is a big, black or silver box.
"But our company offers slim devices without buttons, that have a soft touch. It is something like a piece of glass that you can click," he says.
In Torpe's opinion, however, it is a bad time for audio products. From the 1960s through to the 1990s, it was very easy to design these, because there were media, like CDs, cassette tapes, or DVDs.
"They offered something visible, something that you could put in a machine, so there was always something you could 'wow' with," he says. "For example, there was one CD player in which I could put six CDs and it changed them automatically, and had a strong futuristic mechanical design."
But now, everything has gone digital and all the music in the world is in your pocket and there is little mechanical to show. "So, now my goal is to take this music out of devices, and make it sound good," Torpe says of his new daunting task.
Torpe is working on a device now that makes digital music sound less digital, or warmer. "It is difficult. I'm making speakers as small as possible, that can play good, big sounds."
The key to success is to "link" creativity with high technology. For an audio product company, it means there should be a link between designers and technical staff.
The first meeting after Torpe was on board as the creative director was about televisions. He talked about how users could control TVs, but the directors dismissed his idea as "impossible".
However, one senior engineer, who looked a bit like a bearded Viking, approached Torpe a week later and invited him into his workshop, in the factory's basement.
"I can't tell you what he made, because it is a business secret, but I can assure you, that what he presented to me, is what exactly I was talking about. He built it out of wood, a web cam, some cables and some panels in the hardware store around the corner of the factory," Torpe recalls.
The creative director calls the engineer the company "link" and emphasizes the synergy between creativity and engineering. Torpe has the vision and engineers make it a reality. This creation will likely hit the market in the near future.
"If you go to a company like Sony or Panasonic, you just get the impression that this is a big company. But here at Bang & Olufsen, when I walked in for the first time, I was touched because I found everything here was done by hand," Torpe says.
Torpe likens his job to being a designer at a brand like Hermes or Louis Vuitton, where designers produce only a limited amount of products. "For me, as a little boy in Charlie's big factory, I have to do something very special," he says.
2013年1月10日 星期四
Machinery Makers Line Up New Tech
"We are in fact seeing a flood of new launches... that are perfectly timed to coincide with the rise in demand for metal forming, surface preparation & finishing, grinding & cutting, machining & other allied engineering machinery and equipment to cater to the booming construction, infrastructure, rail, and manufacturing sectors," said Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah .
"SteelFab has become the exhibition of choice for manufacturers and dealers... so much so that some of them delay their regional launches to have them displayed at SteelFab. This year, while several exhibitors have at least one new launch, there are some who have multiple new products, with one having almost six brand new products for the region," he added.
For instance, Rockwood International will launch six new products, including a tig brush, a unique temperature brush to conduct electrical energy combined with a mild solution to quickly remove weld discoloration and simultaneously passivate stainless steel surface.
"Our tig brush helps reduce workplace hazards and is economical to run in all kinds of environment," said Mr Basanth of Rockwood International, pointing out that Rockwood sees SteelFab 2013 as an excellent launch platform for their six new products.
Other launches include SafanDarley's electronic e-brake, Roccia Rundbiegen's revolutionary design of plate rolling machines, Trumpf's TruFiber fibre lasers, OMM's longitudinal welding of tapered tubular shafts, La Rosa's new sandwich panel manufacturing line and Gietart new paintsprayer, among others.
SafanDarley's new B-Shear and the Press Brake E-Brake B models will be presented at the stand of SIMCO Industrial Machinery Trading at SteelFab 2013. "The E-Press Brake & Shear removes the need for any oil in the machine. It significantly reduces operation time and electrical consumption by almost 50 per cent," said Mr Mohammed Abu Dakka, Steel Machinery Division Manager at SIMCO. "The absence of oil will be of great significance to the environment too," he said.
"Unfortunately, plate rolling machines starting from 1' capacity are often tall so they need to be installed in a pit. This is a big problem if the pit is to be dug in an existing building," said Mr Mauro Roccia of Roccia Rundbiegen. "Our revolutionary machines of up to 60 mm thickness are designed in such a way that they do not need a pit." This innovation will be on display at the stand of Kahrl & Wiemann.
Trumpf's TruFiber fibre lasers primary aim will be to popularize the technology in the region. "Fiber lasers have been introduced in industrial production for some years now. However they are yet to catch up here in the Middle East," said Jawad Khawaja, Managing Director of ATAD International, distributors for Trumpf machines. "We are showing a Trumpf fibre laser for the first time in the Middle East," he said.
OMM - Murgesi, the world patent holder for longitudinal welding of tapered tubular shafts, will have a big presence at the Comex International stand at SteelFab 2013. "For all highway construction projects, OMM can offer full know-how for turnkey supply of all required structures related to steel guardrails, steel poles, steel culverts and other internal and external services," said Mr Mostafa El-Hageen of Comex International.
Another launch at SteelFab, the Gietart paintsprayer will offer an efficient and quick way to paint freshly cleaned material. "The new system is not only faster, it is also cheaper and better for the environment because it saves paint and energy," said Mr Peter Michorius of Gietart.me. "In the past we have showed our shotblasting system, but this will be the first time that a paint spray system will be featured at SteelFab," said Mr Michorius.
"SteelFab has become the exhibition of choice for manufacturers and dealers... so much so that some of them delay their regional launches to have them displayed at SteelFab. This year, while several exhibitors have at least one new launch, there are some who have multiple new products, with one having almost six brand new products for the region," he added.
For instance, Rockwood International will launch six new products, including a tig brush, a unique temperature brush to conduct electrical energy combined with a mild solution to quickly remove weld discoloration and simultaneously passivate stainless steel surface.
"Our tig brush helps reduce workplace hazards and is economical to run in all kinds of environment," said Mr Basanth of Rockwood International, pointing out that Rockwood sees SteelFab 2013 as an excellent launch platform for their six new products.
Other launches include SafanDarley's electronic e-brake, Roccia Rundbiegen's revolutionary design of plate rolling machines, Trumpf's TruFiber fibre lasers, OMM's longitudinal welding of tapered tubular shafts, La Rosa's new sandwich panel manufacturing line and Gietart new paintsprayer, among others.
SafanDarley's new B-Shear and the Press Brake E-Brake B models will be presented at the stand of SIMCO Industrial Machinery Trading at SteelFab 2013. "The E-Press Brake & Shear removes the need for any oil in the machine. It significantly reduces operation time and electrical consumption by almost 50 per cent," said Mr Mohammed Abu Dakka, Steel Machinery Division Manager at SIMCO. "The absence of oil will be of great significance to the environment too," he said.
"Unfortunately, plate rolling machines starting from 1' capacity are often tall so they need to be installed in a pit. This is a big problem if the pit is to be dug in an existing building," said Mr Mauro Roccia of Roccia Rundbiegen. "Our revolutionary machines of up to 60 mm thickness are designed in such a way that they do not need a pit." This innovation will be on display at the stand of Kahrl & Wiemann.
Trumpf's TruFiber fibre lasers primary aim will be to popularize the technology in the region. "Fiber lasers have been introduced in industrial production for some years now. However they are yet to catch up here in the Middle East," said Jawad Khawaja, Managing Director of ATAD International, distributors for Trumpf machines. "We are showing a Trumpf fibre laser for the first time in the Middle East," he said.
OMM - Murgesi, the world patent holder for longitudinal welding of tapered tubular shafts, will have a big presence at the Comex International stand at SteelFab 2013. "For all highway construction projects, OMM can offer full know-how for turnkey supply of all required structures related to steel guardrails, steel poles, steel culverts and other internal and external services," said Mr Mostafa El-Hageen of Comex International.
Another launch at SteelFab, the Gietart paintsprayer will offer an efficient and quick way to paint freshly cleaned material. "The new system is not only faster, it is also cheaper and better for the environment because it saves paint and energy," said Mr Peter Michorius of Gietart.me. "In the past we have showed our shotblasting system, but this will be the first time that a paint spray system will be featured at SteelFab," said Mr Michorius.
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