Electric Battery Line with Nissan
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Author Archives: Sahar Mirshafiei
When it comes to science, technology, art, politics, sociology, economics, or indeed any discipline, there exists a global think tank. It’s fascinating to see where technology for harnessing the power of waves has progressed in 2017. Back in 2011 we spent a while looking into ARUP projects on the island of Jersey.
The specification was to consider how best to protect piers from the impact of waves. How much impact does Gorey Pier absorb from every wave, and how does this energy travel throughout the piers body? This was to be a study in the mechanisms of how pressure propagates across two main interfaces.
As ever, don’t forget to catch our Vine collage at the bottom of this post, where a spot of awe, humour, and tech round off today’s reflection on waves – whether it be to break or harness their forces.
Looking through old research and specification proposals in an automation design house is quite random because you never really know what you’ll come across in this sweeping field. A project proposal may begin with a picture of a product, a machine, a sketch, a user specification, an operators wish list, or indeed as in this case with beach views!
Now for a slightly futuristic look into the world of waves with Wavestar, an exciting Danish enterprise exploring ideas around “energy parks” on the sea where the power of waves and wind are combined for optimal affect.
2M are a research house in the first instance – all our projects involve technical uncertainty, whether a new product or process is being designed, a system improved or upgraded, or an existing piece replicated. Every living project is subject to the latest editions and advances in software, hardware, and last but by no means least, the human thought process involved in propelling the result to a new high in effectiveness and efficiency.
Drop us a line with your enquiry!
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It doesn’t matter which continent you land on, it’s a given that denim will be a familiar sighting. This cross cultural and cross class material manages to weave it’s way into lifestyles not only for it’s durability, but so too for it’s versatility. As with most automated processes, the journey for denim is a long and multi layered one, as you’re about to see.
So whether it’s a dress down or dress up day, or whether you wear your denim single or double (some would even go for the treble!), I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing the intricate stages and stations involved in getting pieces to your taste. My personal favourites are the sand blast and stone wash stages – who knew the term “stone wash” means precisely that?
It’s great too to see people and machines working side by side in semi automated processes, illustrating the very successful interplay between human intuition and bespoke technology.
Some interesting denim facts ~
- The indigo plant originally gave jeans their colour. Today it’s mostly synthetic.
- Denim has often been banned from schools and institutions and branded as an act of rebellion against authority.
- George W. Bush banned denim from the White House six days after his inauguration.
- “Waist overalls” were the original name given to jeans.
- Over 200 pairs of jeans may be made from just one bale of cotton.
- 2.7 billion metres of denim is produced each year globally.
- 1871 was the year in which Jacob Davis, a Latvian immigrant in the USA, invented the first pair.
Whether your processes are fully automated or a synergy of automation and artisans, 2M will help you design a best fit new machine, upgrade, or extension as required.
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(This position has since been filled. Look out for new posts on the blog, at which time it may be suitable to send in your CV. Thank you.)
What might you need to create your very own motion control system?
A sharp inquisitive mind.
A thorough approach to design, testing, and implementation.
Initiative, creativity, energy, and persistence.
Fluidity for ever updating software programmes, hardware parts, client specifications, and onsite factors.
Are you self-driven and communicative with your team?
Are you able to meet deadlines and surpass client expectations?
If so, then you’ll fit well at 2M.
Here is our job vacancy below:
Control Systems Engineer
Essentials:
1) Graduate degree in a discipline such as Control Systems, Control Engineering, Automation & Control, or extensive experience in the field.
2) Hands on experience with a proven track record in industrial automation, robotics, and mechanical systems.
3) Experience in designing software solutions using platforms such as B&R, Siemens, Rockwell, Mitsubishi, Omron, and Trio Motion.
4) Experience in developing systems with SCADA and Visual Basic. Electrical design experience would also be beneficial.
5) The ability and desire to travel around the UK and worldwide – including Europe, Latin America, the US, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Please send your CV with covering letter to sahar@2m-automation.co.uk. Good luck!
Guiding students back to first principles provides a firm foundation on which to learn. This Miniature Steam Power Plant has been designed by our client Cussons Technology to enable teaching establishments to give students an appreciation of steam and its properties, without the larger capital investment normally required.
Simon was testing the software that he’d written for data acquisition. This software collects data from the steam turbine so that students may use the data to analyse the thermo dynamic processes which occur.
Providing a visual demonstration of the Rankine Cycle, the burners combust the propane within the copper boiler. This heats the water to produce steam at pressure. As Simon opens the throttling valve, it releases the steam from the boiler into the turbine. The steams potential energy is therefore converted into kinetic energy, as we can see the electrical generator turning.
The generator produces electrical current, as each lamp is switched on, the electrical load is increased, lighting the lamps and demonstrating the conversion process.
The new 2M data acquisition software collects all of this process data (temperatures, steam pressure, generator voltage, current, gas flow, and cooling water flow), displaying and logging it for post test analysis.
If you have a product development inquiry please fill in and submit this form.
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Bridging the gap between generations
We’ve all played with them – we’ve all stepped on them! These memorable and colourful building blocks are a gateway to childhood memories. Billions of pieces are created each year in Denmark, with an automated process that involves many chambers along the process chain.
The continued popularity of Lego isn’t least due to its ability to cross generational gaps. Indeed, with advances in technology, the kits available today include all levels of complexity and problem solving.
Some interesting Lego facts ~
- The word Lego is made up of Danish words “Leg” and “Godt”, which mean “play well”
- Using 3.3 million bricks, James May made a full size house made completely of Lego in 2009, including a working shower and toilet
- In 1958 Lego introduced its universal system, meaning a brick from 1958 will interlock with a brick from today
- 12-year-old Shubham Banerjee used a $350 Lego set to make a braille printer, his prototype a fraction of the retail price at $2,000
- With 5,922 pieces, the Taj Mahal set is the largest commercial Lego set on the market
We’ll end for now with this fantastic collation by Be Amazed. Running down from 10 to the number 1 slot, it’s a glorious visual demonstration of the versatility Lego has gained with the helping hand of innovating programmers – creating things like Lego Pneumatic, Lego Technic and the Lego Mindstorms.
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Further Reading
Silicone Wafer System
How to best equip every phone, tablet, laptop, and computer - the case of the silicone wafer
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The Island Dressing Machine with Brightwake
Developing fresh ways to deliver powerful, efficient results for radical products
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Pottery Sculpting with Wedgewood
Molten clay, shifting stations, meandering conveyors, faithful robots, and talented artists merging forces to create beautiful china
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Back on 2001, a series called How It’s Made premiered in Canada and the USA. Slowly but surely it’s popularity snowballed. Likewise, slowly but surely, interest in automation processes peaked. Indeed, once the connection between automation and our day to day lives becomes tangible, it’s difficult not to become fascinated and mesmerized by the processes involved. Throughout the weeks to come we’ll aim to share some of our favourite snippets with you, beginning first with the humble pencil.
Some interesting pencil facts ~
- Over 14 billion pencils are thought to be used around the world each year
- Graphite was first discovered in Keswick in the UK in the 1500s
- Italians were the first to encase graphite sticks in wooden cases
- An average sized tree can make up to 170,000 pencils
- Pencils can write in space and also underwater
- Steinbeck and Hemingway both wrote their books in pencil
- Before the invention of erasers, people used breadcrumbs to rub away mistakes
- The largest pencil in the world lives in New York, check out the video below ~
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Further Reading
Pottery Sculpting with Wedgewood
Molten clay, shifting stations, meandering conveyors, faithful robots, and talented artists merging forces to create beautiful china
More
The Floxo Machine with Surface Print
Surface Print Company wall coverings are now found adorning walls at Buckingham Palace
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2M have created a bespoke module which slots onto existing labeling machines. Integrating seamlessly, this liberates clients – opening up a whole new range for them. This engineering task requires a bespoke approach for each site, with 2Ms seasoned site experience assuring the best fit approach.
Our client Compact Foilers introduces beautiful rainbow flexographic prints into the market.
As you can see, this is a two stage process – firstly the adhesive is applied, then the metalized film is introduced at the following print station. Here a printing blanket applies the pressure required to transfix the metallic film onto the areas laced with adhesive. With this method, incredibly fine and intricate details can be transferred onto paper, boards, and plastics.
Further Reading
The Floxo Machine with Surface Print
Surface Print Company wall coverings are now found adorning walls at Buckingham Palace
More
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When visitors step into beautiful gallery spaces, polished to perfection and methodically laid out to guide people through their journey, it’s a world away from what leads to the final flourish.
Old site photos such as these are always a nostalgic yet stark reminder of the tumultuous hardships along the way. Indeed, site work is hard work, and as you’re on your hands and knees slotting and sorting and testing and coding in all manner of conditions, pristine galleries are a world away.
Every project bares its own storms ~ there are so many unexpected factors and mishaps to consider and solve along the way. Though it’s important not to feel disheartened and continue rising to the challenge.
Ultimately the hardships lead to growth, a better understanding of the way things work ~ and last but not least, successful projects which rewrite the rules.
Are you an institution, artist, or sponsor? Do you have an idea or vision you would like to see come to life? Drop us a line with your enquiry!