Newsline - February 2000

Technical News:

Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive

Work at the Secretariat continues on this important Directive which will effect all types of machinery but will have particular impact on agricultural and plant equipment. The Directive is in its embryo stages but is being pursued with some vigour by the EU Social Questions Working Group. The Directive covers two aspects Hand Arm Vibration and Whole Body Vibration (WBV). It is the WBV that is causing the greatest concern because most plant equipment will have extreme difficulties complying with the current proposed limits in the Directive. The Secretariat is active in the following areas:

¨ Continued close liaison with the HSE sponsors for this Directive.

¨ Education of other trade associations of the effects of this Directive. Many trade associations are aware of this Directive but not aware of its effects on all machinery.

¨ Attempting in co-operation with the Construction Confederation and the Construction Plant-hire Association to set up a meeting with all interested trade associations and the HSE to discuss the ramifications of the Directive.

¨ Collecting evidence to support the case for easing the limits on construction equipment.

¨ Membership of the CECE Working Group with the aim of producing a unified approach to this Directive for all EU member states.

Implementation of Noise Directive

Fran Buckle and John Walker, who are responsible for the Noise Directive on behalf of the DTI, attended the General Technical Meeting held on 1 December 1999 to discuss FMCEC's reservations about the UK implementation of the Noise Directive. The major concern is that the majority of construction equipment will require testing in a six-month period. This will be a major problem exacerbated because of the limited number of Notified Bodies likely to be certified to undertake the required noise tests. The problem will be slightly eased by some OEMs who may opt for self-certification using an extension of their ISO 9001 certification - currently only two FMCEC members have indicated that they will pursue this option.

At the request of DTI the Secretariat undertook a survey which indicated that approximately 340 noise tests would be required for plant equipment in a six-month period. There are a number of other sectors of industry involved in this Directive e.g. agricultural machinery and so the testing task will be formidable - the Secretariat is seeking an extension of the transition period.

Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI)

We have received literature about ADI, which is claimed to have the following advantages over other materials:

· Typically 105% lighter than steel
· Better wear resistance than steel of a higher hardness
· Twice the strength of ductile iron
· Typically reduces costs by 20%-25% from steel with machining and energy savings

Some suggested uses of ADI are:

· Digger teeth
· Track links
· Suspension brackets
· Gears, cams and crankshafts

For more information contact: Arron Rimmer, Development Manager, ADI Treatments Limited Tel: 0121 525 0303 Fax: 0121 525 0404

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