Technical News:

Revitalising Health and Safety

The Government has issued a consultation document 'Revitalising Health and Safety' with the aim of injecting new impetus into the health and safety agenda. The aim is make further headway in reducing accidents and ill health caused by work activities.
The wish is that this subject should be debated as widely as possible. In addition to the main consultation document there are three leaflets covering specific items of interest to employers, workers and SMEs. These are available on the DETR website http://www.detr.gov.uk/ and from the DETR free literature service Tel: 0870 122 6236 Fax: 0870 122 6237.

Comments are required by 24 September to Jane Rumble, Appraisal Team, Health & Safety Sponsorship Division, DETR, 1/B3 Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU Tel: 0171 890 4970 Fax: 0171 890 4979 e-mail: health@detr.gsi.gov.uk

LMC Technik Can Meet Your Needs

As construction equipment manufacturers face increasingly competitive markets and "Globalisation", designers, engineers and manufacturers are charged with the difficult task of differentiating their vehicles from their competitors. LMC Technik Limited can help companies gain a "Unique Selling Point" for their products. The company offers its clients viable and effective solutions in the design and styling of their machines.

LMC Technik Ltd specialises in the manufacture of large, impact resistant, exterior plastic components for the whole of the automotive industry using the plastic polymer, Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) which is moulded using the Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) process. LMC Technik are the largest DCPD/RIM moulders in Europe and provide a comprehensive service for design, prototyping, tooling, moulding, production and up to Automotive Class A paint finishing. The service ensures conceptual ideas are brought to fruition.

Over the years, LMC Technik has gained extensive design experience of many different vehicle models including backhoe loaders, articulated dump trucks, excavators, telehandlers, tractors, telescopic handlers etc. The company offers a diverse and stylish DCPD product range of doors, hoods, tank covers, roofs, fenders, bumpers etc. Clients include Airflow Streamlines, Caterpillar Inc., Caterpillar (UK) Ltd., DAF Truck NV. Several major customers have embarked on LMC Technik's "Prototype programme" for their machines in the year 2000 - 2001.

LMC Technik is a Tier 1 supplier and parts can be fully assembled to customer requirements. Products are manufactured and supplied to the customers production lines via a Just In Time system.

The advantages of DCPD are:

Can be used as a replacement for traditional engineering materials

Optimises and encourages styling, as well as aiding performance of machines and vehicles.

Can be moulded into many different components; there are no limitations on size and any thickness down to 3mm.

The material possesses a unique balance of rigidity and flexibility and can be moulded into complex shapes. It is rust proof and possesses good chemical resistance. DCPD has good impact resistance and a temperature range of -40ºC to +115ºC. DCPD does not warp or deform and shrinkage is negligible.

Once moulded it is tough, durable and low weight i.e. 40% lighter than steel.

Smooth A and B sides are achieved. DCPD does not contain glass nor mineral fibre.

DCPD has low tooling costs due to the low pressures used during the RIM process.

DCPD is particularly cost effective for large components.

Although LMC's core business is DCPD, they plan to enter the GRP market which will allow new customers access to LMC Technik's specialist area of design and styling. Diversification means that where volumes for DCPD are less cost effective, GRP can be used as an alternative.

Fully understanding DCPD and its applications.

Understanding its clients needs.

For many companies the features and benefits of DCPD lends itself to many different viable solutions using DCPD's flexibility. Combined with its many advantages, DCPD is a material that can radically affect how designers, engineers, manufacturers and stylists confront the changes required in construction equipment.

For further details contact: Peter Falandsyz, LMC Technik Ltd., Dubmire Industrial Estate, Fence Houses, Houghton-le-Spring. Tyne & Wear. DH4 5RJ. Contact Telephone No: 0191 385 8500. Fax No: 0191 385 7819

CE Marking Guidance CE

The quarterly "CE Marking CD" provides an easy to follow guide to CE marking and includes:

Background information

Flowcharts for the conformity process

CE marking legislation and proposed
legislation

Product liability and safety

Commentary and European Parliamentary Questions and Answers

Judgements from the European Court of Justice

Sample of Declaration of Conformity

Useful addresses including Notified Bodies

The CD is intended for designers, engineers and manufacturers in the electro-technical and machine construction industries. The subscription for use on one PC is £350.00 per year including Hotline Support. The CD is available on a free ten day trial from:

Oxmill Publishing, 97 Godstone Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 6RE Tel: 01883 343000.