CHAS, the Health & Safety accreditation specialist, has signed an agreement with Checkatrade that will see the two organisations work together to help their trade members boost their accredited status and availability for work. Checkatrade is one of the UK’s leading directories of recommended, vetted and monitored trade experts, while
There will be a need to repurpose and redesign buildings, as well as increase space as a result of the current global pandemic, according to a growing number of industry insights. The healthcare, pharmaceutical and food industries, being on the front line during the Covid-19 crisis, have already experienced an
Solihull-based Terra Strategic has received Detailed Planning Consent for a scheme of 36 new homes off Bedford Road (A603) and Park Road in the small rural village of Moggerhanger in Central Bedfordshire. Terra Strategic has worked with the landowners to secure the planning status for the 1.44-hectare (3.6-acre) development, which
AO Business welcome two new hires to strengthen their housebuilder team after a successful six months in the market. Gary Holt and Andrew Robinson joined the business to business division of the online electricals retailer on April 1st. Both have started as Business Development Managers with Andrew Robinson covering sales
Owning a property isn’t just about having a place to live — it’s also a significant investment into your future. Whether putting your home on the market is already in the works, or climbing the property ladder remains a distant spot on the horizon, making changes that increase the potential
The HALO Urban Regeneration Company today (14th May 2020) announces the joint appointment of two Marketing Agents for its Enterprise & Innovation Hub in Kilmarnock as the HALO enters its next phase. A £63m urban regeneration project on a 23-acre site, the HALO Kilmarnock, formerly the home of Johnnie Walker,
It has now been over eight weeks since restrictions on movement in the UK were put in place. Here we explore what effect these restrictions have had on the Construction and Engineering industry, and how it might influence how we work in the future. On 30th March, The Secretary of
HOME STAGING company Lemon and Lime Interiors has seen great success with the first trials of its new virtual service after partnering with an East Midlands-based property developer on two new homes. The Lemon and Lime Interiors team are experts in presenting houses to make a memorable first impression for potential buyers. Elaine
Decorative lighting design company Imagin has partnered with hospitality design expert Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) to launch the world’s first decorative wall-mounted touch free hand sanitiser dispensers, the Imagin CleansePoint Collection. Comprising four bespoke finished designs, The Windsor and The Richmond in collaboration with Dexter Moren; The Henley and The
Sheet metal is very important in construction. It is widely used and is very common. Sheet metal is formed through an industrial process. The goal is to make a thin and flat piece of metal for a variety of purposes. Sheet metal is one of the basics of metalworking. It
CHAS, the Health & Safety accreditation specialist, has signed an agreement with Checkatrade that will see the two organisations work together to help their trade members boost their accredited status and availability for work. Checkatrade is one of the UK’s leading directories of recommended, vetted and monitored trade experts, while CHAS helps construction clients to find certified contractors. The joint venture will enable Checkatrade members to secure discounted accreditation status through CHAS, helping them to compete for work that requires Health & Safety certification. In turn, CHAS members who pass Checkatrade’s robust 12-stage vetting process, will be offered an introductory discount on Checkatrade membership. Commenting on the announcement, Ian McKinnon, Managing Director, CHAS, says: “It has been a challenging period for the construction sector but this new partnership underlines our commitment to providing new opportunities for our members and helping them to recover and strengthen their businesses during this difficult time.” Mike Fairman, CEO of Checkatrade, said “our business is committed to making it easier for trades to find work and grow their business. One aspect of that is easy and affordable access to work tenders where Health & Safety accreditation is a pre-condition. All members that gain accredited status will be able to carry the CHAS logo on their Checkatrade profile pages. They will also benefit from the support of Checkatrade’s reviews and vetting team, creating a portfolio of verified customer feedback that demonstrates the quality of their work. About CHAS: CHAS is the leading provider of risk prevention, compliance and supply chain management services for clients and contractors. Since 1997, CHAS (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) has been helping to improve health and safety standards across the UK and safeguard organisations from risk. CHAS is an authority and trusted advisor on health and safety compliance, responsible for setting industry benchmarks and providing the new Common Assessment Standards. CHAS’s aim is simple: To standardise and simplify health and safety assessment for contractors To support organisations in efficiently managing their supply chains To deliver a full suite of supply chain management tools. Find out more at: www.chas.co.uk About Checkatrade: Checkatrade, founded in 1998, is one of the UK’s leading directories of reviewed, vetted and monitored Trade Experts. Owned by Homeserve Plc, Checkatrade has over 38,000 trade members and boasts over 4 million customer reviews allowing potential new customers to find the perfect trade or service for them, sure in the knowledge of their pristine track-record and verified ability. Last year over 12 million people trusted Checkatrade to help them find a reputable tradesperson. The idea for Checkatrade was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey. Trades poured in from across the country, but not all proved to be reputable. A local businessman realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed. For more information on Checkatrade, please contact CheckatradeTeam@redconsultancy.com
There will be a need to repurpose and redesign buildings, as well as increase space as a result of the current global pandemic, according to a growing number of industry insights. The healthcare, pharmaceutical and food industries, being on the front line during the Covid-19 crisis, have already experienced an immediate upsurge in emergency construction for more space. Belfast City Hospital is a good example, where an entire tower block has been repurposed; and in other cases, requirements have included isolation rooms, clean manufacturing and storage. These ways of immediately tackling a crisis tend to lead to changes that impact forever; things simply do not go back to how they were. So, as the situation plays out, there is likely to be a need for greater space, enabling individual workers to distance themselves safely from colleagues and site visitors. In the food industry, for example, people often work shoulder-to-shoulder, and Klipspringer’s blog, ‘Just How? Social Distancing in Food Factories’ suggests a number of measures to improve safety, including strong ‘Keep your Distance’ signage which demonstrates the need to keep two metres apart, and “Additional entrances and exits…to spread out the people flow, with additional doors available and a turnstile entrance and exit system. This doesn’t just mean in and out of the factory, but from area-to-area.” Klipspringer also suggests factory zoning and physical segregation barriers, all of which could suggest that more space would be an important part of the solution in many factories. Kerry Foods ‘Insights’ blog ‘6 Lessons from China’s Recovering Food & Beverage Sector after Covid19’ says there will be more “Demand for visibility on product sourcing and safety,” and that the industry will be “more keenly aware of strict hygiene and food safety.” Foodnavigator.com says the same in its ‘Market Trends’, “Food safety has attracted significant concern from consumers, who want to know whether the coronavirus can be transmitted by imported food…”, which surely will create the need for food producers to take, and promote, measures to allay these fears. This is highly likely to include the ongoing need to keep individual workers distanced from each other, an area that has not up until now been a necessary consideration in most manufacturing environments. In the UK over the last few decades, as a nation we have gradually lost a lot of our ability to produce goods in an effort to keep reducing costs. Many reports suggest that there is likely to be a strategic move to rebuild domestic manufacturing in order to improve our self-sustainability, flexibility, and our ability to react to crises in the future. So, even though for some manufacturers, demand has ‘dropped off a cliff’, leaving them with the same operational costs without the sales in the short term, in the medium-to-long term it is likely that there will be a resurgence in the sector. Chris Griffin, Commercial Manager at Hemsec said, “Whilst automation is going to increasingly develop not all processes can be automated. Manufacturing still requires humans to be part of the process including being physically onsite to run, maintain and repair machines, as well for those processes that a person still needs to do. Commercial teams and contractors will still need to come onsite from time to time as well as. This means space management is going to become part of our business continuity planning, not just a nice to have. In all of those areas where businesses have critical functions where people need to be involved, including customers, the distances between those people will now need to be reconsidered to plan for a business being able to continue working safely through any similar public health crises in the future.” Increasingly, organisations may require business continuity facilities and, in some sectors, emergency health centre/isolation rooms, but more than that many manufacturers may need to expand their buildings to accommodate the increased distancing mentioned above. Our current factory was built using some of our products over 50 years ago, we have extended it over the years. The Hemsec composite panels, both steel and timber faced, are an excellent way to quickly create a dry, temperature stable extension on to a building with fewer civil engineering requirements. As a manufacturer ourselves, we understand the need to have high quality supply readily available, and we are committed to ensuring our customers get what they need. If you foresee a high level of demand, let’s start a conversation now, with a view to developing a supportive supply partnership to meet your needs when the time comes. Please email us at contact@hemsec.com or call +44 (0)151 426 7171
Solihull-based Terra Strategic has received Detailed Planning Consent for a scheme of 36 new homes off Bedford Road (A603) and Park Road in the small rural village of Moggerhanger in Central Bedfordshire. Terra Strategic has worked with the landowners to secure the planning status for the 1.44-hectare (3.6-acre) development, which lies opposite the historic park and gardens of Moggerhanger Park. The scheme was created by residential design specialist A2 Urbanism & Architecture. The land was previously unused and designated for agricultural uses. The scheme will deliver 36 high quality family homes to the village, consisting of 10 two-bedroom homes, 19 three-bedroom designs, and seven four-bedroom executive homes. 13 of the two and three-bedroom dwellings have been allocated for affordable housing. An area of public open space has been incorporated into the design for the scheme to encourage safe family play. All homes will also have private rear gardens and a generous provision of soft landscaping to fore gardens. James O’Shea, Managing Director of Terra Strategic said: “Our Moggerhanger scheme is a great example of how we have worked with the landowner, the Parish Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and Hayfield to promote the concept of a high quality residential scheme on land previously designated for agricultural uses. “We are delighted to have been awarded planning permission and our look forward to watching the development commence later this year. Having engaged in constructive pre-application discussions with the Local Planning Authority and then having worked closely with key consultees throughout the planning application process, we have built on the positive working relationship we had already established with the Council and Local Planning Authority. “These 36 family homes will be a high-quality addition to this small rural village and will add vibrancy to the area. The location – in close proximity to Moggerhanger Park – together with the public open space that has been designed into the centre of the scheme, will ensure these homes will be popular with local families, as well as those looking to move into the area.” The new development will be constructed with a mixture of red brick and render. 34 of the homes will be two-storey, with two being single-storey dwellings to reflect the large number of single-storey properties found in the village. Terra Strategic is an experienced residential land specialist, which enters into agreements with landowners and then pursues, funds and secures an agreeable planning permission. It also has the financial resources to secure land with or without residential planning consent to assist landowners looking for a quick sale process. Terra Strategic has a national reach, having secured residential land in Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, The West Midlands, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
AO Business welcome two new hires to strengthen their housebuilder team after a successful six months in the market. Gary Holt and Andrew Robinson joined the business to business division of the online electricals retailer on April 1st. Both have started as Business Development Managers with Andrew Robinson covering sales in the North and Scotland while Gary Holt will cover the South of England. AO Business entered the competitive housebuilders market last year to transform the way appliances are purchased for new developments. After only six months, they have secured the contracts to supply appliances for over 12,000 new building plots. Robinson joins AO from furniture manufacturer VitrA UK, with experience in the housebuilder market following a Business Manager role specifically for housebuilders at Made Better by Ellis. He previously spent 16 years as a National Sales Manager at bathroom manufacturer Accent Kitchens, where he was responsible for securing group agreements with many regional developers. Prior to joining AO, Holt was at German-based manufacturer Westag and Getalit AG where he spent 5 years as Area Sales Manager for Retail before moving into a new role as Business Development Manager. In the worktop industry, he worked in the developer and housebuilder sectors, and his projects included Royal Air Force redevelopments and various university sites around the country. Anthony Sant, MD of AO Business said: “We’re thrilled to have both Gary and Andy joining us on our mission to improve the way that housebuilders purchase appliances. With their wealth of sales experience and contacts in the industry, we are now in an even better position to provide a solution to the everyday challenges facing housebuilders.” With next day delivery, renowned customer service and over 20 years’ experience of selling electricals to the public, AO Business offer a unique proposition for time-pressed housebuilders.
Owning a property isn’t just about having a place to live — it’s also a significant investment into your future. Whether putting your home on the market is already in the works, or climbing the property ladder remains a distant spot on the horizon, making changes that increase the potential for profit should be on everyone’s radar. There are many ways you can upscale the value of your house before selling. One effective method is to install new flooring for the property. Not only can new floors significantly increase the value of your home, but they can also increase its aesthetic appeal. Solid wood floors stand out as a fantastic choice for homeowners hoping to maximise their return now, or in the future. Read more to find out why. 1) They are Attractive Floors are one of the first things you notice when entering a new home, even if you are not aware of yourself doing it. They can truly make or break a room, and transform any space from tacky to luxurious, or lacklustre to modern. Solid hardwood flooring is classic yet understated, bringing a certain elegance to your home and, in turn, increasing its future value. 2) They are Versatile There is nothing more off-putting for potential buyers than home furnishings that tie them into certain colour schemes or aesthetics. A bold, coloured carpet, for instance, is incredibly limiting from an interior design perspective. Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, harmonises with anything and everything. So, not only does it look better, but it also makes the property more appealing to buyers, as it gives them creative liberty. As a result, the value of your home is increased. 3) They are Practical Solid wood floors are also a popular choice because they are easy to clean, and non-allergenic. Other floorings like carpet will absorb spillages, leading to staining and possibly bacteria cultures. Moreover, carpet fibres can trap dust motes or pollen particles, which can result in allergic reactions. Wood floorings do not have this problem, as spillages remain and easy to mop up, and anything else can be brushed away. This level of practicality and ease of upkeep means they look better for longer, boosting the overall value of your home. 4) They are Durable Perhaps the most notable selling point of solid hardwood flooring is its hardwearing nature. It’s made from a sturdy block of wood and a simple lacquer coating to improve its water resistance and prevent scratching. This makes it ideal where there’s high foot traffic, such as in hallways and kitchens, and in areas where furniture is moved around a lot, such as the dining room. On the other hand, carpet and laminate flooring are more susceptible to wear and tear. If your flooring is durable, it lasts longer and doesn’t lose its lustre. This boosts the overall appeal, and the value of your property. So, invest in some solid hardwood flooring to see the benefits yourself. “Hardwood floors are a typical redesign that can enhance the worth of a home. Tragically, they can not exclusively be costly to place, yet expensive to supplant. Individuals usually think that they’ll have the option to submit a claim on their homeowner insurance policy if their cherished hardwood flooring gets harmed. Actually, it relies a great deal upon the type of home insurance they have, and how much inclusion they bought. When you put in new hardwood flooring in your house, It’s imperative to check your current home insurance features. On the off chance that current house insurance doesn’t come as of now, have flood and water damage coverage. At that point, redesign insurance quickly to make sure you can claim for your hardwood flooring in future without any problem. ” Solid hardwood flooring brings a luxurious feel to any home, harmonises with all kinds of aesthetics and colour schemes, is easy to maintain and lasts for twenty-five years on average. It’s a cost-effective investment that’s bound to turn a profit.
The HALO Urban Regeneration Company today (14th May 2020) announces the joint appointment of two Marketing Agents for its Enterprise & Innovation Hub in Kilmarnock as the HALO enters its next phase. A £63m urban regeneration project on a 23-acre site, the HALO Kilmarnock, formerly the home of Johnnie Walker, will be the first town centre net zero carbon energy project in Scotland, setting the standard for low carbon energy sites across the UK. The ultimate vision is for a net zero dynamic commercial, educational, cultural, leisure and lifestyle quarter where people can ‘Live, Work, Learn and Play’. Leading agents Graham + Sibbald and CBRE have been appointed to lease out the 48,000 ft2 Grade A building set to open in Spring 2021. Upon completion, the HALO Kilmarnock will feature Gold score comms connectivity accreditation, a Breeam excellent rating alongside other state of the art technology and a diverse resilient comms detection system. Through a platinum partnership with Scottish Power the site will be fully powered by energy from the nearby Scottish Power Whitelee Wind farm. The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Hub will also feature an industry-leading digital, data and cyber training and learning facility within an exciting and digitally connected work space, establishing the HALO at the forefront of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” – the digital revolution. Drew Macklin, Development Director at the HALO Urban Regeneration Company, said: “Both Graham + Sibbald and CBRE have world class credentials and, as joint marketing agents for the HALO’s Enterprise & Innovation Hub, are perfectly placed to showcase our exciting project nationally and globally. “Their role will be to partner the HALO with dynamic, high growth young businesses who will benefit from the HALO’s unique ability to harness the latest digital technology in a net zero carbon energy environment.” Fraser Lang, Partner – Head of Ayrshire at Graham + Sibbald said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to lead the marketing of the HALO Enterprise and Innovation in Kilmarnock, a prestigious development which boasts net zero carbon energy credentials to take the property sector to the next level in Scotland at a time when Green Energy, Enterprise and Innovation has never mattered so much.” Andy Cunningham, Senior Director at CBRE, said: “We’re very excited to have been instructed to help expose the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Hub to a wider audience. It is an exceptionally innovative office development that will bring significant benefits to the local community. Speculative funding in the UK regional office markets is notoriously difficult to achieve, so it’s fantastic news to see this investment being made in Kilmarnock where the economic and social opportunities will be warmly welcomed. “The unique first-class facilities at the HALO Hub and the further amenities on offer in the wider development will undoubtedly spark significant interest among local, national and international occupiers and we look forward to sharing the opportunities with our extensive network.”
It has now been over eight weeks since restrictions on movement in the UK were put in place. Here we explore what effect these restrictions have had on the Construction and Engineering industry, and how it might influence how we work in the future. On 30th March, The Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, issued a letter to everyone in the UK construction sector. It detailed that, while those who could work from home should, construction workers were ‘advised’ to continue to travel to their place of work – where safe to do so. If only it had been that easy… With supply chains up and down the country unable to source materials from overseas, building sites were forced to shut down, with some evidence suggesting that over 85% of construction businesses have been impacted. For those sites that have remained open, significant modifications have had to be implemented to ensure safe working practices on site. More recently, industry leaders and the government have formed a taskforce to develop sensible Site Operating procedures to provide guidance. On a number of schemes, both those under construction and those still at the planning stage, architects, civil and structural engineers are having to go back to the drawing board and redesign plans to reflect the current shortage of materials and blockages in the supply chain. With social distancing becoming the new normal, consideration now has to be given to the redesigning concepts, to minimise site construction, with more emphasis on off-site construction. Gemma Cattell from East Northamptonshire Council has spoken about how the council has adapted to the new conditions “Building Control at ENC is still open for business, although we have had to modify some practices to ensure that everyone adheres to social distancing rules during inspections and all inspections are risk assessed before a visit is made to ensure that no one is placed at risk. The Structural Auditing Survey team at JMS, supports some of the largest companies in the world, such as aggregate supplier Hanson. Business continuity for these sites is a priority and, whilst non-urgent surveys have been rescheduled, ‘absolutely essential’ surveys still need to be undertaken on active sites. In these cases, JMS has liaised with the client to identify the best course of action. As the UK starts looking ahead to opening businesses, many in the industry believe that social distancing will remain a daily practice, at least for the remainder of the year. The industry needs to be prepared and employee ‘monitoring’ may have to become compulsory within this sector. Meanwhile, in the US, trials are underway with construction workers wearing a device on their hard hats that sounds an alarm if anyone comes within 2 metres of another worker. It will also track ‘roadmap’ data, so should a construction worker be found to be infected with Covid-19, the data will trace who the worker has come into contact with while on site. Daniel Staines, Managing Director of JMS Civil and Structural Engineers commented “Although we did see a slowdown in appointments on new work at the beginning of the crisis, there has already been a noticeable bounce back and the cloud based systems that JMS has invested in over the past years has meant that we have been able to quickly adapt our working practices to match the work flow whilst maintaining the necessary social distancing and home-working requirements. This investment has allowed us to deliver a continuous, top quality service to our clients. Our number one priority will always be the safety of our staff and we have implemented robust measures, including site specific assessments for every site.” It remains to be seen how severe the long-term impact of COVID-19 will have on the industry, it certainly brings with it a lot of risk, however, there will also be opportunities and, unlike the recession of 2008, bankers are now financially robust, and the hope is that banks and lenders across the UK, with opportunities to invest, will become part of the solution.
HOME STAGING company Lemon and Lime Interiors has seen great success with the first trials of its new virtual service after partnering with an East Midlands-based property developer on two new homes. The Lemon and Lime Interiors team are experts in presenting houses to make a memorable first impression for potential buyers. Elaine Penhaul, the owner of Lemon and Lime Interiors, quickly adapted the business to continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and has introduced two new services – virtual home staging and remote staging. Elaine, who began staging homes in 2012 and set up the company in 2015, said: “With the lockdown and social distancing measures still in place, buyers have never had more time on their hands to browse on apps like Rightmove. Viewing on property portals has gone up by 500% since the country effectively went into lockdown and despite the difficult circumstances, buyers are still expecting to see beautifully staged properties.” The first two properties on the market that used Lemon and Lime Interiors new virtual staging service were both built by developer Hereward Homes and are for sale, one through Richardson Estate Agents and the other through Newton Fallowell. The four-bedroom barn conversion in Stamford and the five-bedroom detached house in Oakham have both been virtually staged to help appeal to buyers during this challenging time. Elaine added: “This new service is really important to the property market – during these unprecedented times estate agents needs to ensure their properties are catching the eye of buyers. With viewings all over the country being put on hold or not taking place, beautiful home staging has never been so important in the market.” Peter Ledger, director at Newton Fallowell, said: “When it comes to Lemon & Lime Interior’s new virtual staging service, the results really speak for themselves – the images have massively helped in the hit rate for the Oakham property already. In these difficult times, we must do everything we can to elevate the online profiles of our properties and virtual staging is the perfect way to do this.” The virtual home staging service requires vendors or the agent to take a high- resolution picture of an empty room, which is then sent to Lemon and Lime Interiors. The team use this photo and virtually fill the room with an interior design scheme and luxury furnishings to make the property looked lived in, which in turn, helps people to visualise themselves living in the property. Even better, all the furniture used is available to purchase, so the whole scheme can be bought with the house upon request. Elaine is even working with a videographer to create video including the virtually staged photos to attract more buyers. Home staging has been proven to help generate faster sales for more money and the team are experts in how to furnish a property in order to secure the best sale price. In the year 2018/19 the occupied properties that Lemon and Lime Interiors staged sold – on average – four times faster after staging. Elaine added: “We are offering this service because it means that developers and estate agents can still get advice and top-quality service without having to leave their homes. We can also give guidance on how to dress their homes, which will help them to get a quick sale for more money when they do come to put it on the market.”
Decorative lighting design company Imagin has partnered with hospitality design expert Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) to launch the world’s first decorative wall-mounted touch free hand sanitiser dispensers, the Imagin CleansePoint Collection. Comprising four bespoke finished designs, The Windsor and The Richmond in collaboration with Dexter Moren; The Henley and The Marlow by Imagin’s designers, the CleansePoint decorative wall-mounted automatic hand sanitiser collection was conceived in response to the expected far reaching impact of Covid-19 on hotels. Produced to order, design features include optional finishes, colours and materials; motion sensing technology; optional room numbers for use in hotel corridors; easily refillable, with an optional light. The hospitality industry has seen new coronavirus safety guidelines emerging globally, so with guest’s peace of mind and employee confidence in cleaning standards at the heart of this innovative idea, the launch of the stylish and functional CleansePoint Collection offers to complement these new stringent ‘safe stay’ cleaning practices, as well as the most lavish interiors with its unique decorative designs. Terry Hibbert, Imagin founder and managing director says: “Our vision is to inspire design excellence for unforgettable Interiors and that doesn’t stop at decorative lighting. We’re honoured to have partnered with world famous architect Dexter Moren to introduce our stunning CleansePoint Collection – a world first!” Dexter Moren, partner at Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) comments: “Asked by Hospitality Insights to consider the immediate impact of Covid-19 on hotels I postulated that we are all going to be insanely conscious of ‘touch’ and ‘cleanliness’ as we venture out from our home isolation. I predicted that hand sanitisers would become a ubiquitous feature within hotels and knowing that hotels will need more than a bottle of gel here and there, DMA have collaborated with Imagin to create a bespoke product that can stand on its own or double as a room entry identification for guests, before entering the sanctuary of their own room.” Terry Hibbert concludes: “Whilst there is a huge shift in priorities for hotels to adopt the world of ‘clean’, it should not need to negatively impact the interior beauty of these spaces. There is now a huge emphasis on sanitising hotels to ensure guests feel safe and comfortable, but this shouldn’t need to come at the expense of beautiful interiors.” With a six to eight-week lead time, the competitively priced CleansePoint Collection is produced to order. Please contact us about the Imagin CleansePoint Collection in partnership with Dexter Moren Associates (DMA), or for more information about our decorative lighting products. T: +44 (0)203 0110 444 E: hello@imaginlighting.com W: imaginlighting.com/cleansepoint
Sheet metal is very important in construction. It is widely used and is very common. Sheet metal is formed through an industrial process. The goal is to make a thin and flat piece of metal for a variety of purposes. Sheet metal is one of the basics of metalworking. It can be cut and bent further to make different shapes as needed for whatever application needs it. From cars to housing to machines and even some forms of art. Experts such as Bend-tech can help with any questions you may have about it. Sheet Metal Bending Bending sheet metal is done through the application of force or exerting pressure on certain points or linear. In bending, metal is manufactured to a point along a straight axis. It produces V-shape, U-shape, and channel shape. This can be done with press breaks, roll bending machines, or embossing/coining machines. The most common way used for bending are box and pan brakes or other break processes. Process During the process of press brake forming, the metal is positioned over a die block. The die block presses the sheet to form a shape. What happens is that the bending has to overcome the stresses. After bending, the residual stresses cause the material to spring back to its original position. The sheet should be over-bent in order to get the desired angle. Factors that come into play are the material and the type of forming. When a metal sheet is bent, the length is also stretched. Bend Deduction This refers to the amount the metal sheet will stretch as it bends and measured from the outside edges. Bend Radius Bend radius refers to the inside radius. It describes the radius of the inside curvature of a bent sheet metal. It is the minimum radius wherein a pipe, tube, sheet, cable, or hose can be bent without being kinked or damage or shortening its life. The formed radius depends on the dies and material used. It also depends on the thickness of the material. The formed bend radius is dependent upon the dies used, the material properties, and the material thickness The smaller the bend radius is, the greater the material flexibility will be. This is because the radius of the curvature decreases as the curvature increases. Minimum and Maximum Bend Radius The minimum bend radius is the smallest allowable radius a cable is allowed to be bent. Maximum Bend Radius is the determinant on how tight the cable can be bent. This is done with the intent not to add a lot of stress on the cable that can cause damages like kinks and cracks. Calculating Bend Radius The minimum or maximum bend radius can be calculated with a mathematical formula. Minimum bend radius: Step 1: Divide 50 by the material’s tensile reduction percentage. Step 2: Subtract 1 from that answer. Step 3: Multiply that answer by the plate thickness. Maximum bend radius: Step 1: Add the minimum bend radius to the part thickness Step 2: Multiply the result by 2 Common Bending Methods There are many bending methods. Below are some of the more common methods V-Bending This is the most common bending method. V-bending uses a punch and die. The three sub-grouping of this is bottoming, air bending, and coining. From these, about 90% of the most commonly used V-bending methods are air bending and bottoming. Air Bending This refers to partial bending. In this method, the working piece is not totally touching the tooling parts. The workpiece lies on two points. The punch pushes the bend. This process is often done through a press brake without the need for a sided die. A punch tool and a V-shaped bottom die is used in air bending. Air bending allows the sheet material to be bent to an arbitrary angle even without replacing the die or punch tools. Bottoming This is also referred to as bottom pressing or bottom striking. This means the punch presses the metal sheet onto the die. The die’s angle then determines the angle of the workpiece. The inner radius of the angled sheet depends on the radius of the die. Coining In this method, the workpiece is stamped between the punch and die. These penetrate into the metal past a neutral axis with pressure. This used to be a very popular method since it can get accurate results. However, today, machinery can be well-controlled and precise. Hence, coining is not as widely used as before. U-bending This is similar to V-bending. It also uses a die and a punch. However, in U-bending they are both U-shaped, which results in a similar bend. Roll Bending This is often used during the production of cones and tubes into different shapes. This is also bending with a large radius. The most common machine used for this method is a press or hydraulic brake. The reason for this is that other machines result in flat instead of a well-rounded edge. Folding Clamping beams hold the longer side of the sheet. In this method the beam rises. Then it folds the sheet around a bend profile. Wiping In this method, the longest end of the sheet is clamped. The tool then goes up and down, resulting in the bending of the sheet around the bend profile. Wiping, however, has a higher risk for scratches or damages since the tools are hovering over the sheet. Rotary Bending This method uses a freely rotating cylinder. The final formed shape is cut into it and matching the bottom die. Upon contact with the sheet, the roll contacts on the two points. It then rotates while the forming process bends the sheet. Rotary bending is referred to as a ‘non-marking’ process which is suitable to pre-painted or marred surfaces.