Health and safety cover many essential components. The fact is that there’s a variety of hazards in any modern workplace, but in a construction setting, these hazards are multiplied infinitely. Electrical equipment, from machinery to computers can all be hazardous if they are not properly used. What does it take
If you are confused between digger hire vs. grab hire vs. skip hire, you are on the right page. On this page, we will explore the advantages of the three mentioned options so you can make informed decisions based on what you are exactly looking for. So, if you want
t’s everyone’s worst nightmare whenever the wi-fi goes out. Given how much of our world is connected via the one wi-fi signal that you have in your home and office, if your Wi-fi goes out or you find that your wi-fi connection is very poor, then you need to figure
To mark National Tradesmen Day, which is celebrated today on 16th September, an employee from My Build Estimate has launched a new club, dedicated to those working in the construction industry. Aiming to help tradesmen share information more easily, the WhatsApp group consists of 171 builders, homeowners, and property developers.
Women are significantly underrepresented in the construction industry and attracting more female talent and achieving an accurate representation of women in all roles in the sector will have a greater positive impact. Identifying and attracting the best talent is always a challenge of recruitment. At CPI, vital modifications to their
Everyone in the house benefits from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Those who live in areas prone to severe weather will agree that they simply cannot live without it. Check on Arnold Jones Services for reliable HVAC service. These systems are great–as long as they are in good working
Thinking of renovating your home but you’re worried about the amount of clutter that’s going to be produced as a result? Well, why not look at your storage space first? Are you using all the available space in your home to its fullest potential? When renovating your home, it’s easy
Home staging is a huge thing in the US and professional home stagers charge large sums of money to transform properties into the kind of home a celeb would live in. Their services don’t come cheap, but the principles of home staging can be utilized by anyone hoping to make
The ability of a material to be cut with a cutting tool is known as its machinability. A material is called more machinable if it can be cut or drilled with the least amount of force and it does so without being deformed. In actual use, using machinability-friendly materials offers many
CITB is investing £90,000 to fund a pilot scheme which will provide mental health support for apprentices from the start of their construction industry careers. Optima UK Ltd will train further education construction tutors to be Mental Health First Aiders so they can support construction apprentices during their learning. Apprentices
Health and safety cover many essential components. The fact is that there’s a variety of hazards in any modern workplace, but in a construction setting, these hazards are multiplied infinitely. Electrical equipment, from machinery to computers can all be hazardous if they are not properly used. What does it take to ensure that the construction site is working with electricity safely? Being Aware of Conductive Tools When working in any area with electrical hazards, we have to assume that electrical parts are live and should not use conductive tools in those areas. There’s a variety of materials that easily conduct electricity, like water. It’s important to operate with a more pragmatic approach and to make the assumption that these electrical parts are always live, rather than just hoping for the best! It’s also important to be aware that some products can easily throw off static shocks, which, after a while, can be frustrating. But companies like Bondline provide anti-static products that can be beneficial in this environment. Follow the Company’s Electrical Safety Work Practices Each company will have its own practices depending on the equipment and the hazards. Every organisation needs to follow company-specific work practices so all employees are safe. Understanding Common Electrical Hazards It should be a part of any robust health and safety practice that employees know common electrical hazards. Components such as damaged equipment and tools, incorrect use of fuses, improper grounding, and smoke or smells emanating from equipment are all warning signs that the equipment should be turned off and the area cleared. Promoting Safe Use of Electrical Equipment Best practices such as unplugging cords safely and not overstretching electrical cords are some things that can ensure everyone’s safety. It is these things that can make the equipment far more robust and potentially save a life in the process. Regular PAT testing on the equipment conducted by a specialist is vital to ensure that every item is operating safely and there are no frayed wires or exposed circuits that could cause danger to employees. Ensuring Only Qualified Personnel Works With Live Electrics In a construction setting ensuring that a qualified electrical specialist with the right training should work on electrical wires. Understanding the Voltage As a rule, unqualified personnel should never interact with electrical currents greater than 50 volts. It’s important to maintain a safe distance from any equipment operating above this and there should be no exposed electrics or wires. Understanding the Impact of Electrical Shocks Electrical shops can be dangerous, but they can also be life-threatening. An electric shock could cause burns, and even a small dose of electricity can be fatal. First aid training is an essential component in any workplace environment, but when it comes to electrical shocks, it’s important to ensure that anybody performing first aid is aware of the potential for getting a shock as well. Workplace safety is undoubtedly incredibly important on construction sites. Having a robust and reactive approach to electricity is crucial. Electrics are no joke, and it needs to be treated accordingly.
If you are confused between digger hire vs. grab hire vs. skip hire, you are on the right page. On this page, we will explore the advantages of the three mentioned options so you can make informed decisions based on what you are exactly looking for. So, if you want some cash, energy, and time for your upcoming home remodeling/construction plan you might want to check out the following snippets of wisdom. Digger Hire Let’s start with the benefits of digger hire. One of the biggest benefits of this option is the quick proximity it brings forth. When the final project is being executed, you might want to use an agency that would be near the construction point. And this is where digger hire comes to play. With the right digger hire in Essex, you can always count on the experts even if you need last-minute help. Because the firms are local, they can also get you all the gears you need. Finally, the biggest highlights of this digger hire are: The professionals are local experts and people you are familiar with You will get recommendations from firms you are aware of The companies have relevant experience The option is cheaper It is more trustworthy Grab Hire Next, let’s foray into the benefits of grab hire. First, grab Lorries come with a larger capacity meaning they can quickly scoop out humongous waste piles. The benefit is especially useful in construction projects and other ventures that generate large waste amounts. The next benefit in line is the capacity of these Lorries. Most grab Lorries are extremely agile and can lift weighty items with ease. Thanks to their hydraulic arm, they can quickly pick huge items like tree barks and large concrete slabs among others. Finally, the biggest benefit of grab hire in Basildon is that the Lorries won’t need any additional permit. This saves you time and cost and is a significant benefit over skip hire which requires you to have a specific permit. Skip hire The third option in line is skip hire, and we recommend it for its easy and eco-friendly ways of disposing of waste which you wouldn’t find with the former two options. With this option, you can be assured that all the excess waste are carefully disposed to their appropriate skip bins. The next benefit of this option is that it is extremely versatile. Whether you need to dispose of large, moderate, or small amounts of waste- you will find a skip hire option right up your alley. Because the professionals conducting the project handle the entire waste disposal process, you needn’t worry about anything. The overall results are time-saving and whether you have a 2 yard skip or a larger one, the process will be sustainable, cheap, and clean. Bottom Line Now that you are well aware of the benefits of digger hire, grab hire, and skip hire, explore your options and make an informed choice. Each of the options is useful and suited for specific renovation projects. So be judicious and choose the best hire option out there.
t’s everyone’s worst nightmare whenever the wi-fi goes out. Given how much of our world is connected via the one wi-fi signal that you have in your home and office, if your Wi-fi goes out or you find that your wi-fi connection is very poor, then you need to figure out how to fix it before things slow down for you. After all, without wi-fi, what is there to do? A lack of a signal is going to put a crimp in your style no matter what! So let’s figure out how to get it fixed and strengthen your signal! Move Your Router Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest, and you need to look at where your wi-fi signal is coming from. The router might just need to be moved because objects around it are blocking the signal or weakening it. If you have your router simply shoved in the back of your closet, or up in the attic, then you might be slowing down your signal. So make sure your router is in an open area where you can see it, and where your router isn’t obstructed by anything. Use An Ethernet Cable For A Wired Connection While wi-fi might give you a wireless connection, you shouldn’t forget that wired connections still exist and they are able to be used no matter what. Running a wire from your computer to your router might be a bit frustrating and might limit where you can use your devices, but the connection is going to be much faster and also much more stable. If you want the fastest internet possible, then you need to run a wire and simply ignore the wires that might trail around your floor and any changes you might need to make about where you are sitting to use your electrical items. But for a very fast internet, that can often be a sacrifice you are willing to make. Consider Using Software to Map for Wi-Fi Dead Spots If you’ve ever seen heat maps in movies or on the weather channel, then you know how they work, and a wi-fi heat map can do the same thing. They can see the strength of your signal in certain areas, and you can find both the places in your house where you can have a very high wifi strength as well as the areas in your house where you won’t have a lot of strength. Whether you find slow spots or dead spots you can use the heat map to find and fix all of these spots in your house and hopefully get a better signal. Whether you choose to use SolarWinds custom Wi-Fi mapping tool, or another heat map to map your home, you will be able to ensure that you get complete visibility in your home and then can fix any problem spots. Cut Off Unused Devices With all the smart devices as well as the devices that connect to our signal whether we want it or not, your wi-fi problem might not be because of a problem with your router, but simply because too many devices are connected at once. So go through and make sure that only the devices that you need to be connected to the internet are able to use your router. After all, you’ve probably got a few smart devices that you either never got to work or that you simply don’t need to be connected to the internet. Removing them is going to go a long way to speeding up your wi-fi. You might even be very surprised about how those unneeded devices were slowing you down and throttling your speed. Do Several Methods To Improve Your Wi-Fi As much as you might want to have one method work and strengthen your wi-fi signal, you should try several different methods and see if each one improves the strength of your signal. After all, if you haven’t touched your wi-fi in some time, or your wi-fi only just started slowing down, then you might need to try several methods in order to make your speed as fast as possible. Also, don’t be afraid to check your devices as well, because if your wi-fi is super slow on one device and very fast on others, it might just be the one device that is having problems and not your wi-fi router. So you can focus on getting it fixed and solving the problem.
To mark National Tradesmen Day, which is celebrated today on 16th September, an employee from My Build Estimate has launched a new club, dedicated to those working in the construction industry. Aiming to help tradesmen share information more easily, the WhatsApp group consists of 171 builders, homeowners, and property developers. The Construction Club provides a safe space for people to communicate and ask questions about the construction industry and building projects. Moreover, participants can also compare costs, share best practice and offer networking opportunities. “We speak to builders, homeowners and property developers every day, but we often found that they weren’t able to communicate with each other. There simply wasn’t an easy, practical way to do that. It became clear there was a real need for a forum where they could informally ask questions of each other, gauge opinions and communicate in a way which moves the industry forward,” said Parm Bhangal. “With our contacts and knowledge of the industry, here at My Build Estimate we were in the ideal position to set up this WhatsApp group and allow participants to easily reach out to each other with questions, ideas and networking opportunities. “And what better time to choose, than National Tradesmen Day. Tradespeople form the backbone of the construction industry and provide the tools, experience and skillset to underpin a thriving housing market. We’ve seen numerous people helped through the group already. A problem which could perhaps have been causing a costly and stressful headache for one person, is easily remedied with a quick piece of advice from another,” he added. The group was developed to mark National Tradesmen Day, an event created to show appreciation to tradespeople and the essential services they offer. It calls for the tradesmen in the country to be celebrated and honored for their essential services. A country could have all the sources, but it wouldn’t matter if people with the right skillset are not there to put the sources to the right use. Tradesmen, both men and women, are one such group of people who ensure that sources are used correctly for a nation to live a comfortable life. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
Women are significantly underrepresented in the construction industry and attracting more female talent and achieving an accurate representation of women in all roles in the sector will have a greater positive impact. Identifying and attracting the best talent is always a challenge of recruitment. At CPI, vital modifications to their recruitment practices and channels have been carried out to ensure a wide demographic talent pool is reached. The number of female colleagues at CPI increased by five in 2021, which is an early positive indication of change in demographic. CPI are enthusiastic about opening up new career paths that women may not have thought of as viable options for themselves. They are delighted to have recruited their first female driver colleague and are proud to have supported an existing female colleague at Harlow through their driver academy to attain her HGV licence and take her place behind the wheel as part of the driver team. CPI have identified barriers in their own work environment that might prevent women joining the business. Welfare, changing and shower facilities have been upgraded to ensure that they are suitable for both male and female colleagues. CPI recognise that their colleague facilities need to be suitable for the demographic needed in the business and not simply the demographic that currently exists. The CPI range of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clothing was initially based on a male design and sizing; however, the range of PPE has now been extended to ensure that it includes both male and female sizing and options for all relevant PPE requirements. Gender diversity within the construction industry is astonishingly low. According to The Guardian, women make up just 11% of the entire construction workforce. The construction industry is male-dominated, and as a result, professions associated with construction are less promoted to women, leading to extremely low levels of female employees entering the sector. Moreover, women that do wish to work in construction, are sometimes met with barriers to progression resulting in them abandoning construction as a career entirely and the loss of talent from the industry. CPI recognises that a diverse workforce leads to higher employee engagement, better decision making, and higher levels of productivity. A diverse workforce brings a range of fresh perspectives, leading to increased creativity and innovation. Perhaps most importantly, when people feel that they are welcome, accepted and valued team members, they do their best work, resulting in high levels of personal and professional fulfilment, which is why CPI believe in creating a more inclusive workplace. CPI is proud to champion its female colleagues, and the team is continually challenging their work practices to ensure an inclusive workplace is provided for all to support the ambitions in achieving an increasingly diverse and representative workforce.
Everyone in the house benefits from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Those who live in areas prone to severe weather will agree that they simply cannot live without it. Check on Arnold Jones Services for reliable HVAC service. These systems are great–as long as they are in good working order. Depending on the type and size of the HVAC system, repairs to these units can be extremely costly. Fortunately, homeowners can prevent costly repairs. Here are some tips to help keep your indoor comfort levels high while keeping your HVAC repair costs low: Although some HVAC owners prefer to do the regular maintenance themselves, others lack the time or know-how to do it. In the latter group, there are professional maintenance services that will assist. Some of these professionals may even have a maintenance contract that the homeowner can sign up for, making it easy to schedule and remember. Professional furnace maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. For this reason, it’s recommended to schedule professional HVAC servicing twice a year – spring and fall building maintenance. One thing that homeowners can easily do at home, no matter their skill level, is clean the unit thoroughly. Over time, dust and debris can settle onto it, making it less efficient. When a homeowner inspects the outside, it will already become evident that it needs good dusting and wiping down, but they would also have to remove the cover and check the inside of the unit. The unit will gather dust on the inside moving parts, and the coolant and water lines may become clogged. For that reason, homeowners must check every single aspect of the HVAC of the following: A feather duster or soft cloth will do the trick for removing dirt and dust, while a damp cloth with mild detergent will clean off most of the stubborn grime. Depending on the location of the HVAC unit, homeowners should clear twigs or leaves from the outside before cleaning. It will ensure that nothing ends up on the inside and hinders the mechanical parts. An HVAC system will naturally add to the utility bill each month. But when the costs keep rising, and nothing else could be the cause, look to the HVAC for answers. The bill’s increase may indicate something wrong with the unit or that it requires cleaning. Make an effort to review the costs monthly to save more than a costly repair. Contact a professional to inspect the unit as soon as possible if there are any concerns. One of the first indicators that the HVAC system will need maintenance is when the homeowner notices odors and noises coming from the unit or through the vents. Immediately discontinue the use of the system until a professional has determined the root cause. Continuing to use the system, even when odors or noises are coming from it, could cause health concerns for everyone in the home and overwork the components or parts already in poor condition. Along with regular cleaning, homeowners can check a few of the functions of an HVAC system to ensure that they are still optimal. Add a checklist for the system to a seasonal to-do list to ensure you do not miss any of the details below: If any of these are broken, bent, or visibly need replacement, then it may be best to contact a professional repair service to look at the parts before using the HVAC system. If the homeowner ignores the faulty parts, it may become a costly repair later. Older buildings and homes may have an outdated HVAC system that will cost the owners more in repairs than it would replace the entire unit. As new technology hits the market, the more recent systems become more energy efficient, their parts are more durable, and they could even come standard with a repair or maintenance program. Replacing the unit could have a high initial layout, but when counting all the times the older unit would have needed repairing, the total amount would still allow the homeowner to save money in the long run. To Conclude The HVAC system is there to keep everyone in the building more comfortable. With such an important function, owners should remember to take care of their systems to get optimal results. Regular maintenance will keep the unit in tip-top condition and save the homeowner on their utility bill and costly repairs.
Thinking of renovating your home but you’re worried about the amount of clutter that’s going to be produced as a result? Well, why not look at your storage space first? Are you using all the available space in your home to its fullest potential? When renovating your home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of you. There are so many details involved, from choosing new paint colors to finding contractors. So much work! There’s always so much stuff to manage along the way—boxes full of items that need moving. Luckily, there are moving and storage unit companies like Safestore storage units, that offer some of the best services for your needs. Read on as we discuss five storage options that can help with your renovation project. If your apartment or a home is undergoing renovation, you may need to temporarily move your stuff to another location or storage facility. Portable storage containers are great for this kind of situation. These containers are often used for moving, but they can also be used for storing things. The best part is that portable storage units are usually delivered right to your door. They provide the perfect solution for storing stuff that you need out of your way. They are easy to move, so if you need to relocate them to another location, you can easily move them. Before you get a portable storage unit, you might want to research first to find the best one that fits your needs. There are various options available for you. Also, you can consider a company that offers the size, cost, and delivery options that make the most sense to you. Just make sure not to skimp on size, particularly if you plan on storing furniture in there. For safeguarding your valuables, consider a specialized storage solution like Guardian Safe and Vault. Guardian Safe and Vault offers robust, secure storage options tailored for your most precious items. Whether you need to store jewelry, important documents, or other high-value belongings, these safes provide an extra layer of protection. Equipped with advanced security features such as biometric access, alarm systems, and reinforced steel construction, they ensure your possessions are safe from theft and damage. Using Guardian Safe and Vault during a home renovation gives you peace of mind, knowing your treasured items are securely stored.” Suppose you need even more space for your stuff. If you don’t want to buy a portable storage container, you can choose to rent a storage container. These units are ideal if you need a large amount of space to hold all your things. It’s also better if you don’t know how long your renovation project will take. You can rent a storage container at most self-storage facilities. They have different storage units size and types depending on your needs. You can even rent a climate-controlled storage container, which is ideal if you’re storing items that might be damaged by extreme heat or cold. A rental storage unit offers you the perfect solution to your stuff’s safety and security until the renovation is complete. If you’re not in a position to rent a storage unit and your home isn’t an option, you can ask your friends and family if they are willing to give you space to store your stuff. You must consider a few things if you’re considering this option. First, make sure your friend or family member is comfortable storing your belongings. Second, you have a good relationship with this person to trust them with your things. You might need to put a contract in place so everyone knows what is expected. Don’t forget to ask for timelines to know how long they’ll lend their space to you. A traditional self-storage facility is a good option if you’re not allowed to park a portable storage container in your driveway. Like mobile units, they come in many sizes so that you can accommodate all kinds of stuff. There are many advantages to choosing a storage facility for your renovation project. Storage facilities often have security features, like 24-hour surveillance and on-site staff, so your stuff will be safe and secure. You can get to your items quickly and easily and even drive your car into some storage units, so you don’t have to haul large items inside the facility. You can also choose to hire a mobile container and have the company pick it up and store it for you. Once you’re done with your renovation, the company will drop it back. If you have a room that’s not in use, you can try and designate it for storage during renovations. If you don’t require a lot of storage space and only have a small amount of stuff to store, you can consider using one of the rooms in your home. As with any storage space, this room shouldn’t be occupied, safe, and secure. It should also be enough to accommodate everything that needs putting away. You might think about sealing it off, so that dust and other particles aren’t floating around the rest of your house. Wrap Up Planning in advance can help you avoid unnecessary headaches. When considering your storage options, a lot comes into play. First, how often do you want to access the stuff you want to put away? What’s your budget? And how long do you want to put away your items? There are many options for stowing your things while you renovate your home. However, make sure to choose what works best for you based on your circumstances. No matter your choice, you’ll want to ensure that your stuff is safe and secure.
Home staging is a huge thing in the US and professional home stagers charge large sums of money to transform properties into the kind of home a celeb would live in. Their services don’t come cheap, but the principles of home staging can be utilized by anyone hoping to make a good impression on potential buyers. Declutter The first task is decluttering every room. Treat this as a golden opportunity to get rid of anything you don’t need, whether that is furniture you have fallen out of love with, books you read once and hated, or CDs you bought in a manic-depressive state when your first love dumped you on Valentine’s Day. Sell anything worth something and donate the rest to a Goodwill thrift store. If rooms still look cluttered, start packing items you don’t need anytime soon and store them somewhere safe, preferably in a garage or lockup. It is important to create a sense of space. This allows buyers to visualize the property with their furniture and belongings. Weave a Story One of the reasons why social media is so popular is that it paints a picture of a lifestyle we aspire to. We look at an influencer’s social feed and think “I wish this was my life”. Staging a home does a similar thing to buyers. You are selling a lifestyle, not just a home. Select a few choice ornaments, books, artwork, photos, etc. This adds some personality to the rooms, so they don’t look too bland and uninspiring. The aim is to create a home that feels warm and nurturing. You want people to look around and immediately feel a sense of calm and serenity. Show Not Tell It is all too easy to show a buyer your dining room and say: “this room is big enough for dinner parties”. They might look at the floorplan and agree, but it isn’t the same as actually showing them. The best way to make it real is by staging the room for its intended purpose. In a dining room, set up the table for a dinner party, with plates, glasses, napkins, and table decorations. Do the same in the kitchen, with recipe books out and some freshly baked cupcakes. You can do the same outside too. If your garden is perfect for outdoor entertaining, bring out your Vidaxl patio furniture with seat cushions, plates, glasses, and a bottle of wine. It is worth investing in new furniture if yours is looking a bit shabby. Shop for Vidaxl tables and chairs, and some outdoor lighting. Show buyers what a fantastic life they could have if they bought your property. Appeal to the Buyer’s Olfactory Senses How a home smells is just as important as how it looks. Out with the smelly dog bed and cat litter tray and in with the freshly baked bread and percolating coffee machine in the kitchen. Always open windows before buyers arrive and buy some fresh flowers for downstairs rooms. By following the tips above, you can do a great job of staging your home for potential buyers, and it needn’t cost you a fortune. Author Bio: The author Allan Smith is a professional finance writer specializing in personal finance. He has worked in the finance sector for a long time. He believes that everyone’s economic and life situation is isolated, and he keeps this fact in mind while providing personal finance advice in his blog Day to Day Finance. All the people seeking financial guidance are in different stages of life. Allan loves to explore every possible angle of personal finance so that anybody can get help.
The ability of a material to be cut with a cutting tool is known as its machinability. A material is called more machinable if it can be cut or drilled with the least amount of force and it does so without being deformed. In actual use, using machinability-friendly materials offers many advantages. Compared to components created from difficult to machine materials, they can be produced more rapidly. Long-term usage of easily machinable materials results in less wearing of tools and the longer tool life, which ultimately saves the money spent on machining. CNC steel has excellent machinability because it is a strong, hard material that is easy to cut and shape. It is also resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for use in high-speed machining applications such as milling steel. Steel is the primary material of choice for many parts in industries requiring great performance and durability, such as those in the automotive, locomotive, aerospace, and the fastest-growing robotics sectors. Steel and aluminum have extremely distinct physical properties and pricing ranges, steel is much stronger than aluminium and aluminum is also costlier than steel. So, determining which material is ideal for a given work is crucial, when machining metal parts, milling steel may be a more appropriate material choice than aluminum. Factors should be considered when choosing CNC steel for your project Consider the thickness of the material. CNC steel is available in various thicknesses, from thin sheets to thick plates. The thicker the material, the more difficult it will be to machine. However, thick materials are also more durable, so it is important to find the right balance for your project. The type of steel is the second thing you should consider for CNC steel parts. There are two main types of CNC steel – stainless and carbon. Stainless steel is more difficult to machine but is more resistant to corrosion. On the other hand, carbon steel is easier to machine but is more susceptible to rust. After deciding the type, you have to choose the best steel for machining. If you consider stainless steel for your CNC steel parts, you have to choose the perfect grade. The most common stainless steel for machining is 303, 304, 316L, 410, and 416. The surrounding environment also affects the CNC steel machining. Even the best steel for machining can produce bad parts if the temperature, humidity, and dust level are not under control. Operating Environment of CNC Steel CNC steel has high strength, hardness, toughness, and ductility. As a result, this material can withstand high cutting speeds without deforming, making them ideal for CNC machining. However, other materials, such as aluminum and brass, can also be machined using CNC technology. The main difference between machining steel on a CNC machine and other materials is the speed and accuracy of the cuts. The properties of CNC steels allow them to be used in applications where other materials would crack or break under similar conditions. CNC machines are able to make very precise cuts at high speeds. This is due to the fact that CNC machines are controlled by computer programs that can be programmed to make very precise cuts. Other materials, such as aluminum and brass, are not as strong as steel and, therefore, cannot be machined at the same speeds. Additionally, these materials are not as easy to cut as steel and require more time to produce a finished product. While machining CNC steel you have to lubricate the machine properly. Lubricants such as oil, grease, and water are needed to prevent friction during cutting. Dimensional Stability and Tolerance The dimensional stability of CNC steel is a measure of how well the steel can maintain its dimensional accuracy and integrity under different conditions. Dimensional stability is important for CNC steel because it ensures that the steel will retain its dimensional accuracy during the machining process. This dimensional accuracy is known as tolerance. If machining steel is done properly, the tolerance of CNC steel parts can be +/- .5 inches. If the dimensional stability of the CNC steel is poor, the steel will expand or contract during the machining process, leading to inaccuracies in the final product. There are a few things that can cause steel to warp during machining and hamper the dimensional stability, including: Cutting too deeply into the material Removing too much material at once Using a tool that’s too small for the material Material Costs The cost of CNC steel depends on a number of factors. The type of steel is the most important factor. The different types of steel include: Low-carbon steel: This is the most common type of steel used in CNC steel manufacturing. It is very strong and durable. Low-carbon steel is less expensive than high-carbon steel. High carbon steel: This type of steel is more expensive than low carbon steel. It is also stronger and more durable. High-carbon steel is often used for high-end products. Stainless steel: This type of steel is more expensive than both low carbon and high carbon steel. Stainless steel is very strong and resistant to corrosion. The quality of the steel is another important factor that affects the cost. The higher the quality of the steel, the more expensive it will be. The size of the steel is also a factor. The larger the size of the steel, the more expensive it will be. The quantity of steel is the last factor that affects the cost. The more steel that is needed, the more expensive it will be. Conclusion The machinability of CNC steel has made it a very popular material for many industries. But before you pick a machining steel company you should know their details and working experience. Because CNC steel machining is not an easy thing to do, and it needs years of experience. And a good company can suggest to you the best steel for machining according to your project’s requirement.
CITB is investing £90,000 to fund a pilot scheme which will provide mental health support for apprentices from the start of their construction industry careers. Optima UK Ltd will train further education construction tutors to be Mental Health First Aiders so they can support construction apprentices during their learning. Apprentices will also be given mental health awareness training in bite size four hour sessions. This will mean the apprentices have the knowledge and education during learning, at the start of, and throughout, their career in construction. There will also be one-to-one support. The team at Optima UK are all set to go and will begin training both instructors and apprentices in September. The courses will be run by trainers accredited by Mental Health First Aid England and deliver 29 courses, all with 16 delegates, to hubs of colleges across the UK. In the space of a year, they will have trained 464 tutors and 464 apprentices, as well as offered one-to-one support to around 100 apprentices. The CITB investment comes after a study compiled by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and CITB, highlighted the toll poor mental health is taking. Research* showed 26% of construction workers had experienced suicidal thoughts and 91% felt overwhelmed. Tragically, two construction workers take their own lives each day. CITB CEO Tim Balcon, said: “We need to make sure everyone is at ease talking about their mental health and this comes down to a culture of making it OK to speak up… giving apprentices the confidence to do that from day one, will hopefully make them feel supported in the industry. When staff are supported and happy in their work, and in my view, they will stay in the industry longer.”It has already been proven that having an open approach to mental health as a core value in your firm can save lives. At scaffolding firm CASS UK, a culture of mental health support played a major role in giving two young staff members the confidence to come to the aid of a vulnerable person they realised had climbed up on scaffolding on a site they were working on in Exeter. Karl and Kieran (pictured below) were quickly aware that something was not as it should be when they saw someone trying to climb the scaffold. They stopped what they were doing and took the time to speak to this individual who was obviously troubled. They managed to talk him down and stayed with him until help arrived. Kieran said: “We knew that what we were seeing wasn’t normal, and there was no doubt that we wanted to help this young man. We didn’t see it as being an act of kindness or wanted any credit for what we did, we just didn’t want this person to do anything that we could stop or help with. Karl said: “We are aware of the rise in mental health especially in the construction industry and we wouldn’t hesitate to help anyone again in this situation.” Tim Balcon added: “CITB funding with help foster this positive attitude to mental health from day one of your construction career and we don’t expect everyone to be hero like these two young men but the knowledge it is good to talk will foster a healthy attitude and in turn save lives.” Larraine Boorman, CEO of Optima UK, said: “Optima is so proud to be involved in this ground-breaking project. “The CITB is to be congratulated, first for its research into a major issue in the industry, and secondly for then taking action by launching this pilot project. As we can see, the statistics show there is a real problem in the sector, but with the right training, education, and support, we can make a real difference to people’s lives.” This UK-wide pilot scheme will aim to understand how mental health education and support can contribute to improved retention for individuals during their apprenticeship in construction, as well as reducing their likelihood of experiencing mental health issues. Working with CITB, Optima UK will be rolling out an awareness campaign aimed at colleges, tutors, and apprentices, with materials based around the questions, Are We Ok? Are You OK? Look out for the campaign launching week commencing 12th September 2022. CITB has already partnered with Laing O’Rourke, the Lighthouse Club and Samaritans to train 8,000 mental health first aiders in the workplace making mental health information and support, accessible and relatable to small and medium construction employers.
