Building a house is not an activity that is to be taken lightly. A big responsibility and hard work are involved in making a house from scratch. However, it doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. Like any other project, some factors need to be considered when building
One of the best ways to utilize the space in your garage is to convert it into an office room. Most people have a garage with no real purpose besides storing cars. The best way to utilize your space is to find a way that can benefit you financially and
You work hard at your business every single day. You have employees you are responsible for. If yours is a construction business, understanding the power of photography can be truly eye-opening. So how can it help your business? There are many aspects of it you need to understand before you
Home construction is an industry that has been slow to adopt new technologies. We have seen a shift in recent years, but the entire process of building homes is still a very manual one. That’s why 3D printing is such a promising technology in home construction. Examples of benefits of
Rainham-based GBS Fire Protection has signed a three-year deal with Eleven Sports Media to join the London Stadium Associate Partnership programme. The deal will enable GBS to utilise powerful digital fan engagement platforms installed throughout the London Stadium, to promote their services to fans within the 60,000-capacity arena. GBS Fire
As the football season is about to kick off, Southern Central Premier Leagues Hednesford Town Football Club is the latest winning team to partner with Leep Utilities – but this time it’s as club sponsor. The deal will provide much needed support to the thriving non-league semi-professional football club, with
Social networks are one of the main marketing tools in today’s world. That includes TikTok, which can be a little more difficult to handle, unless you find someone below 25 years of age to take care of it, for you. However, this may not be the best solution either. Here
The victors in the UK and Ireland leg of the Caterpillar® Global Operator Challenge have been confirmed following a set of highly competitive tests at the Caterpillar Visitor Centre in Leicestershire. Operators demonstrated agility, speed and precision in a variety of challenges using the latest Cat equipment. Amongst a tough
Leading plumbing and drainage manufacturer Wavin has completed the first project in a new relationship with Band of Builders to support tradespeople in need. Band of Builders is a registered charity that provides support for members of the construction industry who are facing life-changing health issues. Since it was created
A slitter rewinder is a machine used in the converting industry. The converting industry is an important part of manufacturing, and it’s especially relevant right now, as the U.S. is working to promote more onshoring of manufacturing and similar work. The following is a guide to the converting industry and
Building a house is not an activity that is to be taken lightly. A big responsibility and hard work are involved in making a house from scratch. However, it doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. Like any other project, some factors need to be considered when building a house. Here are some key factors to consider when making your first home. Required Government Approvals Before you start building, you will have to apply for various government approvals, such as the building permit for your home. Do not forget to check the original building plans for my house. Depending on the type of structure you will build and its size, you may also need to get other licenses such as a fire safety certificate, electrical installation requirements and a noise level assessment if you are constructing a home near a railway line or bus route. Layout The layout of your house is essential as it determines how much space there is inside the house and how much heating and cooling equipment will be required. It would help if you also considered how much land is available for parking and storage areas on your property. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms should also be considered so that they can be accommodated easily within the premises. Furthermore, do not forget to consider whether you want an open-plan kitchen or a separate kitchen area. The building or scaffolding companies London you choose should help you come up with a design that fits the available space. Besides, you can also hire architects to help you get the best design. Location There are many different types of locations that you can choose from when building your new home. However, one thing is for sure – the location of your new house will impact how much money you need to invest in it. For example, if you live in an urban area with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops nearby, then your house might require less investment than if you move to rural areas where nothing but nature surrounds you for miles and miles (and miles). Purchase of the Materials The first thing you must do before building a house is to purchase all of the materials that you need for this project. This includes wood, nails, screws and other things you will need to complete your home. You should also make sure that you purchase all the necessary tools and equipment required for construction. Elevation The second factor you should consider when planning to build a house is the elevation of the land. Before deciding where to make your home, check whether any high buildings nearby or other structures could obstruct your view from your new home. If so, choose another spot for your house with better visibility. You may also want to check whether there are trees surrounding the land or not because they may interfere with construction activities like digging. Size and Shape When building a house, size and shape are important factors to consider – both of which can significantly influence how much money you spend on your home project and how long it takes to complete! For example, if you want a big backyard with room for kids’ toys and games or a pool table, you may need to choose an expansive lot larger than most homes built today. Design The design of your home should be based on your tastes, as well as those of other members of your family. You may also want to consider the location where your new house will be built; this can affect how it looks. For example, if you are building a home with building contractors in North London, then it is likely that there will be more trees around it than if you were making one in a city centre area. Budget It is essential that when you are considering building a new house, you keep an eye on how much money it will cost. This can be affected by many things, including the type of materials used in constructing the house and the final cost. Having too much money for something can make it difficult for yourself and others who work with you at home but having too little may mean that no job gets done correctly. Homebuilder You should consider hiring experienced builders in Kent to build your home if any parts of it require special attention or expertise. A good home builder can save you time, money and effort in completing your project promptly and with high-quality results. The advantage of hiring an experienced contractor is that they usually have more experience than most other builders and can easily handle different types of projects. Qualified building contractors in North London are also able to offer their services at a lower price than most other contractors since they have more experience building homes than other people do. Outdoor Space Outdoor spaces are essential when considering a home because they can make up for deficiencies in other areas of the property, such as lack of indoor living space or space for parking vehicles or outside machinery. Wrapping Up There are many factors you have to consider when building a house. It is more than just getting the materials. But also having a good contractor understands your needs and will give you excellent service. A builder not only has to have the expertise of constructing the house, but they must also be able to communicate with all parties involved. You need to make sure that you check every detail until it is completed and has your approval. This requires that you find the right person for the job.
One of the best ways to utilize the space in your garage is to convert it into an office room. Most people have a garage with no real purpose besides storing cars. The best way to utilize your space is to find a way that can benefit you financially and financially. This article will discuss tips to convert your garage into an office room. 1. Clean Out the Garage Before you start to convert your garage into an office room, you need to clean out the garage. This is an essential step because it will help keep your new office neat and clean. You should also remove all the unnecessary items stored in your garage. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or debris from the garage floor. You can also use a broom and dustpan to sweep away any garbage on the floor. It would help if you also tried removing any clutter that might interfere with your new office room. 2. Upgrade the Insulation If you have already converted your garage into office space but still have no heating or cooling system, upgrading the insulation on the walls and ceiling would be wise. This will help you create a comfortable environment for working in your garage. The best way to do this is by fiberglass batts in your walls and ceiling. These can be bought from any home improvement store and installed quickly by yourself. Once installed, these fiberglass batts will absorb sound and heat so that you can work without any issues. 3. Add Windows Adding windows styles of double glazed windows to your garage is one of the best ways to convert your garage into an office room. With a window, you can take advantage of natural light and create some privacy. Windows also allow for natural ventilation, which can help keep the room more relaxed in the summer months and warmer in the winter months. Windows can be installed in several ways, but the simplest is installing them on the ceiling. You’ll need to measure where you want your windows and how high they need to be to meet code requirements. You’ll also want to choose whether you want single or multiple windows. Window spraying expert, will help get an attractive window frame. Then, you’ll have to contact an installation company with the necessary experience and equipment for this project. 4. Add Proper Lighting Proper lighting is critical in converting your garage into an office. Good lighting can make the space feel more extensive, and it also helps to create a more professional environment. The first step to adding proper lighting is determining what kind of light you want. You can choose from several different types of light sources: Halogen bulbs are typically brighter than incandescent bulbs but don’t last as long. They’re also more expensive than standard incandescent bulbs, so be sure to factor that into your budget. LED bulbs produce a whiter light than halogen bulbs and use less energy, making them a good choice for long-lasting efficiency. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are inexpensive and efficient, but they don’t last as long as LEDs or halogens, so if you’re looking for something that will last longer, consider an LED bulb instead. 5. Paint the Walls in Fun and Interesting Colors to Spice Up the Room The best way to spice up a room is to paint the walls in fun and exciting colours. If you’re looking for something that will turn your garage into an office, then wall paint is the way to go. The first thing you need to do before painting your garage walls is ,cost to replace garage door and to decide which colour scheme you want. You can go with a bright colour like blue or yellow, or you can choose to use pastels like beige or white. If you want something more dramatic, choose a bold red or purple colour that can pop out against the neutral backdrop of your garage wall. Once you have decided on a suitable colour scheme, it’s time to start painting! You can either hire a professional painter or do it yourself if you have some experience with painting walls. If you choose to do it yourself, then make sure that there are no cracks in the surface of your garage wall so that none of the paint will seep through them when you apply it later on. 6. Select the Right Kind of Furniture If you want to convert your garage into an office room, you’ll need the right furniture. Some people use desks and chairs that come with their home office furniture. This is a good choice if you’re starting and don’t have much money to spend on office supplies. But if you have experience in this area or want to make your garage an efficient workspace, consider purchasing additional furniture. The first thing to consider is how many people will use the space.Garage conversions Essex can comfortably accommodate only one person at a time, so you’ll want to go for functional rather than decorative pieces when choosing furniture. A good rule of thumb is that if there are more than two people in the room at any given time, they need more seating options than just a desk and chair. 7. Ventilation and Air Conditioning To make your garage into an office, you will need to improve the room’s ventilation and air conditioning. Without proper ventilation and air conditioning, you will find yourself in a space that is hot and humid, which can be damaging to your health. In addition, if you convert your garage into an office, you must have proper ventilation and air conditioning so that you do not experience any health issues related to poor ventilation or uncomfortable temperatures in the room. Installing a standing fan is the best way to ensure that your garage has proper ventilation and air conditioning. These fans can be purchased at any hardware store or home
You work hard at your business every single day. You have employees you are responsible for. If yours is a construction business, understanding the power of photography can be truly eye-opening. So how can it help your business? There are many aspects of it you need to understand before you make use of it. Build Your Brand Whether you have a construction company that is a newbie in the field or one that has been there for generations, you know how important it is to build a brand. High-quality photography can mean that for your business. With great photographs, you can build your brand so that you can do better. The thing you must understand here is that Robert Lowdon Photography can make your business look far more professional than it usually is. This will help it look more credible so that you can offer something more to your competition. Good photographs will tell your clients that you are a professional company and will help them arrive at a decision quicker. So don’t try saving money when you are looking for a photographer for your construction business because it can bring in more customers. Powerful Assets Think that a photo is just that, a photo? Well, the answer is no. Photos are a lot more than that. If used correctly, they can be assets. You can use them in powerful and versatile ways. You can use them on social media or you can use them on your offline marketing materials. They can be extremely useful in projecting the right image for your business. When you invest money in high-quality photography, you will be able to avoid stock photos and instead use your real business photos. High-Quality Portfolio A great reason why construction businesses can benefit greatly from photography is that they will be able to build you a good portfolio. Portfolios are everything because it is what potential clients are going to want to take a look at. You need to have things in your portfolio that you are proud of having done in the past. This is where good photographs come in. Clients always want to see what they are getting into and a good strong portfolio is just what you are going to need to woo them. Being Creative The construction business is a lot about creativity because you create an image in your mind first. This is then created on paper and pen and only after that, is the first stone cast. So being creative is the nature of the profession. A good photography professional will be able to do a lot in the creative department and your business will be thankful for this. Choosing the Right Photography Professional It is imperative to choose a photography professional who has the right background for your construction business. You want someone with the following qualities: Years of Experience: It is important to find someone who has loads of experience working with construction businesses. The firm should know how to best bring out the construction landscape so that clients want to book their appointments. It is said that a picture can say a thousand words. You need someone who can say a thousand words in favor of your business with a simple photograph. Drone Technology: You definitely need someone who has the right equipment and technology for drone photography. It is the latest thing in the photography industry and is something that can be used to capture absolutely amazing photographs and you don’t want to miss out on it. Architectural Photography Expertise: Construction businesses delve into architecture and all it brings to the table. So it is in your best interest if you can get a firm to do the photography that has enough expertise in architectural photography. This way you will get some amazing shots you can use any way you like. It is amazing how much photography can do to any business. But it can perhaps do the most when it is the construction businesses we are talking about. It is possible to take your construction business places by choosing good photography. Amazing photographs can attract the eyes of your potential clients and have them ask for more. Let them see dreams about the kind of construction you can make happen with just one photograph. Make sure you keep in mind all the things mentioned in this article before making a decision about a photography firm or professional and you will thank yourself later.
Home construction is an industry that has been slow to adopt new technologies. We have seen a shift in recent years, but the entire process of building homes is still a very manual one. That’s why 3D printing is such a promising technology in home construction. Examples of benefits of using 3D printing for home construction include: Less need for manual labor, making the process of building homes more efficient Waste reduction by reducing the need for construction materials often discarded after use Lower costs for homeowners by reducing overall labor costs, material waste, and other expenses. However, that’s not all. This article will discuss some key aspects of 3D printing that make it an attractive option for home construction: the freedom to design and construct homes without limitations. This is especially useful when making custom-built homes that fit a specific customer’s needs and preferences. So, let’s read on. Faster production time 3D printing has become a significant tool in the home construction industry. It’s no secret that 3D printing can help speed up production time, but just how much? Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing can save you hours of work and result in products that are identical in quality. The process begins with an outline or sketch of the object you wish to create. Your computer then imports this image into a 3D modeling program, where it translates it into digital data sent to a printer that uses plastic filament as its building material. Using this method allows you to create any imaginable design without worrying about outsourcing your work or waiting for shipments. Lower cost of materials 3D printing is also more efficient than traditional manufacturing. For example, in the case of a 3D-printed house, you can use waste material like old tires and turn them into bricks that are used to build your house. This will help you save on the cost of making bricks from scratch, which can be very expensive. Another benefit of 3D printing is its ability to create materials that are lighter than what would be produced from regular machines. An added benefit of 3D printing is its ability to produce materials that are lighter than what would be produced from regular machines. This means less material will have to be used, saving money and reducing the time it takes to build a home. Easier planning process 3D printing can help with the planning process. If you’re designing a new home, you can create models that are available for your clients to look at. This will make it easier for them to visualize their project and provide input about what they want in their final product. This also helps ensure less confusion and conflict between what was agreed upon during the design phase and what actually gets delivered. Besides, 3D printing helps with the design process itself because it allows different ideas to be tested quickly without having to do any physical work or wasting material on failed designs. Fewer errors from human labor 3D printing is a technology renowned for its high accuracy, which means that it can produce items with fewer errors than human labor. This is especially important for the home construction industry, as many different parts of a house need to be made with precision and care. For example, the doors for your new home will be measured precisely to fit together correctly (and don’t fall off their hinges). If one of these door measurements happens to be off by just 1/10th of an inch, then every door in your house won’t fit as well as it should. Environmentally friendly 3D printing is more environmentally friendly than traditional manufacturing and construction processes like CNC machining or milling. First, 3D printing doesn’t require the same kind of energy and raw materials as traditional manufacturing processes. In fact, it’s not only less resource-intensive but also cleaner. When you use 3D printing technology like that employed in printers from Massivit 3D to make something, you’re not producing hazardous waste or chemical byproducts like when making products on an assembly line at scale. Additionally, there are fewer steps involved in producing one object using a 3D printer than other methods such as injection molding or casting metal ingots into molds (which requires melting). That means less transportation between different factories or locations worldwide—and fewer emissions from transportation trucks. Conclusion We believe 3D printing in home construction will be a valuable asset to the industry. It can save time and money, reduce errors from human labor, improve planning processes, and allow for environmentally friendly construction methods. All this while helping us build better homes for our future generations.
Rainham-based GBS Fire Protection has signed a three-year deal with Eleven Sports Media to join the London Stadium Associate Partnership programme. The deal will enable GBS to utilise powerful digital fan engagement platforms installed throughout the London Stadium, to promote their services to fans within the 60,000-capacity arena. GBS Fire Protection is a multiple award-winning fire protection specialist, which offers a comprehensive range of fully integrated, passive fire protection solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial properties. With extensive experience working in the construction sector, GBS are experts in providing in-built passive fire protection solutions that impede the spread of fire and smoke damage to commercial properties. Away from the stadium, access to Eleven’s customer-targeted, social content will be afforded to GBS, allowing them to advertise their services towards a target designated audience. The company plans to use its status as an Associate Partner to reach out to new customers in need of reliable fire prevention services. Tomas Tamosaitis, of GBS Fire Protection explains, “We’re excited to be working with Eleven Sports Media and the London Stadium to share our message, which is an incredibly important one. By integrating the right fire prevention solutions at the earliest stage of construction, we can make significant budget savings for our clients. Not only that, we can help design a solution that maximises its effectiveness, which may ultimately save lives.” GBS provide a range of passive fire protection services, from intumescent paints which slow the spread of flames, to blast proof ceilings and smoke and fire barriers, all of which are incredibly effective at slowing damage in the event of a fire. GBS will use the Associate Partner platform, to deliver its message via digital displays throughout the concourse and hospitality areas of the London Stadium, as well as in the stadium bowl, where it can be shared with a huge television audience, through which the company can reach a nationwide audience. GBS has offices in London and Derby, and provides fire protection services for SME’s and multinational clients throughout the UK and internationally. As part of its agreement, GBS will use high impact mid-tier LED throughout Premier League games, as well as the enormous external LED wrap, which can’t be missed on approach to the stadium, to deliver its message and reach new clients. As an Associate Partner, GBS will increase its opportunity to reach new clients, through a series of exclusive networking events at which London’s business community come together to share contacts and experiences. In an innovative move, Eleven Sports Media has launched a new digital networking app, Eleven Connect, which enables Associate Partners to engage with one another even when not face to face. The technology has proven to be incredibly effective for its partners, with Eleven Sprots Media having recently been awarded Best Use of Technology to Amplify Assets or Existing Partnerships at the UK Sponsorship Awards, and a host of nominations at the 2022 Football Business Awards. As an Associate Partner, GBS Fire Protection go into the 2022/23 Premier League season with a hugely visible presence at the London Stadium, in an effort to expedite their ambitious growth strategy. To learn more about GBS Fire Protection, visit www.gbsfirepro.co.uk.
As the football season is about to kick off, Southern Central Premier Leagues Hednesford Town Football Club is the latest winning team to partner with Leep Utilities – but this time it’s as club sponsor. The deal will provide much needed support to the thriving non-league semi-professional football club, with a growing youth academy and as a vibrant and active part of the local community. It will also support its ambitious plans to return to the English Football League and again compete in matches like its 1997 FA Cup fourth round nail biter against EFL Championship side Middlesbrough. As part of the deal, Leep Utilities’ logo features on the First Team players’ shirts. The owner-operator of regulated and non-regulated multi-utility networks across the UK is also sponsoring centre midfielder Lewis Hayden and will feature on pitch-side advertising hoardings and in all home game programmes. Hednesford Town Football Club’s Chairman and Co-Owner Graham Jones said: “We’re thrilled to welcome on board Leep Utilities as a main sponsor this season. We’re both ambitious and the next 12 months looks equally bright for both of us.” “Our pre-season friendlies have been brilliant and we’re really getting noticed by the bigger teams, such as Aston Villa and Birmingham City, who are sending over topflight players and are keen to play against us. They recognise that our game quality is high, and that they’ll have a great physical fight on their hands for 90 minutes or more. As a club, we’re moving in the right direction, for sure, and we can’t wait to see what this next season has in store.” “We’re also really looking forward to getting back into creating exceptional match experiences for our sponsors. I took over the club in May 2020 and the pandemic put a stop to the match day experience. But it’s back and we can’t wait for our sponsors to enjoy our corporate hospitality and use our games as an enjoyable and valuable networking experience as well. We’re aligned to some very successful organisations, and we can’t wait to welcome them all here, to enjoy great football and hopefully business opportunities, from 6th August.” Leep Utilities’ CEO Louise Manfredi said: “We’re delighted to be able to help kick off the new season as a main sponsor at Hednesford Town Football Club. As a company, Leep owns and operates and owns essential “last mile” utility infrastructure in local communities – connecting new buildings across the UK to electricity, gas, water and wastewater networks – and we have very ambitious growth plans of our own, just as Hednesford Town Football Club does. “ “This summer marks some very important milestones in our development. We’ve recently won our 200th project, we’ve moved into spacious new offices to accommodate our growing team and we’re enjoying some truly wonderful successes. We’re certainly excited about our future and it appears that Hednesford Town Football Club is at a similarly exciting point.” “So, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the Hednesford Town’s First Team the very best of luck this season and we’ll be cheering you on from the side-lines, when we come along to watch with many of our business partners.”
Social networks are one of the main marketing tools in today’s world. That includes TikTok, which can be a little more difficult to handle, unless you find someone below 25 years of age to take care of it, for you. However, this may not be the best solution either. Here are a few tips to help you create viral videos on TikTok. Follow the Waves Actually, on TikTok, these waves are called trends. They can be explained simply as a large number of people copying a video that has worked well. To do so, they use the element that enabled it to reach so many people and to become a viral TikTok video. Sometimes it is a special filter that was used, while at others, it is about using a particular song, or dancing in a certain manner. These waves are what you need to ride upon, if you want a chance to also go viral. Naturally, you need to find a way to insert the subject that you want to talk about, which is apartments or houses to rent. The next tip may be the hardest one to follow… Be Funny The TikTok crowd is different from Instagram and Facebook. It is one that doesn’t take anything seriously. The way to their heart is humour. And so, you need to find a way to get your message through, while not taking yourself seriously. However, since the crowd is young, you have a large gathering of potential students needing to find somewhere to stay, over the next semesters. Therefore, TikTok is not something you should neglect. Find the Right Hashtags If you want other people than your followers looking at your video, you need to start by adding hashtags to it. Again, you need to think of two completely different things: One – to be funny, and two – to be on the subject. And so, you should choose hashtags according to the trend it is following, but also make it about people who are looking to rent an apartment or a house. Five hashtags per post should do the trick. Gain Followers The thing about viral videos, is that they get shared by the people who view them, to their own followers. If it works, the latter will also share it to theirs, and so on, creating a gigantic number of views and likes. Therefore, to increase your chances of being reshared, over and over again, you need to grow your number of followers. The higher the number, the more chances you have to start the wave, so that it can grow to a viral status. Be Original As much as you want to copy others, you also want to be original in the way you do it. Otherwise, you will remain just another video on a popular subject. Sometimes, you need to break the mold, so that people do react to your content. There are many ways to do so. Up to you to find the one that fits your message. Be careful but also bold.
The victors in the UK and Ireland leg of the Caterpillar® Global Operator Challenge have been confirmed following a set of highly competitive tests at the Caterpillar Visitor Centre in Leicestershire. Operators demonstrated agility, speed and precision in a variety of challenges using the latest Cat equipment. Amongst a tough field, Finning announced the UK regional winner as Bryan Williamson with an overall time of 6 minutes and 6 seconds and the Irish regional winner as returning 2019 champion Tommy Murphy, with an overall time of 5 minutes and 54 seconds. Both will now go through to the European semi-finals which are being held in Malaga in October. Here they will compete in a series of even tougher challenges against some of the best machine operators in Europe for a place at the prestigious final to be crowned Global Champion in Las Vegas. To find the winners, a host of talented operators from the UK and Ireland competed in three challenges using different machines and illustrating different skills and capabilities. This year’s challenges included working with a Cat Next Generation 313 excavator and a 930 Wheel Loader. Bryan Williamson, UK regional winner said: “I am so pleased to have represented my country well in this challenge, it’s a great achievement. “After competing at the previous Operator Challenge in 2019, my day-to-day work as an operator at Eastern Civils and Construction and a bit of luck prepared me for this year’s challenge. Although there was some tough competition and challenging tasks, I know it will be fiercer competition at the next stage in Malaga.” Tommy Murphy, Irish regional winner said: “It’s great to see that the stakes are getting higher each year, but a returning win feels incredible. “After the tough finale in Las Vegas in the last Operator Challenge, I hope this time I will be crowned the champion!” With a two year hiatus since the last event, a new and unique mystery challenge was introduced. Using the new Cat Command technology, operators were tasked with using a remote console to control a dozer located over 5000 miles away in Arizona. This helped to test the 21st century skills of the operators, whilst demonstrating the huge potential benefits for safety and productivity that Cat Command offers. Tracey Earp, Marketing Manager at Finning said: “We are so pleased with the turnout at this year’s challenge after a two year break during Covid. We have been really impressed with the quality of entrants and how they all took to the range of challenges we had set. So both Bryan and Tommy did absolutely brilliantly to finish in first place.” “Events like this make me so proud of the people we have in our industry and hopeful for the future, with a few female contenders being role models for all women in construction. We are so excited to see who will be awarded European Champion in October and if Bryan or Tommy will progress to compete on the world stage.” Visit Finning’s website for more information: https://www.finning.com/en_GB.html
Leading plumbing and drainage manufacturer Wavin has completed the first project in a new relationship with Band of Builders to support tradespeople in need. Band of Builders is a registered charity that provides support for members of the construction industry who are facing life-changing health issues. Since it was created in 2016, it has completed more than 25 construction projects across the UK, bringing volunteers from across the industry together to provide financial and emotional support for tradespeople and their families. Wavin recently supported Band of Builders on a project to help Kyle O’Connor – a multi-skiller from Hereford who had previously worked with the charity as a volunteer and received a cancer diagnosis part-way through an extension on his family home. Band of Builders and its team of volunteers stepped in to complete the work, with Wavin providing all drainage products, including those needed for a wetroom conversion. Lee Frimston, Key Account Manager Independents and Buying Groups, at Wavin UK, said: “Band of Builders is a fantastic charity and shows what can be achieved when people work together in this industry. We’re proud to have supported the team on this project for Kyle, and look forward to continuing to support the incredible work they do.” Tony Steel, Operations Director at Band of Builders, said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of our job is improving the lives of construction workers, and we’re grateful to play our part in unifying the construction industry under this common goal. “Projects such as this, alongside our Big Brew initiative – which is focused on mental health awareness – are examples of how our sector can make tradespeople’s lives better. We are incredibly thankful to Wavin for supplying materials and the volunteers who gave up their time to work on Kyle’s project.” For more information on Band of Builders, visit: https://bandofbuilders.org/ Or, to find out more about Wavin’s products and services, visit: https://www.wavin.com/
A slitter rewinder is a machine used in the converting industry. The converting industry is an important part of manufacturing, and it’s especially relevant right now, as the U.S. is working to promote more onshoring of manufacturing and similar work. The following is a guide to the converting industry and what the implications are, as well as more specifics about the slitter rewinder, also just known as a slitter. 1. The Converting Industry The term converting industry refers to manufacturing processes and practices that are used to process materials that come in thin layer form. Thin layer-formed materials can include textiles, paper, foil, plastic film, and materials that aren’t woven. The materials are usually stored and then shipped in their roll form after being wound. A roll of shipped materials can be just a few inches in diameter, or these materials can be many feet. The material width can be a fraction of an inch to several feet wide. Converting processes include painting, coating, and laminating. Other converting processes include slitting, which means making narrow rolls from wider roles, drying, die cutting, packaging, and extruding. The processes can go from very slow speeds to high speeds of thousands of feet per minute. The processes can be high-tech and sophisticated, and they’re often pretty customized. A material roll is usually unwound from its roll form in one layer, then they’re processed and rewound into a roll so it can be shipped or processed further. The single material layer is the web that flows through machines or a process. Basically, the term converting in converting industry means a roll of material is processed and then converted into a roll of something else. 2. Web Handling Web handling is the engineering, equipment, and science that’s needed to bring flexible materials through the different required converting processes. The right kind of web handling, which can be done through the use of the right designed, engineered, and manufactured equipment, can make sure that webs are transported through their converting processes without any defects. 3. The Role of a Slitter Rewinder Slitter rewinders are used for some essential functions that help make the modern soft materials we know today. Slitter rewinders are machines that cut what’s known as a parent or master roll of material to a width that’s smaller. The materials need to be cut smaller so they can go on to the next step in the production process. A slitter rewinder is a piece of equipment that’s found in a wide range of manufacturing facilities across many global industries. The majority of these pieces of machinery are built for particular types of material, but they can also be modified, so they’re able to slit different materials. Along with the roll specifications of the material, most manufacturers want machines that will slit specific materials when they’re choosing them. They also want to consider factors like how easy to use they are, their safety, floor space they would take up, and speed. A master roll is made to be as large as it can be because that’s cost-effective, which is why it then needs to be slit to the right width. 4. Winding Type Slitter rewinders can be characterized and categorized based on winding type, including: – Center winding: This is the most common method to rewind materials that might have different levels of thickness throughout the roll’s width. The material will go through a nip and anvil roll where it’s then slit using the right method. At that point, it’s rewound onto a core. This rewinding method is used for materials like woven items, foams, foils, films, and tapes. It’s useful for materials that could be sensitive to higher tension settings and compression. – Turret winding: The method is a variation of center winding. It’s an alternative that can help reduce machine downtime, so multiple shafts are used, and then the machine can keep slitting on an active shaft, while an operator or sometimes automated mechanisms will unload and then reset the finished shift. This method is meant to help reduce changeover times. It’s for consumer goods, paper items, tapes, and high-volume products. – Surface winding: Also referred to as drum surface winding, in this method, the rewinding materials are usually large in diameter. Non-wovens and paper are the applications of surface winding. – Center surface winding: in this method, there’s a combination of elements borrowing from traditional surface rewinding and also center winding. The applications for this method include materials that aren’t woven and are slit to a smaller width. As the diameter goes up, the rewinding center shaft will keep the tension. 5. How It Works There are three primary functions of a slitter rewinder which are performed in a fixed order. The process starts with the already rolled paper or material, and it has to be unwound so that it can go through the rewinder in one single layer. As it goes through the machine, it’s slit by one of many available cutting methods into strips of the right thickness. After the material is slit to its market-ready dimensions, it’s rewound into a roll that’s then sellable. The cutting can be done in different ways, primarily based on the type of material. The oldest type of cutting is known as score cutting. With score cutting, the materials between a dull blade and hard surface are cut. This is used for adhesives like tape, with a dry and sticky side. Another method is razor blade cutting, which tends to be the most cost-effective approach. This uses a blade positioned over the area where the sheet is fed. As the material goes through a drum or set of drums, it’s drawn against the blade. The method can’t be used for heavy items, rigid materials, or abrasive materials. Finally, there’s shear cutting which is the most accurate method, and it can be used with rigid, thicker, and heavier materials like laminates and foils. This uses two, typically rotating blades. The material is pulled between
