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Case Studies
Key Achievements
- From this a prototype electronic controller was retro fitted to a hydraulic swaging machine for rigorous testing.
- The only part of the control visible to the user is a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a single control wheel. When the control is given to novice users and the simple instruction of you can rotate this control wheel or push it, even users that are not computer literate find it easy really to use. When the wheel is rotated the user can select the desired option and then press the button to make a selection. The LCD display also walks the user through the steps on how to use the machine. It is possible to swage a hose in just 3 steps
- 1. Select the hose size to swage,
- 2. The control tells the user to fit the most suitable dies,
- 3. Press the swage button,
- The control can be factory software configured to work with Endeavour’s complete range of products. It can run from a PP9 battery to run the hand operated base machine, or with 12V for the van mounted units, or 24V for the industrial full spec machine. This gives a major saving on inventory as Endeavour only need to stock one control. Also, as Endeavour export worldwide, in can be switched to display 5 other languages.
- The control software keeps track of when it is time to lubricate the swaging heada and when it is time to calibrate ensuring the swages are consistent time after time.
- Endeavour had seen issues with very heavy-handed users using brut force to try and adjust the original calibrator while the machine was in the swaged position and thus causing damage to the calibrator, as the electronic calibrator is now inside the machine this is no longer possible.
- Endeavour’s machines are robust and used worldwide from deserts (+50C) to cold locations (–20C) so gloved hand operation was essential. This is achieved with the control wheels and the LCD was chosen to have a wide viewing angle and a large operating temperature range.
Endeavour International Ltd
Endeavour International manufacturer hydraulic swaging machines at their facility in Bath.
Background
Endeavour International Limited is an Engineering company whose two areas of business are the manufacturing of the Hydralok range of hose assembly products and the production of a range of high-pressure valves, filters, instrumentation and associated equipment for several diverse industries under the brand name Wells Valves.
The company has 20 years of experience of exporting over 50% of their products directly to more than 60 countries worldwide. In addition, Endeavour has supplied nearly all the major Hose and Fitting manufacturers in the World.
The Hydralok product range includes Swaging, Cutting and Skiving machines of up to a 2” capacity. It has been in production for over fifty years, the current range being manufactured since 1995.
Scope
Endeavour Int competitors had recently introduced electronically controlled swaging units to the high end of the market which were being embraced by those customers who could afford them. Endeavours current product was a mechanically controlled, adjusted and operated unit, however endeavour recognised an opportunity to produce a lower cost electronically controlled unit.
Endeavour requested assistance from MAS SW with the design and development of such a unit.
Method
MAS SW engaged the services of associate consultant Philip Turner of Camshaft Ltd, Bristol, who conducted a 10 day product design and development project.
Camshaft facilitated the design specification development process with Endeavour and also interrogated the current product design to identify opportunities for improving the design and identifying material and labour savings.
Options and Recommendations
What Endeavour’s customer said they needed was a robust, easy to use control that did not need more that a few minutes training to use. The main comment from the competitor’s products was that they were great and had really comprehensive feature sets, but you needed a PhD to use them. This control really needed to be simple to use. It also needed to be low cost.
No. Employees: 10 employees
Turnover: £1.5M
Location: Bath - West
Date: October 2009
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