Research

The South West MAS offers a research service to all manufacturing businesses in the South West of England. Ask us any manufacturing related question and we can spend up to 2 hours tracking down an answer for you.

Hear are just a few examples of the kind of questions we have tackled.

"Can you find me a sewing machine to sew leather up to 15 mm thick?"

During the last 6 months, South West MAS has had a number of research requests relating to sewing machines. Either a client will be looking for something to automate a repetitive task such as sewing Velcro onto a strap, or perhaps they are looking for a long neck sewing machine for a particular job. This particular request was a little more challenging.

Sewing machines to sew 15mm thick leather are just not made anymore.  The demise of the British shoe industry and the longevity of the original machines meant that machines built in the 60’s are still running, but spares are difficult to get hold of.

An exhaustive search on the Internet came up with very little.

In the first instance the sewing machine dealers I spoke to had the same reaction as me, “How THICK?!”

A few phone calls later I was put in contact with a small dealer in Lancashire who specialised in leather sewing machines for the remaining few shoe manufacturers in the UK (Rossendale Sewing Machine Company). They took it all in their stride and were able to offer 2 options to our client. A new machine, or a replacement for their current machine that hasn't been produced since the 60's.

"Locate some simple options for pumping and dispensing viscose resin"

The client mixed epoxy resin by hand and had asked one of our specialists whilst on a visit if there was a better / easier way to carry out the measuring / mixing process.

IBC's (Intermediate Bulk Containers) were currently being used to store the resin components and any new system would have to be compatible with existing equipment.

The research initially looked at different technologies for carrying out the dosing process. A number of options including gear pumps and peristaltic pumps were found to be suitable for this kind of application.

Peristaltic pumps were perhaps in this instance a suitable option. They are able to deliver a wide range of volumes and come in an equally large variety of sizes. Currently used in industries from Bio-tech to the oil industry (they can even pump whole strawberries without damaging them!).

A range of possible suppliers for each of the technologies was presented to the client for them to make a judgment on.

By taking on this research, South West MAS was able to save the client time and effort compiling a range of technical solutions for a particularly sticky problem.

"We need to save time slicing fudge"

A recent visit to a company by Phil Halse (Devon & Cornwall specialist) had highlighted a need within a company to reduce the time taken to slice fudge.

Currently the fudge is sliced by hand which is very time consuming and a little over generous with the portions. Phil asked for some research to be carried out to find a way of reducing the time taken to slice up the specialist fudge.

We were able to locate a local company in Wiltshire who has designed and manufactured specialist fudge and tray bake slicing machinery. This equipment will allow the company to quickly and accurately slice up their fudge, saving time and product.

Not only were we able to quickly find a technical solution to the client’s problem but South West MAS was also able to promote trade within the county helping to support the South West’s manufacturing companies.

"We need a design engineer to finish off a new design in order to get a product to market before the end of the year.  Can you help?"

With a deadline looming and a product to finish, one recent client was keen to locate a design engineer to help finish a product before the end of the year.

South West MAS was able to provide a number of suitable designers for the client to evaluate.

The client spoke about the product in depth with two of the suggested companies in order to assess their suitability for the job.

A design company has been taken on, the specification set and the product is now progressing towards completion within the deadline.

By asking South West MAS to help, the client was able to off load some of the stress involved in finding suitable companies to deal with and also save some time in an otherwise busy period.

“How is imminent legislation going to affect my business?”

A Bristol-based manufacturer telephoned South West MAS in September, worried that new environmental legislation would ruin his business. The client had heard that new legislation would phase out the use of expanded polystyrene in the near future.

South West MAS spent a few hours (at no charge to the client) looking into the existing and planned legislation regarding expanded polystyrene. We spoke to the British Plastics Federation and RAPRA (Rubber and Plastics Research Agency) who were able to talk us through the situation.

In the end we were able to put the clients mind at ease that there was no immediate threat to his business.