The latest additions offer greater torque capacities, flexible mounting and reduced maintenance - helping operators meet both operational and sustainability goals.

Built for demanding environments such as quarrying and recycling, the Drum Drive is a compact, integrated motor and gearbox system used in conveyors and winch systems. With the extended Drum Drive range, Technidrive now supports a broader spectrum of applications, from high-torque feeders to fast-running conveyors and heavy-duty winches.

The newly introduced 80M model offers dedicated solutions for high speed, lower torque applications. Designed for compactness and performance, the 80M features a power range of 2.2 to 18.5 kW and delivers torque up to 10,000 Nm, while being up to 72% lighter than equivalent bevel helical units.

For applications requiring winch functionality, the 80W Drum Drive is a dedicated solution. Featuring heavy-duty bearings, integrated gearing and optional failsafe braking, the 80W supports power ratings from 0.12 to 75.0 kW and torque output up to 42,000 Nm - all within a footprint up to 60% lighter than traditional alternatives.

In medium-to-large belt conveyor systems, the 80D variant combines integrated gearing with external IEC motor compatibility. It delivers high torque in a streamlined package, making it ideal for rugged operating conditions. Meanwhile, the 80MD model offers a completely enclosed solution tailored for fixed belt conveyors operating in harsh environments. With drum diameters ranging from 320 to 800 mm and widths from 500 to 1400 mm, the 80MD also benefits from a cycloidal-pin gear mechanism, improving durability, transmission stability and service life.

“"By expanding the Drum Drive range, we can now support a wider variety of conveyor and winch applications - particularly where space is tight and torque demands are high," explained David Strain, technical director at Technidrive. "These upgrades help OEMs and operators replace bulky hydraulic systems with compact, energy-efficient alternatives that are easier to install and maintain."

The Drum Drive’s integrated design allows the motor and gearbox system to be mounted directly inside the conveyor head drum, functioning as a bearing and removing the need for external shafts and lubrication systems. The result is a lower total cost of ownership - up to 33% less than conventional bevel helical units - and a significant reduction in structural load.

All Drum Drive units are compatible with WEG’s high-efficiency motor technology, including hybrid and permanent magnet designs. These feature ferrite, neodymium, or synchronous reluctance (SynRM) magnets, supporting organisations’ energy efficiency and carbon reduction strategies.

"With features like integrated gearing, high-efficiency motors and reduced maintenance, the Drum Drive gives engineers a modular platform for more sustainable and agile equipment," added Strain. "It’s already delivering results in quarrying and recycling, and we’re excited to see wider adoption as electrification advances."

www.technidrive.co.uk

Many ports however face capacity constraints, with newer lifting equipment required to accommodate bigger ships and loads.

When it comes to container crane installations at ports, work must be carefully managed to minimise disruption and avoid interfering with operations.

The Port of Valencia took delivery of two Liebherr ship-to-shore container cranes in large, preassembled components, for integration on site.

Building these giants in one of the Mediterranean’s busiest seaports would require expert forward planning and efficient execution. 

Building off-quay to minimise disruption 

Both STS cranes were shipped from the Port of Fenit, Ireland, to the Port of Valencia, in Spain. Their components were offloaded onto SPMTs using the delivery vessel’s crane. The largest of these were the main beam and the derrick boom, which measured 69.6 and 76.3m meters, respectively.

Almost 90 axle lines of SPMTs were used on the project to move the components safely across the site. Once the components were taken to the assembly area, Mammoet used crawler cranes, telescopic cranes, cherry pickers and forklifts to begin assembly of the first crane. 

The working cranes had different capacities across the different stages of the project. The telescopic cranes had lifting capacities of between 80t to 250t; the two crawlers each had a capacity of 600t.

The telescopic crane worked with the crawlers to top and tail the main frame sections – performing a tandem lift to place them in the vertical upright position and onto bogies.

During the project, Mammoet, along with engineers from Liebherr, managed different teams of sub-contractors to make all the mechanical and electrical connections between the different components.

Once both cranes were assembled, they were driven to their final position on the quayside.

For this stage, SPMTs was used but fitted with two interfacing transport beams to help spread the load and connect the crane’s landside frame to its seaside frame for stability.

The STS cranes have a transport bracket on each of their four legs. The SPMTs were driven underneath the cranes, and the transport beams were connected to these brackets.

Once everything was securely fastened, the STS cranes were lifted using the on-board stroke of the SPMT. They were then driven 600 meters to the quayside and lowered into their longitudinal rails.

A full-service solution for project efficiency

"As soon as the components were delivered, they were immediately taken away from the quayside to allow operations to continue. The installation process was equally as quick, minimising disruption," said Javier de Pablo Arenzana, sales manager at Mammoet.

"We have worked with Liebherr for many years and across a number of different projects. Liebherr value our expertise and experience and are proud to be one of Liebherr’s key partners for this kind of work."

www.mammoet.com

Therefore, proving its market-leading performance in helping to mitigate the risk of thermal runaway in electrically powered aerospace applications. 

UL 2596, Test Method for Thermal and Mechanical Performance of Battery Enclosure Materials, Torch and Grit Test (TaG), is designed to provide a standardised approach for assessing the impact of explosions on electric battery enclosures. The TaG exam involves the exposure of an alternating pattern of flame (~15 seconds) and alumina ejecta (~5 seconds) onto a material sample. The twenty second alternating cycles are repeated up to 10 times, after which the material is said to have passed. The test is designed to prove the performance and durability of battery materials against the extreme temperatures and mechanical abrasion can rapidly cause failure within a battery system during a thermal runaway event. 

Blueshift’s AeroZero Flame and Thermal Barrier (AZ-FTB) successfully passed all 10 cycles of the TaG test, proving resilient against high-intensity flame and grit cycles at temperatures reaching 1200 °C and power levels of 3 kW. Despite its light weight and thin profile, no breaches or material failures were observed in all samples tested, highlighting the material’s exceptional resistance to extreme thermal runaway events.  

Lawino Kagumba, VP applications and research of Blueshift, reports that this reinforces Blueshift as a disrupter in the advanced material sector for electric aircraft and aerospace industries: "This marks a significant accomplishment for Blueshift as one of the first companies to produce a thin profile and light weight material capable of withstanding all 10 cycles of the challenging UL Torch and Grit test. This is a testament to our material’s unique capabilities and its potential to transform how design engineers approach battery module design." 

The tests were performed at UL Solutions’ Northbrook, Illinois facility following a demand for safer, more resilient battery systems.  

www.blueshiftmaterials.com

Building on the exceptional features of the acclaimed Heckert HEC X5 series, the Heckert X70 incorporates a swivel unit on the workpiece side, facilitating high-dynamic 5-axis machining from a single clamping position.

Receiving its world premiere at the EMO show in September on Stand C35 in Hall 12, the Heckert X70 offers impressive technical specifications with X, Y and Z axis travel of 1200 by 1100 by 1200mm. The compact machine requires 18% less installation space than its predecessor, the Heckert HEC 630 X5. It accommodates workpieces with a core contour diameter of 960 mm and a maximum height of 800 mm, supporting a loading mass of up to 1000 kg, demonstrating no change to the working area. Within its robust and spacious dimensions of 8,150 mm by 3,700 mm, the Heckert X70 offers exceptional space utilisation without compromising performance.

Furthermore, turning as a technology is an integral part of the machine concept and can be configured as an option. Using specially developed assemblies and software modules, both classic and complex turning operations can be performed with the unrivalled productivity of a machining centre. Unlike a turning centre, the machine benefits from various setup options. Not only can the workpieces be clamped vertically for added convenience, but they can, in fact, be clamped during the machining operation thanks to the pallet changer. 

The Heckert X70's lightning-fast traverse rate of 65 m/min and industry-leading component changeover times enhance productivity. Pallet changes are completed in just 17.5 seconds, and a tool changer provides a chip-to-chip time of only 7.4 seconds. The machine's standard pallet dimension of 630 by 800 mm incorporates Starrag's precision-engineered concave surfaces with a curvature depth of 6 µm, ensuring stable workpiece positioning of large parts. It features Starrag's innovative tool change system, available in both lightweight and heavy-duty versions. The lightweight option accommodates tools weighing up to 22kg, while the heavy-duty version supports tools as heavy as 50 kg. The machine can handle tools with a maximum length of 800 mm and a diameter of 340mm.

Customers can choose from a range of tool magazine options, including a timing belt magazine with 45 or 60 positions for HSK-100 tools, an chain magazine with a capacity of up to 120 HSK-100 tools, and a tower magazine capable of supporting up to 440 HSK-100 tools. The Heckert X70 also offers a broad range of spindles to meet specific application requirements, with options varying from a 12,500rpm hollow shaft spindle up to a 15,000 rpm motor spindle and different gear spindles with more torque for heavy machining.

For optimal operator experience, the Heckert X70 features Starrag's ergonomic 24-inch touchscreen HMI. The control system supports the powerful Siemens SINUMERIK ONE, ensuring intuitive operation even when wearing gloves. The touch-sensitive display remains responsive to gloves and has a scratch-resistant, easy-to-clean surface. Operators can effortlessly access PDF construction plans and sequence sketches while maintaining a clear view of the workspace through an integrated camera. With new hardware and fast sensor technology, the new machine is also easier to automate than its predecessor. This is partly due to the extended 13-channel clamping hydraulics and optimised standard interfaces to pallet storage systems and robot cells.

Efficient chip management is accomplished through a thermo-symmetric design and steep-angled fixed plates, complemented by an internal coolant supply operating at up to 80 bar pressures. This system ensures effective cooling and chip evacuation, with an additional flushing capability of up to 280 litres per minute for applications involving high chip volumes.

The Heckert X70 can be integrated with Starrag's comprehensive automation solutions, including Fastems FPT round pallet store systems, different linear storage systems, or robotic cells, catering to various production requirements from small to large batch sizes. The Fastems FPT system provides an economical entry into production automation, enabling workpiece changes for small and medium batch sizes. In contrast, linear storage systems offer maximum flexibility for production processes with integrated master control for effective task planning and distribution.

The new Heckert X70 is based on the comparable four-axis Heckert H-series machine envelope. Instead of the NC rotary table installed in the Heckert H-series, the new Heckert X-series models feature a robust rotary/tilt table - an in-house development that is also manufactured at the Starrag plant in Chemnitz. Not only does the tilting unit have two equally sized bearings, but also a thermally stable design. This means that the machines can complete five-sided, highly dynamic machining of complex components.

Ensuring the compatibility of the pallets on the new Heckert X70, as well as the Heckert X80 and Heckert X90 models, was particularly important to the developers. The pallets are interchangeable with those from the H series. Furthermore, the pallets from the older Heckert HEC 630 / 800 X5 machines can also be used on the new Heckert X models. The Heckert X70 is now available as part of Starrag's expanded Heckert X-series line of 5-axis machining centres. Manufacturers are invited to see the new machine at EMO Hannover in September. The Heckert X-series also includes the smaller Heckert X50 and the larger Heckert X80 and Heckert X90 variants for manufacturers seeking larger work envelopes and enhanced capacity.

www.starrag.com

Mike Brodie, MD of Chemstore UK, shares the latest best practice for their safe storage and management.

The rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) across consumer markets, motorsports, and commercial fleets, is transforming the global automotive landscape. At the core of this transition lies lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, offering impressive energy density and performance. But with this innovation comes a serious and growing challenge: safety.

Though Li-ion batteries are powerful, they are also inherently volatile. Under certain conditions, including mechanical damage, overcharging, exposure to heat, or improper storage, these batteries can enter a state known as thermal runaway, which can lead to fires, explosions, and toxic gas release.

As well as presenting a technical problem for engineers, this risk spans vehicle design, manufacturing, transport, storage, service, and disposal. Whether you’re a manufacturer, motorsport team, logistics operator, or facility manager, it’s essential to understand the risks and be prepared. 

EV battery risk is a wide-scale issue

The risks tied to EV batteries extend far beyond the road or racetrack. Every phase of the electric vehicle lifecycle introduces potential hazards:

• Battery manufacturing and testing: Battery production and quality control processes involve high-energy materials and volatile chemistries. 
• Prototype testing: Thermal runaway incidents can occur during prototype assembly or shakedown testing highlighting the need for robust safety protocols in early development stages.
• Onsite storage: As production scales up, the increased volume of batteries stored onsite raises the risk of incidents, making proper storage conditions and effective fire and gas detection systems essential.
• Handling and storage: Improper handling of battery packs, whether during installation, removal, or warehouse storage, can lead to physical damage, short circuits, or undetected internal faults that later cause fires.
• Transportation and logistics: How are EVs moved from factory to showroom? What happens in the event of an accident?
• Parking and storage: Public and private facilities, including car parks and dealerships, may be underprepared. Some are already banning EVs entirely due to fire concerns.
• Servicing and repair: Removed or damaged batteries represent a significantly higher fire risk.
• Post-collision management: Even after an accident, a battery can ignite hours or days later if not properly handled.

Why the risks are increasing

High energy density = high potential for harm

Li-ion batteries store massive amounts of energy in compact spaces. In the wrong conditions, they can behave unpredictably, and a single failure can trigger a cascade of destruction in minutes.

Motorsports: The innovation frontier

Motorsport teams push the boundaries of performance. But extreme temperatures, vibrations, and charging/discharging cycles also amplify the likelihood of failure, turning the racetrack into a high-stakes testing ground for EV battery safety.

Mass adoption means mass exposure

As EVs scale globally, so too do the associated risks. One overlooked safety flaw can affect thousands of vehicles, turning isolated issues into large-scale safety liabilities. Public trust in EVs is hard-won, and easily lost.

Real-world incidents prove the point

In the United Kingdom, lithium-ion battery fires are escalating at a concerning rate. 

According to data from QBE Insurance, UK fire services responded to 1,330 lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, marking a 93% increase from 690 incidents in 2022. This surge spans various applications, including electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, and e-scooters.

The safety expectations are clear, and getting stricter

Insurers, regulators, battery manufacturers and safety-conscious organisations now expect robust, proactive protocols. These include:

• Outdoor (ideally), fire-rated (not just fire-resistant) temperature-controlled battery storage units 
• Rapid-response containment tools like fire blankets and extinguishing agents
• Temperature monitoring, gas detection, and thermal cameras
• Strict handling and storage of damaged or removed batteries – best practices dictate damaged batteries should not remain onsite for more than 30 days and must be stored in insulated, fire-rated containers, not just fire-resistant ones

Getting ahead of the problem

Overstating the safety risks of EVs could undermine climate progress but that doesn’t mean we should downplay the risks. We must: 

• Ensure everyone involved with EVs understands the risks
• Design safety systems that assume failures will occur, not that they won't.
• Shift from a reactive to a resilient safety culture

Conclusion: Innovation without safety is irresponsible

The shift to electric vehicles is essential, exciting and irreversible. But with new technology comes new responsibility. EV battery safety is foundational, not optional. Those who lead on safety will lead the industry.

Chemstore is proud to support world-leading vehicle manufacturers, and infrastructure providers with best-in-class, award-winning lithium-ion battery safety solutions. The leaders are already acting. Are you?

Get in touch to find out how Chemstore can help you mitigate risk, reduce liability, and futureproof your operations. For more information, visit www.chemstore.co.uk

The framework will run for an initial period of five years, with the possibility of extension to ten, and is valued at approximately £5m annually.

Covering the design, development, testing, commissioning and optimisation of operational technology software on both new and existing assets, the agreement focuses on delivering safe, secure and standardised solutions. These are aligned with United Utilities’ technical governance and engineering standards and support the company’s wider goals to enhance network performance and resilience.

This latest appointment builds on MARCH’s existing relationship with United Utilities. In 2023, the company was awarded a place on the Design and Build framework, covering both AMP7 and AMP8.

"We're pleased to continue our partnership with United Utilities. Our appointment to both frameworks enables us to deliver integrated solutions with greater efficiency. We understand these complex projects and are committed to providing secure, reliable systems that enhance operational performance while supporting environmental targets," said Michael Thomas, executive director at MARCH.

United Utilities manages the regulated water and wastewater network across North West England, serving over 7 million people. AMP8 will see significant investment in digital and physical infrastructure. United Utilities is delivering a £975m programme to improve water quality for 1.4 million customers and safeguard water supplies for over 2 million homes.

The company is investing in digital systems and sustainable technology to meet environmental objectives, including the Advanced WINEP rainwater management scheme.

march-engineering.com
 

With a treatment capacity of up to 50 m³/h per unit and a 95% salt rejection rate, the SWRO 50C offers a robust solution for industrial sites facing water scarcity, emergency water needs, or unforeseen changes in raw water supply. The unit is fully containerised for easy transport, quick unloading, and minimal on-site setup.

Built with industrial resilience in mind, it includes integrated sand pre-filtration and clean-in-place (CIP) systems to ensure simplified maintenance and continuous performance. The SWRO 50C can treat a broad range of high-salinity feedwaters, including borehole water, surface water, pre-screened seawater, and industrial process water, making it an ideal choice for both short-term response and long-term operational continuity.

"For over 25 years, we’ve been helping industries tackle water challenges, and the SWRO 50C represents the next step in advancing our offering. It reflects our commitment to #MissionWater by delivering scalable, mobile, and sustainable water to meet the challenges of an increasingly water-scarce world," said Dominique Tassignon, CEO of Mobile Water Solutions.

"Fully containerised and designed for rapid deployment, the SWRO 50C can be operational within days, providing industries with a flexible and reliable solution for emergencies, fluctuating water quality, or water shortages.”

The SWRO 50C is available as part of Mobile Water Solutions’ extensive European fleet - one of the largest in the market.

nsimobilewatersolutions.com

The expansion includes the introduction of the new parting and grooving geometry -GL and the updated parting-off geometry -CR, offering benefits such as increased chip control in long-chip material and a strong edge for high-feed parting-off.

Sandvik Coromant continues to develop its long-established parting and grooving concept CoroCut 1-2, known for its high performance and security across versatile applications. By increasing productivity and overall efficiency, CoroCut 2 maximises output while minimising energy consumption and waste. While modest in scale, this update will make a significant difference to workshops machining in hard-to-chip steels and parting-off operations where a strong edge is needed.

Featuring the most aggressive chip breaker in the CoroCut 2 concept, the new -GL geometry is a welcome addition for workshops requiring better chip control in demanding ISO P components, specifically in low-carbon steel, clean steels and cold-forged automotive components. “It’s no secret that good chip control will help you boost efficiency and avoid costly machine stops, but not just any insert will master this kind of material," said Jenny Claus, product manager parting and grooving at Sandvik Coromant. “This geometry has been developed to solve that problem.”

The -GL geometry provides security that paves the way for increased automation. "Shorter chips lead to less tangling and fewer stops, minimising the need for manual handling and enabling more automated processes," Claus added.

The -CR geometry is the first choice for parting-off operations at higher feeds or during intermittent cutting, suitable for a wide range of materials. With its strong edge and wiper design, it increases productivity and ensures excellent component quality. "All our parting geometries feature this wiper design. It allows you to machine components at high feed rates without sacrificing surface finish and chip-breaking capabilities,” stated Fredrik Selin, product application specialist at Sandvik Coromant. "A general guideline is: Two times the feed rate, same surface finish. Same feed rate, twice as good surface finish."

When it comes to parting and grooving operations, stability is key. The main challenge is to secure the insert to minimize any movement. Both the -GL and -CR geometries feature the well-established rail interface, ensuring a more precise insert position and reducing movement for enhanced stability, especially when side forces are applied. Additionally, both geometries are produced with our patented FlashLight technology, generating higher quality and a more consistent edge line, resulting in superior and predictable tool life.

www.sandvik.coromant.com

Under the terms of the agreement, OEG will manage the company’s offshore helifuel systems in the North Sea and provide helifuel tanks on a serviced rental basis. Additionally, OEG will offer helideck crew refuelling training at the company’s new helifuel training academy located at its Portlethen facility in Aberdeenshire.

This state-of-the-art facility allows OEG to offer comprehensive, hands-on training that upholds safety and efficiency in helifuel operations. OEG's OPITO accredited Helicopter Refuelling Training course is recognised for its effective approach, where candidates work with Jet A1 fuel as opposed to water for an authentic hands-on experience.

"This contract award highlights the value that we deliver for our customers as well as our ongoing commitment to safety and reliability in our equipment and service delivery. Achieving OPITO accreditation greatly enhances our training programme, ensuring it meets the stringent requirements for offshore helideck crew training as outlined in the latest UK Civil Aviation Authority's CAP 437 standard," said Clive Hoskisson, MD for OEG's logistics equipment division in the UK.

"The helifuel training component offers thorough and practical training for helideck crews, equipping them with the skills to manage refuelling operations safely and efficiently. The aim is to enhance offshore helideck safety and provide an effective service by adhering to the highest industry standards in the North Sea and other regions."

www.oegoffshore.com

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, and The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband, visited Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) in Waterbeach, Cambridge on 9 June to see the company’s Ebflow technology in action. 

The visit saw the Ministers learn more about CVE’s Ebflow electron beam welding technology, which has the potential to transform manufacturing timelines and costs for the UK’s next-generation nuclear power infrastructure.

The visit came ahead of the Government announcing investments in Sizewell C and the results of its’ Great British Nuclear (GBN) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition - an initiative to select and support the deployment of SMR reactors across the UK. SMRs have a critical role to play in the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy. Smaller than conventional nuclear power station reactors, SMRs can be constructed in modular units, allowing for phased construction and deployment, potentially reducing costs and construction time.

Ebflow, an advanced electron beam (EB) welding technology, developed by the team at CVE, is proven to transform the speed at which nuclear pressure vessels can be built. In a trial conducted by Sheffield Forgemasters (announced in early 2024), Ebflow cut the time needed to weld a demonstrator vessel for an SMR from more than a year to less than 24 hours.

On site at CVE, the Chancellor and Mr Miliband initiated an Ebflow test weld, while speaking to CVE staff about the development of the technology.

"We were honoured to welcome The Chancellor and Mr Miliband to our premises to learn more about our electron beam welding capabilities. Ebflow was developed to enable major cost savings and efficiencies across aerospace, automotive, defence and renewable energy welding projects," said Bob Nicolson, MD of Cambridge Vacuum Engineering.

"In the nuclear sector, Ebflow has the potential to reshape the future of reactor production, enabling the fast, efficient production of core components needed to support the country’s transition to a low carbon economy and build a more resilient and flexible energy system. We welcome the Government’s decision to invest in Sizewell C and the appointment of Rolls-Royce SMR as preferred bidder to build the country’s first small modular reactors.”

For more information:

www.camvaceng.com or www.ebflow.com