Advanced machining and coil making technologies drive growth

Posted By : Anna Flockett
Advanced machining and coil making technologies drive growth

 

The changes happening in key positions and new technologies are factors that help the growth of Rotary Engineering. Simon Swallow an AEMT Engineering Director, has now taken over the role of Managing Director.

Swallow explained: “Robert Fennell and I have worked closely and successfully in running Rotary Engineering together for a long time, his retirement and the smoothly implemented succession plan has been slowly phased in during the last few years.”

The financial and operational side of the business is managed by Jane Green, who is a Chartered Management Accountant with a background in manufacturing and has been with Rotary since 2011. Jane has now been appointed as Finance Director and has a more strategic role in the business since Robert’s retirement.

So what will change now? “The direction the company takes was defined before the change in directorships. Rotary will continue focusing on the core areas of business such as coil manufacturing machines, workshop equipment, and magnet repairs” explained Swallow. “And recently there has been further development work on our equipment, including spreaders for wind turbine coils.”

Two years ago, Rotary employed the services of Fripp Industrial Design consultants to develop a new product design language. Since they launched the first Coil Spreader, with its aesthetic blue curves, engineering improvements, and functional colour coding, Rotary’s workshop and coil making equipment has become very popular. Most of Rotary’s coil manufacturing and motor rewind equipment has been updated and the team work closely with trusted customers to develop the right solution for every application.

One of Simon and Jane’s most coveted acquisitions is a new Fanuc Robodrill CNC milling machine. The technology enables the company to bring many jobs in house, saving time, cost, and most of all, offering customers a quicker, more bespoke offering.

Swallow explained: “The CNC machine vastly improves our service offering and has given our team a new training opportunity which they have thoroughly enjoyed.”

Taking a close up look at two brand new spreaders sitting on the workshop floor, ready for their customer Sulzer to pick up; Simon pointed out some of the pieces that the milling machine had created. The fingers, which help spread the coils, were machined from solid pieces of metal in a complex 3D shape. As a result Rotary were easily able to respond quickly to the customer requirement for interchangeable fingers with different radii for different coil geometries.

Rotary recently developed a coil spreader for permanent magnet generator wind turbine coils. The coil spreader has had to deal with the complexity of the coils desired for permanent magnet machines including complex geometry, tight angles and tough loops. Rotary’s flexibility and approach to customers’ needs mean they can respond effectively to new challenges and deliver equipment that is right for the job.

Coil pressing technology has also been enhanced. Working with customers and insulation suppliers the Rotary range of Coil Presses now feature PLC controls, data logging and dual press facility for the most efficient use of this critical item of plant. Repeatability and control are also enhanced enabling recording of the pressing cycle for future use and data output for quality assurance.

Rotary still manufacture in Sheffield to the same exacting standards, everything is built in house, to order to match specific requirements and visitors are always welcome.


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