MiniTec UK Ltd

When it comes to putting, do you know your blade from your mid- and full-mallet? And, which type performs best for your particular putting style? The engineers at Zen Putting Mechanics have been helping Today’s Golfer magazine to test 46 putter designs from several top manufacturers with specific parameters to determine the best buys. For one of the tests, the British golf innovator has developed a putting robot with Sheffield University’s AMRC – Boeing research centre that evaluates a putter’s ability to forgive off-centre strokes. After successfully using MiniTec UK’s Profile System for the adjustable frame on its unique ‘Green Stage’ variable contour putting platform, they once again specified the modular and adaptable aluminium profile based machine building system to provide a stable frame for the putting robot.

Visitors to Stand F46 can see a wide range of MiniTec’s Profile System machine framing and machine building system, including the recently announced Series 30 which includes eight new profiles with a nominal 30 mm sectional size for smaller machines, consoles, panels, fixtures and vehicle fit-outs.  

MiniTec has launched its new Profile Series 30 range of aluminium profiles with matching modular elements and fittings based on a nominal sectional size of 30 x 30 mm that will suit smaller machine frames, consoles, panels, fixtures, and safety guards. Other application areas targeted are lightweight structural frames for equipment used in the food and medical industries where strict hygiene standards are important, and for organising component or tool storage in confined areas such as vehicle fit-outs. The new range also lowers the cost base for light-duty machine applications.

MiniTec will showcase its Profile System machine framing and machine building system at this year’s show held on 22nd and 23rd OCTOBER 2014 Stand F56.

MiniTec has teamed up with the German logistics company iX-tech GmbH to offer its innovative SCAN2LIGHT product picking system with MiniTec workstations. This pick-to-light based parts identification system brings increased productivity for almost any type of product assembly by directing the assembly technician to the appropriate parts storage bin through illuminated colour LED-modules that are typically built-into the shelves or are prominently positioned on the MiniTec workstation.

With floor space in high throughput production processes frequently fully utilised and conveyor lines needing to run through multiple sections, there is often a need to convey products not just over long distances but also to transport them up and down to cater for different line heights. An elegant and very functional solution for this requirement is the new MiniTec WF 3000 Spiral Conveyor which is now available from MiniTec UK.

MiniTec will showcase its Profile System range of modular profiles and ancillary components for machine base and constructional framing solutions.

MiniTec UK Limited has launched a new range of linear positioning actuators based on and completely compatible with its ProfileSystem range of machine framing and building components. The precision ballscrew driven Linearmodul LMS provides up to 1400 mm of travel and is housed in a 90 x 90 mm extruded aluminium profile with standard T-slots on 45 mm centres that utilise MiniTec's wide range of interfacing and interconnection components.

Such are the abundant possibilities for MiniTec Profile System machine building and framing systems that occasionally some 'off-the-wall' applications arise that are often due to the sheer adaptability the range offers . A recent example is the design and supply of portable 'photo booths' for Coventry based PictureBlast whose distinctive photo equipment hire service provides a fun element and a wow factor for all types of events such as wedding receptions, exhibitions, corporate launch promotions as well as company and individual party celebrations. A PictureBlast photo booth is similar in concept to the high street shop/passport photo variety except that the booth is larger, looks much more exciting and is assembled at the venue for the exclusive use of guests with free instantly printed souvenir photos and website downloadable images available after the event. A mixture of imagination and decorum being the pre-requisites for a memorable memento of the occasion – they even include a

Following the recent move to new and larger 15,000 sq ft manufacturing premises at Houndmills Industrial Estate in Basingstoke, LG Motion Ltd & MiniTec UK Ltd held an Open Day event on July 8th with an official opening ceremony led by Mr Rafi Razzak, Chairman of Centerprise Ltd. The day allowed guests to see the new facility, meet all the staff, and to learn about the technologies and services on offer from both companies. To mark the event, presentations and hands-on demonstrations from MiniTec and LG Motion were shown throughout the day as well as trade show style stands featuring interesting and topical subject matter from a selection of LG Motion's distribution partners; Schneeberger, SMAC and Heidenhain.

New iCAD Assembler software allows machine builders and designers to conceptualise, plan and cost their machine designs using MiniTec's Profile System and Linear System machine framing and automation component systems.

LG Motion Ltd & MiniTec UK Ltd were formed in 2004 & 2005 respectively by Managing Director Gary Livingstone as separate but closely linked companies, sharing production and office facilities in Basingstoke and together serving the industrial automation and science research markets. Now, after five years of continued order book and personnel growth, and despite the current recession, both companies have completed a move to a new 15,000 sq ft facility at Houndmills Industrial Estate in Basingstoke that is more than three times larger than the current site and will help secure a new foothold for future growth and development.

At regular intervals MiniTec publishes its ‘News’ brochure – a small but important information resource that covers new products that have been recently added to its extensive Profile System range of machine framing and building components. Available in hard copy or as a downloadable PDF, its main aim is to bring machine designers and systems integrators up to speed with these new and often exciting products which continue to flow from MiniTec’s design department and may otherwise be overlooked as the range expands.