Materials and Fastening

The materials supply industry is one that has traditionally been resistant to adopt digital technologies to support sales and marketing efforts. However, Switzerland-based integrated metals manufacturer and distributor, AMPCO METAL has taken the step forward by partnering with online material search platform, Matmatch. One year on and AMPCO METAL has already seen the positive impact on sales and awareness in new market segments.

In 2019, Auckland won a national award for its smart city innovations, including the SafeSwim programme, which provides real time data on beach safety and water quality. Organisations such as Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) are dedicated to integrating smart technology into cities across New Zealand - but how can we create a completely synergistic smart city? Here, Stephen Smith, Head of Asia Pacific Sales and Business Unit Manager at Exel Composites, explores the importance of composites in smart city infrastructure.

In modern history, the linear economy has been prevalent, with the input of raw materials for processing and use, followed by waste at the other end. As waste has piled up and as carbon emissions have instigated climate dangers, there is an increasing urgency to shift towards a circular economy. Here, Jordan Flagel, Guest Author at Matmatch, explains which materials to adopt in a circular economy.

Some of the world’s best ideas originate from the strangest of places. It’s rumored that Nintendo game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, developed what became the legendary game Donkey Kong while sitting in the bath. Similar unexpected environments, including the humble Finnish sauna, have also been the source of impressive innovation. Here Kim Sjodahl, SVP, Technology and R&D at Exel Composites explains more.

Not just for pizza toppings, mushrooms are transforming the construction industry. Using bioengineering, architects could soon be able to grow their own bricks by mixing together mycelium and chopped corn husks to create blocks that are solid enough to form durable structures. Material choice is vital to a product’s success and requires careful consideration. Here, Gert De Roover, Buildings Segment Owner at Exel Composites, explains why manufacturers should consider composites in their project designs from the start.

Essential to the look and visual merchandising of almost all retail spaces, Essentra Components stock a wide range of products which make it quick and simple to bring any display to life.

Leading online metals supplier, metals4U, has reported a post lockdown boom, with orders up by 41% compared to the same period last year, as key industries such as construction begin to return to pre-coronavirus levels. 

If the Eiffel Tower was built today, it would require just 25% of the steel used for its construction in 1887. This is one example of the impressive development of material science. But as material science develops, so too does the need to find more efficient ways of producing important metals such as steel. Here, Mats W Lundberg, Sustainable Business Manager at Sandvik Materials Technology, explores some of ways to sustainably manufacture steel.  

Eaton’s complete Moeller series of compact DILMT contactors are on sale at distributor RS Components.

It would be almost impossible to imagine our modern world without glass. The material is as visually striking and complex as it is versatile, from glass microspheres used as fillers to sight glass that protects humans from high-level radiation. Here, Samir Jaber, Technical Content Writer at Matmatch explores some of the impressive uses of glass in industrial applications.