Reliance Precision Limited - News

Reliance Receives Business Excellence Award

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:44:00 +0100

Reliance Precision was presented with the prestigious SC21 Bronze Award at the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show.

The SC21 programme is recognised across the aerospace industry as an important catalyst for the development of supply chain excellence. It is a key factor in the development of stronger relationships between prime contractors, systems integrators, and the network of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) serving the industry. The award is only secured after in-depth assessment of the organisation's business and manufacturing processes, covering over 70 assessment criteria, and after evidence that delivery and quality performance meets the required level. Reliance continues to improve its processes with the expectation of achieving the SC21 Silver Award, currently held by only 5 of over 600 companies involved, in 2011.

Managing Director, Roger Kenworthy received the award on behalf of the company, saying: "We are delighted to receive this award. Having supplied the aerospace industry for a great many years, it is a privilege to be acknowledged for our disciplined approach to design and manufacturing. We are extremely proud of our track record in quality and delivery, and joined the SC21 programme because we are always looking for opportunities for improvement. It is testimony to our…

Introducing the Linear Rail System with the IDEA Drive

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:23:00 +0100

LRS™ Linear Rail System Available with a Variety of Motor Options

Alongside precision couplings, gears and intelligent motion control, Reliance Precision Mechatronics, the UK distributor for premier manufacturer of linear motion products, Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, offers the LRS™ Linear Rail System in a variety of configurations, both motorised and non-motorised.

These precision linear rail systems consist of a stationary base and a load bearing carriage that travels along a rigid extruded aluminium rail. The LRS™ Linear Rail System is available with several in-line motor options, including a single or double stack size 17 stepper motor, a stepper motor with an integral chopper drive, or the IDEA™ programmable linear actuator, consisting of the stepper motor, drive, and controller programmed through a graphic user interface (GUI). The LRS™ is also available without a motor, easily allowing the designer flexibility to integrate with a variety of motor types and belt and pulley configurations.

The LRS™ carriage design is unique; it controls slide bearing play with a patent pending self-adjusting linear bearing. Integrated along the entire length of the rail system are "T" slots, allowing the ability to mount limit switches and sensors. The leadscrew is manufactured from 303 stainless steel and can…

Integrated Servo Actuator Design Platform

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:01:00 +0100

Reliance introduces a new servo actuator design platform at the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show. The linear actuation design includes mechanics, electronics and control, providing a fully integrated solution. It offers a flexible building block, for use either as a complete package or as discrete elements to be combined with customers’ existing hardware.

Reliance has worked with its customers for many years as a collaborative technical partner, supporting designers responsible for new product development. “The designers have stressed the importance of tailored solutions for their applications” explains David Sutcliffe, Aerospace & Defence Business Manager, “and they also need to bring products to market quickly and with a high degree of confidence in quality and performance. We have responded by offering a design platform, rather than an off-the-shelf product or totally bespoke approach, because it gives them the flexibility they want together with validated design information.”

Reliance brings its longstanding heritage in mechanical design into the servo actuation arena. Chief Designer, William Barraclough, explains: “By taking a multi-disciplined engineering approach we are able to optimise the overall system performance, and if customers require just the mechanical element they can be confident that it has been designed in the context of a…

Reliance's Apprenticeship Scheme

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:47:00 +0100

Reliance Precision has commenced its recruitment process for next year's apprenticeship intake. With an EAL approved on-site training school and dedicated staff, the apprenticeship scheme is renowned within the industry and offers recruits an opportunity to develop skills of the highest quality. Many of Reliance's experienced engineers started their careers as apprentices, and are only too happy to pass their experience on to the next generation. Reliance's commitment to quality extends to training, ensuring that the company continues to combine new skills with longevity of practical engineering experience so customers receive the very best precision manufacturing service.

Integrated Stepper Motor Linear Actuator and Chopper Drive

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:19:00 +0000

Available with a Haydon size 17 stepper motor

Alongside precision couplings, gears and intelligent motion control, Reliance Precision Mechatronics, the UK distributor for Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, a premier manufacturer of linear motion products introduces the MotoDrive^TM PDE Captive Linear Actuator which is available in size 17 single or double stack. The MotoDrive comes with an integrated chopper drive forming a compact system that is ideal for precision motion control applications.

The MotoDrive is capable of an output force of 220N (50lbs) for the single stack version and 350N (78lbs) for the double stack version. The captive configuration allows for a self-contained linear actuator unit with an anti-rotation device guiding a splined output shaft. The MotoDrive is ideal for applications requiring shorter stroke lengths (up to 2.5") such as precision fluid dispensing, throttle control and valve movement.

The MotoDrive can be programmed for micro-stepping with a step resolution range of 200 full steps per revolution to 12,800 steps per revolution when micro-stepping. With a supply voltage of 12 to 42 vdc, the MotoDrive actuator functions with a run current programmable up to 2.6 Arms per phase. Optically isolated inputs of pulse, direction and enable signals are required for operation. The…

Thermo Electron Rely on Linear Motion Expertise from Reliance

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:16:00 +0000

Reliance of Huddersfield prides itself on providing continuous customer support throughout product life.

Thermo Electron has used Reliance’s linear products in their AA series spectrometers since 1999. As the product has evolved Thermo Electron has repeatedly drawn on Reliance’s linear motion expertise to help them achieve their specified criteria and maintain their accuracy requirements.

Thermo Electron’s Design Engineers first approached Reliance with an interest in using two leadscrews in their spectrometer design, one to control the prism rotation and the other to control the optical grating.

As the AA series developed the designers were also challenged with providing a mechanism for height adjustment of the flame. Engineers at Reliance were able to satisfy this requirement by designing in a screwrail.

With both the evolution of the product and the manufacturing world’s demand for higher quality yet lower price, Thermo Electron sought to simplify the spectrometer design. Once again turning to Reliance for support, the screwrail was replaced with Reliance’s new screw driven RGLS slide. These slides integrate a leadscrew and slide into one neat, space saving package providing an economical solution with fewer parts which also facilitates assembly and gives excellent robustness and rigidity.

The RGLS slide consists of an…

State Of The Art Component Cleaning From Super Clean Reliance

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:59:00 +0100

With over 20 years experience in precision design and manufacture for contamination sensitive industries, Reliance Precision Limited is continually developing by utilizing new technologies and processes.

The latest addition to their capabilities is a state-of-the-art automated 13 stage cleaning line. The system complements their existing facilities which include a 350m² assembly cleanroom, classified to ISO 14644 Class ISO 6.

The line will benefit new and existing projects in areas such as semiconductor, medical, high vacuum and laser optics. PLC controlled, the system can be programmed to facilitate the exact requirements for customer, material or process specific cleaning routines. Reliance provides a full project management service, combining their facilities with their vast industry knowledge.

Mechatronic Tidal Simulation Assists Scientists

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:48:00 +0100

Scientists from London's Imperial College are using the new RT3 version of the Reliance Cool Muscle NEMA 23 integrated servo system to reproduce the sub-surface pressure changes created by lunar tides in laboratory research experiments directed at improving oil recovery.

The unique abilities of the RT3 version along with the support provided by Reliance allow the scientists to concentrate on the research without having to spend time controlling and verifying the test system.

The compact closed loop motor system has unique abilities to share I/Os, perform complex coordinated motion and use mathematical notation to perform motion. The onboard memory and logic banks along with the integrated tuners, vector drive, amplifiers, 32 bit RISC processor and 50,000 count magnetic encoder provide an intelligent motor which delivers cool running and smooth motion.

For this application, the motor moves extremely slowly and has been programmed to complete a 400mm long inverse cosine motion profile over a 12 hour 24 minute period using a 0.1" leadscrew. Using this feature the scientists are able to replicate the lunar tides found in underground oil reservoirs for their experiments.

Experienced Rotary and Linear Specialists Evolve

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:46:00 +0100

With more that fifty years experience in the design and manufacture of precision components, Reliance Precision Mechatronics LLP is now utilising this experience to design families of new motion control assemblies using their ingenious intelligent Reliance Cool Muscle motor with the latest in closed loop integrated motor technology.

These new assemblies include:-

The Reliance Cool Motion Slide - available in lengths up to 1.4 metres, these compact slides combine the high speed and linear accuracy of a screw driven slide with the intelligence of an integrated motor.
The Reliance Cool Muscle Racktuator® - a compact and lightweight linear actuation system with the option of solid or hollow racks.
Planetary Gearboxes - with interfaces designed to suit the Reliance Cool Muscle motor these units provide an economic solution where high efficiency, low backlash and long life are required.

The Reliance Cool Muscle Motor, available in NEMA sizes 11, 17, and 23, has unique abilities to network with other motors performing synchronised or simultaneous complex coordinated motion. In 2007 the RT3 version of the motor was released with the new capability of sharing I/Os and using mathematical notation to perform movement.

Reliance's attention to quality and accuracy is demonstrated…

New Range Geared Up for Different Accuracies

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:02:00 +0100

Accuracy across different budgets is the focus of the new comprehensive gear range from Reliance Precision Mechatronics LLP.

For a very economical balance of accuracy against cost, the brass spur gears in the range are designed for less demanding applications where accuracies up to ISO 9/10 are required.

Higher accuracy applications benefit from the choice of stainless steel and aluminium alloy precision cut gears or stainless steel fine pitch ground gears. The plain or anti-backlash precision cut gears are designed for long life and low torque transmission capabilities. The fine pitch ground gears go down to a 0.5 module and are accurate to ISO 5. These gears are easily tailored to suit interface requirements and offer higher torque transmission capabilities.

High accuracy applications can be supplied with either precision cut gears or fine pitch ground gears. The plain or anti backlash precision cut gears are available in stainless steel or aluminium alloy and are designed for long life and low torque transmission capabilities. The fine pitch ground gears are available in stainless steel down to 0.5 module and are accurate to ISO 5. These gears are easily tailored to suit interface requirements and offer higher torque transmission capabilities.

The new…

Quadrupole Mass Filters

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:09:00 +0100

Reliance Precision Limited has over 15 years experience in the manufacture of Quadrupole Mass Filters (QMF) for mass spectrometers. Over these years their facilities have evolved into a state of the art quadrupole manufacturing facility with experienced designers, clean room assembly, inspection and precision cleaning.

It is well known that the Quadrupole Mass Filter requires a very high degree of mechanical accuracy. Reliance has developed a computer model of the Quadrupole Mass Filter. This is used to evaluate the design of a Quadrupole Mass Filters against its performance criteria. Tolerance details for size, straightness, orthogonality, symmetry, positional accuracy, curvature, taper, and parallelism can be studied, and tolerances relevant to the customer's application may be stipulated. The model can produce details of ion entrance conditions, trajectories, and exit conditions, as well as representative mass peak shapes. Transmission versus resolution can be rapidly assessed for any design and in doing so, the optimum ion injection conditions can be specified.

The manufacturing processes are based around 12mm diameter electrode rods, dimensions and features of which can be produced to sub micron precisions. To match this, the mechanical dimensions of the parts and assemblies can be determined to within a few microns; often using…