Page 3 - NewsLester Issue 02

LUTTERWORTH
BLAKEWELL EUROPLACER
As written in our first NewsLester late
in 2019, we decided to invest in a new PCB production line and ordered a Blakell Europlacer multi-function SMT Pick and Place machine. Although the new equipment had been specifically manufactured for us, due to the first COVID lock down, the decision was made to put the machine into temporary storage until it could be safely installed at our Lutterworth facility.
Fortunately, Europlacer programming training took place in Poole, Hampshire just before lockdown and subsequently during the summer months the new equipment was installed along with the essential operational training needed for this hi-tec PCB machinery.
Along with the Europlacer SMT machine, we also purchased a Europlacer Lzero3 component storage solution, which
is now fully commissioned, and we
are in the process of stocking it with components. Once fully stocked and in use, the Lzero3 will automatically feed Europlacer SMT machine with reels,
sticks and trays with each component fully traceable.
The decision was made to retain the existing PCB production line, to provide additional manufacturing resources and to have a backup facility in the event of any Europlacer downtime should we experience it.
STANDARDS POST BREXIT
Now that a Brexit deal has been agreed, most businesses are considering and experiencing changes in regulatory documentation, most noticeable with UK Customs. Over the past months,
we have been asked if we expect to see any changes to the standards that apply to the products Lester Controls manufactures and sells.
In essence the answer is BS EN, EN, EN ISO or EN IEC standards will remain, but must be renamed to become UK “designated standards” as per the Government’s guidance that existing European harmonised standards are no longer valid from the start of 2022.
However, there is one significant issue and that relates to the existing CE Mark which is needed for safety components used in lift installations.
We understand that the new UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) scheme will be operational from the start of 2022 requiring conformity to be in place by the end of 2021.
Mike Turner
Director, Lester Controls
The below text has been taken from:
https://modbs.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/ aid/18591/Onwards_and_upwards.html
Part of LEIA’s Managing Director, Nick Mellor’s speech taken from Modern Building Services relating to regulations around lifts and elevators.
“There would be implications for installers and manufacturers for the use of the UK conformity assessment mark – the UKCA mark – where the equipment meets the requirements of the UK regulations. The CE mark would still be recognised for a limited time if the equipment has met the EU requirements”.
NEWSLESTER Issue 2 :: Page 3