Articles from November 2018

When you say the name Pendragon there is generally only one person you think of the once and future king of the Britons Arthur. There is a lot debate about whether Arthur existed or not. After the Roman legions left to defend Roman the Centurions and Generals made a point of telling the Romanised Britons that they wouldn’t be back anytime soon, and it might be an idea to look to their own defences. The Romano-Britons decided to ask the Saxons to defend the coast. They liked the job so much they decided to stay and even told their rivals the Angles and Jutes how great it was, so they came over to. As the populace lost the skills to right and record things the Dark Ages beckoned. It’s thought of as being a time of war and constant conflict and although that’s being increasingly challenged as it seemed that in fact the Britons and the newcomers mixed, inter married and traded quite happily. The expansion of the Saxons, Angles and Jutes seems to have been checked for many years and this is attributed to Arthur.  He was a noble, brave and kind man, his Dad on the other hand was not so much. The legend is centred around South Wales, but the home of Uther is reputed to be far to the North in Cumbria and Pendragon Castle. It is in a bit of a state and it might have been an idea for Uther to consider going back to huis home land and use a Skip Hire Swansea based company like http://pendragoncarmarthenshire.co.uk/

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The site of Pendragon Castle is set in the glorious Cumbria countryside and near the Village of Kirby Stephen. It is said to be the ancestral home of the Pendragons. The Town is outside the Lake District and is at the top end of the Pennine Range with the Yorkshire Dales to the North. The Castle sits on a hill top and has commanding views. It is a Square stone design and there is not much left of it unfortunately. There is a reason for that a raiding Army from Scotland burnt it down.  The Pendragon legend says that Uther founded the castle as a defence against the Saxon invaders. They sneaky poisoned the Well and Uther was killed. This is a little at odds with other stories of his demise such as by ambush in Wales by the Duke of Cornwall’s men after Uther had slept with his wife using Merlin’s magic to change his appearance.

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Sadly, there is little evidence of all this as the earliest indications from archaeology show it was built as a fort by the Romans first and then changed into a more modern castle by the Normans. It was burnt down by the Scots though, that bit is confirmed. It’s on private land but access is granted.

Cotton is one of the most popular Dressmaking Fabrics for people looking to create their own garments. This is partly due to its versatile nature and also because it has been used in the textile industry for centuries. When sourcing your fabrics, you should use a reputable company such as https://www.quality-fabrics.co.uk/dressmaking-fabrics-14-c.asp to ensure that you get the best quality and value for money.

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There has been evidence of remnants of cotton cloth found on the outskirts of some caves in Mexico that after being analysed are thought to have originated from over 7,000 years ago. Further historic evidence and written and illustrative evidence have shown that in around 3,000 BC cotton was being grown in both Egypt and Pakistan and was used for creating clothing. Other key dates include the 1500s when Columbus found that the cotton being grown in the Bahamas area was being shipped and imported into other areas around the world. In 1793 Eli Whitney put a patent application in for his Cotton Gin which sped up the processing of cotton and it was thought that as a result of using this cotton was processed at around ten times faster than done by hand.

There are many variations on the basic cotton fabric but there are in essence three main weave options:

• Plain – which includes broadcloth
• Twill – which includes denim
• Satin – which includes sateen

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When buying cotton fabrics, it is sometime wise to buy slightly more than you need as it can shrink lightly once washed. This is why you find some garments no longer fit once you have washed them and is also why it is a good idea to wash, dry and press your fabric before you cut the pattern pieces out. A good rule of thumb is that the tighter the weave of the material the less shrinkage that will occur when the garment is washed. Garments that are going to permanently be in the line of the sun should be baked with another light weight fabric as cotton has a tendency to fade when it is subjected to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.

A true 100% cotton fabric is breathable and also retains its shape and weight when wet and is a popular choice for summer weather clothing. A cotton and polyester blend will not have the same qualities and so will be less suitable during the warmer weather or for holiday clothing if you are heading to an exotic climate.

This is an incredibly useful piece of kit that can be used for moving granules, chemicals, food in its powdered form, tablets and a range of other tiny components in a number of ways, including lean, plug or dense flow situations.

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The main task of a vacuum conveyor is to transport the components within it in premium condition, with no abrasion, segregation or damage of those precious components, delivering them to their destination in a near perfect state.

The process

The movement of components is achieved by a pneumatic or vacuum method that uses the suction of air to move the components through pipes or hoses. The vacuum process is not only efficient; it is also safe as it stops any leakage of the components into the surrounding environment. With the increasing popularity of superfoods, protein bars and shakes, supplements and food powders have become big business. To learn more about the phenomenon, see this report in The Guardian.

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The mechanics

There are three main elements to how a conveyor works. First, there is the product and the position or area from which it is loaded into the machine. The conveyor consists of a vacuum pump, which creates suction to draw the product in, and a specially designed tank inside collects the product, while using a filter to separate it from any unwanted material, such as dust. When the separator has been filled with the product, the vacuum is shut down and the accumulated product can be released into a bin, tank or whatever unit is to be filled. As this happens, the filter is cleaned and when all product has left the separator a valve closes and the cycle starts again.

If you want to find out more about how a vacuum conveyor can help your business, it would be a good idea to consult an expert in this field, such as www.aptech.uk.com/pneumatic-conveying-systems/vacuum-conveying who can give you guidance and options and tell you everything you need to know.

This is a highly efficient process for moving what may be a volatile product from where it is produced into containers which can be moved around easily. This type of equipment has many applications and has undergone rigorous testing to ensure high performance at all times. The design should ensure easy operation with a minimum of fuss.

Silicone is used in all sorts of industries and for a variety of types of products. Although silicone isn’t biodegradable, it can be recycled and so is deemed to be reasonably environmentally friendly. As such, the silicone manufacturing market is predicted to grow by six per cent up to 2021. But how is it made?

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How Silicone Is Made

Essentially, making silicone is a bit like baking. The raw ingredients are placed into huge mixing bowls and turned until they’re thoroughly blended. This blending process is crucial to ensure the stability of the rest of the manufacturing process and that any colours added, for example, are evenly distributed.

Once the initial mix is created, it can then be transformed into end products, and this is achieved by the use of machinery which convert the mix into the shape or size required. There are two main types of machines: extruders and calenders.

Calenders convert the silicone mix into sheets, while extruders remove any air from the mix and force it through a premade mould to create a specific shape.

These specific shapes, or parts, can then be joined together using a vulcanisation process to create extremely strong seams, which allow silicone products to be used under pressure.

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What Is Silicone Used For?

It is often used by a silicone hose manufacturer, and companies like https://www.goodflexrubber.com/pages/silicone-hose-manufacture/ can produce them in all manner of shapes and sizes.

If you’re looking for a supplier of silicone, or indeed any type of product, it’s always worth checking whether they have ISO certification. According to the International Organization for Standardization, the benefit of a company having ISO certification is that they are conforming to what is widely agreed to be the best of way of doing something. This standardisation covers everything from road and toy safety to the quality of air and soil and ensures the products we buy are of good quality and manufactured using best practices.

But silicone products are used in all sorts of industries. Because silicone is resistant to bacteria and does not irritate the body, it is used for all manner of medical appliances. It’s easy to sterilise too, so products can be reused.

Many bakeware products are now also made from silicone, as it creates a non-stick and flexible product which is easy to use and clean.

In the New Year you might notice your employees are somewhat lacking in enthusiasm and productivity. This is not an unusual phenomenon and is known as the January Blues. With depleted bank balances, weeks to go before pay day, weight gain after the excesses of Christmas and a feeling of not much to look forward to, staff can feel a slump during this winter month. No need to worry though, here’s how you can create a more positive atmosphere and bump up those productivity levels again:

Address Overspending Worries

January is often a stressful time for many people as they dread the arrival of their latest credit card bill. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can ease that burden for your staff by sharing information about access of advisory services, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. Perhaps invite a speaker and run a workshop on how to improve organising your finances. You don’t need to single anyone out but offer the advice to all. Just this acknowledgement that many people are in the same boat can help ease people’s worries.

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Help Improve Employee Wellbeing

There is usually a big surge in January for healthy living and getting fit. Capitalise on this trend by encouraging staff to move more. Give them reasons to regularly get up from their desks, encourage them to partake in exercise and this will improve their mood and sense of well-being. Perhaps it’s a chance to organise a group challenge, such as dry January or a lunchtime walking club.

Investing in keeping the workplace a hygienic, clean and attractive place to be will also help to improve mood, productivity and health. For Gloucester Office Cleaning, Find out more here.

Something to Look Forward To

With a little advanced planning, you can turn January into a month of fun activities to keep your staff from getting the blues. There are many reasons to feel gloomy in cold, dark January, so organise some events like bowling, charity fun days, a bake sale or anything that might motivate staff and give them something to plan and look forward to. It’s also the ideal opportunity to thank your employees for all their hard work.

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Social Conscious

If you have a corporate social responsibility programme, great. If not, why not consider organising one. Most employers are hot on social responsibility these days and want their employees to get involved too. Get them fired up about an issue, encourage them to volunteer, organise fundraising events and generally get everyone involved.

Remind Staff How Great You Are

Most recruitment experts agree that the cost of hiring new staff is greater than retaining the ones you already have. Therefore, January is the perfect time to remind staff what a wonderful place they work in. January can often be a time people think about change, so if you want to keep your staff, now might be a good time for feedback surveys, promotions, launching employee schemes and any other plans to help retention.