NSF commercial manager, Roy Whitaker, sums up: “NSF solenoids are used in a wide variety of challenging applications throughout the world, but this is probably the most interesting and diverse I have seen thus far.”

        A tubular solenoid, specially developed and supplied by NSF Controls Ltd of Keighley, West Yorkshire, is giving Macpactor landfill technology the competitive edge on its new CompaxTM twin wheel, waste compacting system.

The CompaxTM system provides fast and efficient compacting of containerised waste and is easily attached to the mechanical arm of a 360º wheeled excavator.

Available in two different sizes of 1.9 & 2.75 tonnes, the Macpactor CompaxTM system is unique in that it incorporates a wheel lock system initiated by the operator.

Locking the wheel for certain operations brings significant advantages, allowing the compaction of all areas of the waste container, and, if required, the use of virtually the whole weight of the excavator to gain the all important extra kilos of payload. Additionally, the locking system enables ’loading side’ waste build-up to be levelled, thus preventing space wasting ’soft spots.’

The versatility of a quick release coupling brings other advantages, enabling one machine to carry out multiple operations including compact, grab, sort, load and tidy, when the CompaxTM wheel is interchanged with other attachments. Also, the system’s mobility and flexibility mean that that the unit need not be confined to transfer station duties alone, providing breakdown cover for other areas of the waste handling business.

The Macpactor CompaxTM system reduces transport costs by as much as 75% on containerised (skip) civic amenity and trade waste.

The NSF solenoid is a vital component of the CompaxTM system, locking and unlocking the system through operator control, for the different modes of operation. The tubular solenoid was specially developed over a short timescale for what is an extremely robust application. The first model was produced in one month and two prototypes were completed in the development phase.

Both ends of the solenoid are completely sealed to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture, while to activate the lock, the mechanism has to lift an assembly weighing 4.5kg through a 31mm stroke.

Macpactor’s engineering director, Bob McCartney, comments: "Now that development is complete, NSF’s tubular solenoid is proving to be a reliable unit, satisfactorily meeting the demands of what is an extremely arduous and demanding application."

Specialist British Aerospace and defence equipment manufacturer FHL - formerly Fairy Hydraulics Ltd and now a division of Claverham Group Ltd - ’Locked on’ to NSF Controls when it came to finding a supplier of quality solenoids for its latest missile fin actuation system.

The NSF Controls solenoids are used to lock the moveable find in a fixed position during transportation and during air-carriage before they are launched from war-planes during combat or military exercises.

The locking device is an integral part of a complete fin actuation system which Claverham offers to major European OEM missile designers and manufacturers. The system is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECM) linked to four electro-mechanical actuators for the four missile fins.

NSF Controls worked closely with FHL to develop the unique mechanically - latched bi-directional tubular solenoid used within the fin actuation system.

The magnetic latching system was designed not to interfere with missile compass and guidance systems.

Lightweight and highly reliable, the solenoid is capable of 25 million actuations in each direction and has a far longer life expectancy than comparable open frame magnetically-latched solenoids.

Based near Bristol, where it employs around 250 people and has an annual turnover of around £45 million, Claverham was acquired in 2001 by the Hamilton Sundstrand Group, a subsidiary company of the US-based United Technologies Group.

Within this large coporation FHL is recognized as a world leader in actuation technology for the aerospace and defence markets. It has more than 40 years’ experience in the analysis, design, development, qualification and manufacture of equipment using electro-hydraulic, electro-mechanical, electro-pneumatic and hybrid technologies.

In addition to guided weapon (missile) fin actuation systems, FHL’s wide product range includes: primary flight control actuators for combat aircraft and helicopters; special purpose actuators for helicopter deck-locks, ammunition handling systems for combat vehicles and artillery; submarine dive and steer systems (R&D): and aircraft landing gear.

Rotary solenoids supplied by Yorkshire-based NSF Controls are contributing to the irresistibility of mouth-watering breads, pastries and puddings throughout the world, thanks to their inclusion in ovens manufactured by MONO Equipment. The Swansea-based manufacturer is a major force in the design and production of state-of-the-art baking ovens, which it supplies to an international customer base including leading supermarket chains and other food outlets.

As one of Europe’s leading suppliers of switches, solenoids and other electro-mechanical products, NSF provides MONO Equipment with rotary solenoids which are used to operate a butterfly valve on the pipe system damper, a unit designed to control the release of steam from MONO’s ovens. The system is an important feature on every model within the company’s extensive range, which includes small convection ovens, rack ovens and deck ovens. The release of excess steam is used to control moisture levels within the ovens and is crucial for the production of high quality crusty bread products.

The many thousands of rotary solenoids supplied by NSF have always proved reliable, despite being subjected to the high temperatures associated with this demanding application. MONO Equipment’s Research & Development Engineer, Peter Boyles, explained, "NSF solenoids were chosen primarily for their cost efficiency but they have also proved extremely reliable components which perform well under difficult circumstances".

Yorkshire based NSF Controls; a leading European supplier of solenoid and switch actuation products has extended its well-established product profile with the inclusion of newly developed solenoid for longer strokes and high holding force applications.  Based on the companys tubular range of linear solenoids this version was developed to meet the exacting demands of an existing customer application in the waste management field where traditional solenoid designs were not robust enough.

The solenoid will produce a starting force in excess of 45 Newtons over a stroke of 30mm; the high holding force when closed is in excess of 90 Newtons. Originally designed for use in a waste compacting application within domestic waste civil amenity sites this solenoid is capable of being sealed against the ingress of dirt and moisture. 

The range of applications that could benefit from this development include safety interlocks, security devices, luggage carousels, heavy-duty diverter gates and process control equipment.

NSFs Sales Director, Doug Priestley commented that the completion of this development provides the ability to look at new more arduous applications from which we have previously been precluded.

Europe’s leading supplier of switches and solenoids, Yorkshire-based NSF Controls, has strengthened its well-established product portfolio with the development of a unique mechanically latched bi-directional tubular solenoid. Based upon the company’s highly successful tubular solenoids, the latest addition to the range has been developed in direct response to an existing customer’s demand for a bi-stable high-performance solenoid, capable of operating in areas where traditional permanently magnetically latched solenoids are unsuitable.

The solenoid will be used in a high-tech military application requiring a non-magnetic latching mechanism which will not interfere with compass and guidance systems. Light-weight and highly reliable, the solenoid is capable of 25 million actuations in each direction and has a far longer lifespan than comparable open-frame magnetically latched solenoids. The wide range of applications which might benefit from the use of NSF’s innovative new solenoid include the manufacture of medical and surgical equipment, together with security industry applications such as the switching of night-vision filters on remotely operated CCTV cameras.

NSF Marketing Manager, Roy Whitaker, explained, "NSF’s considerable design and manufacturing expertise has led to the development of a unique and highly versatile component which will prove a major benefit to number of different applications. The solenoid’s development reflects NSF’s ability to create practical and affordable solutions which address the specialised needs of customers representing a wide range of industries".

A rotary switch manufactured by NSF Controls is contributing to the success of live performances by some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment history, thanks to its specification in a product developed by guitar amplification specialist, Marshall Amplification plc.

Established in 1962, Marshall Amplification is widely regarded as a leading name in the manufacture of state-of-the-art guitar amplifiers. They have proved firm favourites with many of the world’s most celebrated and talented musicians, including such household names as Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townsend.

For almost a decade, NSF has supplied Marshall Amplification with a rotary switch for use in the company’s Powerbrake PB100 unit. Housed in a heavy-duty portable case, the PB100 is used to attenuate the output from the amplifier to the speakers, enabling musicians to maintain the unique Marshall sound quality while allowing full control of the sound output level. The rotary switch within the unit is used to select from 12 possible positions and provides the desired level of attenuation.

Denis Fowler, the New Product Procurement Officer at Marshall Amplification explained, "Working closely with NSF we were able to develop a rotary switch whose combination of robust construction and long term reliability are perfectly suited to an application within the demanding and high profile world of entertainment".

Highly reliable NSF Controls solenoids are playing a crucial role in the safety of passengers on fairground rides and simulators around the world. The company’s solenoids are used in state-of-the-art computer controlled seat belt systems developed by the Wolverhampton-based manufacturer, AI Product Solutions Ltd.

AI Product Solutions Ltd is part of the AI Group of high-tech engineering companies which collectively offers a broad spectrum of electro-mechanical and electronic expertise for the manufacture of a wide range of products. The company required a small, high performance solenoid with dual-state design, to provide the motive power in the locking mechanism of a computer controlled seat belt used in fairground rides and simulators supplied to theme parks. beltWell known for its successful association with automotive related applications, NSF was approached by AI Product Solutions 18 months ago and has supplied the company with its solenoid ever since.

Specification of the solenoids in a passenger safety application meant that the reliability of every component was crucial, but the level of customer service provided by NSF has also played a part in the customer’s overall satisfaction. Dawn Featherstone, Sales & Marketing Manager at AI Group, explained, "We were very pleased with the service provided by NSF, from our first contact with David Berry through to the supply of samples and the punctual delivery of our first product batch".

Solenoids from NSF Controls are playing a crucial role in the operation of sterilisation equipment used throughout the world to destroy harmful germs and bacteria. The solenoids are specified on bench-top autoclaves - instrument sterilisers which use steam at high temperatures and pressures to kill harmful germs.

Blackburn-based Prestige Medical, one of the world’s leading names in sterilisation, manufacture state-of-the-art autoclaves which are supplied to a range of healthcare professionals across the world, including hospitals, dentists, general practioners, medical centres, veterinary surgeries, hairdressers and tatooists. NSF supplies Prestige Medical with solenoids used to activate the opening and closing mechanism on the company’s Century 2 and Century B autoclaves.

A combination of product quality and customer service helped NSF secure the contract to supply solenoids to Prestige Medical, as Purchasing Manager David Davies explained, "NSF’s ability to supply reliable components in batch sizes to suit our requirements has proved extremely useful and the fact that our manufacturing operations aren’t interrupted by availability problems".