A component manufactured by Yorkshire based NSF Controls has been used by R. Shepherd Consulting in a very high quality computer-controlled, reproducing piano.

As part of the overall electro-mechanical equipment designed into this high-resolution piano, a set of 88 special NSF Tubular solenoids is used to actuate the piano keys. Each solenoid provides the thrust in a velocity-controlled force-actuation system, capable of conveying the subtlest musical control to the piano’s hammers.  An important requirement is complete mechanical silence. 

NSF Controls worked closely with Richard Shepherd in creating a new bearing system for the plunger in which very close clearances combined with a soft cushion radial bearing support system are employed.  The solenoid’s plungers are polished to the highest quality finish prior to being electroless nickel plated. This virtually eliminates any mechanical noise from linear motion.  With such tight clearances it was necessary to provide an air breather hole to eliminate pneumatic pumping effects inside the assembly.

The special linear push-shaft extends upwards via a rebound cushion assembly to a threaded head which allows adjustment with the underside of the piano key. The shaft also extends downwards from the plunger to support a long cylindrical neodymium magnet, which dips into a velocity sensing coil beneath the solenoid: this provides feedback for controlling the hammer velocity.

To cater for very fast repeats, the solenoids are used in a closed-loop control system capable of forcing the current by factors of over 10 for a few milliseconds. The 1” diameter tubular solenoids have special end bearing rings with three m-2.5 threaded holes enabling the solenoid to be attached to a 10mm thick machined aluminium mounting plate, which not only serves as a communal heat-sink, but acts as a large mass into which any residual noise forces are lost. The whole plate is rubber-mounted to the piano to isolate any vibration.

Although there are several manufacturers of reproducing pianos, this special system has been developed for Studio professional use in a modern Steinway-D concert-grand piano. The performance out-classes all others and is so realistic that it has recently been used by Sony Masterworks in a new CD featuring the piano music of Rachmaninoff, whose key strokes were extracted from early 78 rpm records by Zenph Studios in North Carolina. This special piano also 're-performed' Rachmaninoff in Carnegie Hall, New York, on November 6th in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Rachmaninoff’s first USA recital.

Richard Shepherd of R. Shepherd Consulting said: 'When I started developing this system it soon became obvious that nobody’s standard solenoids would be good enough. To my surprise and delight NSF were willing to create almost anything I wanted, so we set to work creating a design that suited my needs, yet was not awkward for them to manufacture: it was a joint effort and it absolutely achieves the design objectives.

People who hear the performance close to the piano say they can not hear anything mechanical: just subtle and beautiful music. My own system at home has been in regular use for over 6 years with many millions of solenoid operations and it is still faultless and mechanically totally silent'.

Roy Whitaker of NSF Controls added: 'Working closely with Richard on this application we are pleased that have been able to achieve the levels of finish demanded in order to eliminate mechanical noise.  The use of solenoids in this application is further evidence of the versatility of the component in a wide range of industries.'

Leading guitar manufacturers Gibson has for many years manufactured instruments with 3 pickups, each of which are traditionally selected by a conventional 3-position lever switch. Each pick up gives a different sound because of its relative placement to the strings. Clearly the option to combine two or more pickups will provide even more tonal options for the instrument.

Over time various methods of providing this additional control have been tried within the Guitar Industry, these would include a multi position rotary switch and additional control switches both of which provide a confusing visual feedback.

The solution is The ‘Free-way’ switch from NSF Controls, developed in collaboration with Product Design specialist AB Design; it provides a 6-position lever switch in a 2x3 way format. Looking and working like a conventional three position switch, the Free-way toggle actually moves in two planes offering two rows of parallel positions. This patented concept enables multiple electrical settings from a switch where all positions are still easily accessible and distinguishable.

A Leading Rock musician was handed an instrument loaded with the Free-way switch for evaluation, and was quickly convinced by how it worked and how intuitive it was to use. A dedicated contact arrangement was developed with Gibson to selectively assign the three pickups on the Custom Guitar allowing the exacting demands for tonal variation demanded by the artist to be achieved.

NSF Controls, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of electro-mechanical components and assemblies recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its employee/management buyout from Lucas Varity. The company still employs 60 people, including 21 of the original employee and management investors and has successfully implemented the original plan of securing jobs, investing for the future and further developing an innovative approach to design and manufacture.

Four of the five original Directors are still involved with the business, Mike Peters, Les Bennett, Doug Priestley and Marco Laboccetta and are now supported by an enhanced executive team, ensuring that the company has the talents and experience to keep it moving forward. The last 10 years has seen the company invest in new machinery and equipment, new production lines, staff training and Investors in People accreditation.

The company strap line is “from vision to results”, back in 1997 they certainly had the vision and over the last 10 years the results, this has seen export sales increase from 20% to 33% of turnover. Products and components from NSF Controls are operating around the globe, in countries such as Germany, the USA, Turkey, Pakistan, Italy, France, Russia, Australia, Israel, South Africa, China and many, many more.

The focus has moved away from supplying predominantly off the shelf products (although stock products are still offered) to bespoke solutions, which include every aspect of product development, from the identification of the customer's specific needs, design feasibility studies and costings, to 3D and SLA modelling, rapid prototyping and in-house testing facilities.

This approach has seen NSF Controls become increasingly involved with innovative and complex projects and sub-assembly work. Current projects give an insight into their broad sector coverage and include: electric mortice locks, gas valve assemblies, winches for disability/motability use, taxi door locks and military communications

NSF Controls can look back with pride at the decade completed. Their vision has now manifested itself in a successful business model with a proven track record, providing clients with scalable and tailored solutions.

Their strong technical backbone created the foundation for collaboration with clients and partners alike. NSF Controls have the ability to meet their clients’ requirements, providing value and efficiency through intelligent systems integration, this has earned enormous respect but more importantly has ensured they remain one of the leading suppliers in their sector, Worldwide.

Operations Director Les Bennett comments: “The last 10 years have seen a lot of change in this industry, not least, a lot of consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. I’m thrilled that we have stayed true to our original vision and remained out of the turmoil. Certainly our working model has evolved over the years and is still evolving, our core values are still intact and we have not strayed from the vision we had 10 years ago”

The anniversary was marked by a day of celebration for the staff and included a celebratory lunch at a local restaurant. Because in the end, it has been the combined effort of management and staff that has made NSF Controls the successful company it has become.    

A selection of solenoids, designed and developed by Keighley, West Yorkshire-based NSF Controls Ltd, is actuating an orchestra of computer-controlled musical instruments, in a unique sound presentation that is delighting visitors to the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem, Israel.

Opened in August 2006, the Soundscapes Exhibition is installed in the museum’s open-air courtyard and comprises numerous oversized instruments including a harp, drums, tambourines, bells and contrabass, which are automatically played by computer command.

Mechanical arms, actuated by the NSF rotary and tubular solenoids, play the instruments with each creating its very own sound. Musical notes are produced by the instruments at different times, inviting visitors to tour the orchestral features and enjoy this unique outdoor concert and its spectacular complementary floodlighting.  

NSF supplied the solenoids to TMM - Motion & Magnetic Technologies Ltd, of Ramat-Gan, Israel. TMM, acting as a sub-contractor on the Soundscapes project, modified the solenoids to suit the different actuation requirements of each instrument within the orchestra.  

The harp incorporates rotary solenoids, the cymbals and rings incorporate both tubular and rotary solenoids, the giant cello incorporates tubular solenoids, and the ‘Peacock’ system operates using rotary solenoids.                   

TMM’s technical directors and co-owners Hezi Koren and Kami Ben-Shem Feldschuh comment: “NSF rotary and tubular solenoids are robust and very well constructed, and, though we needed to carry out some minor modifications for them to suit the application, they were our first choice for this demanding application.”        

Having been closed for the winter, Soundscapes has recently reopened for Passover, spring and summer, and is again providing an enchanting backdrop to the Museum itself.  

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".

The Electronica exhibition in Munich was an ideal opportunity for NSF management and sales team to catch up with customers and business associates from around the world - so on Wednesday 13 November a busy day at the exhibition was rounded off with a convivial evening of good food and stimulating conversation hosted by the company.

The event, held at the Zum Spöckmeier Restaurant close to the city centre, proved a popular attraction. Customers from diverse sectors of industry, agents, and media representatives alike provided a lively and stimulating mix of views and ideas on the electronics industry, while enjoying the delights of a traditional German menu complemented by some excellent local wines and beers. The event was also used as a platform for NSF’s exciting new ‘Direct’ and ‘Solutions’ initiatives while helping to strengthen the relationship between NSF Controls and German manufacturer EBE.

NSF’s Marketing Manager Roy Whitaker sums up: ‘The evening proved instrumental in getting the views of our customers and agents - away from the hustle and noise of the exhibition. It was not about selling NSF products – more a chance to get to know our customers, agents and friends better – basically, building relationships in a very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.’

Throughout the Electonica show NSF’s technical experts and sales team were available on the EBE stand to advise on NSF Control products, customer applications and other technical queries.

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".

NSF Controls has strengthened its well-established product portfolio with the development of a unique mechanically latched bi-directional tubular 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 comparably 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, "The development of this versatile high-performance solenoid reflected NSF’s ability to create practical and affordable solutions which address the specialised needs of customers representing a wide range of industries".

Rotary Switches