Ceratizit UK & Ireland has reported an impressive uptake of its offer for free test tools, heavily discounted production tools and technical support for companies involved in the manufacture of ventilator and other NHS equipment during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Customers through the supply chain have approached Ceratizit to request support for their production. “The number of customers that we are able to help is increasing day-by-day,” says Tony Pennington, Managing Director, Ceratizit UK & Ireland. “It is testament to the versatility and ingenuity of the UK manufacturing base that they are able to quickly switch from machining parts for racing cars and aircraft to components that are going to help save lives.”
Technical support is being provided remotely by applications and technical sales engineers. Ceratizit’s Industry Solutions Engineer Michael May and Technical Sales Engineer Bob Thompson have supported one customer involved in the Ventilator Challenge UK project. “Initially, the request was for high performance drills to produce holes up to 16xD in aluminium and steel. We were then asked to develop our support through the provision of AluLine end mills and PCR-ALU plunge milling cutters,” says Michael May.
This ingenuity and willingness have also been highlighted by Jonty Horn, son of Chris Horn, one of Ceratizit UK & Ireland’s Tool-o-Mat service engineers. Using his knowledge gained from a specialist 3D Printing forum, Jonty responded to requests for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for frontline National Health staff.
Jonty, accessed files to create shields using Creality 3D printing technology and created his first prototypes, a lightweight and heavy-duty version, and approached his local Lincoln hospital to offer the shields to their staff. Inspired by what Jonty has achieved, Ceratizit UK & Ireland’s two apprentices, Stephen Pennington and Alex Humberstone have also taken up the challenge.