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8 | <strong>Autumn</strong> Issue | SYSTEMS | Innovation Earlier this year we reported the creation of a new role within the business, that of Innovations Manager. The appointment was filled by Kevin Halpin. The appointment has brought a new dimension to the way in which we are capturing and driving innovation within the business. “We now have a much higher level of engagement with research and development within our supply chain, and are developing ideas and initiatives into viable proposals that potentially will offer value to the business.” To ensure that we are capitalising on innovation and best practice across all our contracts, and are therefore delivering best value to all our clients, we have formed a cross-company innovation forum. “The forum comprises of delegates from across the company sharing best practice through meetings, workshops and video conferencing.” stated Kevin. Kobus Pipe Puller Electrofusion Clamp Detection The following innovations are currently being used on or trialled within our contracts: Electrofusion Clamp Detection There is an industry-wide issue with joint failures, caused by incorrectly aligned electrofusion couplers . This is most frequently the result of the improper use of pipe alignment clamps, or failure to use clamps at all. Best-practice for operatives is to use clamps on all occasions and this is company policy. The Fusion Department have been working on the development of an assurance solution that, whilst not impeding on operators will prevent or hinder bad practice, and will furthermore record occurrences of bad practice. The system currently under development uses the electromagnetic energy emitted by the fitting during the welding process to enable fitting detection. Due to the behaviour of the energy that is sensed, we have optimised the clamp design to shield the signal and increase accuracy by only allowing the fitting to be sensed from the sides or from above. This signal must be in a specific axial arrangement to the clamp and within its sensing range, typically 6-7 inches. Electrofusion alignment clamp Pipe, correctly installed in the alignment clamp Standard electrofusion fitting Magnetic flux generated by the energised electrofusion fitting Sensor coil mounted in the base of the clamp detects when fitting is energised If this requirement is not met the unit suspects a bad joint and aborts the weld. The unit can be programmed to lock out if necessary, preventing the operator from further welding until a supervisor unlocks the unit. In any instance the unit will electronically record clamping activity. This unit is totally unique within the industry and has been developed within The Clancy Group, in co-operation with our suppliers. We currently have European patent pending on the design. The system is currently being successfully used on the Optimise VMR, South East Water, Southern Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water contracts. Kobus Pipe Puller Trials are currently underway on the Optimise JV of the Kobus Pipe Puller. The main advantages to this system are:: Excavations over the main can be relatively small. Minimum risk to other services; It is a fully trenchless method; suitable when a mole cannot be used; 95% success rate; can replace customers lead pipe without the need to excavate driveways, steps etc; it also reduces the requirement for traffic management.
Powergrit Utility Saw We are currently undertaking trials with a new cutting product that has the potential to reduce excavation sizes, operator effort, operator risk, and reduce the total time taken to complete a job. The benefits that we hope to offer to our clients are those of reduced cost and reduced DG3 impact. We have already demonstrated this product at South East Water’s depot at Boxalls Lane, Aldershot, where we received positive feedback from the clients Contract Management team. We are in the process of establishing training and a field trial of the cutting product. The cutting product utilises a brazed layer diamond coating on a patented chain design and is run hydraulically from a power pack or from a hydraulic excavator. It is placed within a clamp on the parent pipe which allows single sided access to the main rather than the current practice of double sided entry when using a traditional stihl saw or reed cutter. Built within the cutting technology is an automatic cut out function when and if any "kick back" is encountered whilst undergoing the cutting. This greatly improves the Powergrit Utility Saw safety aspect of the cutting process compared with traditional methods. The material range that the product is able to cut includes ductile iron, PVC, PE, cast iron, clay and concrete pipes, and Insituform pipe lining. Benefits will include: ● Single-point access ● Reduced excavation ● Reduced labour time ● Reduced operator effort ● Easier to control while cutting ● Improved operator safety New Combi-Van Design With custom vehicle fit-outs being undertaken by our own in-house resource, we have a high degree of control of design and finished specification. One recent example of this is our recently implemented metering contract for Anglian Water, where we have provided a re-designed combi-van. This van is kitted out to a meter-specific standard, with custom storage and fitments. Additionally, we have fitted these vehicles with an advanced engine management system that allows the engine to be safely run while the | SYSTEMS | New Combi Van vehicle is locked and unoccupied. The engine runs at just enough revs to keep sufficient charge in the battery to maintain essential electrical equipment such as mobile-working technology, and equipment such as wet-vacs for cleaning out valve chambers. There are in-built safety features, including an intelligent management system that cuts out the engine should the hand-brake be inadvertently taken off. Review of vehicle governing policy We have governed our vehicles to a maximum speed of 70mph since 2006. However, we have been carrying out a detailed analysis of the effect of further limitations, and have determined that a significant saving in fuel, and therefore carbon emissions, can be achieved through limiting the vehicles to 65mph. We have just arranged for 20 vehicles on one contract to be governed to this speed, a part of an extended field trial. Subject to confirmation of the original findings, we will then roll this out across our fleet. For further details on the products and services profiled, contact Kevin on extension 3016 or e-mail Kevin.halpin@theclancygroup.co.uk <strong>Autumn</strong> Issue | 9
Page 1 and 2: The magazine for the clancy group p
Page 3 and 4: 10 11 New Awards Thames CEO shares
Page 5 and 6: | SUCCESSFUL | Mobile-i - Mobile Wo
Page 7: | STRONG | ● Manual Handling- Ton
Page 11 and 12: Thames CEO shares Clancy Group Succ
Page 13 and 14: | SUSTAINABLE people | Get on Your
Page 15 and 16: Wedding 6Sess Congratulations go to

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