Skip to content
Open Menu Close Menu

Ventilator Challenge UK

British engineering firms were called on to switch to making medical ventilators as concern grew about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.  This follows an appeal by Boris Johnson, who held an emergency conference appealing for an urgent effort to address the national shortage.

Challenges 

  • Manufacture samples of 3 Ventilator components within 2 days.
  • Communication with Rolls-Royce on the requirements and quality approval for the Smiths Medical Ventilator (No face to face).
  • Meet demanding requirements to ensure high quality standards and tight lead-times.

Solutions

  • Prioritise this business through sample/initial submission phase.
  • Establish supply chain for PEM and special purpose inserts.
  • Project manage through daily video calls.
  • Collection of inserts from Portsmouth Hoverport
  • Prioritise production with overtime/weekend working
  • Contact CMM program for in process inspection (share data for approval).

Impacts 

  • Prototypes/samples for testing and setting up production line in 2 days
  • Received volume production order for 2000 parts for urgent delivery.
  • Supplied product in deliveries over 2 – 4 weeks (Quality approved).
  • Supported product of Ventilators at Smiths Medical/Rolls-Royce.

Added Value

  • Provided an alternative supply chain for critical Ventilator components achieving 100% conformity.
  • Gained fast track approval with high level project management with no face to face meetings in an incredibly short timeframe.
  • Supported other areas of the Ventilator UK supply chain with technical requirements based on lessons learnt during ramp up.
H V Wooding are proud to be a part of the #VentilatorChallengeUK consortium to manufacture vital ventilators assisting with the pandemic

Our Technical Manager, Simon Stewart checking the vital ventilator components for compliance.

 

Read more about our Quality checks.

Busbar Manufacture

H V Wooding specializes in the production of copper, aluminium, and cuponal busbars for use in switchgear components, control panels, panel boards, fusegear, and transformers, catering to a diverse range of industries including Switchgear, Railway, Renewable Energy, Marine, Data Centre, and Power Electronics sectors.

Wire Erosion

We produce a varied scope of components from prototyping and small batches for F1 to volume production for multinationals across sectors including Aerospace, Medical, Research, Automotive, Electric & Hybrid vehicles & Defence

Laser Cutting

Applications for this service are wide-ranging including Battery Terminals and Contacts within the growing Hybrid & Electric Vehicle sector to Busbars for Power Electronics, Electrical Systems and Transportation.

Electroplating & Powder Coating

Specialists in sub-con electroplating. Experienced in-house electroplating services including - Tin Rack Plating, Silver Rack Plating, Zinc Rack Plating, Nickel Rack Plating, Tin Barrel, Silver Barrel, & Zinc Barrel. Owing to increased capacity we are now offering the following finishes to the general market. We offer specialist Powder Coating for busbars for the Electric Vehicle market.

Presswork & Tooling

Precision presswork / metal stamping delivered in volume and on time. We have 50 years’ experience and expertise of providing economic presswork solutions to major names within the electrical switchgear, electronic, power generation, medical, marine and automotive industries.

Assembly

Our advanced sub assembly facility allows our customers to outsource the assembly at low risk, and focus on their core business activities, secure in the knowledge that we will provide them with a fast, cost-effective service. Reducing inventories, part numbers and supply base saves time and effort and can also result in significant cost savings.

Medical & Surgical

From providing life critical, high volume, pressed Medical ventilator heater plates, to complex Titanium Spinal Implants, to Cancer probe Electrodes, we offer over 50 years of experience supplying to a wide, diverse range of customers in the Medical sector.

Science & Research

We have gained a solid reputation for the supply of magnet assembly low carbon steel Yokes and stainless steel Collar laminations for prototype and upgrades to the Hadron Collider. Customers include; CERN, CEA, Elytt and Brookhaven. We have Fit for Nuclear (F4N) as well as other accreditations.

More projects

Science & Research - CERN

A twin-aperture, 10 m long, prototype magnet was designed by CERN to gain experience in the construction of full scale twin-aperture Dipole Magnets. HV Wooding were given the task to produce the Twin-aperture Dipole magnet Laminations. Click to read a Case study demonstrating our ongoing work with CERN on the Large Hadron Collider - and the positive impact from our input.

Data Centre Busbars

A Global Social Media Platform were looking to enhance the performance, reliability and efficiency of their Data Centre Operation. This project involved HV Wooding in the design optimisation and manufacture of Busbars.

Next generation of Tidal Turbines

A Global manufacture in the “Renewables Sector” are developing the next generation of Tidal Turbines. In order to optimise engineering performance they needed a partner to help facilitate both the design and manufacturing solution of “Laminate Sections” for the Permanent Magnet Generator.

High Volume of Metal Stampings and Busbars

A leading Global manufacturer of Electrical Automation and Control Solutions have a high volume of Metal Stampings and Busbars used within their product groups. These include regular repeat items and also spot ordered parts that are delivered to multiple locations.

Next Generation of Offshore Wind Turbines

A worldwide manufacturer of Wind Turbines, developing the Generator Busbars for the next generation of offshore 7MW machines.

“Hybrid Drivetrain” for Motorsport and Transportation applications

A Global manufacturer of “Hybrid Drivetrain” for Motorsport and Transportation applications. A key market for flywheel energy storage technology is the public transport sector. This technology can save fuel and reduce green house gas emissions by up to 30% in a city bus for example.

Strategic outsourcing partner

A leading international manufacturer of electrical accessories were producing all components in house. In order to focus on core activities and increase profitability, they needed a strategic outsourcing partner that they could trust. After a detailed evaluation, they decided to outsource all presswork components to HV Wooding.

Looking to reduce the cost of manufacture

UK Atomic Energy Authority is a UK government research organisation responsible for the development of nuclear fusion power. Requirement to manufacture Busbars for MAST upgrade.
Main case studies page