Load Cell Load Pin – A Manufacturers Musings - A Load Cell & Load Pin Manufacturer's Musings

Introduced Due to Popular Demand – A New Series of Large Digit Display Indicators

April 24th, 2013
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Product News

Taking on board suggestions from our customers, particularly in the marine and offshore industry, we are delighted to announce a new range of Large Digit Display indicators for use in crane, lifting and hoisting applications. There are three models within the LD Range: the LD-Process is suitable for process analogue current and voltage signals; the LD-Strain is for use with strain gauge based sensors and the LD-Serial, which is proving to be the most popular, is used as a slave display with connection by RS232 or RS485 interfaces.

There are a number of options available that can be mixed and matched, depending on a client’s particular application. All 3 indicators come in either 4 or 6 digit versions with digit heights ranging from 57-400mm that can be viewed from 25-200metres, respectively. Each indicator can be supplied as a suspension, panel or wall-mounted version, with a wide choice of analogue, relay or digital outputs available. All products are IP65 sealed to ensure they withstand harsh and rugged conditions. Different input signals are available, depending on which indicator is used.

Both the LD-Serial and LD-Strain indicators are suitable for simple crane weighing applications, hoist and winch monitoring, while the LD-Process is also suitable for use in process plant monitoring.

A free downloadable datasheets are available at http://www.lcmsystems.com/digital_indicators

Tags: cranes, indicators, large digit display, LCM Systems

Working ON the Business not Just IN the Business

April 10th, 2013
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Miscellaneous

Running your own business can sometimes get a bit lonely. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean this in terms of not having plenty of company throughout the working day. The people here at LCM Systems are a great bunch and we manage to have a laugh, as well as getting our work done.

No, it’s some of the general management issues and important decisions about, for instance, the direction of the company, whether now is a good time to expand our dealings with the US, how do I go about finding an enthusiastic and profitable distributor in France. If you run your own business I am sure you understand what I mean.

I am lucky, I have a number of friends who also run their own businesses and we often ‘chew the cud’ over a pint or on the golf course, so I have a group of mentors who all give me valuable input.

But, I have been thinking about the advantages of using a Business Coach. Someone who could get to know me and business well and could help me look objectively at some of the management issues that I face.

Have you ever used a Business/Management coach? What was your experience and how did you go about deciding who as right for you? I would be really interested in your feedback.

Tags: coaching, engineering, LCM Systems, management

New Trip Amplifier for Hoist, Winch and Crane Overload Applications Launched

March 26th, 2013
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Product News

We are pleased to announce the launch of the LCTA series of Load Cell Trip/Relay Amplifiers developed to provide dual volt free relay outputs from a load cell signal. Aimed primarily at OEMs, this latest product provides a cost-effective, simple to use, yet highly reliable amplifier for applications such as hoist overload protection, crane safe lifting control and personnel lifting platform protection.

The new amplifier module has the ability to power a single load cell or load pin or up to four 350W load cells connected in parallel. The volt-free relay outputs have a trip switching current of 10A at 230vac and can be adjusted independently by simply using a reference voltage to determine the adjustment value. For design engineers who wish to connect the LCTA to a remote display, there is also a 0-5v analogue output. Designers at LCM Systems have also included a shunt facility for regular and easy calibration.

To add to the versatility of this new product, the LCTA can be supplied in a number of mounting options including an IP66 sealed plastic or metal case or ready for DIN rail mounting and has field screw terminal connections. Also, although the standard product requires a 12/24vdc power supply, there is the option with the DIN-mounted version to power from a 48vac supply.

For straightforward application advice, our experienced in-house design engineers are only a phone call or email away and can assist with the selection and configuration of the correct module for your application. LCM can also supply, complete with the sensor required, pre-configured, ready for installation.

A free downloadable datasheet is available from our website at http://www.lcmsystems.com/lctadata

Tags: cranes, hoists, LCM Systems, overload protection

Proudly Sponsoring Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team

March 14th, 2013
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Marketing, Miscellaneous

As many regular readers of this blog know, I am a keen golfer and so enjoy being a member of the beautiful Freshwater Bay Golf Club here in the Isle of Wight. As a company, I think it is important to support local enterprises and we have been sponsoring the Juniors at the Club for the past few years.

Through my association with the Golf Club and love of sport, I am am also pleased to announce that we are also now the official sponsors of the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team. Started in 1995, the team was at its previous prime in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but is undergoing a rejuvenation with new riders, new sponsors, new kit and renewed big ambitions. I jumped at the opportunity to provide sponsorship for the dynamic new team and it provides a great opportunity to see the LCM Systems’ logo all around the Island and mainland as the team enters competitions throughout the UK.

Have a read of this great blog by Jack Elton-Waters to commemorate the launch of the new 2013 Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team. Click here. You can also follow them on Twitter and keep up with them on Facebook.

Tags: cycling, isle of wight, LCM Systems, sponsorship, Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team

A New Low Capacity Tension/Compression Load Cell Launched

February 18th, 2013
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Product News

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new addition to our STA series of S-Type tension/compression load cells. The STA-7 fills a gap in the market for an easy to use small, highly accurate, low capacity load cell with integral overload stops. Typical applications include hanging scales, material test machines, motor dynamometers and general force measurement.

There are 6 standard versions of the new STA-7 load cell with rated loads of 1, 2 5, 10, 25 and 50kg. A unique feature of these load cells is that integral tension and compression overload stops are supplied as standard on all ranges up to 5kg. This means that the load cells are protected against accidental damage up to 500% of the load cell range.

Each load cell is manufactured in lightweight aluminium alloy, weighs only 300g and is supplied with standard metric threads at each end that are designed to accept universal mating spherical rod-end bearings.

Don’t forget, for straightforward application advice, our experienced in-house design engineers are only a phone call or email away and the STA-7 can be supplied on their own or combined with our comprehensive range of instrumentation to provide a complete load monitoring system.

A free downloadable datasheet is available from our website at http://www.lcmsystems.com/sta7data

So, What’s Your Experience with Apprentices?

January 8th, 2013
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Company News

I’m sure you were all grateful that I resisted talking about our employment trials and tribulations here at LCM Systems in my last post. Well, sorry, just one last post.

Apprenticeships. Good or bad idea?

Well, on paper, of course they seem like a great idea. Introducing a motivated, dynamic youngster to the world of work, where they will be paid, trained and you will end up having a employee with all the right skills – well, you trained them, right? And with the difficulty I have had trying to fill our engineering places, I think I might give it a try.

I would love to know if any companies out there who are reading this have had an apprentice and how it worked out. Let me know, please.

Tags: apprenticeships, employment, future of engineering, LCM Systems, load cells

Happy Holidays!

December 25th, 2012
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Miscellaneous

Well, here we are again, Christmas Day – December 25th 2012.

Wishing all our customers and suppliers a very happy holiday!

Load Cell Manufacturer LCM Systems Appointed as Official Distributor for Crosby Shackles

December 14th, 2012
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Product News, Safety issues

We are pleased to announce that we have been appointed as an official distributor for the well-known Crosby range of shackles. Customers who specify and buy our shackle load cells that utilise Crosby products will now benefit from a significant price advantage, but more importantly, from a health and safety perspective will have a more direct route of traceability.

We manufacture and sell a range of shackle load cells, both fixed and wireless, designed for numerous lifting and weighing projects particularly in harsh or rugged environments. They are ideal for use in applications such as under-hook hoist and crane weighing, cable tension monitoring and crane load safety monitoring.

For engineers wanting a wireless, telemetry option, the TELSHACK range uses integral wireless telemetry electronics operating on the 2.4GHz license-free frequency. Two ranges are offered: TELSHACK-D can be used from 12 tonne to 35 tonne, while the TELSHACK-B can be used for applications up to 400 tonne. Both ranges can be supplied with Crosby shackles and experienced design engineers at LCM Systems can provide expert advice on the correct shackle for each application.

For more information on load cell design, call us, LCM Systems, on +44 (0) 1983 249264 or email info@lcmsystems.com

Quality Control – Isle of Wight Roads Melt, Your Application Could Fail

December 1st, 2012
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Safety issues

One of the things that we pride ourselves on here at LCM Systems is to guarantee that all products that leave our premises are very much ‘fit for purpose’ and have undergone the required quality control checks. But are all companies so diligent? It doesn’t seem so. I am always warning companies that when buying load cells and systems that are used in safety critical applications, price can’t always be the overriding factor when making a choice.

And it was brought home to us here in the Isle of Wight when in two warm spells in the Spring and Summer of 2012 our roads melted. What? yep, the roads melted. Does anyone remember it being that hot? I certainly don’t. Well, it turns out that there was a ‘material failure’ with the road surfaces and even in reasonably expected summer temperatures, the roads melted. There is a report here. It cost the contractors a lot of money to put it right. Luckily no lives were put at risk, but that wouldn’t be the case with many of your load cells.

So, If There Are No Graduates, Are Skilled People More or less Likely to Move Jobs?

November 20th, 2012
lcmeileen
No Comments
Posted in Company News, Miscellaneous

So, following on from my last blog entry lamenting the lack of recently qualified graduates who applied for jobs with us here at LCM Systems, I was then looking at the quality of people who did apply. Considering the range of businesses here in the Isle of Wight, I was surprised that we didn’t more people with relevant experience applying for the job.

So, it got me thinking again. In times like these when many companies are downsizing, or maybe moving their manufacturing abroad, are skilled people more likely to stay in their current jobs. It seems so, doesn’t it? SO, what do you think would tempt people to move jobs? Better salary? More Holiday? How easy is it to persuade someone there is increased job satisfaction and security, It’s a hard one for business owners. How do you get round it?

Skilled engineers – hard to come by

Introduced Due to Popular Demand – A New Series of Large Digit Display Indicators

Working ON the Business not Just IN the Business

New Trip Amplifier for Hoist, Winch and Crane Overload Applications Launched

Proudly Sponsoring Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team

A New Low Capacity Tension/Compression Load Cell Launched

So, What’s Your Experience with Apprentices?

Happy Holidays!

Load Cell Manufacturer LCM Systems Appointed as Official Distributor for Crosby Shackles

Quality Control – Isle of Wight Roads Melt, Your Application Could Fail

So, If There Are No Graduates, Are Skilled People More or less Likely to Move Jobs?

Recent Posts

Categories

Socialise with us

Popular Tags

News and Views

Load Cells

Instrumentation

Custom Design

Displacement Sensors