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TecQuipment, leading provider of high quality educational equipment for engineering disciplines has today acquired certain assets of Cussons Technology Ltd, including the Intellectual Property specifically associated with the Engineering Educational Division and also certain physical assets such as manufacturing equipment and Educational product stock. The remaining part of Cussons Technology, the Marine Hydrodynamics & Industrial Division, is not included in this asset acquisition.

The asset acquisition will allow TecQuipment to rapidly expand the company’s range of engineering teaching products, and offer customers a greater degree of choice within existing product areas.

Following the administration of Cussons Technology Ltd on 17th October, TecQuipment began talks that would bring together the technology from two of the oldest engineering teaching equipment providers in the world, both based in the UK. This has come to fruition today, in the confirmation of the deal to acquire the agreed assets.

Simon Woods, TecQuipment’s Managing Director commented “TecQuipment is dedicated to being the leading provider of engineering teaching equipment to universities and colleges around the world, by delivering premium quality products, with unrivalled customer service. This asset acquisition is part of an ongoing strategy to offer an ever more comprehensive range and depth of engineering teaching products. It particularly strengthens areas such as the teaching of sustainable energy and steam power, along with further bolstering teaching capabilities related to topics including aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, process control and engines.”

Addressing the customers and agents of the Engineering Education Division of Cussons Technology, “We appreciate that this is an uncertain time for customers and agents of Cussons Technology Ltd, and wish to reassure the market that we will endeavour to assist in meeting their educational teaching equipment needs in the smoothest means possible. As a result we have set up a dedicated team to deal with such enquires that is headed up by TecQuipment’s Sales and Marketing Director Jon Chicken.” Explains Simon Woods.

About TecQuipment

TecQuipment is the leading provider of high quality educational equipment for engineering disciplines. The products allow students and educators to perform practical experiments to illustrate engineering principles relating to aerodynamics, control engineering, process control, hydraulics and fluid mechanics, material testing and properties, structures, renewable energies, mechanics and dynamics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, along with electrical power systems.

The company was founded 61 years ago by the Head of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham and the Managing Director of a clock making company. Over this period, TecQuipment has grown in recognition of its reliable and robust products that are all designed and manufactured to the ISO9001 standard in Nottinghamshire, UK, delivered with a 5-year warranty. The products are used by students and educators across the world, in over 1500 establishments in more than 100 countries.

www.tecquipment.com

About Cussons Technology Limited

Cussons Technology was founded in 1876 and specialised in the development and manufacture of teaching and research equipment for mechanical engineering and allied subjects. Their customers were tertiary educational establishments worldwide, research institutes and government training establishments and the research departments of national and multinational companies. The company went into administration on 17t h October 2019.

www.cussons.co.uk

Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning programs at post-secondary institutions across Canada are designed to give students a broad set of skills.

AYVA offers a variety of training equipment from different manufacturers to support the respective courses. Be sure to visit the HRAC section of our website and/or speak with a Product Specialist from AYVA to find the trainers that best meets your needs and budgets.

Sheridan College recently acquired one of our Refrigeration Cycle Demonstration trainers from our French partner – Erides – and were pleased to learn that a Product Specialist comes to install the equipment and provide a full day of training.  Customers like University of Toronto have purchased 6 of these same trainers with the latest data acquisition built-in and they are being used by both the Chemical and Mechanical Engineering Departments.

One of the early adopters of these trainers in Canada was NBCC and they have provided a glowing reference site because their students say it is the best training system for truly understanding the processes:

“All of the students that have the opportunity to see the [Eridès] Refrigeration Trainer in operation and do their lab report based on readings really get a lot out of it. Interesting to note: Our refrigeration tech was fascinated by the unit. He is a very experienced technician, and he was simply amazed at seeing the thermodynamic cycle in action. Typically, refrigeration technicians follow pressure and temperature readings, and gauging from his reaction, they most times give little thought to the phase changes that take place inside the guts of the unit.”

Daniel Saulnier
Enseignant, CCNB

The air conditioning trainers from Erides are also popular, with one of the most recent ones being delivered to University of Manitoba.

We also offer both Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Trainers from a leading British manufacturer – TecQuipment (TQ)- and the time has never been better to buy this equipment with the Canadian dollar strengthening against the British Pound.  We have numerous installations across the country who can speak to how this laboratory equipment has been well received by their students.  Most recently, Vancouver Island University and Northern Lakes College in the west and Universite de Quebec and Queens University added one or more TQ Trainers to improve their teaching labs.

If you would like to speak with one of the educators about the products, service, documentation, etc we would be pleased to introduce you to one of our satisfied customers.

Repeatability and longevity are just a few reasons why the University of Regina keeps returning to TecQuipment for engineering teaching equipment. This University in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan has been purchasing TecQuipment teaching products from the company since the late 1960s.

Within the faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Laboratory Instructor Dean Milton runs a Fluid Mechanics laboratory, with lab sessions for students studying degree courses in Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Petroleum Engineering.

Over the years, they have purchased five generations of TecQuipment’s Hydraulic Bench and associated experiments. Their first generation Hydraulic Bench introduced in the late 1960s is still in fully functional order.

Milton captured why they choose TecQuipment’s products, “Repeatability when it comes to running experiments to prove theory, is the number one reason we stick with these products. I know that my students are going to get good, consistent reliable results. I also know they are going to last. The fact that equipment the University bought over half a century ago is still working says it all. This isn’t just because they are designed and built really well, it’s also down to these products being really good to maintain.”

Equipment that lasts a working lifetime

The five year warranty offered with TecQuipment products tells only part of the story. Detailed manuals that cover maintenance, as well as teaching guidelines, theory and workbooks for students, give academics the details required to perform routine maintenance. The support provided by local sales agents and the TecQuipment Customer Service’s team at TecQuipment’s headquarters, ensure problems get solved no matter how long the product has been in service.

Agents around the world

Milton talked highly of the local TecQuipment agent in Canada, AYVA Educational Solutions:

“The AVYA experience is great! Their post-sale technical support is unparalleled.” 

TecQuipment works with 60 plus agents around the world, supported by a strong team of export personnel based in the UK HQ.

Modular products make incremental investment easy and decrease lab set-up time

Many products within the Fluid Mechanics range from TecQuipment are modular. Not only does this mean that investments can be done incrementally, but it also makes lab set-up time quicker and easier.

Milton commented: “I’m often running two lab sessions at one time in two different rooms. Being able to use the base module like the Hydraulic Bench and quickly be able to switch out the experimental modules makes running a tight schedule of laboratory sessions possible. With a few of my own modifications like adding quick connects and valves I can make this changeover even slicker.”

The University of Regina recently purchased eight of the newest Digital Hydraulic Benches from TecQuipment. While many of their older benches were still in good functioning order, the decision was made to update to the latest model with digital flow and capacity measurement capabilities, which ultimately means that experiments can be performed much more quickly. The older units have been donated to a local college. With the Hydraulic Benches the University uses the following experiments:

Upgrades to increase the product’s lifetime

As new product upgrades have been made available, the University of Regina has been quick to seize these opportunities to extend the life of their products. Their Losses in Piping Experiment purchased in the 1990s was recently upgraded with an electronic pressure measurement system. This has improved the accuracy of the experiment results and eliminated the use of mercury in the apparatus.

Engineering understanding for local environmental challenges

Milton was explaining how in Canada the region experiences many challenges with infiltration of water into the basements of buildings. In response to this, the University purchased the Hydrology and Rainfall Apparatus that simulates rain and moving storms over a permeable medium. It also demonstrates hydrology phenomenon such as erosion caused by water flow and watersheds for simulated islands with rainfall and well flows.

Factory visit

TecQuipment encourages people from around the world to visit their factory in Nottingham, UK where the equipment is designed and manufactured all under one roof.

Milton noted that “After visiting the factory and having a meet and greet with the key players I was left with a great confidence in dealing with the people of TecQuipment. I know I can call and speak to people about any problems I might have with the equipment.”

During his visit, Dean Milton demonstrated the Digital Hydraulic Bench. Watch the video below.

Sheridan College (Davis Campus) conducted their 3rd annual Skills Competition on March 4th, 2020, a day dedicated to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the students from various programs within the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology. Previously, professors selected their top students to compete in the Skills Ontario competition but with Sheridan’s new Skills Trade Centre, a more engaging way to select the students was brought forward.

Participants choose one stream and put their skill and knowledge to the test while engaging in a friendly competition with their peers. Some of the various streams included electrical engineering, information technology, precision machining, computer engineering, media management, web design, and welding.

 

AYVA was proud to be a sponsor for this years’ event. It was an honour to be able to witness the extraordinary projects presented by the students.

At the end the competitions, students and sponsors were gathered together for the presentation of the awards.

First, second and third place medals (which are made by the skills trade facility!) are awarded to the students.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants in this year’s competition!

Did you know that Automation Engineers are near the top of Canada’s Ten Most in Demand Jobs for 2019?  Students who have access to robotics training – both at the college and university level – will surely have a significant advantage when embarking on their chosen careers.

KUKA Robotics is a preeminent German manufacturer of industrial robots and they are ranked number one in Europe and number two worldwide.  Here at AYVA we are elated to have been chosen as their educational partner.

 

KUKA Robots have been acquired by industry leaders such as Tesla (auto), Boeing (aero) and Disney (entertainment) and they are the only industrial robot currently found in Operating Rooms.

KUKA’s Ready-to-Educate Carts pictured above are a mobile solution for updating robotics and automation labs.  Educators can choose from a variety of training cells featuring the latest industrial arm.  Everything is in a single package:  gripper, magazine with cubes, pen, paper holding frame and hot wire practice kit.  Exercises and levels of difficulty can be customized to meet one’s needs.

The KUKA program has been adopted by numerous institutions across Canada to teach students operational skills, fundamentals and control technology programming.  Over the past year, University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic in the West and University of Toronto and Centennial in the East have added multiple training cells at each location.

Students whose instructors have completed KUKA’s Programming Courses are presented with the Manufacturer’s Certified Training Certificate at the end of their course – to one day assist in their job search.

If you would like to learn more and possibly organize a tour of the KUKA Canada facility or join us at an Upcoming Manufacturing Conference call 1-877-967-2726.

Originally published on TecQuipment’s website May 2019.

With so much interest in additive manufacturing (AM), two academics at Southampton Solent University decided to investigate using Additive Manufacturing to construct more complex geometry vanes for TecQuipment’s ‘Impact of a Jet’ experiment that is used at the university by students on the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree.

Blog Contribution, by Rob Benham, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Engineering Science at Southampton Solent University

The duo set out to see how the combination of this new technology could be used to optimise model design.

Vanes are made from a ‘visijet M3 crystal’ material (a thermosetting polymer with good strength and acceptable toughness for this application). Vanes were printed with 16 microns print resolution, so that fine details and intricate changes in geometry can be achieved.

For this initial research, the number of vanes included:

  • Duplicated hemispherical vane (for direct comparison to the aluminium alloy type supplied)
  • Domed vane based on the top half of an egg (generated by computer-aided design)
  • Hemispherical vane with 1.5 mm dimples and one with 4.5 mm diameter dimples.

Flow rates were recorded and plotted (as shown below).

The exit profiles of the fluids differed greatly. The egg-shaped vane showing very strong similarity to the small dimpled surface, but with much less vibration on the system. At max flow the profile is very different for the egg-shaped vane, as shown below.

The system was also modelled using finite element analysis software and computational fluid dynamic modelling. Results showed very good similarity to experimental data, with excellent repeatability for this experiment. By modifying the surface with small dimples, the results are similar to an egg-shaped vane. Exit profiles of the fluids at different flow rates and vibrational amplitudes were also looked at.

Rob Benham, leading the research, says: “The CFD was particularly useful with estimating the exit velocities of the fluid, which is not possible with the complex geometries and limited with simple vane designs; the fact that the simulation showed good comparisons is promising.” His colleague, Dr Fayyaz Rehman, spent a lot of time on the simulation while Rob spent a many hours in the lab repeating the experiment with different vanes and flow rates. “In addition to this testing, there is a clear link to the exciting outcomes of TecQuipment’s Thermo-fluids Competition that was held earlier this year, since the progression of this clearly needs to focus on the nozzle design. Optimization is the next step.” Rob adds.

The research will be published in the conference proceedings at this year’s International Conference in Manufacturing Research (ICMR) 2019. This will be hosted at Queen’s University, Belfast between 10th September – 12th September 2019.

Originally published on TQ’s website – https://www.tecquipment.com/case-studies/open-channel-flow-equipment-at-the-university-of-derby

Reliability, expansive functionality, customer service and competitive price were the main reasons why the University of Derby chose to invest in a sizeable piece of fluid mechanics equipment from TecQuipment.

Expanding Facilities

With the completion of the University of Derby’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) centre, the academic team were very keen on expanding their fluid mechanics and hydraulics capabilities. They turned to the engineering education equipment market to source a large flow channel that would be accurate, provide excellent visualisation of flow channel characteristics whilst also being flexible enough to perform a wide range of experiments for undergraduate and postgraduate study and research. The limited space available within the newly built STEM centre meant that the challenge was on to deliver a 10 metre flow channel that would fit in-between pillars with a relatively low ceiling, while still enabling students to move around the apparatus.

Reducing Experiment Time While Increasing Depth of Study

TecQuipment offers a range of flume/flow channel lengths and widths to suit the space available and learning outcomes required. From the narrower channels of 50mm width and 2.5 metres long, through to the wider 300mm width channels available in 2.5 metre steps between 5 metres, and 15 metres.

It was the wider 300mm flume/flow channel in 10 metres (FC300-10) that the University of Derby selected for their fluids laboratory. Not only was this equipment larger than their existing flow channel and therefore made it easier to see the specific phenomenon such as hydraulic jump, it also had much more advanced measurement functionality. That functionality coupled with TecQuipment’s Versatile Data Acquisition System (VDAS) connected to a 32-way pressure display unit allowed for more in depth study and research.

Mathew Whomsley, (Technical Instructor) at the University of Derby commented: “The addition of VDAS also meant that the experiments could be performed much more quickly, taking a fraction of the time it would have done previously.”

The Space Challenge

The limited physical size of the room with its various pillars and low ceiling was a point of concern for the team at the University of Derby.

“One of the biggest constraints in our original specification was the space constraints in the room. TecQuipment were exemplary when dealing with this, by conducting a site survey of the space and having discussions about key dimensions within the room, such as columns. TecQuipment subsequently provided the University with floor plans and 3D views of the flume within the room, to give us peace of mind that the equipment will be useable within our space requirements,” explained Whomsley.

Returning Time and Time Again

The University of Derby already had a range of TecQuipment products within their engineering department and were confident in the quality of the products and ongoing customer support available, which contributed to the decision to select TecQuipment over other equipment providers.

Summarising, Whomsley explained: “Overall, our excellent history with TecQuipment is the reason we continue to purchase equipment through them. Their team is always friendly, helpful, and they offer good equipment at a reasonable price.”

The University of Derby Climbs the League Tables

The University of Derby has recently gained a significant increase in credibility, particularly among universities offering mechanical engineering undergraduate and post graduate degrees within the UK, ranking 18th  in the 2019 Guardian University League Tables. In another league table offered by the Times, they are ranked the 13th best university in the UK for teaching quality.

In addition, the team at the University of Derby has a mission-focused outlook that aims to continue to attract well-motivated undergraduate and postgraduate civil engineering students, and prepare them for work within the growing water sector, offering a full range of courses in civil engineering (ie. MEng, MSc, BEng and BSc).

A Professional and Knowledgeable Team

“The experience throughout the whole process of buying the flume from TecQuipment has been very good. From when the order of the flume went in, we were given regular updates on the progress of the flume, alongside reliable delivery schedules. During the installation and induction, the team were professional and knowledgeable on both the practical and theoretical aspects of the flume,” explained Whomsley.

“TecQuipment are well established as a provider of innovative and well developed science and technology equipment to the education sector, and having previous experience of the services offered and their reliability, then as a local supplier TecQuipment fit our needs. Installation of the equipment went smoothly including thoughtful and dedicated induction for both technicians and academics; the example experiments including example data are particularly useful. To date the FC300 flume/flow channel has been very effective in contributing to our objectives,” concluded Whomsley. 

LEYBOLD’s X-RAY Apparatus impresses with its superior safety concept, and its continuously improved capabilities and features. Six different X-ray tubes (with different anode materials) are available, which is a unique feature for an educational X-RAY apparatus.

It sets new standards in resolution and intensity in the field of education worldwide. The high resolution of the Bragg spectra is impressive, as is the new high-resolution X-ray image sensor, the reliable X-ray energy detector and the gold tube.
The modular structure of the system enables both a low-cost introduction and advanced applications for several different test subjects.

Dianne Beveridge and Sean McLaughlin from AYVA traveled to CFB Esquimalt in Victoria to commission a new Fluid Power Lab and meet with key members of the Naval Training and Development Center last week.

Also present was Doug Wilson, the Training Specialist from Bosch Rexroth who is pictured above conducting the in-class and hands-on training with the popular DS4NA Hydraulics Systems.

These Flagship Trainers will also be installed at the Atlantic Fleet School in Halifax with training to take place later this summer.

For more information on Bosch’s complete offering for Fluid Power Labs involving Mobile Hydraulics, Proportional Hydraulics please click here.

"We appreciate Pignat's willingness to partner with the university to customize a pilot training system that fits both our needs - and our budget. I want to thank AYVA for arranging a visit to Pignat's factory in France so I could meet the design engineers and see first-hand the attention to detail at every step of the manufacturing process. I especially want to thank my hosts at Pignat for their hospitality during my stay in Lyon. I really had a good time testing our CO2 absorption/stripping unit and seeing all the nice equipment in the plant."


Dr. John Zhang
University of Waterloo

"We have recently acquired six KUKA robots for our Controls and Robotics Lab at the University of Toronto. Not only we are very impressed with the quality and performance of the units, but we are also very pleased with the level of service and professionalism we encountered from AYVA. They have provided a continuous channel through which we could interface with KUKA and fulfill our technical demands from the time of procurement, through to installation, training of personnel and commissioning. It has been a textbook case on how to support laboratory work in higher education."

Bruno Korst, P.Eng.
Director, Teaching Labs

"Out of all the data acquisition systems I'm aware of, nothing approaches the convenience of the PASCO 850 interface. Between the broad range of available sensors and the simplicity of starting data acquisition, a wide range of tasks that would be incredibly complicated otherwise can be automated in minutes ... We have dedicated computers and 850 interfaces at each station in our labs so that data acquisition can be accomplished easily by our students whenever needed."

Gideon Humphrey
University of Toronto

"All of the students that have the opportunity to see the [Eridès] Refrigeration Trainer in operation and do their lab report based on readings really get a lot out of it. Interesting to note: Our refrigeration tech was fascinated by the unit. He is a very experienced technician, and he was simply amazed at seeing the thermodynamic cycle in action. Typically, refrigeration technicians follow pressure and temperature readings, and gauging from his reaction, they most times give little thought to the phase changes that take place inside the guts of the unit.'



Daniel Saulnier
CCNB



Daniel Saulnier
CCNB

"I have used AYVA wireless dataloggers in my biomedical labs and found that the reliable signal processing capability was well suited to my research requirements. I appreciated the prompt delivery and the excellent service that I received from your team before and after the sale. I am hoping to purchase additional units."


Dr. Pierre Savard
École Polytechnique de Montreal

"AYVA has provided us with excellent support in getting training equipment that will enhance our chemical engineering labs. We have had the opportunity to work with their knowledgeable staff as well as representatives from TecQuipment and PIGNAT. We especially appreciated Sean McLaughlin, Technical Services Manager’s time and expertise when we purchased the H83 from TecQuipment. He was extremely responsive and resourceful during the on-site installation."


Sivasubramaniam Ganeshalingam
University of Waterloo

"I am a long-time user of TecQuipment products - in particular the Modular Structures Range as well as other Materials Testing equipment. I find the modules (over 10) very easy to set up and, more importantly, my students find them extremely easy to use as they move from station to station conducting a wide variety of measurements related to structures and materials. Each experiment can be completed in 30 to 45 minutes and I can accommodate several students working in groups of three. It is a great addition to both my Basic Structures and Hyperstatic Structures courses."


Dr. Gérard Poitras
University of Moncton

"I have worked with the AYVA team to upgrade my Mechanical Engineering lab. We have not only been provided with excellent pre-sale service but we also received valuable support after we placed our order. We were provided access to a number of resources which we were able to use to develop our own customized labs for the students. The structures equipment from TecQuipment is being used to teach student groups in several courses at the undergraduate level. There is minimal setup required and students are easily able to switch between experiments. The excellent quality of the TQ manuals has enabled us to design our labs with relative ease. The equipment was delivered on schedule and the AYVA team has been very diligent in following up and providing us with the resources we need in a timely fashion."


Dr. H.J. Kwon
University of Waterloo

"I’m very pleased with the fast and professional service that I’ve received from AYVA Educational Solutions. I am able to contact an AYVA representative any day of the week and receive a prompt response. AYVA’s representatives are happy and willing to accommodate any changes, modifications and suggestions. I highly recommend using AYVA Educational Services to meet your educational needs."


Sonny Hegde
SAIT Polytechnic

"Bosch Rexroth’s hydraulics bench is really great! Robust, easy to use, and it offers the possibility to expand and add components to keep up with new technologies. My students are always motivated while working with the bench and I now understand why it has such a strong reputation. It is impossible to regret this purchase!"


Marc Boudreau
Kativik School Board

 

"TecQuipment's structures line was chosen to enhance the learning experience of our engineering students. The products were delivered in a timely manner and were easy to set up. After-sales support has been very accommodating, allowing us to modify the experiment manuals as we saw fit, giving us flexibility in learning objectives. Students have shown great interest, and have found operating the units to be easy and simple."


Riad Rajab
York University

"In recent years, there has been a growing demand for engineering equipment in the undergraduate labs at the University of Guelph as we have expanded our program. AYVA has been proactive and assisted us diligently in addressing all our equipment needs. We now proudly showcase both PASCO and TecQuipment products in our teaching labs. The quality of the equipment and teaching material is exceptional. AYVA offers a broad range of equipment well suited to our various engineering disciplines and we look forward to exploring their extended product offering in the future."


Dr. Shohel Mahmud
University of Guelph

"I have worked with the AYVA team since they launched in 2008 to equip our Science and Engineering labs. They have consistently gone above and beyond to ensure that we were prepared to meet our curricular goals and deadlines. I have been impressed by the breadth and quality of the lines they represent. We have purchased both PASCO and TQ equipment to enhance our teaching labs."


Andrew Orton
Sheridan College

"I’m often running two lab sessions at one time in two different rooms. Being able to use the base module like TecQuipment's Hydraulic Bench and quickly be able to switch out the experimental modules makes running a tight schedule of laboratory sessions possible. With a few of my own modifications like adding quick connects and valves I can make this changeover even slicker. The AVYA experience is great! Their post-sale technical support is unparalleled."

Dean Milton,
University of Regina

"Our mechanical engineering department recently wanted to upgrade our Gas Dynamics Laboratory in conjunction with our newly added aerospace program.  After extensive research, we decided to purchase the AF27 Nozzle Flow Apparatus and the AF300  Intermittent Supersonic Wind Tunnel from TecQuipment with all the accessories including the VDAS Data Acquisition System.  We are happy to report our investment has been well worth it.  A perfect fit for our undergraduate laboratory.  Students are raving how “cool” the units are and the relative ease to obtain accurate data.  The laboratory size supersonic wind tunnel has been a big hit.  At Mach 1.8, viewing the shock waves and expansion fans on an airfoil using the included Schlieren Apparatus has never been easier and more clear.  The people at AYVA were amazing in helping us install the equipment.  They answered all our question in a timely manner and delivered on time.  The equipment is very well designed and built to last for a long time."


Peter Sakaris,
Concordia University

AYVA Educational Solutions | 7-233 Speers Road, Oakville ON L6K 0J5 | Toll Free: 1-877-967-2726 | Phone: 905-337-8486