24 May 2017

Advanced Machining and Coil Making Technologies Drive Growth at Rotary Engineering

New technology and changes in key positions are helping fuel the growth of Rotary Engineering.


















Simon Swallow is well known to many AEMT members and customers around the world in the role as Engineering Director. With the recent retirement of Robert Fennell, Simon has now taken over the role of Managing Director. Simon’s new role is still very much at the forefront of the business, maintaining contact with key customers and trade associations and still backed by a great team of engineers.

Simon explained “Robert and I have worked closely and successfully in running Rotary Engineering together for a long time, his retirement and the smoothly implemented succession plan has been slowly phased in during the last few years.”

The financial and operational side of the business is managed by Jane Green. Jane is a Chartered Management Accountant with a background in manufacturing and has been with Rotary since 2011. Jane has now been appointed as Finance Director and has a more strategic role in the business since Robert’s retirement.

So what will change, now that Simon and Jane have taken over? “The direction the company takes was defined before the change in directorships. Rotary will continue focusing on the core areas of business such as coil manufacturing machines, workshop equipment, and magnet repairs” explains Simon. “and recently there has been further development work on our equipment, including spreaders for wind turbine coils.”

Two years ago, Rotary employed the services of Fripp Industrial Design consultants to develop a new product design language (see Journal Vol 15-1 p35). Since they launched the first Coil Spreader, with its aesthetic blue curves, engineering improvements, and functional colour coding, Rotary’s workshop and coil making equipment has become very popular. Most of Rotary’s coil manufacturing and motor rewind equipment has been updated and the team work closely with trusted customers to develop the right solution for every application.

CNC Machine

One of Simon and Jane’s most coveted acquisitions is a new Fanuc Robodrill CNC milling machine. The technology enables the company to bring many jobs in house, saving time, cost, and most of all, offering customers a quicker, more bespoke offering.
Simon explains, “the CNC machine vastly improves our service offering and has given our team a new training opportunity which they have thoroughly enjoyed.”

Taking a close up look at two brand new spreaders sitting on the workshop floor, ready for their customer Sulzer to pick up; Simon pointed out some of the pieces that the milling machine had created. The fingers, which help spread the coils, were machined from solid pieces of metal in a complex 3D shape. As a result Rotary were easily able to respond quickly to the customer requirement for interchangeable fingers with different radii for different coil geometries.

Coil Specialists
Rotary recently developed a coil spreader for permanent magnet generator wind turbine coils. The coil spreader has had to deal with the complexity of the coils desired for permanent magnet machines including complex geometry, tight angles and tough loops. Rotary’s flexibility and approach to customers’ needs mean they can respond effectively to new challenges and deliver equipment that is right for the job.
Coil pressing technology has also been enhanced. Working with customers and insulation suppliers the Rotary range of Coil Presses now feature PLC controls, data logging and dual press facility for the most efficient use of this critical item of plant. Repeatability and control are also enhanced enabling recording of the pressing cycle for future use and data output for quality assurance.

Rotary still manufacture in Sheffield to the same exacting standards, everything is built in house, to order to match specific requirements and visitors are always welcome.
If you are interested in knowing more about the new range of machines please get in touch with Simon Swallow and arrange to visit their headquarters in Sheffield, UK.

Do take the opportunity to visit their website where Rotary have diligently been uploading product videos. www.rotary.co.uk

About Rotary

Rotary Engineering UK Ltd design, manufacture and install workshop equipment for the motor rewind trade and for the high voltage coil manufacturing industry. They also offer refurbishment of workshop equipment and bespoke engineering design and manufacture including the design, manufacture and repair of electro-magnets and associated equipment for the steel and recycling industries.

Visit Rotary's Member page