Lancastle Blog

FME Specials - Floor Prep Strap developed

Thu, 14 May 2015 15:28:00 +0000

Using our design expertese, we are increasingly being asked by our FME cover customers to develop other products to solve handling and other FME issues. An example is the development of 'Floor Prep Straps' These allow cabling to be controlled during maintenance activities using magnetic straps and tails.

New Respiratory Protection customer

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:51:00 +0000

We are pleased to report that we have recently taken on another customer wanting stitched faceseals for use in PAPR respiratory protection devices. As with our other customers who operate in the same sector, we are very careful to ensure the intellectual property relating to designs is strictly controlled ensuring that sensitive information is not disclosed to third parties.

Mobile Phone Radiation blocker developed

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:11:00 +0000

Working with 'cell-phone-radiation.com' Lancastle has developed a mobile phone radiation blocking insert for use in flip phone cases. It fits inside either side opening or end opening flip cases and offers over 90% shielding against both:

Far Field Antenna Microwave radiation emitted from the back of the phone from the many antenna that maintain uninterrupted ease of use and
Near Magnetic Field radiation emitted from the front of the phone (even Apple warn against this potential hazard)

Additionally it can be sublimation printed with customer logos etc

Retractable Lanyard developed

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:35:00 +0000

Working with the nuclear industry, Lancastle has recently developed a low cost retactactable wrist lanyard. It is designed for use with small tools, pencils, pens etc. Key features are:

comfortable adjustable wrist cuff
robust retractor with rachet locking mechanism and easy to use retracting button
1mm plastic coated stainless steel wire
100cm retracting length
large ring for attacment of tools
HiViz orange colour

It is currently under trial.

Magnetic Document Pockets developed

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:41:00 +0000

Building on the success of the Magnetic Tarpaulins, Lancastle has developed a hardwearing Magnetic Document Pocket for industrial use. It is designed with powerful magnets at each corner and can be printed with text of your choice

Lancastle buys Thermal Transfer printer

Tue, 02 Sep 2014 10:32:00 +0000

Lancastle has recently acquired a Thermal Transfer printer enabling us to upgrade our labelling of products with plastic components. As well as product details we can also include bar codes and logos.

Magnetic Tarpaulins launched

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 14:55:00 +0000

Lancastle has again extended the range of Tarpaulins offered, this time to include Magnetic Tarpaulins. Rather than being secured by straps, these covers attach to ferrous equipment using powerful, yet compact Neodymium magnets. The magnets are sewn into the edges of the covers at 15-20cm/6-8” intervals.

Initially, four sizes are offered:

30x30cm
40x40cm
60x50cm
80x70cm

Recycling Box Cover on trial

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:54:00 +0000

Lancaster City Coucil has recently put a Lancastle Recycling Box Cover out on trial. These covers are made from a significantly harder wearing material than the current green polypropylene covers and should last for longer. They are also easier to fit and can be printed with logos, fitting instructions etc.

FME now offered in Hi-Viz yellow

Sat, 15 Feb 2014 14:52:00 +0000

Lancastle is now pleased to offer our FME range of Flange/pipe covers, Box covers and Tarpaulins in Hi-Viz yellow in addition to orange. For Nuclear power customers this opens the possibility of having differing colour covers on reactor and non reactor sides of the station. For other customers this broadens the choice available.

Nov 2013 New FME Tarpaulin sizes

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:51:00 +0000

In response to demand, Lancastle has added three more sizes to our FME tarpaulin range. The small 1m x 1m and 1.5m x 1m tarpaulins enable smaller items to be covered without excess material on the floor creating a trip hazard. The X large 6m x 6m tarpaulin allows coverage of big static items such as turbines.

Higher Specification Flame Retardant Fabrics

Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:51:00 +0000

Working with one of our fabric suppliers, Lancastle have sourced new versions of coated nylon fabrics which perform significantly better in EN533 flame tests. As a result our customers can enjoy additional reassurance when using products made from these fabrics in more hazardous situations.

Flex transfer printing equipment installed

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:50:00 +0000

Lancastle have recently bought a large format plotter allowing application of vinyl flex prints to our products. Given a vector file of a logo or image, the plotter cuts an outline in one colour vinyl which is then fixed to the material using a heat press. The end result gives a quality look for the product and is a good alternative to screen printing.

New Diving Helmet Liner designed

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:49:00 +0000

Lancastle has redesigned a Diving Helmet Liner to provide additional comfort. The liner features a number of removable foam pads which are combined in stages to give the desired level of cushioning. The liner is held in place using nickel plated poppers.

Sublimation printed sportswear redesigned for comfort

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:48:00 +0000

Working for Kingdom of Sport, Lancastle has designed a revised shape range of rugby and football kits in polyester stretch fabric suitable for sublimation printing. The shirts feature more material in the shoulders, slimmer waists and longer backs for a more athletic fit. The shorts are cut higher on the thighs making it more comfortable to run. All sportswear now has overlocked seams with 3 needle coverstitch re-enforcement for extra strength.

Increasing industry applications for foreign material exclusion covers & tarpaulins

Tue, 29 May 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Designed initially for use in the nuclear power industry, our foreign material exclusion covers & tarpaulins are being used more widely in other industrial environments. We have gained a good reputation for our hard-wearing, standardised product range using anti-static material and short delivery lead times for bespoke printed orders.

New skull and crossbones Fun Patch

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000

We’ve added to our range of Fun Patches….. These new skull and crossbones black fabric Fun Patches have all the same design features as the original fun patches plus a vinyl transfer in assorted colours and finishes, including glow in the dark, neon and sparkles. The patches are made from soft breathable material that keeps its shape even after washing and is comfortable and fun to wear. The patch attaches inside of the glasses frame and is shaped to follow the contours of the face, ensuring proper occlusion. Colour options: Sparkle - blue, red, orange, silver, pink. Neon - pink, green, yellow, orange. Glow in the dark white.

New cutting equipment installed

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:43:00 +0000

New cutting table installed …… reducing labour time and material waste. It is always our aim to invest in new machinery to enable us to efficiently manufacture quality sewn products, here, in the UK.

Lancastle invests in sublimation print equipment to improve the clarity and quality of printed items

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:43:00 +0000

Newly installed sublimation print presses are a good addition to our existing printing capabilities, allowing bespoke, bold, colour printing to polyester, resulting in a wash safe, non peel marking. We have recently used this new machinery to produce numbered competitor tabards for the 2011 World Sheep Dog Trials which will be used by dog handlers arriving from 23 nations.

Lancastle is pleased to have been working with Kay Pictures Ltd for the last 6 months, having achiev

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:41:00 +0000

Designed by an experienced orthoptist, The Kay Fun Patch is a children’s eye patch, providing a stylish and successful occlusion treatment for amblyopia (commonly referred to as “lazy eye”). With lots of fabric patterns to choose from and made from washable, soft, cushioned, breathable fabric, The Kay Fun Patch is comfortable and cost effective.

Having successfully streamlined the manufacturing process to produce quality assured, consistent patches, Lancastle is currently working on new designs. For more information, go to kayfunpatch.com.

Lancastle is refurbished and re-organised, resulting in enhanced work flow and improved working con

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:39:00 +0000

Lancastle is in the process of a general refurbishment and re-organisation programme, which has already improved our work flow and enhanced working conditions for our team of staff. Our production facilty has been re-floored, re-wired and we have been able to improve our stock holding facilities.

Lancastle is awarded a 3 year contract for the supply of Foreign Material Exclusion covers to EDF En

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:38:00 +0000

We are delighted to have worked with the team of FME Co-ordinators from Heysham 1 & 2, Dungeness B, Hartlepool, Hinckley Point B, Hunterston B, Sizewell B and Torness Power Stations to produce a range of flange covers, tarpaulins, and box covers used during maintenance processes within the nuclear power industry.

Jan 2011 Phoenix Safety transfers the manufacture of Air Supplied Respirators to Deltalyo & Valmy S

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:37:00 +0000

Phoenix Safety – an established Health & Safety manufacturing and design consultancy business, primarily in the Respiratory Protection sector – has taken the decision to concentrate its efforts on the design consultancy side of the business. From January 2011, onwards, the manufacture of Air Supplied Respirators, will be transferred to Detalyo & Valmy based in Roanne, France.

Lancastle launches a new range of Foreign Material Exclusion (FME) maintenance covers

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:05:00 +0000

Working together with the nuclear industry, Lancastle have launched a new range of high specification Foreign Material Exclusion maintenance covers. The design process involved a comprehensive review of currently available product and two full scale user trials. As a result, our new range is significantly more hard wearing and easier to use than many competitor products. Please see our FME page for details of sizes and types available.

Mobile phone users not aware of possible health effects of holding phones too close to body

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:04:00 +0000

A report on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme suggested that some users of mobile phones are not sufficiently aware of the possible heath effects of using them. Apparently, one prominent manufacturer advises that the phone should be held at least 15cm away from the body to minimise the effects of radiation. Another solution is to use a phone sock that incorporates radiation blocking material.

September 2010. Lancastle improves factory layout to improve work flow

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:02:00 +0000

The management team has recently benefitted from a days hands on help from the Management Advisory Service (aka The Manufacturing Institute). Stuart Mitten from MAS assisted us to analyse work flows for our higher volume products and improve factory layout.

As a result of this exercise we have moved most of the machines to differing postions, created a new packing area and rebuilt our raw material storage areas.

The revised layout is already working well and has cut down handling time between processes.