We are delighted to announce Arburg UK have replaced the ARBURG ALLROUNDER 320C 500 170 50 tonne machine that was sited at First Polymer Training Skillnet in Athlone with a new ARBURG ALLROUNDER 420C 1000 290 100 tonne Golden Edition machine. The 50 tonne machine has been sold by Arburg to an Irish company. The switch over will take place in early May. This machine is equipped with the latest SELOGICA Direct touch screen control.

The relationship between FPT and ARBURG stretches back many years and this is continuing by siting another machine in our facility with a number of  objectives. These include the machine being used in wide range of our training courses, these courses are listed below for your reference. 

     
Injection Moulding Module 1
 
Injection Moulding Module 2
 
Injection Moulding Module 3
 
Injection Moulding Module 4

Design of Experiments
 
Smed- Fast Changeovers
 
Plastics Materials, Processing and Testing
 
Maintenance Electrical

ARBURG have been working with Irish based moulders extensively for over thirty five years and in that time have built up a large and diverse customer base in many different sectors of the market with diverse applications including multi-component, LSR, electronics, packaging, contact lenses and medical markets.
With regards to this last category, ARBURG have supplied  a large number of machines for clean room applications in some cases with customer specific automation.

Colin Tirel Managing Director of ARBURG Ltd commented “We are pleased to continue the close working relationship with the team at First Polymer Training and play our part in supporting the Irish plastics industry”.

www.arburg.co.uk

An opportunity for industry partners to investigate a research area of interest while availing of expertise and facilities at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). Please click here for more details-

AIT Industry Masters Degree by Research

First Polymer Training Skillnet was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award in the ‘Networks and Groups’ category at the annual IITD (Irish Institute of Training and Development) awards on Friday 9^th March 2012 in the Killashee House Hotel in Naas. This award is an acknowledgement of all of our efforts in continuing to develop and deliver relevant certified training to our sector and also providing technical training and meaningful work placements to jobseekers in 2011.

First Polymer Training Skillnet also won this award in 2010.

Left to right- Edel Garavan, Catherine Collins ( both First Polymer Training),  Sinead Marron (IITD President), Noreen Fitzpatrick(Skillnets Ltd) and Marian Byron (IBEC- Plastics Ireland).

Left to right- Marian Byron (IBEC- Plastics Ireland) , Sinead Marron (IITD President),  Catherine Collins and Edel Garavan (both First Polymer Training)

For further  information contact Paul Blackie-  Tel 09064/78239 mobile 087/2873405 email: p2blackie@yahoo.ie

Who should attend this course: 11 June 2012 – 15 June 2012

This course is aimed at Plastic part and mould designers, R&D engineers, or any plastic processing technical staff wishing to update their understanding of plastic materials and material selection.

Read more and book a place on this course

First Polymer Training Skillnet, IT Sligo, AIT and polymer industry collaborate to address ‘acute’ skills shortage

First graduates of online Polymer Processing BEng conferred 

The first graduates of a unique course in Polymer Processing delivered jointly by IT Sligo and Athlone Institute of Technology were conferred recently, addressing what has been a growing skills shortage in the area nationally.

The BEng in Polymer Processing was designed in 2009 in collaboration with First Polymer Training Skillnet to address what was a growing shortage of skills in the polymer (plastics) area. The degree was designed after a series of meetings with the networks steering group, industry groups and selected member companies, as well as a comprehensive survey of the skills needs of the industry which determined that there was an ‘urgent’ need to address a skills shortage.

The course demonstrates the value of open and constructive engagement between industry and academic institutions. This is the only qualification of its kind currently available on the island of Ireland and is delivered online chiefly as a distance learning programme, with some practical sessions scheduled throughout the year.

The Polymer industry is an important manufacturing industry in Ireland, with an annual turnover of €1,986 million.

Head of School of Engineering at IT Sligo, Frank Carter said the online element of the course offered important flexibility for the students, who could remain in employment while undertaking the training required for upskilling. IT Sligo is the national leader in online education delivery and as the employment market contracts, flexibility in learning has never been more important. ‘We work closely with industry and with other education institutions, where possible, to address employment needs in the workplace and the BEng in Polymer Processing is a tangible example of this type of collaboration in operation, he said.

First Polymer Training Skillnet and a number of leading companies in the polymer industry initiated the development of the course when an urgent need for skilled graduates in the growing industry become apparent; ‘We approached IT Sligo because of their excellent track record in online delivery which has made it very accessible to students, many of whom are working full-time. We look forward to continuing our support for this programme, which is fulfilling an acute industry need,’ said Catherine Collins, First Polymer Training Skillnet. 

Austin Hanley, Head of School of Engineering at AIT, said that the success of the programme is encouraging of future collaboration; ‘The skill sets that are combined by these two institutions are appropriately married to meet this market need. On the one hand IT Sligo’s proven expertise in on-line programme delivery offers a ready and easily accessible platform for learners in industry. On the other hand, AIT’s long-standing leadership as a national centre for polymer development offers the benefits of access to state of the art facilities and to research leaders. The initial running of the programme has been successful and is encouraging of future collaboration.’

Funding for a number of the places on the course was provided by Skillnets. Programme Support Manager with Skillnets Mat Kujawa said it is confident that the course is contributing positively to the polymer industry; ‘Skillnets is delighted to have supported the development and delivery of the BEng in Polymer Processing. This programme, which is the only qualification of its kind in Ireland, has helped address skill shortages experienced by the plastics industry through the delivery of up-to-date, flexible training and we are confident that these newly acquired skills will make a real difference in the workplace.’

Marian Byron, Director of Industrial Products & Services Group with IBEC said that it’s important that academic institutions and industry work together in this way to react to skills shortages in important industries like polymer; more than 11,000 people are employed in the plastics sector in Ireland and it’s essential that we ensure that our workforce are skilled to the level that employers need in order to sustain that level of employment here,’ she said. 

The Employer’s Perspective

Pat Whyte of Irish Micro Mouldings in Inverin in Co Galway, was one of the employers involved in the development of the course and an employee of his company is amongst the first cohort of graduates from the BEng; ‘This course has filled a huge gap in education and training of much needed Plastics Engineers in several industries particularly the medical device area, which was of particular interest to us. We are delighted to have one of our employees Jonathan Martin as one of the first graduates. Since the start of the course Jonathan has taken on more plastics based projects with great gusto and enthusiasm and Irish Micro Mouldings were already reaping the benefits long before the course finished. This was a win-win for all involved,’ he said.

Each of the graduates were presented with a graduation memento on the day, on behalf of First Polymer Training Skillnet. Making the presentations were Pat Whyte ( Irish Micro Mouldings & FPT Steering Group), Catherine Collins(First Polymer Training(FPT) Network Manager), John Goor( JL Goor Ltd and FPT Steering Group Chairman) and Mat Kujawa (Programme Support Manager with Skillnets Ltd.)


Barry Hennessy

Information on this Distance Learning Degree programme:

Would you like to gain credit/exemptions for programmes that you have already completed with First Polymer Training Skillnet, or for other relevant study or work experience?

Are you interested in gaining a B Eng. Degree in Plastics, through distance learning part time education?

Would you like to attend online lectures when and where you want?

If so, working in partnership with the School of Engineering at IT Sligo and Athlone IT, we have developed the right programme for you!

B Eng in Polymer Processing

A Blended Learning Level 7 Engineering Degree focused on polymer technology is currently available from First Polymer Training Skillnet in conjunction with both Sligo & Athlone Institutes of Technology.

Developed specifically for us, applicants must hold a Level 6 qualification, i.e. a National Certificate or Higher Certificate in an appropriate engineering discipline, or a relevant National Craft Certificate or Senior Trades Certificate with adequate industrial experience, or an equivalent qualification. Students can complete this programme on a part- time basis in just two years.
Part funding is also currently available for participants, please contact us for more details.

Please contact us if you are interested in enrolling on this programme. 
Check out B..Engineering in Polymer Processing for more information

First Polymer Training hosted a new one day event aimed at increasing perfomance and efficiency in the processing of plastics in November 2011. Those that attended this free event had access to a range of equipment, services and knowledge that helped enable them increase their competitive edge and gain strength in the marketplace.

The day contained presentations and live demonstrations from

First Polymer Training
Much of the useful information available on injection moulding machines is overlooked when troubleshooting inconsistent output and moulding defects. Many clues to the root cause of defects and process inconsistency are freely available on modern moulding machines.
Stephen O’ Leary will present a review of the variety of information that the moulding machine gives out, with examples of how this data helped to piece the puzzle together during root cause analysis of various moulding tool trials and troubleshooting projects.
Kistler is the leading international manufacturer of pressure and temperature sensors for the plastics processing industry and on the day will present

Kistler Instruments

• Introduction to Cavity Pressure measurement.

• Sensor selection + Single wire cabling system.

• CoMo Injection monitoring and control system.

• CoMo DataCentre – Quality documentation.

• Multiflow – Automatic hot runner balancing.

• Practical system demonstrations

Hi-Tech Automation
Specialist automation integrators for the injection moulding industry. They will be demonstrating a Fanuc six axis robot with vision system.

IQMS
Providers of Manufacturing and ERP software.

Lacerta Technology
Polymer analysing equipment. Demonstrating the identiPoIQA plastic materials analysis equipment.

Cooper Technology
Providers of high specification screws, tip assemblies and injection units for the plastics industry.

This is a free event and lunch will also be provided. Places are limited so please complete the registration form below and email it to us as soon as possible, if you wish to reserve a place.

Venue: First Polymer Training, 7 Centre Court, Blyry Business and Commercial Park, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Click here for a registration form or email info@firstpolymer.com

October 11th, 2011 – Skillnets Free Training for Jobseekers Initiative- 2011

SKILLNETS FREE TRAINING FOR JOBSEEKERS INITIATIVE 2010-2011

Extra funding was recently made available for specific programmes for jobseekers.

The current offering is an 8 day FETAC certified Supervisory Management and Communication Skills programme to be delivered specifically to job-seekers. This programme is ideal for anyone hoping to improve their communication and supervisory skills and it will greatly enhance participants employment opportunities with a recognised, practical, skills-focused qualification.The programme is free to attend and jobseekers still receive their social welfare benefits in the usual way. Course notes, lunches and refreshments are also included.

There will be specific one to one mentoring during the programme and the tutor will give full support to each participant as they complete their assignments. Time will also be allocated to effective cv preparation and interview skills. On successful completion of the programme, trainees will receive two FETAC component certificates- one in Supervisory Management and one in Communications.

Participants must also be available to take up a 2-3 week work placement after the course has finished, where they will receive no remuneration from the host business but again benefits are not affected. This training programme will be delivered in Athlone on the following dates- 14th – 17th November and the 21st – 24th November 2011. Places are limited so please contact us as soon as possible and we can confirm if you are eligible.

For full details and eligibility criteria please click here.

For details of all of our other programmes available to jobseekers please see our website course calendar or see below:

Skillnets is an enterprise-led support body dedicated to up-skilling those in employment. In the Training Networks Programme (TNP) 2010/11, individual Skillnet networks will also endeavour to help reduce the rising unemployment levels nationwide by providing free training to jobseekers.
First Polymer Training (FPT) Skillnet specialises in specific programmes for the plastics industry, principally injection moulding and extrusion but also provides programmes aimed at the wider manufacturing sector, including a wide range of programmes in practical maintenance, lean manufacturing and generic skills. Since January 2010, FPT has provided some free training to the unemployed on their scheduled public courses. Places are limited on each programme and as the unemployed participant(s) trains alongside those in employment; the training provided should not only improve specific skills but also provide excellent networking opportunities.

For eligibility criteria please see http://www.skillnets.ie/job-seekers/eligibility-criteria . Seasonal/casual/part-time/short-time workers are also allowed to participate in this training if they are in receipt of either Jobseekers Allowance (JA) or Job-seekers Benefit (JB). Participating in training does not affect social welfare benefits.
Please visit our website course calendar for a full list of upcoming courses.
If you qualify and are interested in any of our courses, please contact us and we can keep you informed on the availability of free places.
Tel: 090 6471223 email: info@firstpolymer.com

April 7th, 2011 – Robust Design Methodologies
As part of a European project in the University of Limerick (UL) the past two years has been spent developing a course to help manufacturing companies master Robust Design methodologies. The course is an online course and because it is European funded project the material is free to use.
It is in its final stages of development and UL are inviting all interested parties to avail of this free resource. Below are some details about the course. To receive access to the course simply email Dr.Emma O’Brien emma.obrien@ul.ie or Tel: 00 353 (0) 61213361

Learning Robust Design Methodologies (LearnRDM) is a web delivered blended learning course for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to in-house train their engineers in Robust Design Methodologies (RDMs).
Robust Design Methodologies (RDMs) provides a proven portfolio of techniques capable of retaining process and product based information.
This generated knowledge can be stored in the form of statistical models of products and processes. This allows the transfer of tacit to explicit knowledge. This course will provide engineers with educational material tailored to the implementation of robust design in manufacturing and product development in SMEs, enabling the development of more pro-active rather than reactive metrics, initiating the concept of problem prevention rather than simply problem solving. These tools will allow these SMEs to change their metrics away from talking about defects, to metrics that talk about function. LearnRDM will provide engineers in SMEs with valuable transferable skills to meet the challenges that face their companies and their own future career development.
Just log on here to access the course. If you would like a username and password to become a member of the course please email me. More information is available at www.learnrdm.com

What are the benefits of joining online?
Membership is free. When you sign up to the course you can:
• gain access to 6 modules written by experts in the area of Robust Design Methodologies
• read case studies and information on how other Small to Medium Enterprises have used these tools to increase quality and reduce costs
• join a moderated forum which contains discussions and ideas from other SMEs that have used RDMs to improve their internal processes,
• see links to relevant sites, useful papers and reccommended reading materials

We hope this information is useful to you and we wish you every success with your future business,
from Emma O’Brien
Learn RDM UserGroup Newsletter
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0035361213361

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