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New RNA member

Date: 24/08/11

Chris Mills has joined as an internal sales engineer. Chris is responsible for all standard equipment sales enquiries. We wish Chris a fruitful and challenging future within RNA.

To contact Chris with any spares requirements please email chrism@rnaautomation.com.

RNA welcome its latest work experience student

Date: 24/08/11

Laurence Pied has joined RNA for 3 months work experience where she will gain practical knowledge of the mechanical handling industry.

Laurence, 22 is from La Rochelle, France and is currently studying for an engineering degree. She is being sponsored by Delphi Diesel a business where RNA have several installed systems.

Working alongside three RNA apprentices, Laurence will also gain exposure to 3D CAD Design and Vision Guided Robot programming.

Managing Director Stuart Brettell commented,’ Laurence is the 4th International student we have had here and is a reflection of the global nature of our business and aim to cement relationships with key customers.’

Day Trip at Black Country Living Museum to celebrate RNA 25th Anniversary

Date: 22/07/11

RNA UK recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in the UK. Over the last 25 years RNA have developed and designed specialist handling systems in a host of different industries worldwide.

Founded in 1986, RNA UK is part of Rhein-Nadel Automation GmbH owned by the Pavel Family. Since its initial launch, RNA have become the leading supplier in the feeding and handling industry.

Stuart Brettell MD commented, ‘We are proud to celebrate this milestone in our company’s history, ‘We will continue to listen to our customers and provide the best solutions they require. We will keep seeking new technologies to help our customers improve processes and productivity.’

More pictures are available here

Vision Systems for every business

Date: 12/07/11

By Mark Williamson, UKIVA Chairman

Vision system has four main application areas:- automation, inspection, process optimisation and traceability which can make a big difference to the process and packaging industry.

Systems range from simple vision sensors that can detect and inspect parts on production lines or check for the presence of specific features on products and packages, to full PC-based systems featuring single or multiple cameras connected to a PC running sophisticated software. The latest neural network processing even allows vision systems to 'learn' in order to allow decisions to be made on the difference between components. Developments in technology mean that vision systems are now easy to use and quick to integrate into existing manufacturing equipment.Crucially, cost doesn't have to be an issue as there are many effective low cost vision system that add real value to process or an OEM machine. More info can be found at the UK Industrial Vision Association's website:  www.ukiva.org

To know more about RNA Vision Inspection System please click HERE

Source: PPMA News 2011, 'Vision Systems for every business' , Issue 17 Summer, p.13

Date: 04/05/11

To celebrate RNA’s 25th birthday RNA UK’s original founders including former managing director Ron Parnham, former commercial manager Lia France and former Sales manager Brian Andrews recently visited RNA. They brought with them many happy memories of ‘the good old days’ and reminisced on yesteryears business adventures.

They were warmly welcomed by the whole RNA team. Pictured above with current Managing Director Stuart Brettell and Technical Director Mick Keane.

Moseley school students Factory Tour at RNA

Date: 02/05/11

Students interested in engineering from Moseley School in Birmingham recently visited RNA on an industrial field trip to experience a real-life working factory and gain an insight into some of RNA’s specialist handling systems for the industrial sector.

The tour of RNA demonstrated the range of equipment and technology involved in manufacturing specialist handling systems and an insight to a real life engineering production environment.

‘The technical tour was very informative and gave our students an insight into the process of an engineering company. We would like to thank all of the staff at RNA who accommodated us and made our students feel so welcome.’ Commented student tutor Rachel Slowey.

Ying Zhang, RNA marketing coordinator, commented, ‘we value the opportunities for local school and colleges students to visit our factory, and were are very grateful for the opportunity to showcase RNA during the visit.

Open House success at RNA International Headquarters

Date: 27/04/11

Held over two days visitors attended a live open house at the RNA group headquarters situated in the beautiful Cathedral town of Aachen Germany. A wide range of sectors and industries where catered for including the pharmaceutical, & medical devices industry, food & drink, automotive, cosmetics and a section for original equipment manufacturers.

The Open House featured a sector for each industry highlighting specific applications that were relevant to each industry.

Visitors were guided through the main factory manufacturing facility showing developments in handling technology including RNA’s high speed multi lane linear feeding systems.
Visitors were talked through the implementation of quality during each stage of manufacture and the quality control process . A focus on commitment to quality, ‘Qualitätspass’, was also introduced that helps RNA systemize the quality assurance process throughout manufacture to final delivery to the end customer.

Visitors were impressed by the great variety of the “live demonstrations”. It was not only a chance to show our customers the latest in handling and feeding technology, but it is also a great opportunity for everyone to share information and ideas in a nice and friendly atmosphere.’ Commented Simone Kreuzer, marketing manager of RNA Germany.

More information about RNA quality assurance processes including the new committed 'Qualitatspass' can be found here.

Improve efficiency with Discrete Event Simulation

Date: 10/02/11

RNA has establishedRNA has established a manufacturing consulting service, Rhein-Nadel Consultancy www.rnaconsultants.com

Rhein-Nadel Consultancy (RNC) have launched Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to assist clients in understanding the
performance of manufacturing and production processes.

A discrete event simulation model can assist in a
multitude of ways including:

■ Benchmarking the operational efficiency of your existing plant
■ Simulations to support 'invest/don't invest' decision making
■ Simulation of work flow concepts with 'what if' scenarios
■ Supporting lean techniques with analysis of working inventory and personnel involvement
■ Modelling work flow and plant changes without disruption

Read more >>

New brochure that highlights RNA's Capabilities

Date: 10/02/11

RNA Automation, market leaders in the field of specialist handling systems, have commissioned a new brochure to showcase its special purpose custom designed handling systems.

The 12-page brochure, entitled ‘RNA specialist handling’ is available in both hard copy and PDF format. Included is an insight into RNA’s cutting edge technology, handling products deigned for the rapidly changing manufacturing and processing industry. Read more >>

Project in your pocket

RNA Extranet is now available on your mobile phone!

Date: 05/02/11

RNA Extranet is an online management tool integrated with the current website to support RNA project management and client communications. Since launched in 2008, it has become one of the most popular tools to communicate with our clients.

Now RNA Extranet is available on-the-go. It allows to access your projects, exchange files, leave comments using any of the following mobile phones and devices: iPhone, iPad, Motorola Droid, Samsung Galaxy S, HTC, Palm Pre 2, BlackBerry Torch, or any other device running iOS 4+, Android 2.1+, webOS 2, or BlackBerry 6.

No applications to download or install - once you sign in our login page, you’ll automatically be redirected to the mobile site.
More information on RNA Extranet is available here.

Small footprint, great performance for large containers

Date: 15/11/10

RNA Automation has introduced a ‘compact’ style container unscrambler, the system has a small ‘footprint’- without compromising on speed or efficiency and enhances the productivity and flexibility of bottle handling.

The ‘Compact’ model unscrambler has been designed and developed by RNA’s United States partner Palace Packaging and is marketed by RNA in the UK and Ireland. The major benefit of this revolutionary design is its small footprint due to the internal hopper.

The system delivers flexibility and cost savings to customers with short payback periods.

Product Information - 'Compact' Style container unscrambler

RNA expands its Lean Thinking

Date: 01/11/10

RNA has established a manufacturing consulting service, Rhein-Nadel Consultancy, providing expertise to manufacturing and production enterprises seeking to implement process improvement and sustainable change.

Veteran Entrepreneur Tom Farmer who built up the highly successful Kwik Fit brand was recently quoted as saying that the thing that he has learnt over the years is that it is better to outsource specialist skills than to try to attempt inhouse solutions. Provided that the business and the consultant are clear about the objectives, he found that specialist advice proves to be very cost effective. Read more >>

Lean Case Study - Product Lean-time Reduction

20,000 orders since launch

Date: 26/07/10

Jobs boost after RNA expands further in the US

Date: 20/07/10

Chamber of Commerce UK Trade & Investment has helped RNA increase its USA sales by 50%......Read more >>

The full article has been published in 'Birmingham Post, 24 June 2010. To read this news release, please click here

Fruit Bars on the go

Date: 26/04/10

Product packaging is a critical item for any food processing company; it is used as a marketing tool and also serves its main function of sealing the product for transportation and shelf lif.

Traditionally food processing companies have utilised manually loaded wrapping and sealing machines, especially for flexible packets such as cereal or fruit bars. Manually loaded machines although flexible are labour intensive, slow and costly.

The recent demand and move towards flexible packaging helps towards material savings and the products carbon footprint but also complicates automated machinery. Flexible packaging in the main is non-uniform and difficult to handle due to its inconsistency... Read more >>

A Clear Vision

Date: 25/01/10

Recent trends & requirements towards flexible manufacturing combined with quality control has pushed the use of vision system technology into process lines and component handling systems such as bowl feeders... Read more >>

Sachet Handler reaches UK market

Date: 20/04/09

RNA has introduced a high speed feeding system designed to eliminate the problems normally associated with handling sachets and pouches.

SpaceFeeder provides a long-needed solution to the handling of flexible packaged products, which are now growing in importance, especially in the food & snacks and process packaging sectors.

Read more >>

RNA Contribute to Shrove Tuesday

Date: 09/02/09

In the UK Shrove Tuesday is known colloquially as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday. Pancakes are served immediately after cooking and are traditionally served with a sprinkling of sugar and a dash of fresh lemon juice this is where RNA formed an unlikely alliance with a customer.

Read more >>

Quick Release Auto Clavable Bowl Feeder

RNA offer a new bowl feeder drive unit for use in clean rooms where equipment requires rapid change over for auto claving. Read more >>