Bandsaw and extraction replacement programme.

We are aware that there are still a number of schools who are yet to have their new bandsaws and extraction units fitted.  We would like to assure you that we are currently working on this and hope to have all work, (including any remaining issues with retrofitted extraction units to older bandsaws/existing hammer saws) completed in the coming weeks.  We appreciate your patience and co-operation on this matter.  We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best of luck in the upcoming academic year. 

PS If there are any new teachers/technicians in your department could you please let us know and we will add them to the mailing list. 

Centre Lathe Test - deadline 28th June.

For those who have yet to complete the Yacapaca Centre Lathe test could you please do so before next Friday 28th. I appreciate there have been some issues with users not getting logged on but that has now been resolved.  If you do not see the test you may have to click on the archive tab (top right) on your home screen after you have logged in.

Technician Training - News

 Please click on the link below and see circular number 2013/096 for details.

http://www.selb.org/schooldocuments/index.htm

KS3 Project sharing opportunity - CANCELLED!

HEPA Vacuum Cleaners - important note!

It has come to our attention that a number of departments are not aware that they should have received a HEPA vacuum cleaner.  These have been provided from funding through DENI and are to be used in Technology departments only.  It is crucial that the delivery note for this equipment is signed by an authorised person and the signed form returned to Kay Wilkinson in SELB HQ as soon as possible.  Please contact jacquie.uprichard@selb.org should you have any queries about this.

Accident in D&T on a sanding machine

The Health and Safety Executive has recently published details of a case where a school was prosecuted following an accident in a design and technology workshop. A pupil`s fingers were trapped between the table and rotating disc of the sanding machine. The school was fined £3500 and was ordered to pay an additional £5000 of legal fees.

CLEAPPS has discussed this matter with HSE officers, who reported that the main cause of the accident was the table of the machine was set too far back from the sanding disc.

This model of machine is not common place in our Technology departments but is of course very similar to the bandfacer, please can you ensure that the gap between the support table and the bandfacer belt is as small as possible and not more than 3mm.

Details of the HSE press release can be found at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-wm-16712.htm?eban=govdel-risk&cr=05-Nov-2012

Solidworks Student Design Kit 64 bit version

Good News!! We have finally been able to put together a 64 bit version of the Solidworks Student Design Kit, unfortunately due to its size (6Gb) we cannot burn it to DVD. We recommend bringing in an external drive with sufficient space so that we can transfer it across.

Please be aware that it could take up to 30 minutes to transfer such a large file.