WHAT DOES A NAVAL MINESWEEPER HAVE IN COMMON WITH A DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOW?

More than you’d think.

Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) is used across a wide range of industries, from window profiles and industrial flooring to automotive components, electrical cable trays, wind turbine blades and naval vessels.

Its strength, durability, low weight and corrosion resistance make it ideal for demanding applications. However, cutting and machining GRP inevitably generates fine dust and airborne particles, creating potential risks for operators and making effective dust extraction an important consideration.

For Air Tool Services, this presented an engineering challenge that called for more than a standard tool.

Adapting the tool for the application

During repair work on a Royal Navy Hunt class minesweeper, our engineers worked closely with the tool manufacturer to identify the right saw for cutting the vessel’s GRP laminate.

The Desoutter D144 saw was well suited to the task, but the required dust extraction guard was not available as standard.

The specialist engineering capabilities of RJD Manufacturing, our in-house engineering and manufacturing division at Air Tool Services, enabled our team to design and manufacture a bespoke extraction guard. The modification adapted the existing saw to meet the specific requirements of the application, helping bring the process into operation sooner.

Developed within a short timeframe, the modification helped bring the process into operation sooner, providing a practical response to a requirement that standard equipment alone could not meet.

Engineering beyond the standard

This project demonstrates how our knowledge of industrial power tools, combined with in house design and manufacturing expertise, enables us to approach challenges from a different perspective.

Rather than automatically replacing an otherwise suitable tool, we consider what the application requires and whether a bespoke modification can provide the answer.

Air Tool Services specialises in industrial power tool supply, repair, servicing and calibration. Through RJD Manufacturing, our manufacturing division, we can also draw on specialist engineering capabilities to develop bespoke components and adapt equipment for particular applications.