NEWS & EVENTS STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVO VALVES
DOMIN
Domin and Renishaw collaborate to create a more sustainable industry
UK-based , Domin , has developed a highly competitive range of state-of-the-art servo valves , and is now setting out to showcase how engineering start-ups can drive value for UK industry . Supported by metal additive manufacturing ( also known as 3D printing ) technology from global engineering company , Renishaw , the company has produced a first-of-its kind product — a high- performance servo valve . Such innovation represents the company ’ s first step towards drastically reducing CO2 emissions from the fluid power industry — every valve can save one tonne of CO2 .
Domin , based in the city of Bristol , was founded in 2012 , aiming to disrupt the fluid power industry by improving the range of technology available and increasing sustainability . Whilst recent decades have seen swathes of technology introduced across all industries , Domin believes that there has not yet been a single innovation that has caused significant enough change in the fluid power market .
For Domin , metal additive manufacturing ( AM ) was the missing piece of the puzzle , and it turned to this technology to design its product range . This technique , where products are built up layer-by-layer from metal powder , is used across a wide range of industry sectors , including aerospace , automotive and medical .
By using the Renishaw RenAM 500Q , a four-laser AM system , which is designed for serial production applications , Domin was able to increase its productivity , achieve design freedom and reduce cost per part in such a way that 3D printing presented a compelling case for use in hydraulic manufacturing .
“ There is a pressing reason disruption is needed — sustainability . In the US , the fluid power sector alone wastes about 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year through system inefficiencies ,” explained Marcus Pont , Chief Executive Officer of Domin . “ To put this into context , this is about the same as the total output for all CO2 emissions in the UK . More efficient technology could make a real difference to global emissions .”
“ Britain is home to some of the world ’ s leading engineering businesses ,” he added , “ However , most of the UK ’ s big engineering businesses were started in the 20th Century . It ’ s time for British business to become more ambitious .
88 PECM Issue 50