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July 2023

Automotive

What to Look For When Buying a Used Car In The UK

So, you’ve been planning to buy a new second-hand car, but you’re not entirely sure where to start. No doubt, buying a used car is a huge decision, but it’s often a brilliant way to save money on your purchase. Just be careful to make sure you don’t accidentally get caught out while doing so! Thus, without further ado, we’ve outlined some of the six key things you must look for when buying a used car as follows to help.

What to Look For When Buying a Used Car

Before you agree to purchase any second-hand vehicle, make sure you’ve checked the following six points. Trust us – it can make a huge amount of difference.

1 Model

The first thing to check is pretty obvious: what sort of car are you looking for? Choosing a model (or several) that you would be happy with is a simple way to narrow down your search and help you find a car that might be suitable.

2 Car Check

How can you be sure the purchase is genuine? Well, if everything else looks right and you’re happy to proceed, make sure you get a car history check first.

A car history check provides countless pieces of vital information relating to the sale of a vehicle, including its MOT history, whether the vehicle has been stolen, ownership and financing information, and the like. All of this data is crucial to ensure you don’t end up buying a car that’s not quite as honest as it might seem on the surface.

In addition, always make sure you’ve asked the seller for physical copies of all documents proving this as well. If you notice a discrepancy, don’t chance it. You’re spending a lot of money on your used car, so make sure you’ve started by checking the basics first.

3 Mileage

Once you’ve worked out the model you want, the next thing to consider is the mileage. As part of this, try to consider how you will use the car as well to inform your decision. Notably, if you are likely to be doing 50-mile round trips several times a week, you’ll begin putting a lot of miles on the car very quickly. As a result, factor this into your decision to help you find a vehicle that should last for as long as you need it to.

4 Age

Another factor you should consider is age. Now, it’s worth considering here that age is less significant than mileage, in some cases; often, a ten-year-old car that’s only done a few thousand miles will often have a longer lifespan left than a car that’s only a couple of years old and has done thousands every year. Still, it’s worth remembering that older cars will often need more repairs and replacements, which will also likely impact their value.

5 Condition

This one needs no explanation; always check the condition of the car – both inside and out – before buying. Any signs of damage could be indicative of a bigger problem (for example, written off that has been repaired). Even if any issues are merely cosmetic, this should no doubt factor into your decision. If possible, taking the car for a test drive can also help you check how well it runs and handles.

6 Price

By now, you’ve checked some of the car’s key features – but don’t forget to check whether these correlate with the price! Always do your research to compare the vehicle you’ve been offered with other cars of similar age, condition, and mileage. Remember, if you think you’re being overcharged, you may be able to negotiate on the price.

Final Thoughts

When choosing a second-hand car, starting out with a model that ticks all the boxes is incredibly important. Indeed, while many people assume that their choice of car won’t matter all that much, so long as the price is right, this isn’t true. And, without checking some key points and carrying out a car reg check, you could find yourself in a very tricky situation in the end!

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Automotive

What Are the Key Benefits of Using Laser Cutting?

Most manufacturers these days use CNC machines to speed up their manufacturing processes. These CNC machines often use different processes, including laser cutting.

Basically, CNC laser cutting involves giving commands to machines once digitalized drawing is finalized. The benefits that come with this process are many. Some of these benefits include the following:

1.      Flexibility

The laser cutting process doesn’t require tooling or exchange of tools in order to achieve several separate cuts. They also don’t need hard tools – meaning tool sharpening or changeover isn’t required. Not to mention, the setup you begin with will remain the same as you cut various shapes in the same material thickness. In addition, laser-cutting machines are flexible and may attain intricate cuts without inefficiencies or costly downtime, even in a large production run.

2.      Extreme Precision

The laser-cutting process is precise. Using it helps manufacturers cut through a variety of materials to attain specific dimensions with very extreme precisions. As a matter of fact, some machines have a dimensional accuracy of around 0.0005 inches.

This is more precise than that of traditional cutting techniques, like sheers. With this extreme precision, the laser-cutting process has become popular among most manufacturers.

3.      High Productivity

Deep penetration and high travel speeds contribute to higher productivity that comes with using the laser cutting process. A typical travel speed for the laser cutting process is up to 12 meters per minute.

A thinner metal sheet ranging between 01 mm and 2mm is cut faster, whereas a thicker sheet needs a lower speed. This speed surpasses traditional cutting technological advancement ranging from 0.25 to 2 meters/minute.

4kW laser machines may go up to around 25 mm in just one pass. Plus, the laser cutting process is non-contact, so it has a lower fixture cost and shorter unloading and loading time.

4.      Save the Costs

You will only waste a small portion of materials when using the right laser-cutting machine. By using the right amount of materials, a laser cutting machine distinguishes itself from other machines.

A laser cutting process is also known for protecting thin materials from damage. Heat does not affect this tolerance, only impacting a small portion of the product.

5.      Versatility

A multi-axis laser allows a wide range of projects laser cutters may help to complete. It may cut material of all thicknesses and types. It can also cut both complex and simple structures. Some of the materials may include glass, wood, plastics, diamonds, alloys, and metals.

In addition, a laser cutter can make complex shapes from different materials or turn them into highly intricate, precise shapes. Their accuracy and precision mean the type of cuts a laser cutter is capable of producing is endless.

6.      Automation

Laser cutting requires little manpower because a laser cutter is automated. A professional machine operation will still play an important role when it comes to the final quality, but the cutting speed and little need for manpower leads to lower costs.

The Takeaway

For cutting projects, a CNC cutting machine provides good performance. Low maintenance requirements and automation of lasers make short lead times possible. Plus, lasers are precise, offering a high level of precision you can’t achieve with other cutting techniques.

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Automotive

Electrical Tug 101: What it is, How It Works, Features, and Its Importance

Electric tugs, also called electric tow tractors, load movers, powered tugs, tow tugs, electric tuggers, pedestrian tugs, electric tows, and electric pushers, are battery-powered machines made to move heavy items like high-value equipment, raw materials, and other resources in the industrial environment.

Using electric tugs for compact stowing to move heavy loads will help to drive operational efficiency while improving safety and health.

How They Work

In their simplest form, electric tugs operate the same way electric cars do. Like electric vehicles, electric tugs are charged via a cable and gets powered by the energy stored in rechargeable batteries.

When a throttle is pressed, it sends a signal to a motor to rotate, just like how accelerator pedals in electric vehicles work. In order to facilitate that rotation, the motor will draw current from batteries and then power the motor.

Electric tugs also use the same regenerative braking mechanism. This regenerative braking helps to convert kinetic energy into electricity.

Features

Suitable for aviation and warehouses, electric tugs should have certain features. Some of the common features electric tugs must have may include the following:

  • Zero emissions
  • Non-marking tires
  • Low maintenance
  • 12-month warranty
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Smaller footprint

Importance

Electric tugs are designed with a compact size, allowing them to be effective in a confined space while turning on itself. With a lower CoG (center of gravity), the risks of tipping are significantly minimized. Plus, electric tugs’ two-front steer wheels create unique stability across rough surfaces, making them suitable for various industries. Other benefits of using electric tugs include:

  • Electrical strength. Electric tugs are powerful motors driven by maintenance-free batteries with a high cycling capability, and controlled/regulated by two microprocessors, offering enough driving force. The high torque also ensures smooth acceleration, especially at the start.
  • Corporate sustainability efforts. Do you know that airlines often emit almost 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions? As a matter of fact, the air transport sector globally has put a plan in place to cut the output of carbon dioxide in half by 2040. If sustainability is part of every company’s culture, upgrading their fleets with several electric tugs will be a great step to ensuring greener airlines and making the world a better place to live in. Electric tugs give off zero-emission – meaning airlines will cut down the local pollution and eliminate potential health hazards for area residents and staff alike.
  • Reduce maintenance and fuel costs. When comparing the maintenance and fuel costs of electric tugs and diesel, it will be clear to you that electric tugs need less. Remember, electric tugs run on batteries instead of diesel, thus eliminating the most expensive aspects of running airlines and other industrial sectors. Not to mention, electric tugs don’t need a lot of repairs, and maintenance services are often required for diesel tugs.

The Bottom Line

Using electric tugs will help your team maximize their productivity, complete tasks effectively, and simplify processes. All electric tugs are battery-powered. That means they not only work quietly but also with zero emissions.

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