Buy Cheap Slides, Buy Twice...

With a growing number of slide manufacturers on the market, some of whom are from China and Eastern Europe, we're seeing a large increase in cheaper, but less well made slides enter the market.

As tempting as it is to buy a more cost effective slides over and above a more expensive product, there's a reason why it's cheaper and only when things start going wrong do buying cheap, becomes a major problem.

Not only do cheaper slides use softer material, which can cause brinnelling, but cutting corners in the construction process can also mean the slide falls apart under normal shock and vibration.

In this particular incident, the enclosed slide had only been fitted into the vehicle for two weeks and in that time the central 'I' beam had broken free and the inner runner had severe brinnelling.  From a brigades point of view having a VOR (Vehicle of Road) is a worse case scenario and can cause life threatening delays.

What's surprising is that the slide in question is one of the leading brands of heavy duty slides on the market and the slide in question wasn't up for the job.

"Having cheaply made slides that break is one thing, but mis-selling heavy duty slides that simply cant do the job is entirely another," confirms one industry contact who wishes to remain nameless.

The moral of the message is, if you're looking at making savings, think about how you might pay in the long run.  More often than not, buying cheap means buying twice.

New Heavy Duty Rail from Chambrelan - The ST50

ST50 - New Heavy Duty Linear Rail From Chambrelan

With a ruck of new product developments already been launched from Chambrelan (the heavy duty slide and linear rail motion manufacturer) this year alone, it's a surprise to see yet another addition to their stainless steel heavy range of linear rail motion systems.

New linear rail ST50 comes with two carriers, the GS52 and GS54 which have a load capacity of 180kg and 240kg on the major axis respectively.

The carriers themselves run on a row of circulating steel ball bearings, which spread the load over the rail, making operational usage smooth and steady regardless of the load being pulled.  The carriers are made of a compound of stainless steel and high strength industrial plant.

Chambrelan's unique 'circulating' carrier

100% Extension managed to catch up with Tony Macis, Chambrelan's UK manager, earlier this week to find out what his thoughts on the ST50 stainless steel linear rail.

"It's a fantastic piece of rail designed for strength and durability," confirmed Tony.  "With Chambrelan's commitment to develop it's high strength stainless steel slides and linear rails, we're going to see more products aimed at bridging the gap between the heavy duty end and the medium light end of our range.  The ST50 linear rail will be a perfect add on aimed at the pharmaceutical and food production industries where contamination is a big issue.  Where plant and equipment need to be cleaned using industrial chemicals or abrasive cleaning detergents, this stainless steel rail will really come into it's own, as well as being ideal for high temperature applications."

With more and more products being released from the heavy duty slide manufacturer, expect to see a drive toward the more rugged high strength end of the market as demand for quality and strength grows.

For more information on Chambrelan's heavy duty slides or linear rail motion systems.  Please contact the Chambrelan Uk directly on 01746 783 972 and www.chambrelan.co.uk

Chambrelan - Get 'em While They're Hot....

Burger vans and road side catering vehicles are some of the more every day applications and lack engineering sex appeal, but nevertheless it shows how independent people are using Chambrelan heavy duty slides across every day applications.

In this instance, Peter was having problems with his generator.  Since it was hard fixed to the vehicle wriggling it in and out by hand was time consuming and dangerous.  Originally he'd have to pull and wriggle the generator out by hand whenever there was a problem.  This is an easy enough job when there's two of you to do it, but Peter always found himself on his own when things went wrong and so he decided - in what we believe to be his infinite wisdom - to contact Chambrelan to see how their heavy duty slides could be used to help out.

Pete's van is a temple of culinary expertise and his customers come from far and wide to enjoy the best of british breakfasts, but the hot plates, refrigerators, ovens and tea makers all need power and when the source of that power goes wrong ease of access is of paramount importance.

Pete needed length and strength and subsequently with the help of the Chambrelan team he chose the RA5R - made from stainless steel section.  As one of Chambrelan's most tried and tested slides, this three beam nested slide has been designed to take incredible loads whilst delivering pay loads smoothly and securely.  Using a zinc plated finish this slide is incredibly durable and not only that, is easy to fit easy to maintain.

We caught up with Pete to find out how his experience was with Chambrelan - "I have to say," Peter confirmed, "i couldn't fault it.  Tony and the team were very helpful in identifying what i needed and i received the sides in a few days of ordering.  I'd definitely recommend Chambrelan to anyone who needs heavy duty slides or linear rail motion systems."  Peter Challis

For more information on Chambrelan's products - please click here

Improved RA5R Increases Load Capacity Across the Board

Chambrelan UK have recently announced a huge increase of load capacity on all their range of RA5 heavy duty slides.  The improvements come after an increase in deflection was added, adding extra load capacity across the RA5 model, including the lock in and lock out versions and the duel lock in lock out model.

In practical terms what this means is an increase in strength.  For example, take an RA5 at 550mm with a load capacity of 125kg per pair, after increasing the deflection, the load capacity for the same length came to 176kg per pair, a huge improvement.

More strength means customers can now carry heavier loads without having to upgrade to a more expensive slide, which improves the cost performance ratio and delivers more performance per pound.  Modifications and upgrades on Chambrelan's range of heavy duty slides and linear rail motion systems are ongoing, with new products and developments being launched all the time.  

Indeed, from the press release we've received we can see a number of exciting developments coming up over the next few months, so keep your eyes skinned for new products on 110% Extension.

To contact Chambrelan directly either visit their website www.chambrelan.co.uk or alternatively call the team on - 01746 783 972

Chambrelan Slides Extend Party Platform

We think you'll like this one.  Jon Chance is passionate about boats and boating, but after buying his Sealord 344 offshore cruiser, which he purchased to take him and his friends out for fishing trips down the south coast, he realised he didn't have enough to cast from the back of the boat.

The problem was how to extend the back of the boat into a party platform without incurring mooring costs, which are charged per metre.

That's when he called Chambrelan, the heavy duty slide specialists.  Selecting the right heavy duty slide from Chambrelan's range, with the right load capacity, wasn't going to be a problem.  Chambrelan are renowned for their huge range of telescopic slides, but Jon needed a specific type of high grade marine steel, which would not decompose or rust when subjected to prolonged salt sea conditions.

By working with Chambrelan's sales team Jon chose the ST508, a three beam stainless steel slide with over a metre extension and recirculating ball bearings that carries the heavy loads more smoothly and with less resistance than other slides on the market.

We caught up with Jon recently to find out what his experience was like and how the ST508's are doing.  "Chambrelan's customer service was fantastic," confirms Jon.  "They helped me identify the slides i needed and made sure we received them in good order."

Jon's expertise is in demand and although we don't have his contact details, i am sure he can be found by searching for his engineering expertise via search engines.

For more information on how Chambrelan can help with your heavy duty slide or linear rail enquiries, contact 01746 783 972

Chambrelan UK Set to launch Linear Motion Brand

There's a spring in Chambrelan UK's step this year as the company announces a new linear rail brand to complement their existing telescopic slide range.  Although the Chambrelan have been manufacturing linear rail motion systems now for over 50 years, it's the first time that the UK arm will launch a stand alone brand, allowing customers to buy directly from their new online store, which will be open in the next month.

We caught up with Jeremy Binnington, Director of Chambrelan UK, who has given us his appraisal of the new brand what the reasons for launching the new company.  "Having re-established ourselves in the  telescopic slide market, we realised we can deliver the same quality product and service to the linear rail market, which compliments our existing offer perfectly."

With new premises now open, Chambrelan UK now stock a range of linear rail for lighter, medium and heavy duty applications.

"We're currently stocking aluminium, steel and stainless steel products," confirms Jeremy, "and their relevant carriers.  By bringing them to the UK we will be able to service customer enquiries that much quicker and with a tight stock programme which will carry four lengths of rail we can improve delivery times dramatically.  In addition because the new site is fully operational, we'll be able to make bespoke items for more specialised requirements."

Although not up and running yet, the new website will feature an e-commerce shop, a case study page with testimonials and customer projects, product availability and full details and load capacities of each of our products.

"We'll be sending out a release with the launch date very soon," confirms Jeremy.

We'll look forward to it.

For more information on Chambrelan's linear rail or telescopic slides please visit.  www.chambrelan.co.uk

Amateur Astronomer Builds Observatory Using Chambrelan's Heavy Duty Slides

When Mike, a partner in an engineering firm and amateur astronomer, decided to build an observatory in his back garden using Chambrelan's heavy duty slides, we knew it was going to be a good story to follow up.  After four years of meticulous planning, the observatory is in the final build stage, with the sliding roof being the most essential aspect of the project.

However this is no ordinary observatory.  Most observatories use two beams supported by a single column to roll back the roof, unfortunately this design has it's draw backs in that the observatory walls can restrict the horizontal view of the sky.  A vertical view is fine, but it means the astronomer must know what he wants to look at before pointing his telescope.

The other observatory design Mike looked at was the classic rotating domed roof, which he felt might be an eye sore in the back of his garden.  So Mike went back to the drawing board and created a design that would not restrict his view of the horizon, allowing him both a horizontal and vertical view of the stars.  By creating an aluminium roof fitted on heavy duty slides, which 'peeled' back the roof, the telescope could be positioned at any angle for greater visibility.

Unfortunately Mike had problems with buying telescopic slides.  The first company he bought them from took his money, but failed to deliver the slides and it was only after he'd gone through his insurance was he able to recoup the money.  However not to be put off, Mike decided to contact Chambrelan.  Having listened to the brief and having discussed Mike's designs the Chambrelan team suggested one of their heaviest duty slides, the E1902.

The E1902 is a three beam zinc plated, nested slide made from carbon steel and because of the design and the materials used, is an extremely heavy duty slide capable of carrying massive loads.  Mike needed a huge amount of extension and opted for a 2000mm with a load capacity of 250kg.

"The new Chambrelan heavy duty slides," confirms Mike, "are exquisite, they're fantastic, a lot more heavy duty than the slides i originally bought.  Wish i'd bought them in the first place."

Fore more information on how Chambrelan heavy duty slides can help transform your build visit www.chambrelan.com