New Injection Moulding Machine Investment

Allen, the UK marine engineering company, has recently invested in a new injection moulding machine that will be added to its in-house production facilities. 

The British company has had installed the top of the range injection moulding machine from BOY, the 100 E. Some of its features include a larger distance between tie bars (430 x 360 mm), a platen opening stroke of 725 mm, with optional 900 mm and a clamping force of 1000 kN. The most important of these features is the clamping force. The higher the force the more it allows for larger products with thinner material to be produced.  

This new injection moulding machine will be used to manufacture some of Allen’s most popular products including hatch covers, aerovanes and centreboard slots, to name a few. 

This new machine follows on from other investments the marine engineering company has also made over the rollercoaster year that has been 2020. It’s not too long ago the company announced its purchase of a new 3D printing machine to help with rapid prototyping. 

Allen is based in Essex, UK, and has been one of the leading sailboat hardware manufacturers for over 60 years. The company prides itself with being more than just a marine specialist but engineering experts. To find out more about some of the in-house recourse available at Allen and some of the custom projects they undertake visit the Allen website – https://www.allenbrothers.co.uk/about-us/allen-in-house-resources/ 

Choosing the correct Cam Cleat.

Cam Cleats are available in different materials, sizes and have a wide range of accessories to suit many different applications, so it can be daunting to know which type or accessory is needed to suit specific cleating needs. Here you will find all the information required to make the right choice – all from the designers of the original aluminium cam cleat!

First, a bit of history behind the Allen Cam Cleat – The Allen Brothers, Tony and Glenn, were the inventors of the original aluminium cam cleat. They developed the idea whilst building a Hornet “JACK-O-LEAN” number 205. The brothers had started off using Tufnell cam cleats but decided they were not good enough. The Tufnell cam cleat gripped well when they were new but would make releasing the rope difficult. Once they had worn-in, just a few sailing sessions later, they would slip and be useless.

After many months of researching, designing and prototyping Tony Allen had built a machine in which he could pressure die-cast what is now known as the A..76 – Aluminium Ball Bearing Cam Cleat – although the first design did not include ball bearings. Tony and Glenn then went onto sell their version of the cam cleat for 5 shillings each.

Today Allen has two main styles of cam cleats available; Aluminium Ball Bearing or Allenite Plain Bearing. Allen cam cleats are suitable for any rope up to 10 mm diameter and have a maximum working load of 150kg. This makes them suitable for both small dinghies and yachts.

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New Racing Rules of Sailing Poster

The marketing team at Allen has been working closely with Henk Plaatje for many years to develop the racing rules of sailing poster. Once each edition is ready, Allen kindly makes it available to the public to hang in sailing clubs around the World. This year is no different, the poster can easily be downloaded via the Allen website or a hardcopy can be ordered directly to your sailing club.  (more…)

Trapeze Ring A4261 Review

Team Allen 49er sailor, Daniel Budden, reviews the A4261 trapeze ring. The A4261 features double rows of ball bearings and a strong stainless steel loop designed to give you an easily adjustable and reliable trapeze ring that can be used on all types of trapeze sailboats.