Operations Engineering

The Operations Engineering Manager is Paul Fisher. Operations Engineering comprise Test Engineering, Site Maintenance and SMT Process Engineering.

Test Engineering

Test Engineering is a multi-disciplined team comprising two sections: Test Design and Test and Production Support.

Test Design

Test Design work closely with the Product Development and Manufacturing Departments to design bespoke, user-friendly and efficient test equipment for the testing of Apollo products on the shop floor.

The design team work on new designs and research better and more efficient methods of testing.

Test and Production Support

This team looks after all the existing test equipment used on the shop floor. As Apollo supports detectors for at least 10 years, this amounts to over 350 pieces of equipment to maintain and calibrate (to national standards).

The team also perform a post-design role, continually upgrading and improving equipment in line with new techniques and developing manufacturing systems.

Site Maintenance

The role of Site Maintenance is widespread. Not only do they perform first line maintenance on all Apollo's manufacturing equipment, which can be very diverse, they also look after all aspects of Apollo site maintenance. One minute they can be repairing a selective conformal coating machine and the next pruning the trees in the grounds. However, it is not as haphazard as this might suggest as they utilise a comprehensive Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) scheme so that preventative maintenance is carried out in a structured and prioritised manner.

SMT Process Engineering

This team looks after our Surface Mount placement machines. We place all components onto our PCBs in-house allowing us flexibility and ensuring quality.

The process technicians look after the machines following preventative maintenance schemes. They monitor the process ensuring it is in control and follow continuous improvement plans.