SKILLED workers at a Bedworth factory have been praised for their work in creating the London 2012 Olympic Games Torches.
The staff at Premier Sheet Metals have been congratulated for their work.
This comes after the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) showcased the manufacturing techniques involved in creating the 8,000 Torches that are to be carried by inspirational Torchbearers over the summer.
The Torches built by the Exhall-based firm have been described as embodying the very best of British design, engineering and manufacturing talent.
Sebastian Coe, chair of LOCOG said: “The very best of contemporary British design, engineering and manufacturing techniques are encapsulated in the London 2012 Olympic Torch.
“Our 8,000 Torchbearers will each carry a Torch with pride as they show the world the Olympic spirit is alive and well across the UK in the run up to the start of the Olympic Games.”
The Torch’s triangular, goldcoloured form is perforated by 8,000 circles representing the 8,000 Torchbearers and their stories of personal achievement.
The Torches are made up of an inner and an out aluminium alloy skin.
These skins are held in place by a cast top piece and base.
The employees at The Premier Group, owners of the Brindley Road-based factory, employ several techniques to create, assemble and finish the triangular form including:
• Laser cutting of aluminium sheets to create the four key pieces that make up the main body of the Torch.
• The laser creates very small and precise circular holes in a variety of orientations.
• Once the circular holes have been cut a specialist pressing tool develops the triangular form of the Torch.
• The pressed material is then welded with a clean, smooth join and the end caps fitted to create the apparently seamless form of the Torch.
• The emblem of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay is affixed to the front of the Torch.
• Finally the Torch is coated with its special gold-coloured finish.
