In August 2022, Alfie Lightowler, joined us as our Technician Apprentice, and he has made significant contributions, including the design and construction of an OptiMate demonstration unit. 

This impressive unit, a fully functioning replica 5-pot manifold, accurately replicates every component found on a truck equipped with our OptiMate electronic metering system. This includes crucial elements such as vapour recovery adaptors, anti-move devices, pneumatic control modules, and overfill prevention probes. 

In December 2023, Alfie completed a CAD design course using SolidWorks. He shared, “The course significantly enhanced my 3D design skills and practical experience. As part of the coursework, I designed a new demonstration van layout, incorporating LED lighting to vividly illustrate how AdBlue is delivered through the additive tank with OptiMate. It was a challenging and rewarding project, and it was great to see my design come to life, when it was displayed at the UKIFDA EXPO last year.” 

Ryan Parr, our Engineering and Development Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for Alfie’s work: “Alfie’s dedication and the quality of his work are truly commendable. The OptiMate demonstration unit has proven to be an invaluable asset for the entire team. It allows our engineering and service teams to simulate customer issues and develop effective solutions before our engineers even arrive on-site, minimising vehicle downtime. Furthermore, the unit serves as an excellent training resource for our team and a compelling demonstration tool for visiting customers.” 

Looking Ahead: 

Alfie will continue to play a vital role in product development by closely collaborating with the sales team. MechTronic highly values customer feedback, ensuring that all customer insights are effectively communicated to the engineering department. As we strive to continuously improve our offerings, OptiMate is undergoing its next phase of development to ensure it remains the industry leader in providing cutting-edge solutions to our customers.