Machine Building News and Information
MachineBuilding.net publishes news and information about suppliers, products and systems for machine building. The website and newsletter are invaluable resources for machine builders and system integrators working on one-off machines, special-purpose machinery, series machines, industrial automation and engineered equipment.

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Brexit Update: UK Designated Standards for Machinery
Dated 1 January 2021, the UK Government published a consolidated list of Standards for Machinery, supporting the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (S.I 2008/1597). You can view it by clicking on the link above to access MachineBuilding’s unique Guide. At some point, the EU and UK will publish updates to the current Machinery Directive and this will also be available here.
Free Guide to the Machinery Directive
The latest edition of our Guide to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC has been published and contains updated information for machine builders.
Free Guide to Food & Beverage Industry Machine Design
Now published is the MachineBuilding.net Guide to Food & Beverage Industry Machine Design. You can download a free copy here.
Video of the Month
SICK has a broad and versatile portfolio of sensor solutions that support the processing or manufacturing of web-based materials. Selecting the right sensor technology will help optimise machine performance.
Machine Building Videos
Control and handling of endless web material
SICK has a broad and versatile portfolio of sensor solutions that support the processing or manufacturing of web-based materials. Selecting the right sensor technology will help optimise machine performance.
Introducing the Southco Universal Latch Sensor
Southco has removed the guesswork over whether you’ve securely locked a door with the introduction of the beautifully simple Universal Latch Sensor (ULS).
Win a Control Panel Starter Kit from WAGO
Last chance to win the Limited-Edition Control Panel Starter Kit. WAGO heard you and is therefore giving you one more chance to win.
Meet ACS Motion Control and Physik Instrumente (PI) UK at Machine Building Live
At MachineBuilding.Live, ACS Motion Control and Physik Instrumente (PI) UK will be showcasing positioning technologies and motion control solutions designed to provide industrial applications with unrivalled levels of precision.
Spelsberg highlights e-Bike charging station
The Spelsberg e-Bike charging station is now available from Spelsberg UK. This easy e-Bike charging station offers charge points for Bosch and Shimano, as well as two 240V mains sockets.
Bringing virtual reality into engineering
Ensuring engineering is accessible and enjoyable, Igus has introduced the term ‘enjoyneering’. This encapsulates the fun element of learning and experiencing all about engineering in the metaverse, the iguverse.
Events and Webinars
Pilz webinar provides an update on revised ISO 13849
On 24 November at 9:30, the next in the Pilz UK free Machinery Safety webinar series ‘the Machinery Safety Experts’ will be looking at the revised version of ISO 13849-1.
Educational programme announced for Manufacturing and Engineering Week
With just under two weeks until Manufacturing and Engineering Week 2023 and its centrepiece exhibitions open their doors on 7th and 8th of June at Birmingham’s NEC, the full educational programme has been announced.
Machinery safety legislation – upcoming changes and what they mean
The machinery safety landscape is ever evolving bringing with it a raft of changes to current legislation to cope with issues such as increasing digitisation and flexibility requirements. Pilz will host a webinar on 28 April from 9:30 am to 10:30 am to examine the latest changes to the machinery safety legislation.
Bringing industrial automation and robotics to life
Automation UK will run at the CBS Arena, Coventry, from 20-21 June, showcasing the latest products and services in this fast-fast-growing automation and robotics sector to visitors. It is poised to be one of the largest annual gatherings of industry experts under one roof in the UK.
Featured Machine Builder
2 years ago
Design & Automation Solutions
Design & Automation Solutions was formed in 2012 by Chartered Mechanical Engineer Mick Stallwood to provide a “Concept to Completion” service for manufacturing businesses and research organisations
White Papers
Spiers Engineering Safety publishes the ultimate guide to PUWER
Getting your head around PUWER inspections and PUWER planning can be difficult when you have many other things to be thinking about too. Spiers Engineering Safety has created the Ultimate Guide to PUWER which will walk you through the basics, and help you make informed decisions. This guide will also support learners working towards their Certified PUWER Assessor Qualification (CPA).
White paper sheds light on the challenges and solutions when using optical senso
A free-to-download white paper from sensing and instrumentation specialist Baumer considers all the challenges of why ambient light has such a significant influence on the performance of optical sensors and provides some practical solutions.
Traceability 4.0: The fundamental element of global manufacturing
Omron has produced a whitepaper looking to developments in traceability, highlighting how so called ‘Traceability 4.0’ connects digital and physical technology to optimise and improve yield.
Whitepaper explores traceability in the FMCG sector
Recognising how traceability has evolved due to the implementation of technology, Omron has produced a Whitepaper that explores the evolution of traceability and explains why the latest phase, Traceability 4.0, is not just about tracking products throughout the supply chain but also optimising productivity, quality and brand reputation within the manufacturing operation by tying product to process parameters.
Latest News
steute Technologies restructures its business fields

2 days ago

Showcasing design, production and process engineering in the food and drink sect

2 days ago

Understanding safety and security for the protection of human and machine

2 days ago

Schaffner opens new regional channels for its range of EMC solutions

3 days ago

New SCARA robot transforms pick-and-place and assembly operations

3 days ago

Pilz CMSE training in high demand, as 10,000th graduate qualifies

3 days ago

New eBook offers expert insights on embedded security

3 days ago

New era beckons at UK’s largest online valve supplier

4 days ago

Lowering production costs in the beverage industry

4 days ago

NSK Europe makes significant environmental progress in FY2022-23

4 days ago

Schaeffler UK partners with homelessness charity Centrepoint

5 days ago

WDS reinforces Core Values for ultimate customer experience

5 days ago

Solenoid interlocks are robust, compact and Ex-compatible

5 days ago

OMRON Robotics and Safety Technologies enters partnership with Lowpad

5 days ago

Create double-sheet detection systems using Contrinex smart sensors

5 days ago

Essentra makes further progress on sustainability with latest EcoVadis rating

5 days ago

DigiKey showcases automation offerings at SPS debut

6 days ago

Schaeffler and Ewellix thrive at Machine Building 2023

6 days ago

Schmalz UK reinforces growth strategy with new appointment

2 days ago

Laser photoelectric ensures automotive manufacturer gets the right gear

2 days ago

ABB YuMi cobots alleviate workforce shortages for aluminium supplier

2 days ago

WDS Components triumphs at MAKE UK Awards 2023

2 days ago

CENTA celebrates founder Gerhard Kirschey’s 90th birthday

3 days ago

PI substantially increases hexapod production capacities

4 days ago

Klüber Lubrication receives European Responsible Care Award 2023

5 days ago

NSK hosts European Distributor Convention 2023

5 days ago

Leybold wins the double at two industry awards

6 days ago

Schneider Electric partners with ArcelorMittal on low-carbon steel

6 days ago

Device-based firewall profile added to CIP Security

2 days ago

Essentra opens new facility in Monterrey to support expansion

2 days ago

Making automation accessible with free robotics demo events

2 days ago

What’s the situation with CE?

2 days ago

RS publishes industry review of food and beverage sector

3 days ago

Measuring the thickness and warp of metal strip materials

3 days ago

ERIKS hose technology centre gets £35k upgrade

3 days ago

Thorite announces price cuts across key product ranges

3 days ago

Rockwell Automation shows how collaboration fuels digital transformation

3 days ago

Cees Fasteners announces partnership with Simoni

3 days ago

A new identity for Atlas Copco Group

4 days ago

New Products
2 days ago
Kollmorgen launches new stepper drive with closed-loop position control
Kollmorgen has introduced the P80360 stepper motor drive, which offers real-time position correction thanks to closed-loop operation. The new drive provides versatile programming capabilities with extended positional control, while closed-loop feedback ensures improved reliability and efficiency.
2 days ago
Key apps enable machine builders to become service providers
The machine builder of the future is a service provider. It’s essential to optimise your service offerings in the coming years, so your customers will see you as a valuable partner throughout the entire lifecycle of your machines. The new IXON Marketplace offers over 25 apps that can help you to step up your service game.
3 days ago
Flexible, precise guidance solution for higher payloads
Responding to market demand for higher load, HepcoMotion is expanding its range of guidance solutions for Beckhoff’s XTS with the new GFX-r – a system providing movement in rectangular paths. Based on the existing GFX design and incorporating the inherent flexibility and precision of GFX/XTS technology, the curved segments have been removed, enabling transportation of payloads up to 40kg.
4 days ago
Redefining industrial connectivity with TSN
John Browett, general manager at the CLPA Europe, looks at how CC-Link IE TSN solutions are being implemented to advance manufacturing facilities around the world.
4 days ago
RA Rodriguez highlights quality engineering solutions at Southern Manufacturing
RA Rodriguez will be bringing its range of quality engineering solutions to Southern Manufacturing and Electronics 2024. The three-day event will be taking place from 6-8 February 2024, at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Hampshire.
1 day ago
ifm’s space saving solution for monitoring speed
The new DI1600-series of speed monitors from ifm electronic offer a space-saving yet versatile solution for monitoring the speed of rotating shafts in a wide range of applications from conveyor systems to centrifuges.
2 days ago
Compact valve position indicator offers quick and easy commissioning
Emerson has announced its new TopWorx DVR Switchbox, an entry-level addition to the DV Series of valve position indicators. It combines a durable resin enclosure, compact size and a patented cam design that provides water and wastewater systems, food and beverage production lines and industrial utilities a reliable valve position feedback tool.
3 days ago
The next generation of Ethernet media converters
Phoenix Contact is introducing a trio of industrial media converter families, each engineering to excel in specific environments and challenges. Designed for performance, durability, and flexibility, these devices cater to the range of industrial needs, from cost-effective solutions to wide-temperature and high-EMC environments.
3 days ago
Robust high-precision gears for heavy-duty applications
Nabtesco cycloidal gears feature utmost precision, dynamics and dependability, to assure reliable pin-point positioning even in the most demanding applications. Ideal for positioning tasks with high torques and heavy loads.
3 days ago
Set up robotics applications even faster and easier
Today, industrial automation is no longer imaginable without robots. The VISOR Robotic vision sensor from Sensopart acts as the ‘eye’ of the robot and is used worldwide in image-guided robotics applications. The most recent development provides problem-free connection between the vision sensor and a Yaskawa robot.
5 days ago
Moog introduces energy management for electrohydrostatic actuation
Moog has announced a new Energy Management System (EMS) for machines with electrohydrostatic actuation systems.
5 days ago
Get in shape to engineer efficiently with Version 2024
With Eplan’s eLearning courses, the sky’s the limit for users, and a brand-new addition is the Eplan Update Training 2024, which makes it easier for users to get started and presents new functions such as mathematical calculations for block properties.
5 days ago
High-flow solenoid valve increases plant reliability and efficiency
Emerson has introduced the new ASCO Series 327C solenoid valve, which features a direct-acting, high-flow design that it says provides superior flow-to-power ratio compared to similar valves.
6 days ago
Creating safety applications with TSN functions is now easier than ever
At SPS, the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) announced new products and services for the development of safety devices with CC-Link IE TSN connectivity. This addition to the existing offering will help drive the implementation of highly effective, convergent industrial automation applications for functional safety.
1 day ago
Laser line profile scanners now offer larger measuring fields
Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has extended its scanCONTROL LLT30xx range of 2D/3D laser line profile sensors (profile scanners) with two larger measuring fields now available. The scanCONTROL LLT30xx-430 and scanCONTROL LLT30xx-600 provide measuring fields of up to 560 x 390 mm and 788 x 610 mm respectively.
2 days ago
Electric parallel gripper is compact, simple and precise
Modern manufacturing requires handling solutions capable of managing product diversity, shorter product life cycles and growing levels of product customisation. The HEPP electric gripper from Festo addresses this need for greater flexibility in the gripping of multiple workpieces with adaptable stroke lengths and gripping forces.
2 days ago
Rugged sensor technology and evaluation unit for SIL 3 and PL e
Determining a safe absolute position usually requires using highly complex technology. Pepperl+Fuchs offers much simpler solutions for this process, which are based on a combination of the new PUS evaluation unit with the safePXV or WCS sensors.
2 days ago
3D Inspection in a ‘snapshot’ with SICK Visionary T Mini AP
Configuring machine vision inspections in 3D is now possible in a ‘snapshot’, thanks to the combination of SICK’s powerful and compact Visionary-T Mini AP camera with the new easy-to-use SICK Nova 3D Presence Inspection sensorApp.
2 days ago
Monitoring surge protection for signal interfaces
Signal lines are like nerve tracts in technical systems. Therefore, it is very important to protect these system parts from surge voltages caused by switching operations or lightning strikes. The surge protective devices of the Termitrab complete product family from Phoenix Contact enable this protection to be realised while saving space at the same time.
2 days ago
Adaptable shop floor combo on the move
This month sees FATH out and about demonstrating two of its latest material handling solutions. Its innovative adapter pallets combine nicely with its proven industrial dollies which are found on shop floors across all sectors of manufacturing.
2 days ago
Safemaster Pro – modular and multifunctional
The modular SAFEMASTER PRO system from DOLD Industries monitors the safety of your machines – simple, flexible, and safe.
3 days ago
Machine guard safety design and manufacture
Since 1972 Mechan Controls has been leading the way in design and innovation for machine guarding safety products. Mechan has an extensive range of non-contact safety products which include magnetic, coded magnetic, and uniquely coded RFID and OSSD safety switches.
3 days ago
The speciality is versatility
There are many ways to stop and hold an application. A safe and easy way is via spring-applied brakes. They safely brake and hold components in place even if there is a failure in the power supply system, as the experts at Lenze Selection explain.
3 days ago
Make it yours with the STOBER Online Configurator
The STOBER Online Configurator is specifically designed to enable users to find the right drive solution quickly and easily in just a few clicks.
3 days ago
How do you develop the perfect HMI PCAP touch panel?
The right selection of components for HMI PCAP touch panels allows for an input system that is optimally matched to the application, as the experts at Schurter explain.
3 days ago
Exceptional performance in PLC-based applications
The new ICE11 IO-Link master from Pepperl+Fuchs for PLC-based applications is multiprotocol-capable and now supports not only PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and MODBUS TCP but also EtherCAT and CC-Link IE Field Basic. It can be used worldwide in various application areas such as robotics, intralogistics, and motion control applications.
3 days ago
Key enablers for boosting machine performance
Motors, drives and PLCs are all key enablers for success when it comes to boosting machine performance, as Johann Arndt, global product line manager for automation at ABB Drives, explains.
3 days ago
Machine connectivity in the age of service excellence
Today, leading machine builders recognise that their machines are platforms for continuous value creation. Gradually we are leaving the era of ‘build, sell, and forget’ behind us, giving rise to a new imperative – to prioritise after-sales services. Machine connectivity is the foundation of this new imperative, as the experts at IXON explain.
3 days ago
Maximising robot productivity potential through comprehensive training
The world of manufacturing continues to become ever more competitive as businesses strive to address multiple challenges such as maintaining their supply chain, mitigating rising energy costs, improving productivity, whilst enhancing their environmental credentials. The experts at Stäubli explain how effective training with robots can help deliver enhanced productivity.
3 days ago
OEMs, tech partners and end users comprise magic triangle
Design improvements and data tools were two elements discussed during the keynote presentation of the OEM Leader to Leader Summit during Automation Fair 2023 as a means to tackle supply chain disruption.
4 days ago
Complete machine control and optimised multi-axis motion coordination
Trio Motion Technology has launched a new motion controller at SPS based on Intel multi-core processors, running Microsoft Windows alongside Trio’s Advanced Motion-iX core. The PC-MCAT-2 will give OEM machine builders a control solution that allows easy integration of Windows applications together with advanced motion functionality.
4 days ago
Compact, low carbon and cost-effective energy management
igus has developed snapchain 2.0, a sustainable energy chain especially for simple, flat cable packages made of 100% recyclates. Energy is supplied on one side of the slim chain in which the cables can be fixed with cable ties.
4 days ago
Solving the UK productivity challenge with control technology
Stephen Hayes, managing director of automation and control technology specialist, Beckhoff UK, explains how control technology can play a key role in solving the UK’s productivity puzzle.
1 day ago
The art and science of machine design
As an integration partner, Aerotech supports its customers from an initial idea to turnkey automation systems.
1 day ago
WEG unveils W23 Sync+ motor at SPS
WEG is launching its W23 Sync+ motor line at the SPS. The W23 Sync+, a hybrid innovation that combines permanent magnet (PM), ferrite or neodymium magnets and synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motor technologies, provides higher efficiency across all speeds when compared with conventional induction motors.
2 days ago
Modernisation becomes child’s play
STOBER now offers its CiA 402 application with all operating modes defined in the standardised CiA 402 device profile. Velocity mode is now integrated, bringing back an older operating mode. This provides the user with an all-in-one solution for both controller-based and classic drive-based applications. This complete solution is especially helpful for modernising existing machines.
2 days ago
Capacitive measurement controller with integrated Profinet interface
Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has further expanded its capaNCDT 62xx range of multi-channel capacitive controllers with the addition of the DT6240 controller with integrated Profinet interface.
2 days ago
Industrial or collaborative robots? Stäubli offers the best of both worlds
Those considering the purchase of a robot system now have to decide whether the best and most appropriate choice will be a cobot, or whether a traditional industrial robot will offer the optimum solution, as the experts at Stäubli explain.

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