Machine Building

Maximising spring life

Goss Springs, based in Epping, have been designing and manufacturing industrial springs and press parts for over 65 years so it is fair to say that the father and son team now a thing or two about maximising spring life for their customers.

28th September 2016

The impact of digital decay for older industrial devices

The 1980s: an era of double denim, floppy disks and vinyl classics. Back then, the concept of storing your vinyl collection on a "˜cloud' was unimaginable and, let's be honest, ridiculous. Today, data storage for consumer and industrial technology is advancing rapidly, but what does this mean for older industrial devices? Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of industrial automation supplier EU Automation examines how digital decay is affecting industry.

28th September 2016

The 'I's have it - the three pillars of automation

As the trends towards digitalisation and the mobile information society gather momentum, consumers are demanding more information about the origin and content of the products they buy. Furthermore, they expect products, information and services to be increasingly targeted and personalised. This is how Omron sees the future.

27th September 2016

How to overcome orientation effect in food metal detectors

Food products come in all shapes, sizes and density. What's more, products don't always travel consistently in the same direction when passing through the metal detector aperture. Since size, shape and symmetry of metal contaminants cannot be controlled, operating a metal detector at the highest possible sensitivity setting is generally viewed as the best method to tackle product and orientation effect says Phil Brown, Sales Director at Fortress Technology.

24th September 2016

Designing with obsolescence in mind

It's fair to say that the smartphone is to blame for many everyday technologies including the calculator, the torch and the camera slowly entering the realms of obsolescence. However, not even this disruptive technology can go on ruling our lives forever; a study by Ericsson found that one in two people believe the smartphone will be obsolete in 5 years' time. With tech lifecycles becoming shorter, it is important for product designers to plan in advance for component obsolescence to maximise the life span of their products. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of industrial automation equipment supplier EU Automation, discusses his considerations for designing for obsolescence.

22nd September 2016

The benefits and challenges of IT/OT convergence

The convergence of industrial automation and communication is an integral part of the growing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In the modern industrial realm, automation should provide a consistent way of executing tasks and processes - including those usually associated with information technology (IT). As a result, the operational technology (OT) used to support manufacturing processes is experiencing significant changes. Here, Martyn Williams, Managing Director of COPA-DATA UK, explains the changing responsibilities of IT and OT.

16th September 2016

Benefits of universal peripherals: the universal brake chopper

There is a real danger in the specification of inverters for use in heavy-duty applications. Fresh from the manufacturer, most drives - even ones with onboard brake choppers - are not rated sufficiently for the braking demand of the application. Here John Mitchell, global business development manager of maintenance and repair specialist CP Automation, discusses the benefits of using a universal brake chopper that works with any inverter.

16th September 2016

Automatic monitoring of mobile harbour equipment

The increasing globalisation of the world economy is pressurising ports, docks and harbours into handling ever-increasing volumes of cargo, so mobile harbour equipment has to work efficiently and reliably at all times. Tony Ingham of Sensor Technology Ltd explains how monitoring the work rate of cranes, loaders and unloaders means their performance can be optimised and downtime for maintenance can be scheduled for minimum disruption to operational requirements.

14th September 2016

The future of obsolescence management

In 10 years' time robots will cease to be subservient/submissive, manufacturing won't exist as we know it and we'll be 3D printing our own clothes before we go out. Do any of these sound like familiar predictions you've heard over the last 5 years? We thought so. With this in mind, we'll tread lightly when talking about what the highly interconnected future has in store for industrial automation. Here, marketing director of EU Automation, Jonathan Wilkins, looks at managing obsolete automation components in the factory of the future. Oh, did we mention that this factory could be ordering your replacement parts for you?

14th September 2016

How to specify simple, reliable and adaptable screw jacks

The need to raise a load is one of the most common requirements in industry. This is often achieved with a screw jack, but these need to be used in conjunction with other drive components and possibly in a system of several synchronised screw jacks. Ian Carr of Drive Lines Technologies explains how lifting systems are typically designed.

12th September 2016