Machine Building

Automation payback - 10 tips for achieving ROI in 12 months

Machine builders and suppliers of automation equipment often talk about how their machines deliver optimum performance, boost workplace efficiency and increase output. However, for most, if not all customers, the return on investment (ROI) figures can be a real deal breaker. Richard Gladwin, Technical Director at system integrator Pacepacker Services, offers 10 powerful tips that can help automation to deliver an ROI inside a year.

29th January 2015

Gearhead elasticity and its effect on positioning accuracy

Mark Gibbons, a Technical Engineer at maxon motor uk Ltd, explains how torsion and gearhead elasticity can result in drive system positioning control that is not as good as expected.

21st January 2015

Solenoid valves - an enduring design refined over time

The humble solenoid has been with us since the early 1900s, and since its invention it has seen a number of developments that have enabled it to provide control over a wide range of applications. From water and gas handling to hygienic and micro fluidic applications, each has its own challenges that have led to a range of designs for the mechanism and the coils. Paul Trevitt, Operations & Engineering Manager for Bürkert UK & Ireland, looks at the improvements in design that have allowed an increasing number of processes to rely on this essential device.

19th January 2015

The future of open automation networks - gigabit CC-Link IE

Since 2013's Hannover fair, the topic of Industry 4.0 has become of key interest to everyone in the automation community and the customers who depend on them for innovative products. In general terms, Industry 4.0 is seen as the next big change in manufacturing, where so called "cyber physical systems" and the Internet of Things will provide significant benefits to increase the capabilities, efficiency and flexibility of manufacturing systems in general.

15th January 2015

Machine design tips to minimise risk of Legionnaires' Disease

Steven Booth of Guardian Air and Water Hygiene outlines the steps that machine builders need to take when designing new plant to minimise the risk of Legionnaires' Disease developing at a later date.

14th January 2015

Superconductors and their potential for industrial automation

For the industrial automation sector, superconductor technology is still in the development / demonstration stage. Their special properties show early promise for solving specific industrial automation issues and opening up completely new application fields of the future.

9th January 2015

Intelligent control for food processors

The general trends in the automation of food processing have been heading towards more precise control and more information being gathered at device level. It is important for process engineers to appreciate which control structure would be most appropriate for their particular application.

9th January 2015

How to guarantee accuracy throughout the manufacturing process

For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. This proverb carries on through rider and message to battle and kingdom. It pre-dates modern manufacturing - probably by a couple of centuries - but exactly the same principle applies to engineering. Chris Putman, Sales and Marketing Director of WDS explains that if you don't get the small details right, the big picture will never be perfect.

22nd December 2014