Machine Building

Electronic access control: physically securing medical equipment

Southco's Simon Williamson discusses how intelligent electronic access systems can improve the security of confidential patient information within the healthcare industry.

3rd December 2014

Minutes to motion - linear positioning explained

Automation is essential if UK manufacturing is to compete against the low-wage economies of the developing world, and linear positioning is often a fundamental part of automation. Here, Gerard Bush of servo specialist INMOCO explains the design basics for linear motion systems.

27th November 2014

Sensors will define the future of production and technology

This past year it has been difficult to open an engineering magazine and not read about the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0 or Machine-to-Machine Communications (M2MC). But all the hype and predictions will come to naught if sensor manufacturers don't rise to the challenges before them, says Tony Ingham of Sensor Technology Ltd in Oxfordshire.

26th November 2014

The differences between guarding standards ISO 14120 and EN 953

Jeremy Procter, a member of standards committees ISO/TC 199/WG 6 (Safety distances and ergonomic aspects) and BSI MCE/3 (Safeguarding of machinery), and Managing Director of Procter Machine Guarding, explains how the new edition of ISO 14120, the international standard for machine guards, differs from the standard it has replaced in Europe, EN 953.

25th November 2014

Bearing design for electric motors

As the development of more efficient electric motors continues to keep pace with upcoming regulations, it is important to ensure that all the components are engineered to the latest specifications, including the bearings. Tony Synnott, UK Engineering Manager for NSK Europe, explains how bearing design is affecting electric motor performance and reliability.

25th November 2014

When to integrate or separate safety and standard control?

Adam Hallinan, Customer Support manager at Pilz Australia, and David Collier, Business Development Manager at Pilz UK, discuss when it might be best to integrate safety and standard machine control functions and when it might be better to keep them separate.

20th November 2014

Shop around for Standards

CE Marking of Machinery has been a requirement since January 1993. Before applying the CE marking, machinery manufacturers should compile a Technical File that addresses the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the Directive 2006/42/EC. Derek Coulson, Technical Advisor with Safe Machine Ltd has been assisting companies with CE marking of machinery since 1995, and provides some insight here.

20th November 2014

How to select the best material for an electrical enclosure

At first glance electrical enclosures are simple boxes, but choosing the best material of construction from the many available requires some consideration. Chris Lloyd, Managing Director for Spelsberg els UK, offers some advice.

20th November 2014

Why you should understand permanent magnet motor technology

Every sector of industry strives for improving efficiency and reliability in their equipment, so that they can better serve their customers. One technology set to redefine expectations is the permanent magnet AC motor, which is an increasingly attractive alternative to the currently ubiquitous induction or squirrel cage motor. Rick Munz of Regal assesses its advantages.

18th November 2014

Keeping their cool - marine clutches and brakes

The marine environment is very harsh, and delivering equipment capable of performing reliably and efficiently requires expert design engineers combined with advanced materials technology. Neil Wright, Managing Director of Wichita Clutch, assesses the requirements of modern marine clutches and brakes, which play such a crucial role in a variety of applications.

14th November 2014