Machine Building

Technical Articles

Automation and data transparency in the bakery

Pressure on prices is rising in the bakery market. Of particular concern is the increasing pressure from the discounters who are competing with cheap products baked freshly in store. At the same time, productivity and profit margins are low in the food processing industry in comparison with other producing industries. Above all, small and medium-sized operations are facing the challenge of competing in price terms with the discounter and supermarket offers manufactured largely on automated monolines. To stay competitive in the long term, operations are increasingly looking for opportunities to increase efficiency in production while at the same time reducing energy consumption. Reliable characteristics and the collection and accurate analysis of process and production-related data provide the necessary transparency.

14th August 2014

Intelligent design of new generation IP68 enclosures

When talking about enclosure quality, IP68 certification is the Holy Grail. IP68 enclosures are able to protect against water ingress even when fully submerged, making them suitable for applications in harsh environments. In order to guarantee the water resistance, most manufacturers resort to cumbersome, double housing or gel-filled designs. While these can be quite bulky and time consuming to install, the inconvenience is generally accepted as a necessary hassle to achieve the required protection. But is that still the case? Alan Lewis, Business Development Manager for Retex UK, explains how thoughtful design is leading to a new generation of IP68 enclosures which offer end-users greater flexibility of choice and reduced installation times.

14th August 2014

Internet machine servicing, servitization and Industry 4.0

By adopting Industry 4.0 technologies as an enabler for servitization (also referred to as servitisation), machine builders and process equipment suppliers can maximise their revenues by offering new value-added services that improve their customers' performance, says John Pritchard, Managing Director at MAC Solutions.

12th August 2014

Safe Systems of Work for confined spaces

Andy Richford, confined spaces and breathing apparatus specialist at PASS Training, contends that training for confined spaces needs to concentrate not only on Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) but also on self-rescue procedures and putting measures in place to avoid the need for having rescue teams placed on standby in the first place.

11th August 2014

Installing and operating electric motors

Motors are the workhorses of industry, so commonplace that they are often taken for granted. Now, with the world economy growing and new regulations about energy efficiency coming in, many users will be installing new motors over the next few years. Lucie Hodkova of Rotor UK offers this checklist of things to remember when dealing with new motors.

8th August 2014

Specification advice for cable glands and enclosure accessories

Cable gland design has become increasingly varied as manufacturers begin to realise that they need to offer their customers a distinct advantage in order to hold on to their market share. With all this variation it can be hard to find the cable gland that is right for your application. Hylec-APL provides a range of mainstream and specialist options which offer end-users and OEMs the flexibility to choose the right option for their application.

30th July 2014

Sizing of pipework for steam applications for reliable operation

Steam is used in a wide range of industries for a variety of processes, from a basic small heating circuit to large scale hygienic steam production, involving specialist equipment which needs to be designed and maintained properly to ensure efficient and reliable operation of the process equipment. Ian Webster, Hygienic Processing Segment Manager at Bürkert UK offers steam training courses; here he looks at some of the basic calculations that should be understood by design and maintenance engineers in order to achieve a safe and efficient process.

29th July 2014

High-pressure, high-volume pump design for harsh environments

Pump designs fall mainly into two categories - centrifugal and reciprocating (piston) type - each with its own benefits and constraints. Mike Sherman, Marketing Manager at RMI Pressure Systems, looks at the design criteria and some of the applications.

29th July 2014

When two-speed motors are the best option

Two-speed motors are an often-overlooked technology, but they can be a good choice of prime mover when robustness, simplicity and low cost are required, alongside operational flexibility. Jerry Hodek of Wellingborough-based industrial motor specialists, Rotor UK, explains where they fit into the spectrum of drives.

22nd July 2014

Metal vs. plastic: specification of large outdoor enclosures

Large, outdoor enclosures are a necessary aspect of the general infrastructure of day-to-day life. Used to house vital control panels and electrical connections, these enclosures must be able to withstand all that is thrown at them to protect their contents; this includes extreme temperatures, rain, UV exposure and even vandalism attempts. Due to its inherent strength, steel has traditionally been the material of choice despite several shortcomings; but can glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) offer a robust alternative which offers protection where steel cannot?

22nd July 2014