Machine Building

Motor and drive efficiency: a joint approach for better results

Efficiency, reliability and total cost of ownership are all terms that are at the forefront of engineering considerations; however, looking at items of equipment on an individual basis may not deliver the maximum benefits. By looking at the wider picture and combining the best technology from individual areas it is possible to achieve much more significant savings and efficiencies. Markus Kutny, Product Manager, Energy Efficiency Solutions at Bauer Gear Motor, explains.

23rd October 2014

HV coils - what are the key ingredients for lasting performance?

Industries that employ high-voltage (HV) rotating machines, either as generators or motors, are usually involved in sectors where loss of production can cost enormous sums of money. It is therefore essential that the original equipment and any repaired equipment be fitted with the best quality coils, and that any maintenance is carried out with precision and speed. Richard Emery, Head of Technical Services at the Sulzer Birmingham Service Centre, looks at the various aspects of the coil manufacturing process in order to provide a better understanding to those operating and maintaining these key pieces of equipment.

17th October 2014

Securing automation systems: a step-by-step approach

The big problem when it comes to security for automation systems: there are no simple solutions. This makes it all the more helpful when communication technology experts from organisations like PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) give users a hand by providing guidelines. PI also offers specific tests for testing and improving the robustness of devices to withstand denial-of-service attacks, for example.

17th October 2014

Ensuring constant availabilty of onboard CCTV and WiFi services

For onboard rail applications, ensuring maximum availability of security and surveillance systems, as well as passenger Infotainment services, is critical. The cost-effective deployment, operation and maintenance of such systems are equally important, says Santos Muro, business development manager at Korenix UK.

15th October 2014

The questions to ask when specifying an electrical enclosure

Engineers cannot be experts at everything, so they often bring in specialists to help out. And asking the right questions will help ensure a successful outcome to each project. Here, Chris Lloyd, Managing Director of Spelsberg UK identifies the key things to consider about electrical enclosures.

15th October 2014

Servo users should not be seduced by power density alone

Servomotors are high-performance devices and represent all that is best in motor technology. Many engineers will feel a natural inclination to specify, top-of-the-range servos, every time, but clearly performance comes at a price. Gerard Bush of motion control specialist INMOCO offers some thoughts on how to select the optimum servomotor for a given application and how the technology will develop in future.

15th October 2014

LifeSense hydraulic hose condition monitoring system

Alexandra Benz, LifeSense product manager at Eaton's Hydraulics Business, considers the issues relating to unexpected failure of hydraulic hoses, and proposes a solution that can help machine builders design and manufacture highly customised machines that operate reliably, for longer and at high levels of energy efficiency and safety throughout their service life

15th October 2014

Making sense of real-time load measurement

The handling of dry bulk materials used to be a completely manual process, but it is now being increasingly automated in a drive to reduce both the costs and the risks of injury, while also increasing throughput and accuracy. We report on some of the new real-time load measurement technologies behind these developments.

7th October 2014

Top ten tips for operative safety when working alongside robots

Darren Whittall, technical manager at Fanuc UK, offers his top ten tips while explaining why operative safety should be a priority in all robotic applications, and suggests steps that can be taken to avoid robot-related accidents when humans are sharing the same workspace.

2nd October 2014

How food manufacturers can benefit from robotic automation

This article from Fanuc outlines how food manufacturers can benefit from robotic automation, typically for pick-and-place and packaging applications, with the company claiming that enquiries for this type of application are up 35 per cent compared with the previous year.

2nd October 2014