Machine Building

Does your valve have the correct chemical resistance properties?

The correct selection of the valves being used within any process control system is key to ensuring the performance and reliability of that system. Michael Hannig, Product Manager for Solenoid Valves at Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at this process with particular focus on the chemical resistance of the various components.

16th October 2013

Keep on running with a Mitsubishi Electric service contract

With its "˜make today, sell tomorrow' scheduling, the food and beverage manufacturing sector has an almost total intolerance to production breakdowns. They have developed sophisticated techniques to keep the lines working and the distribution channels full. Guy Kennett of Mitsubishi Electric explains that other sectors can benefit by adopting similar systems.

16th October 2013

Coatings prolong bearing life in harsh environments

Often, operating conditions exist that are beyond the limits of standard bearings. However, by applying a coating or combination of coatings to the base material of bearing components, the operating life of the bearings can be extended significantly. With increasing demands being placed on bearings, it is often necessary for bearing manufacturers to offer customers combinations of coatings for particular applications.

14th October 2013

How to achieve optimum bearing performance in gearboxes

Bearings for modern industrial drive systems must deliver efficient and reliable performance even in the most demanding of environments. NSKreveals a focus on continuously improving products.

4th October 2013

Speed control provides an essential efficiency optimisation

Electric drives revolutionised the industrial and domestic sectors, and now hardly any aspect of daily life can manage without them. In the industrial and production sectors, some 30 million electric motors ensure reliable and effective operation. The share of frequency converters is rising in response to the growing demand for optimised processes and lower production costs, as well as more efficient use of expensive energy.

2nd October 2013

Seals and synthetic materials are key to efficient machinery

Elastic, wear-resistant, reliable, space saving and cost effective - that's what seals are supposed to be. Sealing technology is becoming increasingly important in the design of plant and machinery, as well as in helping to improve the efficiency of complex mechanical components, says Harald Peschke, Manager of Sealing Technology & Synthetic Materials at Schaeffler.

1st October 2013

Developments in level measurement technology

Charlie Sorbo, Level Product Manager for Gems Sensors and Controls, looks at the development of level measurement components and the recent innovations that are boosting performance and efficiency.

27th September 2013

Increased yields can help drive emobility uptake

The benefits of renewable energy sources are well known, and electric cars are not a new concept. However, to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which will be exhausted in just one century, efficient ways of mass producing the cells need to be established. The electric motor can be up to four times more efficient than the combustion engine. Given the finite nature of fossil fuels, the uptake of electric cars, or emobility as it is now called, is inevitable. However, what does this mean for automation technology? Steve Sands, Product Manager at Festo GB, reviews the current situation.

10th September 2013

Don't take any chances with surge voltages

Surge voltages are short, pulse-like voltage peaks with steep rising edges and are also known as transients. The origin of these transients can be external, for example lightning, but is much more likely to be caused by your own equipment, such as switching of motors or transformers or the interruption of a short circuit by protective measures.

10th September 2013