Machine Building

A guide to selecting non-contact sensors

Nowhere is the trend towards non-contact sensing more evident than in position measurement. With such a bewildering array of options, it can be difficult to select the most appropriate instrument for a specific application.

22nd March 2013

Angle sensors: do you know your arc-seconds from your gradians?

Angle sensors are generally rated and, just as importantly, priced according to their measurement performance. But performance is stated in a variety of ways and some manufacturers confuse matters by using crafty "˜spec-manship'. Mark Howard of Zettlex explains some of the terminology and provides an explanation of how to specify an angle sensor that is right for your application.

20th March 2013

Consumer technology will revitalise industrial automation

As the parent of teenage boys, Stuart Harvey is inclined to classify Playstations and Xboxes as the scourge of a generation. But as the forward-thinking managing director of Softstart UK, he sees them as technologies that could transform industrial automation.

28th February 2013

Industrial networking and protocols: gateway devices

The market for industrial networking is now over 20 years old, and has changed beyond recognition since the early days. However, its development has confounded the conventional economic theory: far from the expected rationalisation, we have more networks and protocols than ever according to David Folley of HMS Industrial Networks.

27th February 2013

Understanding ingress protection in electrical enclosures

One of the most critical factors in deciding which electrical enclosure or junction box should be used to protect your electrical systems and their connections is its IP rating. No matter where the housing will be located, you need to be sure that it will be able to withstand any hostilities its environment may throw at it. But how many people actually know how these IP ratings are achieved and, most importantly, the ways in which they can be compromised during installation. Chris Lloyd, General Manager for Spelsberg UK, explains how different IP ratings can be reached and how to maximise your enclosure's integrity.

20th February 2013

What you need to know about spring quality

Many products rely on the strength and durability of springs but, as Lee Spring warns, it is important to ensure high quality springs are selected in order to avoid a potentially disastrous premature spring failure.

18th February 2013

Five top tips for industrial wireless applications

Mark Harries, Business Development Manager for I/O and Networks at Phoenix Contact, discusses tips for industrial wireless applications.

28th January 2013

Easy ways to extend the life of machinery

Stuart Harvey of Softstart (UK) discusses ways to reduce mechanical and electrical stresses in motor-driven machinery, and the benefits that accrue from this - including a longer operating life, reduced energy consumption and financial savings.

28th January 2013

Stepper motors: advanced techniques

In a previous article, Gerard Bush of INMOCO explained the fundamentals of stepper motor design and usage. Here he delves into some advanced control techniques that improve their motion smoothness and stability.

25th January 2013

Microcapsules in adhesive dispensing technology

These days, we can find microcapsules in almost every industrial sector, where they take numerous roles. However, dispensing these fragile materials can be a problem since clearly it is important that the microcapsules be undamaged by the dispensing process.

15th January 2013