Machine Building

EtherCAT sensors enable real-time measurements

Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon UK, discusses the growing importance of EtherCAT in enabling the latest laser displacement sensors to transfer measurement data in real time in automated industrial environments

30th June 2012

Enhanced cycle efficiency thanks to rotary indexing machines

With excellent flexibility, fast setup times and very short non-productive times, rotary indexing machines like the Winema RV 10 Flexmaster are breaking into the domain of cam-controlled machines. Designer Eckhard Neth, Managing Director of Winema Maschinenbau GmbH discusses the road to maximum output

30th June 2012

Profisafe celebrates ten years of safety on a common cable

According to The Profibus Group, Profisafe is currently the global market leader with over 630,000 Profisafe nodes. Ten years ago, however, it was necessary to convince safety authorities, 25 renowned safety engineering companies, and users to accept the completely new technology.

22nd June 2012

Inverters include energy-saving technology for no extra cost

Optimum efficiency for standard AC asynchronous motors is achieved around full load, and the efficiency falls steeply at partial loads; however, Lenze says that for machinery with substantial load variations, reduced running costs can be achieved by using the company's 8400 series frequency inverters.

18th June 2012

Liquid-cooled drives can be an attractive option

Comparatively few specifiers or users of variable speed drives give serious consideration to liquid-cooled products yet, in appropriate applications, they offer many valuable benefits. Stephen Takhar of Vacon explains.

25th May 2012

Control for permanent magnet motors

For decades, induction motors have been the first choice for the majority of commercial and industrial applications. Now, however, attention is starting to shift to permanent magnet synchronous motors. But what are the benefits of using these, and how easy are they to control? Stephen Takhar of Vacon UK has the answers.

25th May 2012

Fault masking: is your machine as safe as you think?

David Collier of Pilz Automation Technology discusses how fault masking can result in machinery safety systems not being as safe as might be expected, and some alternative solutions to this problem.

25th May 2012

Benefits of dedicated Technical File Management software

Andrew Gordon, the Compliance manager at CESystems, outlines the risks associated with using office-orientated software for compiling and managing Technical Files for CE marking machinery, then he explains the benefits of using a system based on dedicated software.

22nd May 2012

Do Education. Do Experimentation. Do Engineering!

Robert Morton, BSc, MEng, MIET, the Managing Director of National Instruments UK & Ireland, has written an open letter in which he gives his views on the needs for the next generation of engineers in the UK.

22nd May 2012

Remanufacture option for equipment nearing end of life

Reliable operation of automation equipment nearing the end of its operational life is a high-risk strategy. Reducing productivity and increasing production costs are classic symptoms of this mode of operation for the end-user. What are the answers? Paul Hickman of Bosch Rexroth offers a solution.

17th May 2012