Machine Building

How to simplify industrial process automation using IO-Link

Industry 4.0 continues to gather pace as more manufacturers are looking to benefit from the ever-expanding array of automation tools and products available. At the heart of every system are network and communication protocols that connect sensors and devices to controllers; sites often combine industrial ethernet with fieldbus systems such as CANopen, AS-Interface, Profibus, CC-Link or DeviceNet, so where would a new I/O solution sit? Kieran Bennett, Field Segment Manager for hygienic - Food and Beverage at Burkert, looks at IO-Link and the advantages it offers for industrial process control.

24th April 2020

Smart mechatronics take linear motion to the next level

Dr Ulf Lehmann, who leads the Linear Motion Technology business unit at Bosch Rexroth AG, explains how his company is taking linear motion to the next level by utilising smart mechatronics.

24th April 2020

Can your CAD system select the right threaded fasteners?

Challenge Europe often comes across the risks of excessive reliance on the automatic specification selection feature in many CAD systems at the design stage. These systems match physical dimensions but frequently neglect the materials or stock availability. This is also the case where, for example, a standardised component is requested, but in a material not covered by that standard. This focuses on the need to consult a specialist fastener supplier, especially regarding subcontract assemblies, since it may be that they cannot actually comply with the original drawing. In turn this has a major time implication in getting changes made when compliance is impossible.

23rd April 2020

CNC or PLC - what is best for Cartesian co-ordinate robots?

In order to remain competitive, it is generally accepted that industries should adopt lean manufacturing strategies to improve process efficiency. A key action can be to reduce part count, i.e. the number of components in an assembly or system. This is particularly challenging when it comes to highly accurate Cartesian co-ordinate (linear) motion applications. In these cases, machine builders would often need to use both PLCs and computer numerical controllers (CNCs) in order to fully manage movement within the machine - until now. Barry Weller, Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, looks at how to simplify the control architecture of Cartesian co-ordinate robots.

23rd April 2020

How shaft-hub connections have evolved

Engineers have explored many ways to make shaft-hub connections over the years and this present article explores the evolution to the hydraulic type that is now considered by many to be the state of the art.

21st April 2020

Selecting the optimum material and finish for threaded fasteners

The team at Challenge Europe are used to dealing with questions of specification regarding materials and finishes of threaded fasteners. This preferably occurs early in the process of defining new assemblies, but may equally be of value at service or repair.

16th April 2020

How engineers can monitor machine performance while on the move

Due to increasing market demand, maintenance and service technicians are constantly on the move, monitoring multiple machines and, potentially, multiple facilities. Couple this with workers not allowed entry into factories, monitoring machinery performance is more important than ever before. Here, Lee Sullivan, Regional Manager at Copa-Data UK, explains how engineers can monitor machine performance while they are on the move.

16th April 2020

How to specify the right type of bearing retainer

In mathematics, Pascal's triangle is an arrangement constructed by summing adjacent elements in preceding rows. It has applications in algebra, probability and is a useful model for calculating combinations - commonly referred to as "n choose k". Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier, SMB Bearings, explains how to navigate the seemingly endless choices in the bearing design process.

15th April 2020