Machine Building

How to avoid losing data about manufacturing processes

Our reliance on data to complete our work, communicate with friends and stream our favourite TV series is increasing. In fact, 90 per cent of all data that exists today was created in the last two years. While not all of this data is important to manufacturers, losing any of their own data can be detrimental to the business. Here Sophie Hand, UK country account manager at industrial automation parts supplier EU Automation, explains how manufacturers can use virtualisation to consolidate and keep track of their data.

11th April 2019

Small precision motors: standard or customised?

Andrew Gibson, Sales Engineer at maxon motor UK & Ireland, explains the simple and complex modifications that can be incorporated when producing custom precision drives.

9th April 2019

How to specify brakes for safety-critical applications

In many safety-critical applications, safety brakes are often the only means of safeguarding against crashes or the inadvertent descent of suspended loads. Incorrect selection or dimensioning of these brakes can lead to serious injuries and damage to property. Therefore, it is essential that you take a critical look at the technical product details and the performance spectrum of the provider when selecting your brakes.

5th April 2019

How machine tools and systems can operate safely and efficiently

Michael Scalet, Industry Management Machine Tools at Leuze electronic GmbH + Co KG, discusses how sensors and control systems can be used to optimise the interaction between people and machinery.

4th April 2019

Over what distance can you use a thermal imaging camera?

Andrew Baker, Sales Director North Europe, Flir Systems Ltd, explains the issue of using a thermal imaging camera to measure temperatures over different distances.

3rd April 2019

The business case for Industry 4.0 - convincing stakeholders

Much noise has been made about Industry 4.0 and the global movement towards connected factories, but the reality is that here in the UK, things are moving a lot slower - and rightly so. For Bosch Rexroth, the fourth industrial revolution is not actually a revolution, but rather a period of logical and essential evolution - and evolutions do not happen overnight. Andrew Minturn, Strategic Product Manager at Bosch Rexroth, explores the first, most critical phase of transitioning towards a connected facility: stakeholder engagement.

21st March 2019

Energy efficiency and cost savings in mines and quarries

Most mines and quarries contain a proliferation of electric motors, powering fans, pumps, conveyors, crushers, winches, hydraulic power packs etc. They vary in size and importance from large machines that are critical to site safety and operations to smaller examples that enable basic plant processes such as dust suppression and surface water control. Each one is drawing electricity and unless it is already part of a smart control system, it could be contributing more towards energy and general cost saving.

20th March 2019

IT/OT convergence and the end of the automation pyramid

With structures of over four thousand years old, Egypt boasts some the oldest pyramids in existence. The history of automation's pyramid however, a diagram representing the integration of technologies in industry, dwarfs in comparison. Could this engineering concept be coming to an end? Here, Stefan Reuther Chief Sales Officer at COPA-DATA, explains why IT/OT convergence will lead to the collapse of the automation pyramid.

18th March 2019

What is dual channel technology for sensors?

The rise of digitisation also means that known processes and procedures are subject to change. Standards that have been valid and established thus far are now under examination, done away with entirely, or may need to be adapted. In many regards, there is a sense that the world is becoming increasingly complex, thus requiring a new level of expertise and strategies to successfully master the challenges of the future. For this reason, Leuze electronic is developing smart sensors to optimise the production processes of its customers and increase the productivity of their systems and machines.

11th March 2019

Standard and custom spring specification - what to consider

Chris Petts, Managing Director of Lee Spring, explains what factors should be considered when selecting a catalogue spring or specifying a custom product.

8th March 2019