Machine Building

Continued market growth is testament to the development of PLCs

The PLC versus IPC or PC-based control debate has been with us for over two decades now, with commentators making various predictions about the rise of industrial controllers with PC-based internals versus purely PLC options. Yet according the latest figures from Gambica the PLC market continues to grow. Mitsubishi Electric PLC product manager Hugh Tasker offers some thoughts on why.

25th October 2018

Smart safety, Industry 4.0 and higher productivity

Together with the protection of people and the environment, smart safety can deliver multiple benefits to manufacturing companies. When safety devices and mechanisms are interconnected throughout the plant, safety compliance can be achieved more easily while productivity, performance and profitability are also improved.

25th October 2018

Why specify frameless motors? What are the benefits?

Andrew Gibson, Sales Engineer at maxon UK, explains the benefits of frameless motors for certain applications, and what precautions need to be taken during assembly.

24th October 2018

How to succeed with your initial IoT implementation

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the enabler for new types of business model that will increase the bottom line for businesses and improve the range of services they can offer. Edge computing promises near-real-time insights and facilitates localised actions that are tuned to the needs of customers. In doing so, businesses can ensure they remain competitive in a rapidly changing world. Andy Penfold, Director of Offering Management at Adlink Technology, describes how digital experimentation with the IoT leads to innovation, and he also looks at options for creating a clearer path to innovative IoT.

22nd October 2018

Wrap spring clutches in state-of-the-art machines

With many industries embracing technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT) or Industry 4.0, it can be easy to overlook some of the simpler and more cost-effective options. For packaging and labelling, maintaining both precision and product positioning is very important for high-quality results and does not necessarily require the latest in servomotor design. Mathieu Ruault, Sales Director of Warner Electric, discusses the role that wrap spring clutches can play in state-of-the-art machines.

17th October 2018

What to consider when choosing eddy current displacement sensors

Chris Jones of Micro-Epsilon discusses the factors to consider when selecting a non-contact eddy current displacement sensor, including temperature of the target, calibration, target thickness and size, speed of measurements and mounting.

16th October 2018

Three rules for cyber security in the manufacturing sector

Almost half of manufacturers have fallen victim to cybercrime, according to the Cyber Security Manufacturing Report 2018, published by EEF. One of the biggest challenges for manufacturers is choosing from the range of products and services available to protect against these crimes. Here, Lee Sullivan, regional manager at COPA-DATA UK, explains his three cyber security rules that manufacturers should abide by when selecting vendors.

15th October 2018

Latest developments in AGV positioning technologies

With increasing process automation, the cost-effective automation of vehicles is playing an increasingly more important role. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are encountered in vast warehouses, order-picking areas and production halls. Every one of these vehicles must find its way and its exact position - and do so automatically. For some time now there have been various technologies in this area with specific properties, in testing and also in actual use, and with each further enhancement - for example in sensor technology - new opportunities result.

13th October 2018

How fastening technologies can help overcome EV range anxiety

Many engineers already know that one of the earliest World Land Speed Records was set by an electric car, when the Belgian driver Camille Jenatzy took his bullet-shaped vehicle Le Jamais Contente to 100kph. In those days (1899), this was a fantastic speed and in 2018 the outright world speed record for a battery-powered car stands at well over 300mph. However, today's EV engineers are driven by consumer demand and focusing more on range and durability than outright speed. As EVs have evolved for public consumption, a new phrase has entered the conversation and it is said to reflect the biggest reason why the buying public continues to resist the current crop of extremely competent EV offerings. "˜Range anxiety' is still proving a difficult challenge to overcome for manufacturers and a genuine ongoing concern.

11th October 2018

Fasteners for assemblies with relaxed tolerances

This article explores the benefits of using fasteners that can compensate for vertical and horizontal misalignment in assemblies where cost is more important than tight tolerances.

9th October 2018