Machine Building

Implementing digital transformation in the automotive sector

British Fluid Power Association member companies Festo and SMC Pneumatics consider the growing trend towards automation and digitalisation within the automotive industry, and the enduring importance of more traditional technologies such as pneumatics within the fast-developing digital transformation landscape.

28th January 2018

Component compatibility can make or break a good system

Selecting the right components and sub-systems when designing modern machines and technical equipment requires the consideration of many factors; some more obvious than others. Gerard Bush of INMOCO offers some insight into the process.

23rd January 2018

Screws from Challenge Europe with confidence and support

Screws from Challenge Europe come in an extensive range of general and niche ex-stock products, each with its own special features. Especially they come with the strong background support of the Challenge Europe team so useful to customers seeking just a bit more than simply placing an order without the benefit of guidance and support.

22nd January 2018

Non-contact technology simplifies torque monitoring

Monitoring torque in a drive shaft is one of the best ways of assessing the performance of plant and machinery. However, because drive shafts rotate, hard wiring a sensor into place usually requires the use of a delicate slip ring. An alternative is to use a non-contact radio frequency detector to monitor "˜Surface Acoustic Waves' (SAWs), as Mark Ingham of Sensor Technology Ltd explains.

18th January 2018

Changing business models with IoT

In the 1960s, Rolls Royce pioneered the concept of power by the hour - a pay per use system for its engines. Instead of purchasing the product upfront, the customer was offered a performance-based contract. This helped align the incentives of the manufacturer and operator - reliability, reduced expenditure and accurate cost prediction. Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at industrial automation equipment supplier, EU Automation, explains how automation is changing business models.

15th January 2018

HIMA assesses new cyberthreat after safety controller hack

In late 2017 the ICS cybersecurity specialist Dragos announced that a safety controller (SIS) of a HIMA competitor in a process facility in the Middle East had been targeted by a new malware attack and successfully hacked. The SIS was compromised, leading to a shutdown of the facility. The professional execution of the attack again clearly shows that facility operators need to take the subject of cybersecurity very seriously. HIMA therefore offers to provide expert consulting on the subject of cybersecurity in safety-critical systems.

12th January 2018

Counterfeit bearings puts end users and distributors at risk

The best way for buyers to protect themselves and their customers from counterfeit bearings is purchasing only from a reliable source - such as direct from the manufacturer or through a certified distributor, says Martin Ryan, Industrial Distribution Director for Schaeffler UK.

9th January 2018

Precise flow control for efficient, accurate pneumatic conveying

Pneumatic conveying provides an effective, enclosed transport system for manufacturing, handling and processing applications where small particles, grains, pellets or powders are required. These flexible transport systems offer a number of handling advantages over more conventional mechanical systems, as well as being able to deliver precision flow control.

28th December 2017

How to choose an automation partner

Machine builders are increasingly thinking of their components suppliers as project partners and making extensive use of their system design and support capabilities. Derek Jones of Lenze UK offers some advice on how to select an automation partner.

21st December 2017

Machine building, data, the IIoT and Industry 4.0

Dave Randall, Business Development Manager at Lenze UK, explains why machine builders and end users need to start thinking about the future by making sure the Industrial Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, networking and big data are built into machines and components from the outset for the best results.

21st December 2017