Machine Building

Ultrasonic screening systems boost powder throughput

Avid gym-goers and time-pressed managers alike have undoubtedly noticed the rise in powdered food products in recent years. While they offer a quick fix for consumers, the production of these products can present challenges to food manufacturers. Here, Stephen Harding, managing director of Gough Engineering, explains how powder manufacturers can maximise throughput and efficiency.

10th August 2017

IoT for systems integrators made easy by LPRS

LPRS CS have identified systems integrators and service providers as having the greatest opportunity of all company types to deploy, use and generate revenue from IoT/M2M applications. They are the feet-on-the-street with first-hand knowledge of the end use requirements, applications and end users and can therefore leverage this technology to the benefit of all.

9th August 2017

Dynamic balance improves motion systems' performance

High-speed precision motion systems have to be dynamically balanced, otherwise they will vibrate in use, lose precision, suffer excessive wear and fail prematurely. Ian Carr of Drive Lines Technologies in Bedford reviews procedures and techniques for balancing high-speed precision couplings.

8th August 2017

Choosing the right balls for your bearings

Some pro-cyclists have turned to precision hybrid ceramic bearings for their low rolling resistance to give them a race day advantage over those who opt for all-steel bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of specialist bearing supplier, SMB Bearings, explains this choice and explores the differences between full ceramic and hybrid bearings.

8th August 2017

Why do we blame robots when the line stops?

Production and packing lines will stop working for any number of reasons, but the default assumption will often be that a robotic malfunction is to blame. Instead of scapegoating the technology, Paul Wilkinson, Commercial & Information Systems Manager at Pacepacker Services, offers some advice on getting to the root of the problem.

4th August 2017

Best practice for big data management

Big data is one of the most talked-about technology trends of the past decade. However, the catalyst for big data occurred in the 1960s. A 1967 paper by B.A Marron discussed the growing amount of data that the world was producing - referred to as the "˜information explosion'. In the paper, Marron imagined the potential of an automatic processor that could collect and store valuable pieces of information for its users - technology that we now experience in almost every part of our lives. Here, Lee Sullivan, Regional Manager at industrial software expert, COPA-DATA UK, explains the value of big data in the manufacturing industry and the best practice for industrial data acquisition and visualisation.

3rd August 2017

Benefits of magnetic bearings when used with high-speed motors

A combination of magnetic bearings and high-speed motors ensures almost friction-free operation and the opportunity to create a new generation of high-efficiency machines, says Phil Burge, Marketing and Communications Manager at SKF.

1st August 2017

Now is the time for Food and Drink SMEs to invest in automation

There's never been a better time for food and drink SMEs to invest in robots for the workplace. Sales and exports are booming, and robots are more powerful than ever. Paul Wilkinson, Commercial & Information Systems Manager at Pacepacker Services, examines the current challenges of the food and drink industry and details how robots can assist SMEs to boost productivity and compete with larger industry players.

28th July 2017

Cybersecurity at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

A technical evolution has taken place, which has made cyber threats more potent than at any other time in our history. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, over half of British businesses will suffer cyber attacks by 2018. As businesses seek to embrace Industry 4.0, cybersecurity protection must be a top priority for Industrial Control Systems (ICS). These attacks are financially crippling, reduce production and business innovation, and cost lives. Dave Sutton, Product Marketing Manager, Schneider Electric, discusses Cybersecurity at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

24th July 2017

Anticipatory maintenance prevents unplanned downtime

Tapio Torikka of Bosch Rexroth examines some of the limitations of existing maintenance regimes and looks at new systems that are, for the first time, harnessing real-time data to enable a truly anticipatory approach to be taken to machine maintenance.

20th July 2017