Machine Building

WDS ball joints bring flexibility to wide range of systems

Most people use ball and socket joints every day, in the form of their hips. They allow people to move in many ways - from gentle strolls to rigorous exercise. In engineering terms, axial ball or ball and socket joints rotate smoothly in all directions, so can absorb considerable amounts of misalignment of shafts and structural elements. As such they are invaluable in a wide variety of machines and engineered systems.

21st June 2017

Five factors to consider when specifying automation

Mark Turner, Applications Manager at Lenze, explains five factors that machine builders need to consider when making choices about technologies, as the implications can be considerable over the full lifecycle of a machine.

21st June 2017

Boost cutting machine productivity: upgrade to newer technology

ESAB welding & cutting is offering customers with existing ESAB cutting machines the opportunity to upgrade and benefit from improved productivity, performance, reliability and cut quality. Thousands of customers throughout Europe could gain by upgrading their plasma, laser and oxy-fuel cutting systems to use newer technologies as some of the older machines could have now been operating for 30 years or more. Customers with very old machines are encouraged to upgrade to improve the machine performances, reliability, productivity and cutting quality.

19th June 2017

Inch or metric ball screws: not just a question of units

Because ball screws are available in both inch and metric dimensions, designers sometimes begin the specification process by selecting a product family based on the unit of measure. This decision may prematurely exclude the best product for the application and lead to significant losses in time, labour and money. This article explains how sizing and selection questions centred on performance - instead of monikers - can lead to more efficient linear motion designs.

15th June 2017

Pacepacker robots deep dive into BDUs

The average human arm measures just 63.5 centimetres. This makes placing heavy loads of products into deep food Bulk Display Units (BDUs) challenging and subjects manual handlers to high risk of repetitive strain injuries. Torso twisting and bending to reach into low corners is especially hazardous when repeated throughout the working day.

15th June 2017

The SKF smart manufacturing transformation

Digital technologies are helping SKF revolutionise the speed and flexibility of its production operations. For customers, that means shorter lead-times, smaller inventories and lower costs.

13th June 2017

How to prevent threaded joints from working loose?

Many applications require a threaded joint that is dismountable yet durable, but often the freedom to dismantle comes at a price because the chosen securing method has limitations. Many of the traditional thread-locking devices are unable to maintain bolt tension and clamping forces, resulting in premature failure and, potentially, costly downtime. This present article explores the alternative options for preventing threaded joints from self-loosening.

12th June 2017

SKF is paving the path to a digital future

Further digitalisation of established technologies such as condition monitoring and smart sensors could have a revolutionary effect on manufacturing, says Bernie van Leeuwen, Director Product Management Digitalization at SKF.

10th June 2017

Augmented reality: efficient access to engineering expertise

During the last few years, virtual reality technologies have taken global consumer markets by storm. However, their industrial use has been limited, mainly because they only enable the user access to a digital model, without taking actual surroundings into account. But with the advent of augmented, or mixed reality devices, the game is changing, especially for industrial end-users.

10th June 2017

PLM vs. ERP- do you really need both?

The human body contains over 600 muscles and more than 200 bones. Although the muscular and skeletal systems fulfil separate functions, they also work together to facilitate movement. In many ways, the analogy is relevant for companies deciding between implementing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Here, Bob Hillier, managing director Design Rule, shares the best practice for companies caught up in the PLM vs. ERP debate.

7th June 2017