Machine Building

When were your light curtains last tested?

Light curtains are common place in today's manufacturing and packaging facilities. They fall into the category of ESPE (Electro Sensitive Protective Equipment). They use AOPD (Active Opto-electronic Protection Devices) for safeguarding persons when interacting with machinery.

7th June 2017

Turning up the lights on dark data

In 1945, an engineer named Percy Spencer was testing energy sources for radar equipment in a laboratory, when he realised a chocolate bar in his pocket had somehow melted. Not long after, the microwave oven was born. In the manufacturing industry, it is also possible to make accidental discoveries; one avenue which is proving particularly fruitful is the use of dark data. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at EU Automation, discusses how manufacturers can use their dark data for commercial benefit.

6th June 2017

The top five challenges of relubricating bearings

Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings, explains the top five challenges of relubricating bearings.

6th June 2017

Top five factors to consider when replacing linear systems

Bob Love, Business Development Manager at Schaeffler UK, outlines the top five points that engineers, maintenance technicians and service providers should consider when replacing linear profile rail systems in existing machinery.

6th June 2017

Using smart sensors: what do your motors really do?

In 1969, the first home security system was born, consisting of four peepholes and a camera that could be moved to look through any of them, broadcasting the images to a monitor. Nowadays, we can now stream and view a feed of our home security cameras on our mobiles, giving homeowners greater piece of mind. Here, Markus Brettschneider, of ABB's food and beverage program, explains how food plant managers can add a similar level of connectivity to retrofit most motors with smart sensors to bring their plants to the digital age.

1st June 2017

How to improve metal additive manufacturing processes

This article from Aerotech discusses the current state of metal additive manufacturing technology and presents ways to improve the process.

26th May 2017

Optimising safety with Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 conjures up images of a highly dynamic working environment, able to respond almost immediately to shifts in customer requirements through rapid reorganisation and reconfiguration of manufacturing processes. In this scenario, individual production lines and cells can transform their operations and output almost at will, based on information garnered and analysed in real time. Mike Lomax, Head of Product Management UK, Bosch Rexroth, discusses optimising safety with Industry 4.0.}

26th May 2017

How to choose between brushed and brushless DC motors

Amir Janjua, an engineer with maxon motor UK, explains how to choose between brushed and brushless technologies when specifying DC motors.

25th May 2017

How to extend service life of plain bearings and reduce costs

Replacing traditional metallic bearings with high-performance tribopolymer parts will extend service life and reduce costs, particularly in demanding environments where water or caustic chemicals are present. Typical applications include equipment used outdoors and those requiring wash-down, such as food and beverage or pharmaceutical processing.

25th May 2017

Shaft collars for machine tools

To match the varied needs of machine tool manufacturers, Ruland Manufacturing Co., Inc. offers over 2500 standard shaft collars. Machine tool manufacturers require round bore, threaded, and bearing locknut type shaft collars to meet the diverse needs of mills, lathes, bar feeders, coilers and other CNC-controlled equipment. Ruland clamp style shaft collars are manufactured from select materials, have fine finishes, high holding power and precise face to bore perpendicularity, making them well suited for the demands of machine tools.

24th May 2017