Machine Building

How to save money when specifying process valves

Kai Feller, Product Manager for Process Automation at Festo, says customers often over-specify process valves, which can result in them paying significantly more than they need to. The following advice will help to ensure that the optimum valve is specified each time, resulting in cost savings but without compromising performance or reliability.

19th May 2017

Save time with automated cable identification

Well-identified cables often are a customer requirement. They are also necessary to deliver standardised cable assemblies and to produce more efficiently. However, identifying cables can be very time consuming, especially if it is done manually. By automating cable identification you can save time, comply with customer requirements, deliver standardised assemblies and produce more efficiently all at once.

18th May 2017

Line scan bar - how it works, the benefits and applications

Stemmer Imaging has produced a short video guide that explains what a line scan bar is, how it works, its benefits, and some typical applications.

17th May 2017

Solving the productivity puzzle with technology and training

With manufacturing productivity in Q4 2016 growing by 1.7 per cent on the previous quarter - but overall growth still lagging behind the curve - the UK economy continues to be haunted by the "productivity puzzle". Engineering adhesives specialist Intertronics works with its customers to enhance their productivity in order to compete in both home and export markets.

17th May 2017

Keeping the ball rolling: getting bearing lubrication right

Did you know that the slinky was invented by accident when naval engineer Richard Jones was trying to make a meter to monitor power on naval battleships? Jones dropped a tension spring, and just like that a world-wide phenomenon was born. But what about those accidents that are less happy, the one's you don't notice until it's almost too late? Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explores how to keep the ball rolling when standard bearing lubrication lets you down.

17th May 2017

How to choose a surface coating technology

Modern coatings technology has been advancing rapidly in recent years; used to prevent oxidation, corrosion and improve wear resistance as well as provide protection from high temperatures, manufacturers are keen to exploit new coatings to improve the durability of their products. However, not all coatings are the same and the quality of the final product relies on high quality equipment and expert application techniques. Tony Brennan, Field Segment Manager Gas & Micro for Bürkert, looks at the various technologies used today and how they benefit modern industry.

16th May 2017

Optimas - Driving growth and pursuing excellence

As Optimas EMEA & APAC President, Dan Jack has a key role to play in introducing the Optimas brand to a global platform. Having already served the UK and European markets for over 30 years, the group that is now Optimas has a proven track record as an integrated supply chain management and logistical services provider. Despite being a new brand, Optimas has over 30 years' of heritage as a global provider of integrated supply chain systems and engineering support focused on delivering highly engineered fasteners to manufacturers around the world.

16th May 2017

Smart manufacturing - the challenges and benefits

Chris Evans, Marketing & Operations Group Manager at Mitsubishi Electric explores what is actually meant by "smart manufacturing" by considering the benefits of adopting the concept and what challenges may lie ahead.

11th May 2017

Integrated factory automation networks key to Industry 4.0

As interest grows in the concepts of Industry 4.0, it has become clear that the plant communications network will be the key enabler. Industry 4.0 relies upon the integration and optimisation of communications between field devices, production control systems, enterprise level IT systems and beyond. The key challenge is to ensure seamless communications between these disparate worlds. John Browett, General Manager of CLPA Europe, examines how the gigabit Ethernet CC-Link IE open network technology resolves these issues.

10th May 2017

Three ways to boost British productivity

The UK is not much more productive now than it was after the 2008 recession. However, because productivity is measured by the amount of goods produced per person per hour, Government creates incentives and applies pressure on businesses to simply hire more people. Here, Stephen Harding, managing director of materials handling expert Gough Engineering, explains why simply adding more people is not the answer and outlines three things businesses can do to genuinely boost manufacturing productivity.

9th May 2017