Machine Building

Will B&R acquisition give ABB a boost in industrial automation?

Early this month ABB, a supplier of robotics, process automation, and electrification components, acquired B&R Automation, an industrial software and automation hardware company. This is the latest acquisition that ABB has made in recent years. In 2012, ABB acquired Thomas & Betts for $3.9 billion, followed by Power-One Inc in 2013 for $1 billion. Alex West, Principal Analyst, IHS Markit discusses what the B&R Automation acquisition means for ABB.

21st April 2017

The robotic revolution in life sciences

As the life sciences industry looks to address today's production challenges, Neal Welch of Mitsubishi Electric explains how in demanding applications such as the manipulating of live cultures, robots are in a league of their own.

20th April 2017

EMC more important and beneficial today than ever before

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a key concern among electrical engineers and plant managers due to the elevated costs and performance problems that it creates. While electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) has been a requirement of electronics and equipment for many years, there is still much misunderstanding surrounding it. Here, Anthony Waldron, former technical manager of CADAC Electronics from 1989 to 2014, recounts how an education in EMC gave his company significant cost and time savings.

18th April 2017

Do Food & Beverage SMEs need more process automation?

Most large-scale food processing plants have already grasped the advantages of improved automation and used them to minimise production costs and boost productivity. However, some medium and smaller-scale businesses, although appreciative of the benefits, remain reticent about the process of implementation and how the latest technology will combine with an existing installation. Mark Lilley, Field Segment Manager, Hygienic - Food and Beverage for Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at the best way to implement an automation project and the benefits it can deliver.

11th April 2017

Cobot safety: the four types of collaborative operation

Collaborative robots have become the buzzword in industrial automation. But how do you technically define collaborative operation?

10th April 2017

How to select the right wire and cable identification marker

Stephen Earley, TE Connectivity's global product manager for wire and cable identification, explains why it is important to select the right type of identification marker for the job and how TE is connecting with panel electrical installers and panel builders.

6th April 2017

How to check if cooling output inside enclosures is sufficient

Manufacturing automation systems are delicate and very expensive pieces of kit, which perform vital functions for the businesses they serve. The enclosures that protect them must have strictly controlled internal environments with interior temperatures that are carefully maintained within a few degrees. If not, the impact can be harmful to the inverter drives, power supplies, contactors, PLCs and other electrical and electronic components operating within them. This requires careful control of the climate within the enclosure. Here, Jason Swann, Rittal Product Manager for Climate offers some practical tips on how to evaluate an existing enclosure climate control through a series of simple checks.

5th April 2017

TIJ coding systems drive down costs

Cost savings are welcome at any time, but the exceptional pressure being put on British manufacturers by today's rapidly rising raw material prices is forcing many to re-examine their operations for fresh ways to save money and protect their margins. With that in mind, we can expect a surge in popularity for coding systems based on convenient, cost-effective thermal inkjet (TIJ) technology, argues Steve Ryan, UK sales manager for Rotech Machines.

3rd April 2017

How to maximise the efficiency of drive system components

Urs Kafader of maxon motor presents guidelines for maximising the efficiency of different elements in a drive system.

1st April 2017

Hydraulics drive sport stadia to new levels of automation

Sports stadia are becoming more and more sophisticated. First there were closable roofs, then movable seating; now even the pitches can be reconfigured to suit different sports or other activities. Requiring massive loads to be moved with speed, precision and safety, stadium architects turn to hydraulic specialists such as Oilgear. Oilgear UK's Engineering Manager, Jonathan Walker, talks through the process of specifying and installing such a mammoth project.

31st March 2017