Machine Building

bigHead bonding fasteners in composite panel production

The application of lightweighting composite materials for high-powered supercars and competition-class cars with their inherent benefits in performance and form is well established. More recently the need to reduce CO2 emissions, improve fuel efficiency and counter the increased weight potential of comfort and added safety features has led many high-end luxury car manufacturers to utilise thinner and lighter composite materials - replacing traditional metals and plastics for body panels, exterior mouldings and structural fabrications.

25th February 2016

Festo's fluidic valves help RoboThespian to act naturally

Festo has supplied its ultra-modern fluidic muscles and piezo valve technology to Engineered Arts Limited for use in the fourth generation of its "˜robot actor', RoboThespian.

25th February 2016

Industrial computers at Incheon Airport

Incheon International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. Since 2005, it has been rated the best airport worldwide by Airports Council International every year. The airport holds an unbreakable record of being ranked the Best Airport Worldwide for 7 years by the Airports Council International (ACI)'s Airport Service Quality award. For a busy International Airport with an average of 1600 daily flights like Incheon International Airport, the simplicity and durability of flight information systems and baggage control systems is the most important thing. The Arbor ELIT-1650 not only fulfils these requirements but also fully complies with airport construction specifications. Now, 800 units of ELIT-1650 are installed as the flight Information and baggage control systems in Incheon International Airport providing efficient and durable service for hundreds of thousands of passengers passing through this airport.

25th February 2016

Bespoke recessed swing handle saves cost and production time

Essentra Components is supplying a custom swing handle to Groupe Atlantic for its new Varmax boilers, resulting in savings in costs and production time.

24th February 2016

Hydraulic power packs streamline testing for BLOODHOUND SSC

Two new hydraulic power packs, supplied by Parker Hannifin and delivered to the BLOODHOUND Supersonic Car (SSC) team this week, will make safety and operational testing much easier in the run-up to the project's world land speed record bid.

23rd February 2016

Demand heats up for Telsonic HACS Technology

Telsonic's Hot Air Cold Staking technology (HACS) is fast becoming the process of choice for multi-point joining applications on automotive components. With Telsonic systems already in use for a variety of interior trim assemblies within UK Tier 1 suppliers, it comes as no surprise that the technology has been selected yet again, this time to produce seatback assemblies for SUVs.

19th February 2016

Deep brain surgery inspired by wasps

A significant problem when operating on the brain is trying to reach a lesion whilst avoiding obstructions. A traditional straight needle insertion has the potential to injure an area, causing irreversible consequences, or the surgeon could deem it too dangerous to even attempt, resulting in an inoperable diagnosis. Imperial College, London has been working with maxon products to develop a groundbreaking robotic steerable needle.

17th February 2016

Audi uses decentralised I/O system for safety and automation

Following a successful implementation of the Pilz PSSuniversal decentralised I/O system for safety and automation at the Audi factory in Györ, Hungary, Audi's new A4 body plant at Ingolstadt, Germany, is now to benefit from the same technology.

13th February 2016

Lenze drives and control technology play key role in the theatre

"The Miracle of Bern" is a synonym for Germany's unexpected victory in the World Cup Championships in 1954. It has now been made into a musical - a family story about a father coming home from the war and his football-crazy son. In the Stage Theatre in Hamburg, the audience relive the thrilling final at close quarters with the help of impressive stage effects created by Fülling & Partner in which drive systems and control technology from Lenze play an important role.

11th February 2016

WEG motors drive safe jackup operations in the North Sea

Reliability is key to ensuring the success of "˜jackup' operations in the oil & gas industry. With this in mind, provider of offshore drilling units Paragon Offshore turned to WEG to replace the electric motors driving its B391 jackup rig in the North Sea. WEG supplied Paragon with 58 highly reliable and energy efficient W22 motors to ensure a smooth and safe jackup process even in aggressive marine environments.

11th February 2016