Machine Building

New bagging technology for horse feed manufacturer

Upgrading an automated bagging line has led to UK horse feed manufacturer FH Nash achieving a 30 per cent increase in output. Bagging up to 144 tonnes a day, Pacepacker has used its new ROI calculator to show how the innovative new FastPac sack placer, also recently installed, can achieve a 12 month ROI by significantly improving efficiency and by handling a range of different sack types.

25th March 2016

Fortress helps reduce metal contaminant false readings

Replacing its existing metal detectors with five Fortress Technology's Stealth Vertex systems has yielded a 40 per cent improvement in sensitivity and eliminated the issue of false rejects for a UK nut and dried fruit processing and packing company.

25th March 2016

Hepco's DLS4 provides secure sliding door for Tate Security

Specialising in providing large integrated security systems, Tate Security Technology Ltd had a project to retrofit a new sliding door arrangement into existing staff and visitor doors for prison gatehouses. In a number of cases, HepcoMotion's previous generation GV3 slides were being used as the original sliding mechanism for these sliding doors. While the slides and racks were in good working order, the surrounding installations were in need of updating or replacement. The customer was looking for a new simple to install and low-maintenance system that would fit into the existing envelope. Taking into account the security needs of prison doors, the system needed to be durable, provide a long service life and have a minimal installation downtime, to reduce the disruption in the high-traffic area of a gatehouse.

22nd March 2016

Micropumps are the real deal for mechanical seal flushing

Flushing mechanical seals on large industrial pumps is an important function in many process applications and common practice in helping to minimise mechanical seal failure. The flushing process helps to extend the life of seals by cleaning and or cooling them. There are many methods deployed for implementing "˜seal flush', but in most cases fluid is either re-circulated from other points on the pump (usually the output) or from an external source for the flushing stream. In most cases, an increase in pressure, and or flow control may be required and small gear pumps are often used for this purpose.

22nd March 2016

Mitsubishi Electric integrates own Factory Automation products

The Factory Automation Division of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. has installed an extensive range of building automation and security products in the newly built German Branch in Ratingen. The products and systems can be used for a variety of applications, for example quantifying, measuring, displaying, recording and monitoring current and voltage flows around the building. All the data collected can then be captured centrally and displayed using the MAPS life-cycle software tool (Mitsubishi Adroit Process Suite). Various set protocols for the building management system can also be configured using the MAPS integration tool in such a way that they can be visualised on a common interface.

22nd March 2016

Servos with safe motion control boost press productivity

By upgrading its presses using Pilz PMCprotego DS servo amplifiers with safe motion control, Sona BLW Präzisionsschmiede has minimised its investment, increased productivity and enhanced safety.

22nd March 2016

Atlas Copco helps ground stabilisation specialist save energy

Tensar International, a world leader in technology-driven systems for ground stabilisation and soil reinforcement, is predicted to save over £22,000 in annual energy costs and achieve a 141 tonne reduction in its carbon footprint after installing an energy efficient compressed air system from Atlas Copco.

18th March 2016

igus B160 iglidur tribo-tape for marine applications

The adverse conditions in marine applications present a challenge to boat owners and operators who have to contend with the effects of both salt and fresh water on moveable metal fittings. If left unchecked, rust and corrosion can cause excessive wear leading to early replacement or seizure.

15th March 2016

Developing new fluid management systems for in-vitro diagnostics

In-vitro diagnostics (IVD) form a vital part of modern healthcare, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, leading to more targeted treatments and better patient care. The equipment ranges from the simple self-tests to sophisticated technologies used in clinical laboratories, but it all has the common requirements for accuracy and reliability.

14th March 2016

The mysterious case of the haunted gimbal

Zettlex were contacted recently by a distressed technical manager (a competitor's customer) who had encountered a problem that he simply could not understand. Voice shaking, the technical manager explained how a prototype gimbal was acting in an unexpected and unpredictable manner at seemingly random times. Despite performing well during the 6 months of laboratory and factory trials, embarrassingly the gimbals seemed to temporarily go berserk for short periods during field trials. The results appeared completely random to the users and inexplicable to the system designers.

11th March 2016