Machine Building

Non-contact laser line triangulation displacement sensors

Non-contact laser line displacement sensors from Micro-Epsilon are playing a pivotal role in the automatic positioning of synchroniser discs during production. The discs, which are manufactured for use in automatic vehicle transmissions, need to be accurately positioned under a laser prior to deburring.

8th April 2014

Kawasaki reliability is key to continued robot investment

Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Limited has built up a significant population of Kawasaki robots over recent years, with reliability being key to its continued investment. The business, based in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, is a global leader in specialist aluminium die castings.

7th April 2014

Croft Filters saves coatings company £1.7K a week

Croft Filters has saved adhesives and coatings producer Itac Adhesives more than £1700 a week by introducing a Heco self-cleaning filter unit to its solvent filtration system.

4th April 2014

Efficient bespoke effluent monitoring and batch control systems

When Brenntag, a global market leader in chemical distribution, needed to replace its effluent monitoring and batch control systems, it turned to Bürkert. The end-of-life equipment was in need of replacement and improvement at the same time; a task that required expert knowledge of both design and installation. The result was a more efficient plant which complied with local water authority requirements as well as a recommendation to repeat the design at another facility.

4th April 2014

Custom-designed submersible electric actuators and servo drives

Applying its proven design and production capabilities, Heason Technology recently completed the supply of custom electric actuators and servo drives for a UK manufacturer of submersible marine vehicles. The rotary actuators power the rudder and hydroplane controls of scaled submersible vehicle test models which are used for a range of studies for hydrodynamic design evaluation of military submarines. Now in full use, the test models are an intrinsic part of research and development activities for submarine concept and manoeuvrability studies, propulsion system and structural design, and noise and vibration studies.

4th April 2014

WDS supports Bloodhound Land Speed Record Project

Ever since it was first set in 1898, the Land Speed Record has been one of the most exalted and respected of human endeavours. During the years, as the technology has changed and become more advanced, the speeds have increased to become more comparable with fighter jets than anything found on the ground. The Bloodhound Project is the latest team to set its sights on the record with a stated aim of +1000mph. WDS is one of the companies that is sponsoring the record attempt and helping to make the impossible possible.

4th April 2014

Tablet-counting systems rely on ring & slide accuracy

Pharma Packaging Systems, a specialist in the design and manufacture of electronic tablet/capsule-counting machines, is deploying PRT2 precision rings and GV3 linear slides from HepcoMotion for a new counting machine with tare gross weighing system. The HepcoMotion products were selected for their "accuracy and performanc", factors well proven at Pharma Packaging - the company has been a HepcoMotion customer for over 10 years.

1st April 2014

Patient leaflet inspection system has simple user interface

Olmec UK has designed and installed an end-of-line patient leaflet inspection system to be used with a new OTC decongestant product. The patient leaflets are hand-inserted into the product carton and Olmec has worked in close collaboration with the supplier to develop a very simple user interface.

1st April 2014

Remote condition monitoring brings big savings for wind farm

By installing condition monitoring systems from Schaeffler on 56 wind turbines, Spanish renewable energy provider Geolica is making significant annual cost savings.

1st April 2014

Craftsman Tools switch coolant for all metal-cutting operations

Craftsman Tools, a supplier of precision toolholding, workholding and subcontract machining services, has replaced its existing coolant with TRIM SC516 from Master Chemical for all CNC milling, turning and grinding operations. Heavy misting issues that were causing throat and hand irritation have been completely eliminated following the change. Furthermore, Craftsman Tools now uses only half as much coolant, subsequently reducing its costs by around 50 per cent.

1st April 2014