Machine Building

QUASAR's decorating system is the icing on the cake

Automation within the food industry is commonplace and there are many examples of special purpose machines and robot systems performing a diverse range of processing, handling and packaging operations. However, using robots to write messages and greetings on to the surface of cakes has been an area where the natural variation in the product has, to date, made it all but impossible to achieve consistent results.

19th August 2013

Extended safe robotics from B&R uses openSAFETY

B&R is relying on the fieldbus-independent openSAFETY safety protocol to implement extended "Safely Limited Speed (SLS) at the Tool Center Point (TCP)" safety functionality, a technology that allows the entire range of serial robot types to be monitored in the safety application. This represents a further extension of safety functionality available since 2011 that allows the safe monitoring of all joints on a six-axis articulated arm robot.

17th August 2013

Engineering academy upgrades with Mitsubishi Electric equipment

Brinsworth Academy of Engineering in Rotherham, South Yorkshire has upgraded its training facilities so that students, apprentices and adult learners are working with current equipment and cutting-edge technologies. Much of the new equipment has been supplied by Mitsubishi Electric working in partnerships with SMC Pneumatics, which has supplied training rigs with actuators and other pneumatic products.

17th August 2013

Brevini planetary gearbox helps reduce landfill waste

As public opinion continues to turn against environmentally harmful landfill sites, ever increasingly innovative methods to improve recycling are being developed. Global Renewables is responsible for one of the most sophisticated waste treatment processes in the UK, including breaking kitchen and garden waste down into compost and methane. Brevini Power Transmission has supplied 12 planetary gearboxes which offer the reliability and efficiency necessary to keep the treatment process operational.

17th August 2013

Equator programmable gauges used in automation cell

Conroe Machine is doing what most machine shops only dream of - hard turning a family of parts around the clock in an unmanned cell that operates a 'self-controlled' process. It uses Renishaw EZ-IO software to integrate a FANUC robot with the Equator gauging system for 100 per cent part inspection and auto-compensation of a twin-spindle Okuma 2SP-250 lathe. The cell also boxes and palletises finished parts. The company states that the turning cell paid for itself in an amazing 18 days.

13th August 2013

Mitsubishi Electric robot used to develop next-generation robots

Roboticists working at one of the world's leading research centres are being helped in their development projects by a Mitsubishi Electric industrial robot.

9th August 2013

Air measurement survey and VSD compressor reduce energy costs

CSR Roofing is manufacturing terracotta roof tiles at its Vermont (Melbourne) factory for over seven decades. To replace its aging compressor, the company recently chose an Atlas Copco VSD (variable speed drive) machine.

9th August 2013

Rigidity of linear motion system vital to parts washing process

In designing a dedicated system to wash out the oil galleries of large engine heads post-manufacture, engineers at MecWash Systems in Tewkesbury had to work to very tight tolerances. The application required a cleaning lance to be automatically driven deep into the head with a clearance of just 1mm. To ensure the lance was not damaged in the process, a rigid drive system needed to be employed and for this purpose MecWash specified a BSP, precision ballscrew Rolled C7 Class, guided by an SL2 stainless steel linear system, both from HepcoMotion.

9th August 2013

Robots take the load for cooperage

Automation technology is proving it can mix effectively and unobtrusively with the heritage craft of barrel manufacturing at Speyside Cooperage in Alloa. Two Kawasaki robots and a purpose-designed lathe are being used in the refurbishment process of traditionally built oak barrels.

9th August 2013

Complete PAT software and hardware system increases efficiency

Bristol, UK-based Optimal Industrial Automation is just completing the design, construction and installation of a complete Process Analytical Technologies-based control system. Built to manage a pharmaceutical customer's continuous manufacturing line, it delivers a huge increase in production efficiency, including regulatory compliance. The new system builds on Optimal's 26 years of systems integration experience in the pharmaceutical sector and makes use of the company's synTQ PAT implementation management software.

8th August 2013