Machine Building

Synchronised motion of 14 axes presents a challenge

A manufacturer wanted to produce a custom machine design for automated dying of book edges, and the challenges for Yaskawa were many-fold. The principle features were ease of start-up, which was required for a very demanding schedule, auto feed insertion for correct book placement and accurate edge detection accommodating random in-feed. It further needed precise placement for rotational clearance. All this meant synchronised motion of 14 axes.

9th January 2013

Migration to digital prototyping leads to productivity gains

Symetri, an Autodesk Platinum Partner, is expanding its client base in the UK's oil and gas industry with an agreement to become the sole supplier of Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD and digital design training to TWMA's Aberdeen office.

8th January 2013

Industrial lubricants help steel plants increase productivity

Mobil Vacuoline 100 and Mobilgrease XHP 461, part of ExxonMobil's comprehensive range of products for primary metals companies, have helped two Russian steel mills to increase productivity, reduce unscheduled downtime and significant financial benefits.

8th January 2013

Connector specification problems for external lighting solved

External lighting projects can pose many challenges for electrical installers. Connections need to be protected from poor weather yet easy to install and quick to access in the event that maintenance is required; it is also important to keep any wiring as discreet as possible so as not to deter from the overall aesthetics. When specifying outdoor lighting components for one of the UK's highest-profile new buildings these challenges are amplified; fortunately, Hylec-APL offers an innovative weatherproof range.

4th January 2013

Ash clean-up for robot at H+H UK Ltd

Getting down and dirty in ash is one process that personnel at H+H UK Limited, Goole, are pleased to leave to a new Kawasaki industrial robot. Manufacturing its Aircrete Building Blocks from a mixture of pulverised fuel ash (PFA), cement and lime creates an aggressive environment for clean-up operations.

3rd January 2013

Standard stainless steel ring segment is cost efficient

Ease of integration was one reason cited by Jordan Valley Semiconductors for its selection of a HepcoMotion stainless steel ring segment and bearings, but of equal importance was the cost efficiency of the product.

3rd January 2013

Custom CNC machining services for fast prototype parts

Weinor GmbH & Co. KG is one of Germany's most reputable manufacturers of awnings, patios and conservatories and is best known for being uncompromising when it comes to innovation, quality and aesthetics. Recently, the company used Firstcut CNC machining services from Proto Labs to develop parts for its new Zenara series of awnings.

21st December 2012

Lee Spring in First World War aircraft restoration

The Sopwith Dolphin, a restored First World War aircraft now on show at RAF Museum Hendon, features a new set of extension springs manufactured by Lee Spring for use on the replica Lewis guns.

19th December 2012

Standard aluminium heavy duty beam guides nuclear robot

Lightweight for portability and easy handling, but rigid enough to be cantilevered, the HepcoMotion HDS2 Heavy Duty Slide range proved to be a good choice for an application for Sellafield. The robust components were specified by OC Robotics as a method of introducing its snake-arm robot into a confined environment to perform visual and radiological inspection, remote handling, loose material sampling and water-jetting.

19th December 2012

Omron robot assembles spigots cost effectively

When it needed to automate the assembly of a moulded plastic spigot, an automotive parts manufacturer asked industrial automation expert ALPHR Technology to devise a solution that would be cost effective, compact, reliable and easy to maintain. After carefully analysing the application, the ALPHR Technology team concluded that an approach based on an Omron SCARA robot, used in conjunction with a vision system and other automation products from Omron, would be the best way to meet these requirements.

17th December 2012