Machine Building

Torque transducer used to evaluate motors

The University of Texas is working on a new test bed that will radically improve evaluation of motors for demanding applications. At the heart of the test bed is a Torqsense transducer from Sensor Technology.

1st November 2006

High-performance tilt sensors used in synchrotrons

High-performance tilt sensors from Inertial Aerosystems are being used in synchrotron and similar applications to align particle beams.

29th October 2006

Rittal helps to break rail speed record

Austrian Railways' multi-system locomotive is now the world's fastest rail vehicle; it broke the 51-year old world record not just once but twice - and that in less than an hour. Rittal was also on board thanks to its innovative products.

25th October 2006

Motors and drives cut annual energy bill by £40,000

Two WEG 132kW EEF1 high-efficiency motors and CFW-09 Vectrue drives are providing Crisp Maltings of Portgordon, Scotland, with energy savings worth £40,000 per year on the operation of two, 2-metre diameter drying fans used in the production of high-quality malt.

24th October 2006

Robot cell boosts efficiency of complex grinding operation

ABB has designed and developed a robot-based application for pump manufacturer Alfa Laval Ltd, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, which both saves labour and is cleaner than the previous, manually-intensive production methods that were employed.

19th October 2006

Linear motion technology improves working conditions

SKF stainless steel shafts, shaft blocks and linear bearings have been used by Harmill Systems in an innovative inspection trolley device for use beneath underground trains during servicing and maintenance operations.

18th October 2006

Newspaper folders upgraded with 'shaftless' Siemens technology

Two printers have upgraded their newspaper folders by replacing traditional gears and clutches with 'shaftless' servo technology from Siemens Automation and Drives.

17th October 2006

Pneumatics more reliable than electrics for valve actuation

Thames Water has switched from electrical to pneumatic actuation on a 1600mm butterfly valve that is crucial to the operation of its Ashford Common water treatment plant. As well as improving reliability, the pneumatic actuation makes the valve more responsive and it oscillates less.

17th October 2006

Industrial PCs keep Rizla rolling

Having standardised on Beckhoff industrial PCs from Hayes Control Systems, Rizla, the UK's largest supplier of cigarette papers, found that the versatility of these compact yet powerful products made possible the implementation of an innovative plant monitoring system.

16th October 2006

Newall DROs improve subcontract machinist's efficiency

RS Tooling Ltd has retrofitted a number of different digital readout (DRO) systems from Newall Measurement Systems to its large lathes, enabling the company to create a niche market for itself and remain in business as a subcontract machinist.

13th October 2006