Machine Building

Cobot eliminates manual tests on electronic assemblies and PCBs

Universal Robots reports that GÃ–PEL electronic, a manufacturer of testing and inspection systems for electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, has developed a novel automated quality control system for its automotive customers using the UR10e cobot.

23rd March 2020

NSK bearings and training save machine builder over EUR13,000

After suffering repeated failures of its table guide rollers, an international woodworking machine manufacturer called upon the expertise of NSK and its AIP Added Value Programme to resolve the issue. The decision proved lucrative, with NSK helping the company to save a total of EUR13,333 per annum in reduced labour and assembly costs.

19th March 2020

elobau helps make electric vehicle with chemical-free weedburner

Alltrec has developed a fully electric vehicle with a chemical-free weedburner, and elobau has contributed to the development by supplying its joysticks and angle sensors.

19th March 2020

MIC-770 edge computers help in the fight against coronavirus

As part of its effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, China is using 5G patrol robots developed by Guangzhou Gosuncn Robot Co Ltd using Advantech technology to monitor mask wearing and body temperatures in public places.

18th March 2020

Additively manufactured turbine blades for tidal power project

Renishaw has collaborated with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) in Canada, to produce two ocean turbine parts using additive manufacturing (AM) for industrial design firm Biome Renewables. Renishaw helped manufacture a PowerCone retrofit that co-rotates with the turbine's rotor and curved propellers to reduce drag. Using metal AM to produce these parts reduced costs by 80 per cent and meant that two turbine components could be developed in 2 months.

16th March 2020

Linear Precision Engineers celebrate 20 years with PSL Datatrack

Linear Precision Engineers Ltd was set up by precision engineers Andy Allan and Julian Parsley over 30 years ago, reaching that milestone in 2018. Over time the Addlestone-based company has grown into a highly respected precision engineering subcontractor. Linear Precision operates out of what was originally a WWII parachute factory and offers its services to a range of customers within industries as diverse as aerospace, defence, packaging, safety, printing and photographic equipment.

12th March 2020

Industry-leading robotics applications

Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA sales at automation equipment supplier EU Automation, presents three examples of forward-thinking automation projects.

5th March 2020

Telsonic delivers can rim sealing machine for two can sizes

A leading UK manufacturer of injection moulded plastic products, seeking to increase production capacity of paint can products, turned to Telsonic UK to provide a new Can Rim Sealing Machine, a key element in the final assembly stages of the product.

28th February 2020

Profinet and OPC UA used by Audi for predictive maintenance

Unplanned downtime always slows production. There are a plethora of ideas and approaches for implementing preventive maintenance at production companies, to be sure, but they often fail in practice. The challenge mainly lies in accessing the data which could point out a flaw and then processing it in such a way that it can also be used. An experience-based example from Audi demonstrates that precisely these opportunities are opened up by combining Profinet and OPC UA.

27th February 2020

Switch to VSD blowers cuts energy costs by 25 per cent

By replacing its traditional lobe air blowers with modern Atlas Copco VSD rotary screw blowers, Scottish Water's Nigg wastewater treatment works now achieves uninterrupted operation, with a reduced maintenance programme and savings of up to 25 per cent in energy costs − plus the potential for further savings when the system is fully optimised.

27th February 2020