Machine Building

Schaeffler CMS helps prevent water treatment station downtime

A drinking water treatment company in Asia is preventing unplanned downtime of critical equipment across its pumping stations following the successful installation of a condition monitoring system from Schaeffler.

25th July 2019

Thermal imaging camera pays for itself many times over

During a routine inspection at a substation, a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) electrician felt heat blast his face as he passed within a couple of metres of an energised transformer bank. Some heat is expected, of course, but the intensity of it alarmed him. He immediately grabbed a handheld thermal imaging camera from his van and within seconds verified that there was a major issue and the system was shut down for investigation.

23rd July 2019

iglidur maintenance-free plastic bearings for curfboard trucks

The curfboard is a new type of sports equipment that combines surfing and skateboarding. The demands placed on its moving components, in particular the bearings in the front truck, are particularly high. These must be wear-resistant, robust, maintenance-free and reliable even under the toughest "˜curf' conditions. For this reason, the developers at curfboard GmbH (www.curfboard.com) have selected wear-resistant plain bearings made of iglidur Z and iglidur J350 high-performance polymers from igus.

18th July 2019

Pressure switches for hydraulic systems safety monitoring

Value Engineered Products (VEP), part of the USA-based World Magnetics family, is represented in the UK by Variohm EuroSensor. As a manufacturer of high-precision pressure, vacuum and differential switches for the aerospace industry VEP recently announced its supply partnership with the Boom XB-1 Mach-2.2 supersonic demonstrator aircraft.

18th July 2019

Condition monitoring system helps company target zero downtime

Transcontinental Advanced Coatings extends successful pilot of ABB's smart sensor monitoring and predictive maintenance system as it aims for zero downtime.

17th July 2019

SNAP-LOC fasteners used for mountain railway carriage seats

The Canadian Rockies are recognised worldwide as one of the greatest of natural spectacles and many will claim that the best way to see the stunning scenery at its finest is from a carriage on the Rocky Mountaineer. Owned and operated by Canada's Armstrong Group, the Rocky Mountaineer is a purpose-built tourist train that was designed from the outset to be what has since become: one of the country's greatest and most popular attractions for both domestic and overseas visitors alike.

16th July 2019

ESAB Caddy Tig 2200i welder used in jet hydroplane build

ESAB is helping a British team with a serving military pilot at the helm to build a jet hydroplane with the aim of smashing the long-standing world water speed record. Project Lead David Aldred is, along with his team, constructing "˜Longbow' - a powerful jet hydroplane - at its workshop in on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire.

15th July 2019

Festo automation improves milking parlour efficiency

Like many other industries, dairy farming is under increasing pressure to become more efficient and more productive. A company at the forefront of automated milking systems, Fullwood Packo has partnered with Festo to deliver the flexibility and performance required in the modern dairy industry.

12th July 2019

Direct-drive valves improved with additive manufacturing

Renishaw recently collaborated with Domin Fluid Power to help the company maximise productivity when designing and manufacturing direct drive valves. Using metal additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, the company can now manufacture smaller, more efficient drives and reduce cycle times from five and a half hours to just one.

11th July 2019

Air Liquide maintains quality and safety with custom caps

Air Liquide is a global leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and health, with a presence in over 80 countries, serving more than two million customers and patients. Protection of the valving on their Argon gas bottles had become an important issue. These gas bottles are primarily used for metal fabrication and inflation of diving suits and a cap is needed to protect the industrial valves from ingress of dust and dirt and also to ensure that the bottle has not been subject to any gas leakage.

10th July 2019