Machine Building

Pilz helps BMW implement safe collaborative robot applications

Pilz has been supporting the BMW Group with conformity assessment and CE marking services to ensure the safety of collaborative robot applications across a number of production sites.

25th August 2018

ABB's YuMi cobot serves coffee at Selfridges

The Selfridges store in London's Oxford Street has long been known for showcasing the latest innovations. Throughout its 109-year history the famed department store has played host to a variety of new technologies including the Bleriot XI airplane, the first to cross the English Channel; the first ever public demonstration of a television set; and - more recently - connected devices for the Internet of Things.

23rd August 2018

Smart Condition Monitoring for barley malt production

Muntons Malt, one of the UK's largest producers of malted barley, has chosen the Smart Condition Monitoring (SCM) system from Mitsubishi Electric to protect fans and motors vital to its large-scale and sensitive production process. Used to make beer, spirits and a range of popular foodstuffs, malted barley is produced in large batches where conditions are critical to a consistent product.

22nd August 2018

Leuze sensors used in automated powder coating system

High transfer efficiency, minimum powder output, uniform powder application: powder coating guns are at the core of powder coating. Electrostatic powder coating is a feasible alternative to wet coating for applications in various industries where large quantities are coated in the same colour. At GEMA Switzerland, all system components through to the measuring sensors from Leuze electronic are precisely coordinated. This facilitates economical and ecological coating results as well as optimum working conditions.

3rd August 2018

Bowman uses 3D printing to boost performance of roller bearings

Bowman International, an innovator in bearing design and manufacture, has invested in a HP 4200 Multi Jet Fusion 3D printer for the manufacture of end use bearings, seals and cages. The HP machine, supplied by UK Channel partner Europac3D, will help reduce the cost of parts whilst increasing the functionality of end products and speed to market.

2nd August 2018

Precision dispensing system improves quality and reduces rejects

The automobile manufacturing industry places high demands on suppliers with regard to process reliability, quality and efficiency. To meet these challenges, a preeflow customer had to optimise his application of a two-part sealant to make a form-in-place (FIP) gasket.

27th July 2018

Solar-powered buggy benefits from igus cables

Since the beginning of 2016, 16 students from the University of Bochum in Germany have been developing and constructing a solar-powered off-road vehicle. The team wants its SolarBuggy, called Froggee, to be completely self-sufficient while ensuring that it can cope with the toughest conditions without problems.

25th July 2018

ESAB Aristo 1000 submerged arc welding systems used by FAI

ESAB has supplied a total of six submerged arc welding systems including Aristo 1000 ACDC Inverter to FAI Officine Di Carvico S.p.a. for fabricating high-pressure spools that are used in hydrocarbon flow lines. FAI specialises in the production of high-pressure vessels, pipeline components, sea water intake screening systems, reactors, and shell and tube heat exchangers. In addition to producing new fabrications, the company also undertakes repairs. Given the nature of its work, FAI requires reliable welding systems that achieve high productivity and high quality, yet are sufficiently versatile to cope with a wide variety of base materials.

20th July 2018

ABB motors and drive aid automated clearance of landmines

ABB has supplied motors and a variable speed drive (VSD) for an anti-personnel landmine clearance rig. The machine, which is the outcome of five years of R&D by MMD (Mining Machinery Developments) was donated to The HALO Trust charity at Hillhead 2018, the UK's leading quarrying and construction industry event.

19th July 2018

Decentralised frequency inverters for synchronised movement

Nord Drivesystems offers decentralised drives with which even demanding applications, such as synchronised movement and flying saw (flying shear) arrangements, can be implemented easily. An integrated PLC and position control within the frequency inverters enables the synchronisation of several drives in master/slave operation. As a result, functions such as synchronised movement and flying saw can be implemented decentrally. This is especially useful in applications that require synchronous interaction of different drive axes.

18th July 2018