Technical articles
Factors to consider when specifying brakes for theatre and stage applications
Avoiding drama in a theatre seems like an odd thing to be doing, but KEB has been supplying spring-applied brakes for the theatre and stage industry for more than 40 years. From deck winches and turntables to line shaft hoists and orchestra lifts, a range of factors should be considered when specifying brakes, says KEB Automation’s Jonathan Bullick.

4 hours ago

Pumping technologies for precise fluid handling
Gerard Bush of INMOCO explains the technology involved with precision fluid pumping

3 days ago

Time Sensitive Networking – what’s in it for machine builders?
John Browett, General Manager of CLPA Europe, looks at how different industries can obtainthe maximum advantages by embracing TSN for industrial communications

6 days ago

Touch panels for high EMC requirements – White Paper
In this White Paper, Schurter does more than just touch the surface on the subject of EMC compliance for touch panels

6 days ago

Factors to consider when specifying brakes for robotic applications
Most robots today incorporate servo motors for direct drive operation – an approach that largely eliminates the need for clutches, but one that still requires brakes, says Mark Checkley of KEB Automation

1 week ago

The problems that can be solved by the adoption of Edge Computing
Greg Hookings of Stratus Technologies offers MachineBuilding.net readers an insight into some of the advantages to expect from Edge Computing

2 weeks ago

Delivering high precision for time-pressure microlitre dosing
Tony Brennan of Bürkert offers MachineBuilding.net readers a view on how this latest addition to the Burkert portfolio can help decrease OEMs’ time to market

2 weeks ago

How to identify and avoid purchasing fake NSK bearings
NSK says that every year it invests heavily in identifying and prosecuting counterfeiters, but knows that the best way to stop these bogus operations is to halt demand in the first place

2 weeks ago

Selecting miniature motors for medical pumps
Miniature motors used in medical pumps have very specific requirements. Here, Portescap's Norbert Veignat, Ph.D. enlightens machine builders about the design considerations, advantages and disadvantages of various motor options

3 weeks ago

Mitsubishi Electric and Stratus Technologies work together to build futureproof
Combination of Mitsubishi Electric’s MAPS software suite and Stratus’ ztC Edge platform delivers flexibility, advanced functions and continuous availability

3 weeks ago

Productivity through process improvement
Kevin Cook of Intertronics offers MachineBuilding.net a view on processes involving adhesives to improve productivity

4 weeks ago

Taking the cabinets out of control automation
New whitepaper outlines concept for the future of automation systems according to Beckhoff

1 month ago

Smart servo motion control comes with IIoT functions
Lenze highlights a motion control concept that reduces complexity and provides modern, intelligent functions for IIoT

1 month ago

Modern variable speed drives are much more than just speed and torque control
So says Wayne Turtill, Product Manager for Variable Speed Drives, Servos and Low Voltage Switchgear at Mitsubishi Electric UK. Here he explores some of the extended functionality of the modern variable speed drive and looks at its potential to integrate into the complete automation platform

1 month ago

Fit and forget bearings be dammed
One less thing for hydro engineers to worry about when designing dams,thanks to Vesconite

1 month ago

Other factors that should be considered when selecting PTO units
Beyond the six factors previously outlined, there are some other considerations that should be taken into account when selecting a gearbox or a power take-off unit of any kind - not just a pump drive. When selecting a PTO, the following things should be kept in mind. Type of prime mover A gearbox and PTO designed for use with diesel engines will not work as well with a hydraulic prime mover, for example. The type of prime mover must be considered carefully when selecting a PTO. Make sure to choose the right gearbox for a diesel, or petrol engine, or electric-powered or hydraulic motor. Inertia of the machine to be driven A high-inertia machine will typically put more stress on a gearbox, due to the heavy torque loads and weight applied to the unit during each rotation. The heavier the pump or other machine is, the more robust the gearbox will have to be. Special bearings and housing designs may be required to accommodate these high loads on the input shaft. This guide is a helpful r...

1 month ago

Key considerations when selecting and specifying pump drives
Six basic considerations for selecting a pump drive   Let's begin with the basics. When engineering any new pumping or hydraulic system with pump drives and power take-offs, there are six basic things you must consider - before you begin creating blueprints, plans, and other project details. Here is a quick overview of each one. The number and type of pumps required No two projects are the same. The types of pumps and the number that you need will clearly vary in every project. This depends on the performance characteristics and overall dimensions of the pumps, as well as the pipework through which the pumped medium/fluid will travel. With both of these factors understood, it should then be a simple process to select suitable pumps that will deliver enough power to meet the application demands. Failure to do so will result in sub-par performance with pumps that may be stressed past their operating limits, resulting in eventual product failure. Maximum torque output requirements fo...

1 month ago

Advances in reference diffuse sensor technology
Sensing technology continues to move at pace.

1 month ago

Edge Computing technology in machine building
What would a Machine Builder's architecture look like based on Edge Computing Technology? Here, Greg Hookings of Stratus Technologies gives us a clue.

1 month ago

Selecting cabinets for 19" mounted electronic equipment

1 month ago