Machine Building

News

Digitisation in manufacturing: is there a competitive advantage?

Is there a competitive advantage offered by digitisation in manufacturing? MachineBuilding.net asked Greg Hookings of Stratus Technologies for a view.

14th August 2020

Faster commissioning with MLL, MLE and MLU electric linear units

Servo Components & Systems is reminding machine builders that its MLL, MLE and MLU series of electric linear units are compatible with the most common servo control amplifiers, allowing the use of existing amplifiers to achieve faster commissioning. With linear movement representing such an important part of modern production facilities, the implementation of millions of cycles means that the demand for automation is steadily increasing. At the same time, higher accuracy and better quality are being demanded of the components that make up the systems, and the linear motor, based on synchronous technology, is said by Servo Components to offer considerable advantages in terms of dynamics, accuracy and reliability.

14th August 2020

NSK verification app upgraded to include industrial bearings

NSK's "˜Verify' mobile app has been upgraded to include the company's range of general, giant and extra-giant bearings for industrial applications. When first launched, the NSK bearing authentication app initially focused on the company's super precision bearings, which are designed for use in machine tools. Extending the free app to a wider range of products is designed to bring more efficient operations and IT-based plant management to more industries. NSK Verify provides product authenticity information by reading the 2D barcode printed on each bearing box and checking it against the NSK database. Factors such as authenticity and traceability are vital in an era when fake bearings remain prevalent, says NSK, despite a considerable amount of the company's resources being engaged in the identification and prosecution of counterfeiters.

11th August 2020

Online tool for selecting stepper motor linear actuators

Thomson Industries Inc is launching a new online tool that is said to simplify the selection and purchase of stepper motor linear actuators, saving machine builders time by streamlining the selection process. According to Thomson's Saurabh Khetan it is "Built on the successful framework of our existing online product selectors. The new advanced tool allows machine builders to narrow down to their optimal stepper motor linear actuator based on the needs and attributes that they can select within only a few minutes".

10th August 2020

IFR predicts high demand for post-Corona "Robotics skills"

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), by 2022, there will be an operational stock of almost 4 million industrial robots working in factories worldwide. They will, it says, play a vital role in automating production to speed up the post-Corona economy. At the same time, robots are also driving demand for skilled workers and the Federation says that educational systems must adjust to this demand. "Governments and companies around the globe now need to focus on providing the right skills necessary to work with robots and intelligent automation systems," says Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "This is important to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that these technologies offer. The post-Corona recovery will further accelerate the deployment of robotics. Policies and strategies are important to help workforces make the transition to a more automated economy."

7th August 2020

New for mobile platforms - contour-based nav system for AGVs

If you're designing or using AGVs this may be for you: with the SICK LiDAR-LOC solution for mobile platforms, users can implement contour-based localisation on any automated guided vehicle, cart, forklift or service robot fitted with SICK 2D LiDAR sensors or safety scanners. The SICK LiDAR-LOC (Localisation On Contour) system enables free navigation of automated transport, stacking and loading systems based on the pre-mapped contours of shop floors and warehouses without the need for reflectors or other physical markers.

6th August 2020

Schaeffler extends motorsport involvement

Schaeffler is once again partnering with BMW M Motorsport in the DTM series, and is using know-how gained from motorsport to incorporate directly into the development of components and systems. Schaeffler says it is continuing to concentrate on combustion engines and gearboxes, as well as electromobility, with the goal of increasing their efficiency which in turn helps provide customers with tailored solutions.

5th August 2020

New network infrastructure catalogue from Panduit

Panduit is launching its Network Infrastructure Catalogue, which it says provides online access to reliable, scalable, high-performance network infrastructure solutions for industrial networks, enterprise and data centres.

4th August 2020

Harting UK awarded IRIS Silver Quality Performance Level

Harting UK has been awarded a prestigious Silver Quality Performance Level award from the International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS), a globally recognised organisation which evaluates management systems for the railway sector. Silver Performance is currently the highest level issued by IRIS, and is a significant achievement for Harting UK, making them one of just 60 companies worldwide to receive Silver status: the award puts them in the top 3 per cent of all IRIS certified companies, worldwide.

4th August 2020