Machine Building

Retrofit your way to Industry 4.0

The English language has the phrase: "˜you can't have your cake and eat it too'. Put simply, this phrase means that you can't have it both ways. However, it is possible to retrofit while migrating to Industry 4.0. As industrial plant managers struggle with aging infrastructure and strict regulations, they're looking for cost-effective ways to upgrade. With industry trends such as Industry 4.0 on the rise, many engineers may consider retrofitting a step backwards. In reality, system retrofits can contribute to improved communication and optimised production, resulting in a cost and energy efficient factory where you can eat as much cake as you like. Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of EU Automation, discusses issues to consider when retrofitting in your migration to Industry 4.0.

25th October 2016

The truth about data integrity in pharma

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has long emphasised the importance of reliable data in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Despite this clear recommendation, recent FDA reports have highlighted an increase in data integrity violations during several recent current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) inspections. Here, Lee Sullivan, Regional Manager at HMI/SCADA software expert COPA-DATA UK, explores three data integrity pitfalls to which pharmaceutical manufacturers are most vulnerable.

25th October 2016

Protection from cyberattacks without compromising machine safety

This article from Pilz discusses how production machinery can be protected from cyberattacks without compromising safety.

24th October 2016

Safe speed monitoring - standards and ways to implement it

Dr Martin Kidman, a Safety Specialist at Sick UK, discusses safe speed monitoring, the requirements in the relevant machinery safety standards, and ways to implement safe speed monitoring.

21st October 2016

The five golden rules of PLC specification

With so many choices and configurations available to the user, how should you go about selecting the correct controller for your application? Mitsubishi Electric product manager Hugh Tasker offers his five golden rules for PLC specification.

18th October 2016

Bespoke process control systems for the food & beverage industry

Process control systems that are unique to the food and beverage industry can be used to deliver higher levels of efficiency and reliability. Mark Lilley, Field Segment Manager .Hygienic - Food and Beverage for Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at the benefits of a bespoke control system, the features it should include and how to achieve the most effective system.

18th October 2016

Closing the feedback loop is the key to servitisation success

Fabrizio Battaglia, Head of Manufacturing at HSO Enterprise Solutions, explains the vital role that ERP (enterprise resource planning) software can play for engineer-to-order manufacturing companies wanting to increase revenues through value-added services, commonly referred to as servitisation.

17th October 2016

Replacing old or obsolete electrical resistors

They say that one man's junk can be another man's gold and, although one may think that the saying only applies to car boot sales, the maxim also illustrates the state of the industrial power resistor market. Here, Martin Nicholls, Sales Director at Cressall Resistors, offers advice to manufacturers and plant managers who need to replace old or obsolete electrical resistors.

17th October 2016

The brake chopper size conundrum

Many drives manufacturers design and build their products with a seventh Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), in the form of a brake chopper, incorporated into the device. Here, John Mitchell, global business development manager of maintenance and repair specialist CP Automation, looks at the dangers of taking your IGBT for granted.

6th October 2016

Overcoming the challenges of the packaging industry

As a famous fictional policeman once said, "the reason that the rich were so rich... was because they managed to spend less money." What he meant was that although the rich may buy more expensive things, they buy products that will last longer and are therefore a better investment. Although the policeman in question was referring to boots at the time, the same is true of cars, phones, and even servo actuators used in packaging machines. Graham Mackrell, managing director of Harmonic Drive UK, explains.

6th October 2016