Machine Building

Technical Articles

GRP: the best of both worlds for trackside enclosures?

Network Rail has switched to 2-core cable in an effort to reduce spending on trackside installations. While this is a way to cut down on thefts overall, the cable type offers no earthing capabilities, meaning that traditional metal enclosures may no longer be suitable. This presents a rare opportunity for the canny specifier, who may find that Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) enclosures can offer cost advantages whilst keeping the engineers happy. Chris Lloyd, Managing Director of Spelsberg UK, explains why GRP enclosures offer the best of both worlds in terms of performance and price.

9th June 2016

Buying by the scoop: The rise of unpackaged grocery shopping

As a business model, selling groceries loose isn't a new-fangled approach. It's what market stalls have done for decades. Farm shops, food cooperatives and organic specialists in particular, continue to test the concept of providing sections, where shoppers can fill reusable containers with everything from flours, cereal, grains and nuts to olive oil, frozen fruit and even laundry detergent.

9th June 2016

Cut your bottom line costs with ISO 11011

BCAS is urging businesses to adopt ISO 11011 to cut the cost of running their compressed air systems, even if they don't have to comply with ESOS (Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme).

7th June 2016

Managing obsolete industrial automation systems in oil and gas

On Earth, it's hard to imagine a more alien place than the unexplored environment of the deep sea. For the Attenborough enthusiasts among us, bizarre, bioluminescent creatures are what usually come to mind when we consider an ocean's 3000 ft depths. But by employing cutting-edge technology, these incredible depths are set to become the locations of large production sites for the subsea oil and gas industry. Rapid technological advancements have the potential to make these innovative sites a reality as early as 2020. With technology racing ahead, it's unsurprising that obsolescence management in the industry is complicated. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of industrial automation supplier EU Automation discusses how the oil and gas industry can manage the spiralling issue of equipment obsolescence.

6th June 2016

Precision measurement using laser displacement sensors

Although most laser displacement sensors use the same measuring principle, the individual design of the sensor mechanics, optics, the mechanical stability and signal processing algorithms will differ widely from one supplier to another, says Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon UK.

4th June 2016

Twelve things you need to know about CC-Link networks

Experts on open factory automation networks will already know about CC-Link; however, even if you are in this camp, do you know everything you need to know? Network technologies are developing quickly and are likely to be an increasing part of our lives as technological progress continues to accelerate. Since gigabit Ethernet CC-Link IE and its fieldbus variant CC-Link are the predominant factory automation network systems in Asia and are growing quickly in popularity throughout the rest of the world, it is probably a good idea to be up-to-speed with the essentials. Here John Browett of the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) offers some straightforward answers to the most important practical questions.

1st June 2016

Choosing the right coating cuts business maintenance costs

When it's cold and raining you can guarantee mothers everywhere are arguing with their children over why they need to wear a coat to protect them from the elements. However, this good advice can do more than just protect against ill health, it's something that can be carried across into corrosive protection in industrial settings. Peter Crossen, VP of the Maintenance and Partsmaster Innovation Platform at NCH Europe, explains how the right coating makes all the difference.

31st May 2016

80 GHz radar: a matter of frequency

With the recent launch of radar instruments in the 80GHz frequency range for liquid level measurement, now is a good time to examine what's behind this new direction in radar technology. So where does it come into its own and what are the benefits of using these new sensors in automated processes for control and inventory? This development signals a brave new world in level measurement, one where radar level measurement can go where it has never gone before. With high-frequency radar level devices on the rise, this is truly an exciting era in automation.

29th May 2016

Navigating safe Li-ion battery transport

There have been numerous stories in the news over recent years surrounding the transport of lithium-ion batteries on planes, particularly concerning the risk of them short circuiting during a flight. In light of this, it's easy to see why international regulations surrounding the shipment of Li-Ion batteries by air is evolving, as Michele Windsor, marketing manager for Accutronics, explains.

26th May 2016

Emerging food preservation technology requires precision control

Our ability to preserve food has a long history - with more recent developments being directed by the desire to maintain nutritional value in addition to the original taste and texture of the food. Research in this field within the UK is helping to develop new techniques that can be applied on an industrial scale and one company at the forefront of this field is Campden BRI.

26th May 2016