Machine Building

IP67 cable connections and more efficient machine building

Graham Traill, the System Solutions and Technical Projects Manager at Murrelektronik Ltd, discusses the IP67 trend and machine efficiency.

16th July 2015

The trials and tribulation of sourcing obsolete automation parts

Do you remember that time your car wouldn't start because the battery died at the very moment you were about to set off on holiday? Or when the washing machine belt broke that day you really needed a clean shirt? It's never pleasant when everyday technologies fail, but when equipment breaks down in an industrial production environment, the results can be ruinous. Here, Leroy Spence, European Automation's sales development manager, explains how to limit the damages of a breakdown by sourcing the right component in record time.

15th July 2015

How efficient are your motors really?

Around the world, legislation relating to electric motor efficiency is tightening in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions and damage to the environment. However, far less attention is paid to some of the practicalities. Here, Lucie Hodkova of Exico looks at how best to determine the efficiency of an installed motor.

14th July 2015

High-pressure pumps - what price reliability?

For industries involved in the processing of high-value commodities, it is essential that all plant and equipment used within an application is reliable. In some instances critical equipment will have a stand-by in place to ensure production can continue in the event of a failure or maintenance. However, delivering a product that can guarantee reliability, whilst enduring high workloads in harsh conditions, requires improved materials and engineering techniques, which all increase the purchase price. Mike Sherman, Marketing Manager for RMI Pressure Systems, a company that specialises in manufacturing high-pressure, high-flow rate pumps for mining and heavy industry applications looks at the balance between cost and reliability and explains why spending more often leads to savings in the long run.

10th July 2015

Design & maintenance crucial to avoiding water hammer

Steam is a very versatile and efficient carrier of energy and it is used in a wide range of industrial processes. It is intrinsically safe and frequently used in food and pharmaceutical production; however, it must be treated with respect. The apparatus used to convey and control steam must be properly designed and maintained to avoid energy losses as well as damage to boilers and other plant by water hammer, which can be particularly destructive when left unchecked. Ian Webster, Hygienic Processing Field Segment Manager at Bürkert UK and Ireland looks at this condition and how it should be avoided.

10th July 2015

25 things you may not know about drives

Drives have been a key technology for industrial engineers for many years, but Matt Handley of Mitsubishi Electric thinks they can be underappreciated. Here he highlights some of the interesting facts about them.

10th July 2015

When is a machine not a machine? When it is partly completed

Derek Coulson* explains the differences between a machine and a partly completed machine with reference to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, and when it is appropriate to issue a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and a Declaration of Incorporation (DoI).

9th July 2015

Fact or fabrication: Busting the myths surrounding robotics

Pacepacker's Business Development Manager Paul Wilkinson addresses the most common preconceptions about the use of robot systems in the food and drink industry and tackles some of the most persistent myths.

9th July 2015

Safe motion standard EN 61800-5-2: more than Safe Torque Off

Ross Fenion, the business development manager for drives and motion control at Pilz, offers an insight into the application of the safe motion standard EN 61800-5-2.

8th July 2015

Why use a DC motor controller?

For most applications involving a DC or BLDC (brushless DC) motor, it is advisable to use a motor controller; in fact, if you are using a brushless (electrically commutated "EC") motor, then you have to use a controller to fire the correct phase winding at the right time.

2nd July 2015