Machine Building

Palletisers and depalletisers - make or buy?

Andrew Mason, the Automation Sales Manager at R.A. Rodriguez (U.K.) Limited, discusses palletisers and depalletisers, and the important question of whether it is better for machine builders to design and manufacture their own or buy-in complete standard or customised units.

8th June 2015

Industry 4.0 needs smart devices

Industry 4.0, or the "˜Connected Industry', is a huge talking point within the manufacturing sector. The ultimate goal is to produce smarter factories which are more resource efficient, more productive and more competitive in a globalised economy. This presents new opportunities for manufacturers, but also new challenges in order to implement the vision of a connected industry successfully. Lance Croutear, Business Unit Manager, Factory Automation, at Bosch Rexroth comments.

7th June 2015

How to select the right grease for rolling bearings

Often overlooked by design and maintenance engineers, selecting the most suitable grease for a rolling bearing can prevent premature bearing failure, while also ensuring high reliability and optimum operating life, says Dr Steve Lacey, engineering manager at Schaeffler UK.

7th June 2015

Dispelling the myth of arc-resistant windows

There exists a dangerous misconception regarding the "˜arc rating' of infrared (IR) windows or viewing panes used for the thermal inspection of electrical systems. Many reliability and maintenance professionals are under the impression that an IR window will protect them in the event of an arc blast. Others believe the installation of IR windows will convert "˜non-arc-rated' switchgear or electrical equipment into "˜arc-rated' cabinets.

29th May 2015

Energy efficient machines - a practical point of view

Pressure is being put on to machine builders and operators by regional and national governments to increase the energy efficiency of machines and systems. This is a huge challenge for our industry. On the one hand this is forcing manufacturers to investigate ways to increase the throughput of machines thus reducing the energy required to produce each unit. On the other hand, ways need to be found to increase the overall energy efficiency of the machine in total. This can offer the machine end users a competitive advantage as it can increase process optimisation. For the machine builder, however, it can mean time-consuming analysis and implementation. Graham Traill, System Consultant at Murrelektronik, takes a closer look at energy efficiency and how small changes can have a big effect for operators and machine builders.

21st May 2015

Potato recall questions metal contamination prevention policy

Recent high-profile product recalls highlight the question every food business should be asking when deciding to invest in metal detection inspection equipment - how much is your company's reputation worth? Here, Sales Director Phil Brown, at Fortress Technology, discusses the impact and consequences.

21st May 2015

Industry 4.0 in the Food and Beverage industry

The practical advantages that the new cyber-physical interface of Industry 4.0 brings are acknowledged by engineers across a range of industries. Jeremy Shinton, Product Manager - Business Solutions at Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. Automation Systems Division, explains how food and drink manufacturers in particular can benefit from the implementation of Industry 4.0.

20th May 2015

Under Pressure - sensors in the spotlight

Pressure sensors are used in a whole range of applications, but understanding the differences in design and operation is crucial when specifying a new sensor. These vital components can facilitate a variety of tasks from displaying process information and performing control functions to operating alarms. Kieran Bennett, of process control specialist Bürkert, looks at the range of sensors available, the different technologies used in their design and how the application affects the specification.

19th May 2015

Vibration sensors for curve detection and derailment protection

Berndt Opitz, Development Manager at Micro-Sensor, part of the Micro-Epsilon Group, discusses how high-performance sensors are helping rail operators to increase train maintenance intervals by using curve detection and derailment protection with on-bogie vibration measurement.

15th May 2015

Pacepacker tells £500k plant equipment tax relief secret

As specialists in automation packing, processing and palletising equipment, Pacepacker Services knows its fair share about boosting production efficiency. But when it comes to tax, it was their accountants that recently alerted them to a £500K tax relief incentive on plant equipment (including packing automation systems).

11th May 2015