Machine Building

Are inverter-rated motors essential: Yes or No?

There are documented cases of motors that have given 20 or 30 years' sterling service only to fail within hours of being fitted with a variable speed drive which was meant to save energy and protect the motor from high load on start-up. It is a fairly unusual occurrence, but production engineers planning an upgrade to their facilities should be aware of the possibility. Here, Jerry Hodek, Managing Director of Rotor (UK) Limited explores the problem and looks at solutions and alternatives.

30th October 2013

Global logistics and support for big power transmission projects

The key to supplying and supporting large operationally critical power transmission equipment on a global basis is a combination of experience, planning and having the right people available on site virtually anywhere in the world, says Neil Wright, MD of Wichita Clutch.

29th October 2013

Industrial automation changes up a gear with CC Link

Speed matters, especially when building modern production machinery to offer the highest levels of productivity, so it is no surprise to see gigabit Ethernet speeds in industrial networks. John Browett of CLPA looks at where these networks are currently being used, and speculates on how they will become the norm in many applications.

28th October 2013

Windows XP in automation - time for action

The extended support and availability of security updates for Microsoft Windows XP will expire in April 2014. Asset owners with a need to continue secure operation of industrial Windows XP applications beyond that deadline should soon think about their course of action. Upgrading to a newer operating system is not the only option.

23rd October 2013

An introduction to electrical enclosure specification

Whether you're an electrical installer, design engineer or an OEM, the chances are that you deal with electrical enclosures on a day-to-day basis. While on the face of it the humble enclosure may seem to be one of the simplest components to specify, in reality the variety of choice available on the market may mean that the most obvious option isn't always the best in terms of reliability and long-term profitability. Chris Lloyd, General Manager of Spelsberg ELS, explains the basic decisions which need to be made when specifying an enclosure and how the right choice can reduce installation time and cost, and improve reliability.

21st October 2013

Does your valve have the correct chemical resistance properties?

The correct selection of the valves being used within any process control system is key to ensuring the performance and reliability of that system. Michael Hannig, Product Manager for Solenoid Valves at Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at this process with particular focus on the chemical resistance of the various components.

16th October 2013

Keep on running with a Mitsubishi Electric service contract

With its "˜make today, sell tomorrow' scheduling, the food and beverage manufacturing sector has an almost total intolerance to production breakdowns. They have developed sophisticated techniques to keep the lines working and the distribution channels full. Guy Kennett of Mitsubishi Electric explains that other sectors can benefit by adopting similar systems.

16th October 2013

Coatings prolong bearing life in harsh environments

Often, operating conditions exist that are beyond the limits of standard bearings. However, by applying a coating or combination of coatings to the base material of bearing components, the operating life of the bearings can be extended significantly. With increasing demands being placed on bearings, it is often necessary for bearing manufacturers to offer customers combinations of coatings for particular applications.

14th October 2013

How to achieve optimum bearing performance in gearboxes

Bearings for modern industrial drive systems must deliver efficient and reliable performance even in the most demanding of environments. NSKreveals a focus on continuously improving products.

4th October 2013

Speed control provides an essential efficiency optimisation

Electric drives revolutionised the industrial and domestic sectors, and now hardly any aspect of daily life can manage without them. In the industrial and production sectors, some 30 million electric motors ensure reliable and effective operation. The share of frequency converters is rising in response to the growing demand for optimised processes and lower production costs, as well as more efficient use of expensive energy.

2nd October 2013