Machine Building

Non-Destructive Testing - how far should you go?

Every day millions of components are produced around the world to help build everything from a simple toy to fighter jets. For every manufacturer involved in the process, a decision must be made on how to test the component to ensure it meets the design criteria. For the vast majority, batch inspection and testing is sufficient; however, where high-precision engineering is involved the testing must be exhaustive and comprehensive. Components for aerospace, motorsport, medical devices and other ultra critical areas are required to be tested to a very high standard.

28th June 2013

Nord solutions for the extended energy-efficiency directive

The European Commission has initiated a significant tightening of the energy-efficiency directive for electrical devices, leaving more users of drive technology faced with new challenges. By providing comprehensive information, fast, expert support, and suitable drive products, Nord Drivesystems aims to enable machinery and equipment manufacturers to continue producing economically compelling products that comply with all regulations.

27th June 2013

Valves - when to repair or replace?

When it comes to process, pilot and actuation valves, the question of whether it is advisable to repair or replace a worn or intermittent unit is worth considering, regardless of the type or the size. Tom Carnell, Systems Applications Manager, from valve manufacturer Burkert UK gives his advice as a basic guide.

24th June 2013

Clamping systems for precision down to the smallest detail

Whether its die construction, dental technology, medical equipment or the watchmaking, jewelry or optical industries - the number of high-precision applications for micro machining has risen enormously in recent years. Anyone who wants to take an efficient approach to delicate tooling, high spindle speeds and extreme requirements for precision must have clamping systems that offer stable processes.

16th June 2013

Reliable data connections for Industrial Ethernet

Data is everywhere and an integral part of today's control and process industries. There is nothing new about the use of data in industrial applications, but increasing volumes and real-time demands present real challenges for system designs. Planning for future system requirements is therefore an important consideration. Building extra capacity into a system for future needs starts with the architecture and is reflected in the component parts.

10th June 2013

Advanced automation technologies in food manufacturing

The food manufacturers who are successful in today's fast-paced, ever-changing industry are the ones who can capitalise on fast moving trends, optimise their efficiency and productivity, best manage their supply chain logistics, and minimise waste. Chris Evans of Mitsubishi Electric looks at how advanced automation technologies can help.

3rd June 2013

Looking back helps power transmission engineers to move forward

Power transmission design is a moving discipline, one which requires practitioners to consider the challenges of tomorrow when designing innovations for today. It is natural that design styles move on and that, as technologies develop and industries progress, standard approaches change and modernise. However, any good engineer will tell you that it is important to learn from the past; sometimes an older principle can be the answer to an industry's latest demands. Miroslav Slawik, Global Account Manager Basic Metal for Bauer Gear Motor, explains the evolution of gearbox design for high speed roller tables in the steel industry and how looking back may be the way forwards...

28th May 2013

Using constant current control for metal purification

In the vast world of power supply applications, we can identify two main categories for regulating the power applied to the load. The first is "˜constant voltage', where the control loop maintains a constant voltage to varying load current demands; the second is "˜constant current' where the current is maintained constant to vary the voltage applied to the load. Giacomo Mazzullo of TDK-Lambda explains.

22nd May 2013

Selecting a laser welding system with confidence

Purchasing a laser welding system for the first time may seem a daunting task to the uninitiated. How do you know that you are talking to the right companies? Do they have the best system for your application? Happily, the process of selection can be simplified and decisions made with confidence, by considering the points below

14th May 2013

Embedded virtualisation and security for industrial automation

Industrial controllers and HMIs seldom have protection for the IT and network security. This article explains how virtualisation could provide cyber-security for industrial automation, especially where embedded controllers are used.

24th April 2013