Machine Building

Industrial network gateways - the benefits for automation

Bjorn Franzen of HMS Industrial Networks explains how gateways can benefit industrial automation systems utilising serial, fieldbus and industrial Ethernet communications.

16th March 2011

IEC 61800-5-2, functional safety of variable-speed drives

This article from Underwriters Laboratories discusses IEC 61800-5-2, Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems - Part 5-2: Safety requirements - Functional, and how it can benefit machine builders.

11th March 2011

How robots can reduce costs and enhance production flexibility

Barry Weller of Mitsubishi Electric explains how robots can reduce production costs and provide flexibility for future changes in requirements.

25th February 2011

Safety expert urges machine builders to adopt latest standard

Kevin Ives, a Machinery Safety Consultant with Pilz Automation Technology, is urging machine builders to adopt EN ISO 13849-1 sooner rather than later, in order to comply with the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

15th February 2011

Miniature non-contact displacement sensors

Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon, discusses the continuing trend towards miniaturisation of displacement transducers and the incorporation of electronics to create 'smart' sensors.

7th February 2011

Ergonomics and the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC

This article outlines the ergonomic requirements in the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, lists the relevant Harmonised Standards and provides a link to the ErgoMach website from where useful Information Sheets can be downloaded.

30th January 2011

New legislation mandates minimum efficiencies for motors

This article from Baldor explains the need to prepare for new legislation that mandates minimum efficiency levels for electric motors across the EU from June 2011.

29th January 2011

Overcoming problems with silicon oil-filled pressure sensors

Sam Drury, Sales & Marketing Director at Impress Sensors & Systems, explains how the latest generation of pressure sensors overcomes the problems traditionally encountered with silicon oil-filled pressure sensors.

5th January 2011

Advantages of mechanical torque limiters over electronic types

Techdrives offers advice on how to select the right mechanical or pneumatic torque limiter for a given applications, and explains the advantages over limiting torque using electronic devices.

17th December 2010