Machine Building

Regenerative inverter drives - applications and how they work

Jeff Whiting of Mitsubishi Electric explains how regenerative inverter drives can be applied in industrial environments to save energy and deliver additional operational benefits.

2nd October 2010

How to save energy in hazardous area control systems

This article from Burkert Fluid Control Systems explains how energy can be saved in hazardous ex environments by using smarter and more integrated systems comprising valves, actuators and positioners.

19th September 2010

SCADA system security - act now before your system is attacked!

As attacks on SCADA systems by the Stuxnet virus increase, Norman Data Defense urges automation specialists to review the security of their control system, as many will not currently be protected.

6th September 2010

How to select the best illumination method for machine vision

This article from Stemmer Imaging discusses the critical issue of illumination for machine vision applications.

23rd August 2010

Novel inductive sensors can be shaped to suit the application

Mark Howard of Zettlex Ltd explains how next-generation inductive transducers work and why they are being specified in place of traditional inductive devices, potentiometers, optical encoders and magnetic encoders.

19th August 2010

Machinery Directive harmonised standards - a word of caution

Paul Laidler, the Managing Director of Laidler Associates, recommends caution when deciding which 'harmonised' standards to apply when CE marking machinery in accordance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

19th August 2010

How vibrating quartz tuning tines measure angular rate

This article from ETLG Inertial Aerosystems describes Systron Donner Inertial's GyroChip uses vibrating quartz tuning tines to sense rate by acting as a Coriolis sensor.

17th August 2010

Plant maintenance - advice for managers

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has launched its new Healthy Workplaces Campaign for 2010/11, promoting safe maintenance across Europe. MCP Consulting and Training suggestions some questions that managers should ask themselves.

6th August 2010

How to specify IP ratings for enclosures

Schneider Electric believes that a lack of understanding of IP ratings is leading to enclosures being specified with inappropriate levels of protection. Moreover, some IP ratings do not conform to international standards and are not relevant to the intended use of the products to which they have been applied.

25th July 2010

What does 'as low as reasonably practicable' mean?

Jeremy Procter, a Member of BSI's MCE/3 committee, former Convenor of the European Standards Committee responsible for Machine Guards (CEN TC114 WG11), and Managing Director of Procter Machine Guarding, explains what is meant by machine risks being 'as low as reasonably practicable.'

24th July 2010