Machine Building

EN ISO 13849-1 simplified procedure for assessing PL

For certain types of machinery EN ISO 13849-1 Performance Levels can be assessed using a simplified method rather than performing the full calculations. This article from Leuze electronic Ltd explains the procedure.

11th January 2010

EN 954-1 and ten reasons NOT to use it

Jon Severn, editor of MachineBuilding.net, suggests ten reasons not to use EN 954-1 for designing safety-related control systems for machinery, but rather to use EN ISO 13849-1 or EN (IEC) 62061.

18th December 2009

EN 1088 - requirements relating to fasteners for interlocks

Paul Laidler of Laidler Associates explains some of the recent changes to EN 1088 in the context of the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC that comes into force on 29 December 2009.

18th December 2009

Brakes enhance safety of servo-drive machines

Peter Anderson of Matrix International, an Altra Group company, explains how electromechanical brakes for servomotors help to make machines safer, more reliable and more controllable.

25th November 2009

Machined torsion springs offer advantages over wire types

Simon Cattle, Managing Director of Abssac, explains what can be achieved using machined torsion springs and what the benefits are compared with conventional torsion springs formed from wire.

6th November 2009

CANopen for applications in machinery

Holger Zeltwanger, Managing Director of CAN in Automation (CiA), introduces CANopen and explains how it is applicable to machinery.

30th October 2009

Why machine builders should use 3D printing

Having previously been sceptical about 3D printing applications in the field of machine building, Jon Severn met Peter Hansford of Z Corporation at the TCT 2009 exhibition and was persuaded of the technology's potential.

27th October 2009

Jigs, fixtures, nests and rapid manufacturing

Jon Severn met Richard Vaughan of First Cut at TCT 2009 and found out how rapid prototyping and manufacturing technologies can benefit machine builders who need jigs, fixtures and nests for automated assembly systems.

27th October 2009

Practical innovation support for SMEs

Paul Radage, Commercial Manager at C-Tech Innovation, looks at three regional innovation support schemes that enable small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from innovation support so they can improve their products, processes and businesses.

1st October 2009

Financial and other benefits of DC to AC conversion

This article form Sentridge Control explains the benefits of switching from DC to AC drives - including the potential for making energy savings worth thousands of pounds per year.

22nd September 2009