Machine Building

New machine guards for old machinery

Jeremy Procter, a Member of BSI's MCE/3 committee, Convenor of the European Standards Committee responsible for Machine Guards (CEN TC114 WG11), and Managing Director of Procter Machine Guarding, explains the importance of having adequate guarding on older machines that are required to continue in service for longer than might have been expected.

17th September 2009

Valve islands provide advantages for machine builders

Dave Minors of ASCO Numatics explains how the latest fieldbus-enabled valve islands offer machine builders and system integrators substantial benefits in terms of installation, commissioning, performance and maintenance.

13th September 2009

Microfluidics offer benefits for automation and miniaturisation

This article from Burkert Fluid Control Systems explains how microfluidics improve low-volume liquid handling in applications where aggressive - and expensive - reagents and solvents are used, such as in medical, biomedical and analytical processes.

23rd August 2009

Technopolymer bearings - the advantages over alternatives

This article from Igus explains the five major advantages that technopolymer bearings - often referred to as 'plastic bearings' offer over traditional alternatives.

23rd August 2009

What is new in the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC?

Pilz offers the following summary of the main changes in Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

20th August 2009

Satellite roller screws and their inherent advantages

Compared with ball screws, satellite roller screws offer higher axial loads for the same screw diameter, plus they benefit from a number of other inherent advantages.

28th July 2009

Continuous-flex cables - a buyer's guide

Igus provides advice on what to look for in a continuous-flexing cable to ensure long-term reliability.

10th July 2009

Surface Acoustic Wave technology - how it works

Sensor Technology Ltd, which is involved in research, development and manufacture of rotary torque measuring transducers using Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology, explains how the technology and sensors work.

7th July 2009

BS EN 953:1997 +A1:2009 - a review of the guarding standard

Jeremy Procter, a Member of BSI's MCE/3 committee, Convenor of the European Standards Committee responsible for Machine Guards (CEN TC114 WG11), and Managing Director of Procter Machine Guarding, looks at BS EN 953:1997 +A1:2009 and compares it with its predecessor.

26th June 2009

How to specify fasteners for fixed guards on machinery

Jeremy Procter, a Member of BSI's MCE/3 committee, Convenor of the European Standards Committee responsible for Machine Guards (CEN TC114 WG11), and Managing Director of Procter Machine Guarding, explains how to select the right type of fasteners for fixed guards, given the new requirements in the latest version of the guarding standard BS EN 953.

26th June 2009