Machine Building

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

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