Machine Building

Selecting materials for parts in the food and beverage industry

Hygiene, anti-corrosion and quick delivery remain key factors in the selection of standard parts and machine accessories for the food and beverage sector. But, with material choices ranging from different grades of stainless steel to numerous polymer compounds, how do you make the optimum choice for your application? John Marshall, Technical Manager at WDS Components Parts, discusses the merits of the materials available for the food and beverage industry.

1st April 2020

IIoT and Smart Technology, the challenges and solutions

Applying new technology to a physical process or manufacturing system is an essential part of progress; however, the practical side of implementing the latest Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Smart Technology solutions is bringing its own unique challenges. That, in turn, is leading to new automation solutions. Chris Evans, Marketing and Operations Group Manager of Mitsubishi Electric UK, looks at the latest challenges and solutions.

26th March 2020

What is the future of ex-stock and custom machine screws?

Machine Screws represent a technology that is now conventional, so in this article Challenge Europe poses the question "what is their future?"

23rd March 2020

How torque sensors can provide real-time pump performance data

Factory automation continues to develop year-on-year and pumps are increasingly required to supply real-time operating data to control networks so that their performance can be monitored and adjusted to meet constantly changing production requirements. Hard-wiring a sensor into a pump's rotating drive shaft usually requires the use of a delicate slip ring, but an alternative option is to use a non-contact radio-frequency detector, as Mark Ingham of Sensor Technology explains.

19th March 2020

How to specify indexing plungers, and their benefits

Ensuring engineers are working with secure and safe components is vital for machine efficiency and worker safety. Indexing plungers are a commonly used component within machine building in order to secure moving components within a tight space; however, choosing the right plunger for each application is critical. Marcus Schneck, CEO at norelem, explains what to consider when choosing an indexing plunger and the benefits they bring.

17th March 2020

How to get safety integrity levels right for automated systems

Sitting on the tube during a commute, few of us would think about the importance of safety redundancy in automation systems unless it is specified as part of a project we are working on. Automated Safety Instrumented Systems (SISs), however, are becoming increasingly prevalent, as they can be used to prevent or mitigate hazardous events in a range of different situations. By taking a process to a safe state when given conditions are breached SISs can offer different levels of protection, thus it is important to know what Safety Integrity Level (SIL) your intended application needs to meet. Barry Weller, Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, looks at what SILs are and how to determine your application safety requirements.

11th March 2020

Control panel temperature management in the food industry

Karl Lycett, Rittal's Product Manager for Climate Control, discusses the importance of managing control panel temperatures in order to ensure reliability of production processes in the food industry.

11th March 2020

The role of quiet compressors in reducing factory noise levels

In this article Andy Pulley, Team Leader and Product Specialist with Atlas Copco Compressors, examines the historic issues of noise emissions in factories related to air compressor operation and its effect on workers and productivity. He explains how today's need for compliance with health and safety noise regulations has influenced the development of innovative technology to produce a new generation of quiet compressors.

10th March 2020

Robot ROI: how to calculate the true cost of robotics

Google Trends data demonstrates that web searches for the phrase, "how much does a robot cost?" have doubled since 2009. Determining the total cost and return on investment (ROI) of a robot isn't straightforward, as Nigel Smith, managing director of industrial robot supplier TM Robotics, explains.

9th March 2020

What is the future for Imperial and metric screws?

Sorting out the multiplicity of screw thread designs has been such a big issue for so long that there are lots of guides to give approximate conversions, although naturally there are no actual like-for-like equivalents. The team at Challenge Europe recently discussed a little history and some future-gazing.

9th March 2020