Machine Building

Improving the design and manufacture of switchgear cabinets

Paresh Kansara, Rittal's Product Manager for Industrial & Outdoor Enclosures, explains how Rittal and Eplan develop individual system portfolios, then combine value-enhancing process steps to create a seamless value chain for the benefit of customers.

19th June 2019

Gas monitoring issues faced in storage of cereals

Guaranteeing food supplies is a growing issue. With a growing global population, climate change and ocean acidification disrupting crops and fish stocks, many countries face serious challenges in ensuring food security. As well as issues affecting food production worldwide, another important aspect for food security is food storage and preservation.

17th June 2019

Tackling the STEM skills gap in UK manufacturing

When asking someone to list their top ten most glamorous careers, it is a fairly safe bet that engineering doesn't feature, let alone appear near the top. Yet, despite the stereotypical image many people have, engineering is fundamental to so many of the things we take for granted in life - from roads and buildings to bridges, utilities such as power and water, right through to manufacturing everything we use, wear, touch or eat in everyday life.

13th June 2019

Benefits of gantry systems for heavy loads and large work areas

Automation in the manufacturing industry is continuing to grow in demand and can be applied to nearly every application from processing, assembly, inspection to packaging. Gantries and 6-axis industrial robots are widely used to achieve automation for applications such as palletising, sorting, and pick & place to name but a few. When specifying a gantry or robot, consideration needs to be given to the required task and payload, the grippers that will be attached to the system, and the distance and speeds required.

12th June 2019

Machinery health and safety: consider the small things

Health and safety in manufacturing and engineering is the sum of all parts, no matter how big or small. Even the most unnoticeable components, like grips, handles and knobs, must be carefully selected and assessed, explains Marcus Schneck, CEO of standard components specialists norelem.

6th June 2019

Blockchain for traceability in food and beverage production

It has been more than 10 years since the Satoshi Nakamoto published his whitepaper "˜Bitcoin: A peer-to-peer electronic cash system'. While Bitcoin itself has divided many and attracted criticism, the technology that it is built upon, the blockchain, has garnered significant interest due to its promise of immutable digital record-keeping. Darcy Simonis, industry network leader for food and beverage at ABB, explains why the emerging technology stores the key to greater traceability and reduced food wastage.

29th May 2019

Data science and the future of industrial automation

A killer combination of proficiency in code writing, a client-oriented mindset and outstanding communication skills is what is required to excel in the Harvard Business Review's sexiest job of the 21st century - the data scientist. But why is this nascent role so in demand and what does the job actually entail? Sophie Hand, UK country manager at EU Automation, explores this new role and explains how it is enabling better maintenance.

29th May 2019

Guide to choosing the right screw drive

Kevin Moorcroft, Managing Director of Challenge Europe, explains some features of different screw drive types and how to select the right one for a given application.

28th May 2019

How to use computational imaging to reveal hidden details

In computational imaging a number of images of the same field of view are acquired under different lighting or optical conditions. Data is then extracted from these to create a new image containing information that cannot be obtained from a single-shot image. Stemmer Imaging offers a choice of powerful computational imaging solutions so is well placed to explain the technology.

28th May 2019

How manufacturers can improve servitisation with social media

Last year, Waitrose & Partners announced it would begin testing its While You're Away service, delivering orders into customers' homes while they are out. Like supermarkets, manufacturers should continually improve their service offerings to stay competitive. Here Jonathan Wilkins, director at automation parts supplier EU Automation, explains how manufacturers can use social media to improve servitisation.

23rd May 2019