Machine Building

Wrap spring clutches in state-of-the-art machines

With many industries embracing technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT) or Industry 4.0, it can be easy to overlook some of the simpler and more cost-effective options. For packaging and labelling, maintaining both precision and product positioning is very important for high-quality results and does not necessarily require the latest in servomotor design. Mathieu Ruault, Sales Director of Warner Electric, discusses the role that wrap spring clutches can play in state-of-the-art machines.

17th October 2018

What to consider when choosing eddy current displacement sensors

Chris Jones of Micro-Epsilon discusses the factors to consider when selecting a non-contact eddy current displacement sensor, including temperature of the target, calibration, target thickness and size, speed of measurements and mounting.

16th October 2018

Three rules for cyber security in the manufacturing sector

Almost half of manufacturers have fallen victim to cybercrime, according to the Cyber Security Manufacturing Report 2018, published by EEF. One of the biggest challenges for manufacturers is choosing from the range of products and services available to protect against these crimes. Here, Lee Sullivan, regional manager at COPA-DATA UK, explains his three cyber security rules that manufacturers should abide by when selecting vendors.

15th October 2018

Latest developments in AGV positioning technologies

With increasing process automation, the cost-effective automation of vehicles is playing an increasingly more important role. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are encountered in vast warehouses, order-picking areas and production halls. Every one of these vehicles must find its way and its exact position - and do so automatically. For some time now there have been various technologies in this area with specific properties, in testing and also in actual use, and with each further enhancement - for example in sensor technology - new opportunities result.

13th October 2018

How fastening technologies can help overcome EV range anxiety

Many engineers already know that one of the earliest World Land Speed Records was set by an electric car, when the Belgian driver Camille Jenatzy took his bullet-shaped vehicle Le Jamais Contente to 100kph. In those days (1899), this was a fantastic speed and in 2018 the outright world speed record for a battery-powered car stands at well over 300mph. However, today's EV engineers are driven by consumer demand and focusing more on range and durability than outright speed. As EVs have evolved for public consumption, a new phrase has entered the conversation and it is said to reflect the biggest reason why the buying public continues to resist the current crop of extremely competent EV offerings. "˜Range anxiety' is still proving a difficult challenge to overcome for manufacturers and a genuine ongoing concern.

11th October 2018

Fasteners for assemblies with relaxed tolerances

This article explores the benefits of using fasteners that can compensate for vertical and horizontal misalignment in assemblies where cost is more important than tight tolerances.

9th October 2018

Robot wars: automation leaders and robot laggards

David Jahn, director at automation company Brillopak, believes that using terminology interchangeably, particularly robotics, AI and automation, is part of the reason why UK food factories have dodged making big investments, particularly at the end of line packaging and case loading lines. But with the EU labour crisis continuing to plague UK fresh produce houses, David says now is the time to get back to basics and review the entire productivity picture and how automation, not just robots, will align to and support long-term strategies.

8th October 2018

Augmented reality and the benefits for manufacturing companies

The first developments of augmented reality (AR) technology came in 1968, when computer scientist Ivan Sutherland created an AR head-mounted display that superimposed virtual information onto the physical environment. While AR is becoming increasingly popular in popular culture, how does the world of manufacturing keep up with the opportunities available to them? Here, Nick Boughton, digital lead at systems integrator Boulting Technology, examines how AR can be used across the manufacturing industry.

8th October 2018

Preventing downtime, raising productivity in pharma production

The age of the blockbuster drug is over. The last remnants of this golden age of pharmaceuticals are slowly coming out of IP protection and being mass produced by a large range of companies. As a new day dawns on the pharmaceutical industry, Gayle Walker, operations manager at Novotek UK & Ireland, explains what pharmaceutical companies can do to prevent unnecessary downtime in production and raise production efficiency.

8th October 2018

Time for machine builders to innovate with material selection

Machine builders are continually innovating but one area that is ripe for innovation is material selection. This article explores some of the opportunities available.

6th October 2018