Machine Building

Micropumps are the real deal for mechanical seal flushing

Flushing mechanical seals on large industrial pumps is an important function in many process applications and common practice in helping to minimise mechanical seal failure. The flushing process helps to extend the life of seals by cleaning and or cooling them. There are many methods deployed for implementing "˜seal flush', but in most cases fluid is either re-circulated from other points on the pump (usually the output) or from an external source for the flushing stream. In most cases, an increase in pressure, and or flow control may be required and small gear pumps are often used for this purpose.

22nd March 2016

Mitsubishi Electric integrates own Factory Automation products

The Factory Automation Division of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. has installed an extensive range of building automation and security products in the newly built German Branch in Ratingen. The products and systems can be used for a variety of applications, for example quantifying, measuring, displaying, recording and monitoring current and voltage flows around the building. All the data collected can then be captured centrally and displayed using the MAPS life-cycle software tool (Mitsubishi Adroit Process Suite). Various set protocols for the building management system can also be configured using the MAPS integration tool in such a way that they can be visualised on a common interface.

22nd March 2016

Servos with safe motion control boost press productivity

By upgrading its presses using Pilz PMCprotego DS servo amplifiers with safe motion control, Sona BLW Präzisionsschmiede has minimised its investment, increased productivity and enhanced safety.

22nd March 2016

Atlas Copco helps ground stabilisation specialist save energy

Tensar International, a world leader in technology-driven systems for ground stabilisation and soil reinforcement, is predicted to save over £22,000 in annual energy costs and achieve a 141 tonne reduction in its carbon footprint after installing an energy efficient compressed air system from Atlas Copco.

18th March 2016

igus B160 iglidur tribo-tape for marine applications

The adverse conditions in marine applications present a challenge to boat owners and operators who have to contend with the effects of both salt and fresh water on moveable metal fittings. If left unchecked, rust and corrosion can cause excessive wear leading to early replacement or seizure.

15th March 2016

Developing new fluid management systems for in-vitro diagnostics

In-vitro diagnostics (IVD) form a vital part of modern healthcare, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, leading to more targeted treatments and better patient care. The equipment ranges from the simple self-tests to sophisticated technologies used in clinical laboratories, but it all has the common requirements for accuracy and reliability.

14th March 2016

The mysterious case of the haunted gimbal

Zettlex were contacted recently by a distressed technical manager (a competitor's customer) who had encountered a problem that he simply could not understand. Voice shaking, the technical manager explained how a prototype gimbal was acting in an unexpected and unpredictable manner at seemingly random times. Despite performing well during the 6 months of laboratory and factory trials, embarrassingly the gimbals seemed to temporarily go berserk for short periods during field trials. The results appeared completely random to the users and inexplicable to the system designers.

11th March 2016

HBM supports Germany's first complete nacelle test stand

HBM has supplied its Genesis DAQ system with Perception software to the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES), to create Germany's first full scale nacelle test stand. Designed to test complete nacelles, the new stand will be used at the Dynamic Nacelle Testing Laboratory in Bremerhaven, which provides a realistic testing environment in the multi-megawatt field for all manufacturers of wind energy turbines.

11th March 2016

Miniature motors replace pneumatics in robotic hand

Shadow is using miniature electric motors from maxon in its next-generation robotic hand, replacing the air muscles that were previously used.

11th March 2016

Eddy current sensors measure thermal growth of engine bed frames

A manufacturer of diesel generating sets is using non-contact, eddy current displacement sensors from Micro-Epsilon to measure the thermal expansion of its engine bed frames. The previous laser displacement sensors were proving to be unreliable due to the ambient temperature fluctuations and the presence of oil and dirt. Micro-Epsilon's eddy current sensors were evaluated for this task and provided much superior performance.

10th March 2016