Machine Building

CC-Link keeps up with demand for water in Denmark

Consumers generally take their water supply for granted, giving barely a thought to how it is extracted, filtered and delivered. One issue that arises for many distribution networks is the fluctuation in demand, which can be particularly marked when the local population temporarily increases, such as in holiday areas. Another is ensuring the control system works reliably over the wide geographic area of the whole network. CC-Link's long-range capability, along with its robustness and simplicity made it the natural choice for a water supply network upgrade in the Danish region of Jutland.

5th January 2016

Zero-Max CD couplings in test dynamometers handle system stress

Test dynamometers experience high input speeds and high torque loads which cause stress on transducers and connected components. To assure these systems generate accurate performance information when experiencing these conditions, system designers specify CD Couplings from Zero-Max.

1st January 2016

Atlas Copco VSD compressor saves energy, running time and space

When Calderdale Engineering Services (CES) moved from their premises in Pellon, Halifax to a new base in Boothtown, they chose to replace their existing 15-year old fixed-speed compressor with an Atlas Copco VSD installation, supplied by Pennine Pneumatic Services, that has since reduced energy costs by 50 per cent, running time by 80 per cent and occupies a substantially smaller workshop footprint.

1st January 2016

Custom-built operating panel enhances valve safety

Oil & gas company Eni Norge approached Smith Flow Control to help simplify its valve processes on the Goliat Field oilfield. Smith Flow Control developed a custom-built operating panel that enhances safety and increases efficiency. It does this by moving the control and operation of Eni Norge's large number of valves to a single, safe location.

1st January 2016

NSK offers bespoke products for papermaking sector

NSK bearings deliver a guarantee of durability, speed and reliability, all of which serve to increase machine productivity and performance in paper mills worldwide. An example of this is in the wire section of modern papermaking facilities, water ingress together with the demand for ever-greater speeds can prompt premature bearing failure and potential production line stoppages.

27th December 2015

Henkel's adhesives experts help restore Pharaoh's mask

This news went around the world: the beard of the world-famous, more than 3000-year-old golden mask of Tut Ankh Amun fell off during a cleaning procedure and was hastily glued back on improperly. Yesterday the restored golden mask of the young pharaoh was presented to the world public during a ceremony at the Egyptian museum in Cairo. To make sure that the beard now sticks to the mask a customised adhesives product from Henkel is used.

19th December 2015

Tea packing system uses Universal Robot

To boost production in order to meet increased demand Clipper Teas invested in a specially designed system for packing the tea bags from the point where they exit the tea bag making machine. Frontline Packaging was chosen to design, manufacture or source all of the elements and it recommended the inclusion of a Universal Robot from R. A. Rodriguez to load the rectangular tea cartons.

19th December 2015

MiniTec profiles used for prototyping UV disinfection system

A student at Bournemouth University has made good use of MiniTec aluminium profiles and accessories to build a prototype cabinet that utilises UV for disinfecting school sports equipment.

18th December 2015

iglidur on a front loader test rig

Agricultural equipment is subject to harsh environments having to operate in dusty, dirty and all weather conditions. Metallic plain bearings and recirculating ball bearings can often be replaced with polymer alternatives. Without needing lubricant, they are maintenance free and can increase service life by up to 8 times, yielding significant cost savings.

17th December 2015

Steel stockholder expands business with plasma cutting machine

Franklin Steel plc, an established steel stockholder that has steadily diversified into related products and services, recently invested in an ESAB SGX plasma cutting machine so it could undertake profiling in-house. Previously the company had outsourced profiling, whether that was for steelwork it was fabricating, or to fulfil orders from customers who did not want to use a separate supplier for profiles. By investing in a plasma cutting machine, Franklin Steel has reduced the lead time for customers ordering profiles, increased profit margins on those orders and, most importantly, opened up a new revenue stream in the form of a profile cutting service.

17th December 2015