Machine Building

Air-sampling pump using maxon DC motor protects workers' health

Operating in dusty conditions can be hazardous to workers' health. Casella have launched their new Apex2 range of personal air-sampling pumps, using maxon's DC motors, to monitor the personal exposure to dust, fumes and vapours in high-risk occupational sectors and to safeguard the future health of workers against serious respiratory disease.

20th June 2015

Eaton's SmartWire-DT simplifies machine build and diagnostics

As a result of the increasing complexity of its machines, specialist manufacturer of high-performance industrial parts washers, Renegade Cleaning Systems, was looking for ways to optimise its processes. The company decided to implement a machine control system based on Eaton's SmartWire-DT communication system to help cut wiring time, improve flexibility and support advanced diagnostic features.

19th June 2015

The tool of choice for compounding pharmacists

Ointment milling machines not only need to ensure that the end product is extremely smooth but they also need to be able to be easily cleaned, to avoid contamination. A UK company called Torvine, have been trying to produce the ultimate milling machines to solve both these issues. The result is the Dermamill 100, which has become the tool of choice for compounding pharmacists across the world.

16th June 2015

Improved sailing performance via DesignFlex-enabled Sip-and-Puff

Variohm EuroSensor has recently supplied World Magnetics DesignFlex pressure switches for a customised Sip-and-Puff pressure switch system that allows quadriplegic World Champion sailor Melvin Kinnear increased control of his servo-assisted Hansa Liberty sailing dinghy. Developed by Paul Bennett - a volunteer for the charity Tideway Sailability - the single-crew dinghy features servomotor-driven winches for its main and jib sails which are normally reeled out and fine-tuned by a combination of joystick control and separate hand operated switches.

15th June 2015

Inline colour measurement system reduces cycle times

An inline colour measurement system from Micro-Epsilon is enabling the colour of plastic injection moulded parts to be automatically checked early in the production process, which reduces cycle times and optimises productivity.

11th June 2015

Bürkert hazardous area-rated pneumatics in whisky bottling plant

The combination of Bürkert's AirLINE Ex 8650 valve islands and Siemens intrinsically safe SIMATIC ET 200iSP distributed I/O system is providing a safe, compact and modular pneumatic control system for a global drinks company in Scotland. The equipment has been used in replacement Ex-rated control panels at the company's bottling plant in Glasgow: the fastest whisky bottling plant in the world.

9th June 2015

Sweetcorn factory first for FANUC robot

A successful UK factory trial involving a FANUC M-10iA series robot and a novel vacuum gripper technology has proved that it is possible to pick and place sweetcorn cobs at speeds of 180 packs per minute. Besides providing proof of principle that robotics can be employed to handle this challenging product, the trial demonstrated that on a line manned by two operators per shift, the robot could pay for itself within a year.

8th June 2015

Axis drive covers for hybrid manufacturing system

Beakbane is supplying axis drive covers for a British-built manufacturing system that can now combine additive and subtractive processes in one machine.

1st June 2015

Couplings cut vibration and torque amplification

Table rollers in steel mills are effectively heavy-duty conveyors that move the steel around the plant from one process to the next. They are absolutely critical to production as failure to any part of this conveying system would result in the loss of ability to move product around the mill and could bring production to a halt.

1st June 2015

nsd tupH surface protection for cost-effective drive protection

From its base in East Anglia, one of the UK's major agricultural areas, Ambit Projects Limited design and manufacture high-quality automation equipment for handling, preparing and processing all types of foodstuffs with machines that are tailored to individual customer needs. The Company has gained a high reputation in this fast-moving industry for providing innovative products that increase capacity through improved performance, reduce processing bottlenecks, decrease downtime and enhance final product quality.

29th May 2015