Machine Building

New chain keeps the conveyor rolling

When the demand for your product increases, it is desirable to be able to increase production levels to meet customer requirements; hopefully without significant increases in production costs. This requires the usual increase in raw materials; however, it is also important to ensure that the production equipment is able to accommodate the heightened productivity. For a cheese manufacturer in France, a small oversight could have been avoided if expert advice had been taken sooner.

29th August 2014

Customised gearboxes take drives around a corner

In answer to a special customer requirement, Techdrives has supplied a customised assembly for two right angle gearboxes using mostly standard parts. The customer needed to offset the drive line on a mechanical handling application with a solution that was fully enclosed, efficient and maintenance free. With a target of 250mm between shaft centres, chain and belt connections were unacceptable. Techdrives were able to offer a customised assembly of two standard Vogel spiral bevel gearboxes rated at 300Nm and with a centre distance of 258mm. The Vogel gearboxes are grease filled and maintenance free, also they have a high efficiency of 95 per cent.

29th August 2014

Revolvo SRB Split Plummer Block Bearings improve reliability

Dealing with a breakdown in any production process can cost precious time and money. But when the failure is due to a bearing which is difficult to access, and the production line is processing a seasonal vegetable, time becomes even more critical. For D'Arta, a food processing company based near Roeselare in Belgium, the latest stoppage persuaded the maintenance manager to call Revolvo in to investigate the cause and offer a solution.

29th August 2014

Large-scale energy chain at Port of Felixstowe's rail traverser

An igus energy chain system has recently been designed into the largest capacity rail traverse in the UK. Built by heavy rail lifting manufacturer Mechan Ltd, the traverser moves freight locomotives between eight lines at the Port of Felixstowe's new North Rail Terminal. With its pivotal role within the Port's rail network, the traverser's reliability is paramount, while its environment presents a number of challenges.

27th August 2014

Linear chain proves a grand design

Push-pull actuation of heavy loads using the Linear Chain Actuator from R. A. Rodriguez is gaining wide application appeal across all walks of engineering. Indeed, one of its main selling points is the compact nature of the drive which means it is often selected for tasks where technical performance and aesthetics are of equal importance. And it proved to be perfect for a project on the television programme, Grand Designs.

27th August 2014

Vision system "˜unwraps' bottle labels for 100 percent inspection

Olmec UK has designed and manufactured a line scan-based vision system for 100 per cent inspection of labels on OTC healthcare product bottles. By rotating the bottle in front of the camera, the label is effectively "˜unwrapped' to produce an image equivalent to imaging before it was stuck to the bottle. The vision system checks that the information on the label is correct as well as identifying missing or partial print.

26th August 2014

Infrared temperature measurement in thermoforming

The process of thermoforming a plastic sheet depends critically upon temperature. Calex pyrometers have been used by manufacturers to control heating and cooling in thermoforming for more than 10 years, resulting in increased product quality, consistency and production rates, and a reduction in heating costs.

22nd August 2014

Warner Linear supplies actuators for all-terrain vehicles

Engineers at Warner Linear, part of Altra Industrial Motion, have developed a completely new digital CAN (controller area network) actuator control, so that an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) manufacturer can maintain a fully integrated bus architecture for all the functions in its in-vehicle control system.

22nd August 2014

A vital element in aerospace: ESAB delivers process stability

ESAB innovation has helped shape the history of welding and cutting since the discovery of the covered welding electrode more than 100 years ago. Through the years, the company has played a pivotal role in many impressive projects around the globe - from aerospace to automotive, energy to shipbuilding.

21st August 2014

Just in time maintenance via remote service

Machine operators such as NestlÃ© and Unilever expect 100 per cent system availability. Therefore, machine builder Big Drum Engineering sees demand-oriented maintenance and fast troubleshooting via remote service as key to this increasingly critical success factor. In providing these, the company places great emphasis on safety and security.

21st August 2014