Machine Building

Application-oriented research boosts drive technology

In the coming years, sectors such as the semiconductor industry, life sciences or biotechnology will continue to grow. Increasing requirements in these sectors often affects supporting technologies; a typical example of this is found in drive technology: inspection and manufacturing systems in the semiconductor industry for example, normally use air-bearing technology and magnetic linear motors. However, the requirements for precision will continue to increase up into the nanometre range. Such systems also reach their limits when applications require work in a vacuum or nitrogen atmosphere. This issue has now been taken up by drive specialists, who have already achieved promising results with a new electromagnetic nanopositioning system.

20th March 2013

Machine design for bundling cables with synchronised motion

A manufacturer wanted to produce a new machine design for bundling cables and the challenges for Yaskawa were many-fold. They needed synchronised motion between axes to eliminate push-bar skewing, binding and smooth transition from position control to force control. They also required replacement of a pneumatic system but without high cost and had to be scalable and easy to commission.

20th March 2013

Roll grinding made easy by control system from Omron

A control system based on products from Omron is helping machine-tool expert Halifax Numerical Controls (HNC) to achieve success in the UK and around the world in the fiercely competitive market for roll grinders for rubber-coated rollers. Among the many benefits offered by the new control system are complete integration of machine functions, an intuitive graphical operator interface, simple menu-based roll type selection, almost unlimited expandability to add new roll types, and powerful integrated diagnostics.

20th March 2013

Cost-effective low-pressure moulding using Macromelt

Mobilarm, a global manufacturer of man overboard rescue systems for the marine industry, is now using low-pressure moulding with Macromelt to replace a previously subcontracted service. The project to bring Macromelt moulding in-house has not only saved on subcontract costs, it has reduced scrap rates and introduced new-found levels of flexibility into the company's manufacturing and prototyping processes.

20th March 2013

MiniTec modular profile system for specialist vehicle fit-outs

Flexibility is a key factor when fitting out specialist vehicles. The requirements for different types of specialist vehicles, each with their own unique structure and configuration can be very diverse. From rescue vehicles to mobile libraries and bank vehicles, the MiniTec modular profile system offers endless opportunities.

18th March 2013

maXYmos BL makes cost-effective quality assurance possible

German spring manufacturer, Technische Federn GmbH Otto Joos, manufactures technical springs for several industries that demand both a high-quality product and no out-of-specification items. The springs are designed and manufactured to withstand highly dynamic forces in injection pumps for automobile and truck engines as well as drive assemblies for locomotives and ships, where one billion load cycles without failure is demanded as spring failure can have severe consequences.

15th March 2013

Innomech delivers end-of-line test breakthrough

GB Innomech (Innomech) has designed and delivered in just 14 weeks a sophisticated, high-performance end-of-line testing system for Molecular Products. The new machine, which carries out final leak and flow tests on filled single-use carbon dioxide absorption canisters, is three times faster, much more accurate, easier to use and requires less maintenance than the machine it replaces.

14th March 2013

Reliance's "˜Cool Muscle' delivers accurate tidal simulation

In January 2013, a paper was published by two petroleum engineers from Curtin University (Australia) and Imperial College London (UK) which investigated how the action of tides can affect oil and water saturations in the capillary transition zone.

14th March 2013

ERIKS know-how secures contract renewal from Tullis Russell

ERIKS has been awarded a new five-year Integrated Solutions contract by employee-owned premium paper and board manufacturer Tullis Russell.

11th March 2013

Schunk robots get MS sufferer back to work

Lena Kredel suffers from multiple sclerosis. She cannot move her arms and legs, but nevertheless she is working. The literary scholar originates from Bad Segeberg, Germany and is undertaking an apprenticeship as a librarian at the University of Bremen. Lena is using a service robot "˜FRIEND' and its Schunk lightweight arm as a tool to support everyday tasks to allow autonomous environmental interaction. Now, the robot specialists from the Institute for Automation Technology (IAT) Bremen have modified the mechatronic helper so that Lena Kredel can independently catalog the books in the university's library.

7th March 2013