Machine Building

Engineering subcontractor relies on PSL Datatrack

ANR Manufacturing is a specialist subcontractor for both the electronics and engineering industries. The company has now relied on PSL Datatrack production control software for almost 20 years to ensure careful monitoring and control of every project. Benefitting from the modular structure of PSL Datatrack, ANR has been able to gradually invest in the software over the years as part of their continuous improvement policy and now run a much larger system than was purchased at the outset.

14th February 2020

maxon is flying to the Sun

Solar Orbiter has started its mission to provide scientists with new data about the Sun. Swiss research and industry have played a significant role in the construction of the space probe - with drives from Obwalden among the contributions.

13th February 2020

NSK lubrication units save roof tile plant EUR4950 per year

A ceramic roof tile manufacturer is saving €4950 a year by switching to NSK K1 lubrication units for its handling machinery. The move has considerably reduced the previous labour and downtime costs associated with re-greasing the integral linear guides.

12th February 2020

Savings for brick maker from compressed air and vacuum makeover

Atlas Copco's compressed air and vacuum systems upgrade for Manchester-based brick maker Wienerberger Ltd is resulting in significant savings in energy costs, estimated to be around £38K per annum, along with reduced CO2 emissions and production downtime, plus the added benefit of a short-term payback.

7th February 2020

Podium finish for Bulgin-sponsored school ROV team

A school robotics team sponsored by Bulgin won third place overall in the 2019 MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) International ROV competition, with connectors from Bulgin featured in the design. Among the 24 other schools that qualified in the Explorer age group final, a California-based high school's robotics team had decided to use Bulgin's PX0413/03P rear panel mount connectors in their design.

5th February 2020

Bearings withstand shock and vibration at woodworking plant

When a manufacturer of MDF boards switched to special NSK spherical roller bearings on the work roll of its grinding machine, the plant extending bearing lifetime from 2-3 months to over a year, duly saving €13,400 in downtime and annual bearing consumption.

5th February 2020

3D printed parts contribute to Bloodhound's successful test

A titanium nose tip and steering wheel additively manufactured by Renishaw have been used to optimise the supersonic car that aims to break land speed record in South Africa. Both parts were used in the Bloodhound SSC, now Bloodhound LSR, car that reached its benchmark target of 500mph in the South African desert in November 2019.

4th February 2020

Connecting container ships to shore power

Improving efficiency when handling bulk cargo from increasingly large ships is all the more important when speed and fast turnarounds are needed. Does traditional, stationary shore power fit into this picture? What do shore power connections look like for new terminals?

31st January 2020

Amputee bonds with son thanks to 3D printed hand

Danny Florence lost both legs, a hand and most of his fingers, after contracting meningitis at the age of 5. For 21 years he managed adequately with one hand, but when Danny became a father, he realised it had an impact on the bond he had with his son. Danny was fitted for a 3D printed Hero Arm, produced by multi-award-winning designer and manufacturer of affordable prosthetic limbs, Open Bionics.

31st January 2020

KEB drives, controllers, HMIs used by Concrete Canvas Ltd

By installing servo drives with integrated functional safety, HMIs and controllers from KEB Automation on its new production line, Concrete Canvas Ltd has reduced wiring installation costs and is benefiting from greater flexibility in terms of future expansion plans for machines and additional lines.

27th January 2020