Machine Building

SNAP-LOC fasteners used for mountain railway carriage seats

The Canadian Rockies are recognised worldwide as one of the greatest of natural spectacles and many will claim that the best way to see the stunning scenery at its finest is from a carriage on the Rocky Mountaineer. Owned and operated by Canada's Armstrong Group, the Rocky Mountaineer is a purpose-built tourist train that was designed from the outset to be what has since become: one of the country's greatest and most popular attractions for both domestic and overseas visitors alike.

16th July 2019

ESAB Caddy Tig 2200i welder used in jet hydroplane build

ESAB is helping a British team with a serving military pilot at the helm to build a jet hydroplane with the aim of smashing the long-standing world water speed record. Project Lead David Aldred is, along with his team, constructing "˜Longbow' - a powerful jet hydroplane - at its workshop in on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire.

15th July 2019

Festo automation improves milking parlour efficiency

Like many other industries, dairy farming is under increasing pressure to become more efficient and more productive. A company at the forefront of automated milking systems, Fullwood Packo has partnered with Festo to deliver the flexibility and performance required in the modern dairy industry.

12th July 2019

Direct-drive valves improved with additive manufacturing

Renishaw recently collaborated with Domin Fluid Power to help the company maximise productivity when designing and manufacturing direct drive valves. Using metal additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, the company can now manufacture smaller, more efficient drives and reduce cycle times from five and a half hours to just one.

11th July 2019

Air Liquide maintains quality and safety with custom caps

Air Liquide is a global leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and health, with a presence in over 80 countries, serving more than two million customers and patients. Protection of the valving on their Argon gas bottles had become an important issue. These gas bottles are primarily used for metal fabrication and inflation of diving suits and a cap is needed to protect the industrial valves from ingress of dust and dirt and also to ensure that the bottle has not been subject to any gas leakage.

10th July 2019

Fully automated cake cutting line uses Mitsubishi robot

Mitsubishi Electric has assisted Western Mechanical Handling (WMH) to develop a fully automated inline cell for cutting and slicing food of any size and shape on the fly. The solution is based on Mitsubishi Electric's MELSEC Q series high-performance PLC, plus system-matched components including HMI, variable speed drives and two MELFA articulated arm robots. The resulting machine maximises performance, flexibility and productivity for customers in the food sector.

10th July 2019

Knust-Godwin uses AM machines to cut lead times

Renishaw has supplied four RenAM 500Q metal additive manufacturing machines to Knust-Godwin, a precision machining company located in Katy, Texas. The high-productivity machine, designed for serialised industrial manufacturing, has enabled Knust-Godwin to drastically reduce lead times for its customers.

9th July 2019

Modular energy storage system connects using Han interfaces

Commeo GmbH from Wallenhorst near Osnabrück has developed a modular energy storage system that allows applications, from mobile robots to the power supply for industrial plants and factories, to run securely and uninterrupted. The Commeo units can be used as an emergency power supply or as a mains buffer to provide compensating power when required. In a joint project, Commeo and Harting have developed suitable interfaces for the new system by interconnecting the batteries in a particularly efficient way with downstream units.

5th July 2019

Dynamic motor monitoring improves reliability for EDF Energy

EDF Energy is using dynamic motor test equipment from SKF to monitor the condition of key components at Hartlepool power station. Opened in 1983, Hartlepool power station in County Durham is one of seven UK nuclear power stations built using two Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGR). Owned and run today by EDF Energy, the 1,185MW plant is scheduled to continue operating until 2024.

5th July 2019

Power analyser helps drone maker optimise motor system

The Yokogawa WT1800E Power Analyzer is being used by Atmos UAV to optimise the range, efficiency and safety of Marlyn, the world's first drone, to combine Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) and forward flight in a fully autonomous flight.

4th July 2019