Machine Building

Hygienic flowmeter specified for pharmaceutical cleaning system

Specialist process machinery manufacturer, L.B. Bohle, has developed a cleaning system for the using Bürkert's innovative FLOWave flowmeter for a compact, hygienic and very accurate process. Incorporating the latest in flow measurement technology has minimised equipment footprint and reduced operating costs as well as maintenance time.

10th April 2019

Control system specialists praise Rittal's VX25 enclosures

Their observations on the new enclosure are notably around improved operational efficiencies and increased productivity. These offer interesting insights for other operators, and indeed anyone who has the final say on enclosure technology.

9th April 2019

Brakes provide reliable overload protection for blow moulding

The production of PET bottles for the beverage industry is a high-performance discipline - modern machines can process up to 80,000 bottles per hour. In addition to the rapid processing speeds, high pressures and temperatures also place strain on components. The safety of people and materials can only be achieved in such environments using suitable torque limiters, such as the EAS-Compact series by mayr power transmission, the specialist from the Allgäu region.

8th April 2019

elobau float switches contribute to simple membrane distillation

Aquastill was founded in 2008 and designs and builds water purification plants that are used worldwide, such as in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, the United States, Brazil, Australia, Africa, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and the Czech Republic. They are one of the few companies in the world applying membrane distillation on a commercial scale. Aquastill's technology is a unique concept. It combines natural processes, advanced materials and state-of-the-art production techniques to provide a low-cost approach for one of the world's greatest needs: clean water.

2nd April 2019

How sensors helped food manufacturer optimise processes

Achieving process optimisation while controlling (cutting) costs is a constant challenge for all manufacturers, especially in the food manufacturing sector. For example, frequently varying recipes, a huge diversity of ingredients, different textures and specific filling levels places high demands on process systems, in some cases pushing conventional instruments and components to their limits.

1st April 2019

Non-contact inline inspection with laser profile sensors

For the enjoyment of chocolate, taste is not the only crucial factor. It should also be a feast for the eyes. Perfect appearance conveys a sense of sophistication and full chocolate flavour. Modern 2D/3D laser profile sensors (laser scanners) from Micro-Epsilon are directly integrated in chocolate processing lines, enabling inline, real time inspection of complete product ranges, based on non-contact, efficient high-speed measurements.

29th March 2019

High-speed machine utilises Pilz interlocks and controller

Geyssel Sondermaschinen GmbH uses Pilz PSENmlock interlocks and a PNOZmulti 2 safety controller for its next-generation applicator for attaching small items such as drinking straws to product packaging.

23rd March 2019

Precision moulder boosts productivity with Kawasaki robot

A UK precision plastic moulder has installed a new Kawasaki robot to aid production - and, unusually, has chosen to install and commission the unit itself, rather than follow the traditional path of having either an integrator or the robot supplier do it for them. Based in Malvern, Worcestershire, SynthoTec Ltd is one of Europe's premier producers of injection-moulded ultra-high-precision components. The company has recently installed a Kawasaki RS20N robot, which has allowed it to boost production, cut costs and achieve a significant reduction in waste material in one of its most important manufacturing processes.

21st March 2019

Wiring harnesses have sensors to monitor motor temperature

Force Engineering develops and manufactures customised motion systems based on linear induction motors (LIMs), serving a wide base of industries with applications as diverse as medical scanning equipment and baggage handling conveyors. As an expert and innovator in the field of LIM technology, a large part of Force Engineering's activities centres on the amusement ride industry - adding heightened levels for thrill-seekers through ride launch and in-ride acceleration to 1.2g, and equally rapid braking performance along roller coaster tracks.

21st March 2019

Pizza manufacturer makes significant savings with NSK bearings

A manufacturer of frozen pizzas was experiencing failures every 4 weeks on the belt tensioner serving one of its food conveyors. However, a simple change to NSK Molded-Oil bearings resulted in significantly prolonged operating life, leading to annual cost savings of EUR15,360.

19th March 2019