Machine Building

igus energy chains, plastic bearings in de-icing aircraft

There is a lot of manual work involved in de-icing and washing aircraft. In sub-zero temperatures when many aircraft need to be de-iced at the same time, this becomes the bottleneck of airport operations and can cause serious flight delays. Cleaning aircraft is also time consuming; it can take up to 10 hours to manually wash a Boeing 737.

18th March 2019

Overhead conveyor CMS uses MICA Edge computers

A condition monitoring system based on Harting's MICA Edge computer system is being used for the early detection of wear in the overhead conveyor systems used in production lines in the automotive and other industries. The failure of individual support frames in these conveyors can lead to the stoppage of entire production lines, but the MICA-based system detects wear at an early stage and thus prevents unplanned downtime.

15th March 2019

maxon products perform crucial roles in robotic keyhole surgery

The Bristol Robotics Laboratory are incorporating maxon products as part of a project to develop Robot Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RAMIS).

15th March 2019

SKF develops bespoke seal for floor grinding machine

SKF has supported Swedish floor grinding machine manufacturer, Scanmaskin, by developing a tailored radial shaft seal for its latest, most high-performing machine, in a record lead-time of four months.

14th March 2019

ROBA-topstop brake systems protect gravity-loaded axes

CLOOS is one of the leading companies in welding technology. In its large, automated robot welding systems, CLOOS uses ROBA-topstop safety brakes by mayr power transmission to safeguard its gravity-loaded axes. These brakes are designed for application in all installation positions and provide reliable protection for people and materials.

13th March 2019

Custom conveyor system boosts productivity and quality

A custom designed and engineered conveyor system, from Autarky Automation, is playing a key role in helping Tyre-Line, a supplier of wheel and tyre assemblies, boost productivity and quality. Installed as part of major production line upgrade, along with a Hofmann high speed inflating machine, the new system has reduced assembly and inflation time by a factor of ten, from around 70 to just seven seconds.

12th March 2019

Welding structural beams at lower cost and no quality compromise

A common requirement in the construction sector is the production of H-section or I-section structural beams by joining three plates. Often the material will be rusty mill scale plate that has to be welded directly without any preparation. Cost pressures mean the welds must be made as quickly as possible and the need for rapid, trouble-free on-site assembly dictates that distortion and deformation are not acceptable.

27th February 2019

Planetary gearbox repaired for Scottish gondola

SEW Eurodrive has repaired and serviced a huge 3,800kg Lohmann & Stolterfoht planetary gearbox, driving the only mountain gondola in the UK, high up in the Nevis Mountain Range in Scotland.

22nd February 2019

Huge Australian transport infrastructure project uses WEG motors

WEG is delivering more than 350 of its three-phase induction and electric motors to WestConnex, the largest ever transport infrastructure project in Australia and currently one of the world's greatest engineering projects. The motors, which will be used for smoke extraction within two link tunnels, are designed to withstand a temperature 250degC for 2 hours in an emergency situation.

22nd February 2019

Baumer instrumentation keeps beer flowing at Carlsberg

Whilst many people are "˜probably' familiar with the Carlsberg advertising slogan from earlier days they may not appreciate the history and scale of today's Carlsberg brewing operation. Founded in 1847 it is now the fourth largest brewery in the world producing 2.2 million hectolitres of beer annually, employing around 45,000 staff worldwide and selling around 120 million beers globally every day.

20th February 2019