Machine Building

SKF helps meet the challenges of electric powertrains

Pure electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles are reaching the automotive mainstream. By 2020, higher production volumes and technological advances will mean electric vehicles are likely to be cost-competitive with their gasoline equivalents. By 2040, electric vehicles may account for 35 per cent of new car sales.

13th April 2017

Improve productivity with readychain pre-harnessed energy chains

Managing director of igus, Matthew Aldridge, outlines how readychain pre-harnessed cable and energy chain assemblies can help reduce labour costs using a lean production approach and improve productivity by saving time.

13th April 2017

ESAB column-and-boom welding automation solves capacity problem

ESAB has supplied an automated welding system to EWP Windtower Production AB for making longitudinal welds in sections of wind turbine towers. The highly efficient submerged arc welding system comprises a CaB 460C column-and-boom that manipulates a tandem single + twin welding head, with a FFRS Super flux feed and recovery system complete with heaters and filter unit; power comes from three ESAB Aristo 1000 welding power sources and control is via ESAB PEK controllers complemented by a GMH automatic joint-tracking system. In addition to this equipment, EWP Windtower Production AB is also using ESAB consumables, namely OK Autrod 12.22 copper-coated, unalloyed welding wire and OK Flux 10.71 agglomerated basic flux.

11th April 2017

Enhanced control for Land Rover BAR's America's Cup race

When Olympic hero Sir Ben Ainslie took the helm of Britain's hope to bring the America's Cup home for the first time in 166 years, he realised that his Land Rover BAR team needed the very best in British manufacturing, design and innovation.

10th April 2017

ABB enhances interaction with sentient robot at Design Museum

ABB has supplied a custom enclosure for the inaugural exhibition at London's brand new Design Museum. The exhibition includes an installation by artist Madeline Gannon with an interactive 1200kg ABB industrial robot that is separated from visitors by ABB's Jokab Safety Quick-Guard safety fencing. The fencing provides a protective and transparent barrier that allows the public to interact and play with the robot in safety while giving clear and uninterrupted visibility.

5th April 2017

21 Bredel hose pumps installed in sustainable energy project

Bredel hose pumps from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) have been installed as part of a landmark abrasives handling project at the combined heat and power (CHP) plant of Dong Energy in Studstrup, Denmark. The project has seen the facility switch from coal to biomass fuel in line with its ambition to supply sustainable energy.

31st March 2017

Improving cable management for industrial cranes and gantries

When igus approached Kasen Cranes with a cable management alternative, the industrial cranes and gantries specialist was quick to spot an opportunity. Traditional cable management systems have many shortcomings and require regular maintenance, but users are often reluctant to consider alternatives. Kasen Cranes worked closely with igus engineers to implement a new system for its on-site demonstration gantry and then used this to showcase the benefits to customers.

30th March 2017

Renishaw installs additive manufacturing system at CATEC

Renishaw's RenAM 500M system has been installed at the Centre for Advanced Aerospace Technologies (CATEC) in Seville, Spain. It is the first installation of this new machine in the Iberian Peninsula.

29th March 2017

ZEMIC miniature load cell for med-tech

Novuqare b.v., the Netherlands based med-tech instrument innovator has developed a range of bag-sealing machines for medical instruments that use specially modified ZEMIC miniature load cells to precisely measure sealing force. As an intrinsic part of the sterilisation process, the award winning ProSeal perfectly seals the instruments in special pouches in preparation for autoclave sterilisation. The EN-ISO 11607-2 validated ProSeal range is being increasingly used in is used in hospitals, dentists, clinics and veterinary practices.

29th March 2017

Push-pull chains take the strain out of engine assembly

Wokingham-based Maypole Engineering has specified the use of Grob LinearChain technology from R.A. Rodriguez on a bespoke engine marriage system for a premier automotive OEM based in the south of England. The purpose-designed system features two tables, each of which is lifted and lowered using a Grob LinearChain SK35-90 with 35kN lifting force and 2000mm stroke length.

29th March 2017