Machine Building

SKF custom-machined seals stop high-pressure leaks

A major global confectionary manufacturer has called on specialist seal design and manufacturing expertise from SKF to solve a sticky issue in its global chocolate manufacturing operations. The solution - custom-machined seals manufactured from SKF's proprietary food-grade H-Ecopur-95A-Blue material - has eliminated the frequent seal failures and resulting product leakage that were leading to costly machine stoppages and lost production.

16th March 2017

Yokogawa chosen by Air Liquide to replace legacy DCS systems

Yokogawa Belgium, a subsidiary of Yokogawa Electric Corporation, has received an important order from Air Liquide to completely replace the existing legacy control systems for their Air Separator Units (ASU) in Antwerpen and Seraing, Belgium.

15th March 2017

Acoustic performance modelling by Precision Acoustics

Dorset-based Precision Acoustics recognise that one of the most critical stages in the development and manufacture of ultrasonic measuring equipment is the ability to model the interaction that occurs as ultrasonic waves propagate within and around objects. The modelling tool developed by Precision Acoustics' staff uses the time-domain finite difference method to accomplish this task.

14th March 2017

NSK ball screws replace hydraulics in powder presses

Switzerland-based Osterwalder AG is replacing hydraulic drives with servo-electric drives featuring NSK HTF series ball screws in its latest range of powder presses. As a result, users of the new systems can achieve a reduction in energy consumption of around 80 per cent and produce pressed parts with far higher dimensional accuracy. This reduces the amount of finishing work, such as grinding with diamond wheels, and cuts process and material costs.

10th March 2017

Nimble palletising robots give factories more flexibility

With consumer buying trends influencing greater product diversification, production and packing facilities throughout the UK and Europe are increasingly leaning towards flexible robots that straddle several lines and perform multiple tasks. As testament, Pacepacker Services reports that enquires for single robots dedicated to the entire end-of-line palletising station has doubled in the last 12 months as customers move away from traditional application-specific palletising work cells.

10th March 2017

Reliance complete innovative space project

Reliance have recently completed a project in support of Oxford Space Systems (OSS) following a co-funding award from the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP).

8th March 2017

Pressure switch for injury treatment

The DesignFlex pressure switch manages safety levels for an innovative soft tissue repair machine.

7th March 2017

Bearings from R.A. Rodriguez help beat world land speed record

Kaydon angular contact ball bearings supplied by R.A. Rodriguez (U.K.) Limited helped Plymouth University beat the women's arm-powered land speed record in Nevada, USA during September.

6th March 2017

Mobil SHC 636 helps plastics manufacturer save $133,000

Hebei Yuxin Plastic, a PVC film manufacturing company, saved more than $133,000 annually by switching to ExxonMobil's gear and bearing oil, Mobil SHC 636. The introduction of the advanced lubricant in its PVC film calender machine helped to reduce component wear and quadrupled oil drain intervals.

3rd March 2017

ESAB donates welding machine to mental health charity

ESAB has donated a Thermal Arc Fabricator 252i welding machine and Tweco Fusion 250 MIG welding torch to Key Enterprises, an independent Registered Charity based in North Tyneside that provides purposeful occupational training and support for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and learning needs. The charity had needed a new welding machine for several years but, because of a lack of funds, was unable to purchase one. The machine provided free of charge by ESAB has made a substantial difference to the charity's trainees in the metalwork department.

3rd March 2017