Industrial Technology

ABB to automate sustainable bioplastics plant in Thailand

ABB has been awarded a major contract by NatureWorks, the world’s leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA), a low-carbon bioplastic made from renewable agricultural resources, to automate their new, greenfield plant in Thailand, converting sugar cane to the polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer, Ingeo.

15th March 2022

CLPA highlights how TSN can turbocharge automotive manufacturing

As a Platinum sponsor of the Innovative Car Manufacturing (ICM) Summit 2022, the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) will showcase the benefits of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) technology for automotive manufacturing. Attendees to the ICM Summit, which will take place on 21st March, will be able to learn how TSN can advance their operations to drive up productivity and efficiency.

14th March 2022

Norgren’s Adaptix Soft Jaw makes its UK debut at MACH 2022

Norgren is debuting Adaptix Soft Jaw, its universal soft jaw solution, on stand 17-221 at MACH 2022 taking place from 4-6 April at the NEC, Birmingham. Offering the same robustness as a traditional aluminium soft jaw, Adaptix Soft Jaw adapts to flat and unique part geometries to provide the necessary forces to hold the workpiece securely. Its ease of configuration and interchangeable pin tips mean machine operators can radically reduce set up and changeover times and their associated labour costs.

14th March 2022

Potting a pressure-resistant device for deep sea fishing

Globally, one in every ten fish caught is ‘bycatch’, caught unintentionally while trying to catch another type of fish. Each year, nine million tonnes of bycatch is caught, wasting time, effort and revenue for fishermen, while causing unnecessary damage to marine biodiversity. SafetyNet Technologies (SNTech) is a London-based start-up working to improve the sustainability of fishing practices by designing and building devices that increase the selectivity of commercial fishing.

14th March 2022

A new era of automation with artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have been a part of industrial production for years – at least in theory. The vehemence of how AI is now making its way into practice will become apparent at Automatica, which will be held in Munich from June 21 to 24, 2022.

14th March 2022

Inductive sensors stop wind turbines getting in a spin

A manufacturer of wind turbines provides engineering support for systems installed around the world. The company’s field-service capability is backed by 24-hour remote data monitoring, allowing early detection of potential problems. Given the remote location of most wind farms, monitoring systems must be exceptionally reliable, as site attendance is infrequent. The robustness, reliability and long sensing range of Contrinex’s 700 Series inductive sensors are trusted to provide accurate contactless speed measurement on wind turbines.

11th March 2022

New Portescap R&D facility increases customisation capability

The design and development of miniature motor motion solutions is integral to applications from medical equipment to robotics through to industrial power tools, in settings that demand performance and reliability. Concept design, development and testing not only has to be rigorous and relevant to specific application conditions, but also has to be fast enough to meet the needs of demanding markets. As a result, Portescap, which develops miniature motors for global OEMs, has enhanced its R&D capabilities by creating a new Engineering Lab.

11th March 2022

High reliability power for offshore wind turbine research project

Puls Power is supporting a university project which is aimed at detecting damage to the grout connections in offshore wind turbines. Grouted connections in offshore wind turbines are formed by attaching overlapping steel piles with an ultra-high strength cementitious grout. The structural performance of grouted connections is critical for the substructures to exhibit sufficient resistance to environmental loads.

11th March 2022

Siemens renews major contract with Brammer Buck and Hickman

Brammer Buck and Hickman is pleased to announce its contract with Siemens for the supply of tools, consumables, PPE and workwear has been renewed. The initial contract with Siemens was awarded in 2010 and, since that inaugural date, the two companies have worked closely together to streamline the supply of MRO products and provide substantial cost savings; to date, these savings have been confirmed as over £6.5m. Overall sales since the start of the contract have been in excess of £85m.

9th March 2022

Measuring and positioning cycles synchronise exactly

Trade fair Control, focusing on quality assurance, could only take place virtually last year, but will open its doors again in Stuttgart from 3 to 6 May. The motion control experts from Aerotech will be there, presenting a whole range of new product innovations in measuring and testing technology.

9th March 2022