Industrial Technology

Hydraulics will run and run with proper servicing

Over the last 30 years, the performance, sophistication and operational demands of hydraulic equipment have increased significantly. So planned maintenance and servicing are vital for maximising working life and minimising costs. David Atkinson of Oilgear runs through the basics of looking after a hydraulic system.

18th October 2017

Can Formula One technology benefit your own processes?

Behind Formula One motorsport is an industry steeped in the ethos of overcoming challenges, finding better solutions and embracing continual improvement, fully supported by the technology and manufacturing expertise to realise these goals. Transfer of this approach to other sectors, especially in defence, marine and aerospace, brings significant benefits.

18th October 2017

Servo drives key for high speed robotic camera dolly

When writer/director Howard McCain outlined an idea he had for an extreme action shot, the studio told him it could only be done using computer generated imagery (CGI), and would cost over $1m, he was convinced there had to be a better way. Together with VFX supervisor David Kuklish, he explored conventional dolly systems, crane systems, helicopter shots and drones, but couldn’t find anything that would get the job done.

18th October 2017

UK manufacturing industry must wake up to automation

Will Bourn of Gudel UK looks at the UK’s past record of investment in robotics and automation and the positive impact that future investment in automation and robotics can have on UK competitiveness.

18th October 2017

Balluff introduces long range RFID reader

RFID systems help users to get a handle on the stream of information in a modern factory. Objects can be automatically identified and traced using RFID – a data carrier that functions as a memory is attached to the object and allows it to be identified. Data is transferred between the data carrier and read/write head, via the processor unit, to the controller.

18th October 2017

Machinery safety in an Industry 4.0 environment

How do we tackle Industry 4.0 concerns from a machinery safety perspective? Paul Taylor of TUV SUD Product Service offers guidance.

18th October 2017

The importance of the safety of workers

John Uber of Mettler Toledo highlights the importance of designing right the first time, and of communications between the user and the supplier.

18th October 2017

The age of the PLC platform is now

Can an automation system be more than just the sum of its parts? Barry Weller of Mitsubishi Electric argues that it can and that the age of the PLC platform is now bringing a host of benefits that extend far beyond ease of programming and simplicity of integration.

18th October 2017

Industrial IoT for brownfields

As a comprehensive performance indicator, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) can play an important role in making manufacturing assets more productive. Difficulties gathering the data needed to calculate OEE, however, have often prevented it from being used to improve older brownfield systems. Now, there is a solution that lets you easily tap into the operating data of digitally isolated equipment and benefit from automated acquisition, harmonisation and analysis – including real-time OEE monitoring.

18th October 2017