Industrial Technology

Design Engineering

Motor controllers - build or buy?

Motor controllers - build or buy?

Experienced engineers often talk of developing their own motor controller for an application, as it's perceived as being easy and, therefore, a cheaper option. But is it? We put this question to Mark Gibbons, technical engineer at Maxon Motor.

21st September 2015
The safe food chain

The safe food chain

In the food and drink industry, achieving a safe food chain all the way from producer to plate is paramount. Maintaining hygiene levels is a critical element in the journey through a process plant, but one pinch-point that's easily overlooked is sensor hygiene.  Phil Dyas, industrial sensors UK product manager for SICK explains how better attention to the smallest details could save costs and improve productivity.

21st September 2015
Curve detection for trains plus derailment protection

Curve detection for trains plus derailment protection

Micro-Sensor recently supplied curve detection systems for use on high speed trains on the Haramain High Speed Rail Project in Saudi Arabia. These high speed electric passenger trains travel at speeds of up to 300km/h across a 453km network between Medina and Mecca.

21st September 2015
Pressure switch gives increased control of sailing dinghy

Pressure switch gives increased control of sailing dinghy

Variohm EuroSensor reports that it has supplied World Magnetics DesignFlex pressure switches for a customised Sip-and-Puff pressure switch system that gives quadriplegic World Champion sailor Melvin Kinnear increased control of his servo-assisted Hansa Liberty sailing dinghy. Developed by Paul Bennett - a volunteer for the charity Tideway Sailability - the single-crew dinghy features servomotor driven winches for its main and jib sails which are normally reeled out and fine-tuned by a combination of joystick control and separate hand operated switches.

21st September 2015
Couplings cure destructive vibration on generator sets

Couplings cure destructive vibration on generator sets

Rubber-in-compression couplings are ideal for protecting diesel and gas driven generators from torsional vibration and the possible catastrophic effects of resonance occurring if this were to coincide with the natural frequency of the system.

21st September 2015
Getting the most out of heavy duty brakes

Getting the most out of heavy duty brakes

With heavy duty braking systems, quality is of the utmost importance, as the cost of short service life can be considerable to the end user. Steve Powell of Twiflex offers some advice on installation and maintenance to optimise the performance and service life of these very important systems.

21st September 2015
Innovative clutch design launched

Innovative clutch design launched

In one of the first automated transmission systems on the market, Swiss ballscrew and leadscrew manufacturer, Eichenberger Gewinde, has developed the critical structural element for a cutting edge, automatic version of the clutch, taking it from a one-off prototype to series production. Using a cold-formed steel ballscrew of diameter 12mm and pitch 3mm, this novel clutch is able to fully engage at low motor rotation speeds by merely pressing a switch.

21st September 2015
Active fixed caliper brake

Active fixed caliper brake

KTR has developed an active fixed caliper brake whose pads can easily be replaced in assembled condition. On request the system can be designed with an automatic air gap regulation. The new series of the KTR-Stop line generates clamping forces up to 203kN and can be used in the low temperature range up to -40°C.

21st September 2015
Protecting machine workpieces

Protecting machine workpieces

Torque limiting is often needed to protect machine workpieces, tooling and even machine operators. Whilst the ideal place for limiting is usually the output shaft of the gearbox, mounting there can be impractical if high torques lead to the selection of large and costly torque limiters.  

21st September 2015
New pallet wrapper offers world beating performance

New pallet wrapper offers world beating performance

The fastest arm pallet wrapper in the world - the Technowrapp Runner Arm - relies on quality electric motors from Bonfiglioli. Technowrapp is a firm specialising in the design and production of automatic stretch wrap film pallet wrappers and pallet movement systems. The company has made a name for itself on the international scene by developing an innovative and creative solution; the Runner Arm. The design is exclusively equipped with Bonfiglioli motors.

21st September 2015
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