Industrial Technology

Machine Building

CE marking misconceptions

CE marking misconceptions

It is a common assumption in industry that if machinery has the CE marking, no further action on the purchaser’s part is required. However, the CE marking is not proof of machinery safety, and while it appears to be one of the most simple European Union (EU) requirements to get right, it is in fact one of the most widely misunderstood, as Neil Dyson of TUV SUD Product Service explains.

21st February 2016
Drives help to shorten time for machine commissioning

Drives help to shorten time for machine commissioning

The experts at Lenze outline drives-based technologies that show how different machines can be up and running in 3, 5 or 7 minutes.

21st February 2016
Drives now have a PROFIsafe option

Drives now have a PROFIsafe option

ABB has introduced a number of features and additional tools that offer the variable speed drives user more options when connecting drives to fieldbus networks.

21st February 2016
Variable speed starter now offers CANopen option

Variable speed starter now offers CANopen option

Eaton has expanded its range of PowerXL DE1 variable speed starters with the DE11. In addition to providing the Modbus interface as standard and the option for SmartWire DT, the new product range from the power management company also offers an option to directly connect to CANopen. This immediately opens up many additional fields of application within mechanical engineering, and meets the ErP Directive simply, efficiently and cost-effectively. 

21st February 2016
Dynamic test of vehicle systems

Dynamic test of vehicle systems

Bringing cars to market faster requires compressed development and testing times. For example, vehicle functions, such as the frequent opening and closing of the door, must be tested quickly and precisely so that any necessary optimisations can be performed on short order. Powerful drive solutions are required that can be integrated into test systems easily, work reliably and are easy to operate.

21st February 2016
Panasonic launches FP7 entry level PLC

Panasonic launches FP7 entry level PLC

The Panasonic FP7 range of high performance modular PLCs is being further enhanced with the introduction of an entry level CPU targeted at applications where high CPU performance is required without the need for high performance communications features or large I/O requirements.

21st February 2016
IO-Link controlled servo drive

IO-Link controlled servo drive

Festo has launched the CMMO-LK low cost drive controller, the world’s first IO-Link controlled servo drive. The CMMO-LK can be connected with any IO-Link master or any Modbus TCP Ethernet port, allowing for easy system integration across many applications. 

21st February 2016
Deep brain surgery inspired by wasps

Deep brain surgery inspired by wasps

A significant problem when operating on the brain is trying to reach a lesion whilst avoiding obstructions. A traditional straight needle insertion has the potential to injure an area, causing irreversible consequences, or the surgeon could deem it too dangerous to even attempt, resulting in an inoperable diagnosis. Imperial College, London, has been working with Maxon products to develop a groundbreaking robotic steerable needle.

21st February 2016
Island of efficiency helps designers to boost performance

Island of efficiency helps designers to boost performance

Around 80 percent of maximal torque at 90 percent speed is normally considered an efficient duty point for a motor and drive system. However, it can often be possible to find a more efficient duty point if a wider range of options is explored. This could be good news for a designer tasked with improving the efficiency of a particular system.

21st February 2016
Some top tips for mitigating harmful harmonic distortion

Some top tips for mitigating harmful harmonic distortion

The rise of non-linear loads in industrial environments over the last two decades has resulted in the growing problem of harmonic currents and utility-level voltage distortion. Facing a lack of awareness, the industry has struggled to implement effective mitigation techniques. John Mitchell, global business development manager at CP Automation, offers useful tips for mitigating harmonics.

21st February 2016
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