Industrial Technology

10 reasons to change from metal linear guides to plastic

igus has produced a short video that presents ten reasons for switching from traditional metal linear guides to alternatives utilising high-tech engineering polymers.

8th November 2018

The first Mars helicopter will fly with Swiss DC motors

Two years from now, the US space agency NASA will send a new rover to the Red Planet. Included will be a small helicopter, which will take the first aerial photos of Mars. The rotors will be controlled by robust DC motors from Maxon Motor.

2nd November 2018

Show(ering) keeps going on

Still working after twenty-four shows spread over 12 years, during which it was sprayed continuously with water, a ‘Marlin’ stainless-steel motor from Lafert has demonstrated its durability and proven its IP69/66K qualities. It has outlasted two pumps that delivered water to the shower head spraying the motor and two acrylic tanks used to house the Marlin working demonstration (… and the demise of numerous rubber ducks!).

30th October 2018

Age is no barrier to excellence

In 40 years supplying power conversion and display units, Relec has seen a few changes in the market, and has always responded to changing times. From its beginnings as Astech Components, born out of a desire to get the right aerospace components in to the right hands, Relec has adapted, responded and continually grown.

29th October 2018

Innovation lab shows the benefits of robots

Omron has opened a new robotics innovation lab at the company’s UK headquarters in Milton Keynes. The lab, which represents an investment of £600,000 with a creation of five new jobs, is set to demonstrate how robots can be a boon to the UK manufacturing industry, as well as providing customers with a realistic overview of how robots can enhance their own individual applications.

29th October 2018

Mecmesin acquired by Battery Ventures

Mecmesin, a 41 year old British company specialising in the design and manufacture of force and torque testing equipment for quality control, has been acquired by PPT Holdings, a Battery Ventures company. Battery Ventures is a global investment firm focused on technology and innovation worldwide that has raised $6.9 billion since inception.

28th October 2018

Yaskawa and Reeco partner in cobots

Yaskawa UK Robotics division has partnered with Reeco Automation as a solution provider for the Motoman HC10 collaborative robot, a 6-axis human-collaborative robot. Reeco Automation specialises in providing solutions in automating systems using cobots with a focus on reducing production costs while improving both productivity and quality.

28th October 2018

Liverpool showcases the fourth industrial revolution

Smart Factory Expo returns to the Liverpool Exhibition Centre from 14-15 November, where technology, finance and manufacturing meet. We offer a preview of what you can find.

5th October 2018

Thermal imaging tools key in futuristic transport project

Here’s a challenge: build your own Hyperloop pod prototype and test it at Elon Musk’s SpaceX headquarters in California. Who said engineering can’t be fun? Engineering students from the University of Edinburgh who were accepted to participate in the exciting SpaceX Hyperloop Pod competition used thermal imaging and measurement technology from Flir to make sure their prototype was ready for the race.

14th September 2018

Powering ahead with a new cable entry system

Buttkereit is to offer Murrplastik cable entry systems to customers throughout the UK. Murrplastik’s cable management solutions can be found in just about every industry sector including: automotive, rail, medical, mechanical engineering and packaging. Over 100 patent applications bolster the technical innovation inherent in the company’s product range, which delivers a competitive advantage to their customers.