Industrial Technology

4,000,000,000 miles on just one tank of fuel

When the European Space Agency's (ESA) Rosetta space probe arrived at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko it had been travelling for ten years and had travelled 4 billion miles on just one tank of fuel. If the fuel had run out before the probe reached the comet, the navigational thrusters would not have been able to make the numerous course corrections needed to rendezvous with the comet and then establish a stable orbit from which to launch the Philae landing module.

20th February 2015

Festo Design Tool 3D for error-free configuration and ordering

Fast, reliable and efficient - the new Festo Design Tool 3D configuration software reduces the risk of errors when designing and ordering pneumatic actuator assemblies. Specifying system modules as a complete package with a unique product key simplifies design, logistics and assembly operations.

19th February 2015

New program connects manufacturers to best-in-class safety system integrators

To help manufacturers identify best-in-class safety system integrators - with current safety standards expertise, a proven track record in building safety systems, and knowledge of productivity-enhancing safety technologies - Rockwell Automation has created the Machinery Safety System Integrator program.

18th February 2015

RFID transponder captures the locking state of cable cars

Harting has developed an RFID transponder which will electronically detect the state of locking mechanisms on cable cars: a legislative requirement for cable-car operators since 2013.

17th February 2015

EtherNet/IP events coming to Stuttgart and Copenhagen

ODVA has has launched its 2015 series of seminars and training courses on EtherNet/IP, the proven industrial automation communications technology based on standard Ethernet and Internet technology. ODVA says these events are a valuable resource for end users, OEMs, and product manufacturers, providing an intensive amount of business and technical considerations in a compact, one-day event.

13th February 2015

Reliance hosts NDI SC21 event

Reliance welcomed 12 visitors to its Huddersfield design and manufacturing facility as part of NDI's regional SC21 cluster event. The NDI members represented organisations from a diverse industry base, providing a wide variety of skills and capabilities and had come together to share best practice and lessons learned from their SC21 activities.

12th February 2015

Industry 4.0 and the future of open automation networks

Since 2013's Hannover fair, the topic of "Industry 4.0" has become of key interest to everyone in the automation community and the customers who depend on them for innovative solutions. In general terms, Industry 4.0 is seen as the next big change in manufacturing, where so called "cyber physical systems" and the Internet of Things will provide significant benefits to increase the capabilities, efficiency and flexibility of manufacturing systems in general.

12th February 2015

robolink helps robots break free

For reasons of safety, industrial robots tend to be segregated from humans, which can restrict the types of tasks that robots perform. This has led robot technologists to search for solutions to set robots free from their cages. If this can be achieved, the combination of dexterity and problem-solving skills of humans along with precision and strength of robots can be fully harnessed.

11th February 2015

Mitsubishi adds second day to 'future manufacturing' event

The Future Manufacturing Event being held at the AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre) at Sheffield University and organised by Mitsubishi Electric has proved so popular since it was announced in January that it has now been extended to a second day in order to cope with demand.

10th February 2015

Interroll's modular conveyor platform wins iF Design Award 2015

High quality, flexibility, energy efficiency together with an appealing design - these are the characteristics combined in Interroll's modular conveyor platform. The platform which was recognized with the iF Design Award, a worldwide acknowledged quality seal for outstanding design, clearly shows that industrial design and attractiveness are not mutually exclusive.

9th February 2015

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