Industrial Technology

Compact mini ball valves for tight spots

Responding to a growing demand for miniaturisation, Camozzi Automation’s new Series 29 Mini Ball Valves can be used to open or close air or fluids in industrial applications located in extremely reduced spaces. The miniaturised dimensions and light weight of Series 29 enables quick installation at any point in the system, with push-in connection or thread and compatibility with polymer tubing, adding to the valves’ ease of use.

9th April 2021

Free-standing system enclosure from Rittal offer greater simplicity

Baying enclosures are frequently employed for free-standing use cases – but are not always the best approach. The advantages of stand-alone products such as the Rittal VX SE have often been overlooked. This represents a best-of-both-worlds solution midway between Rittal AX compact enclosures and the VX25 baying portfolio. VX SE offers even quicker time-to-delivery and faster, simpler assembly, greater safety and compatibility with other Rittal systems. The VX SE range also includes a 300 mm deep version that is suitable for cramped environments for building services, for example when deployed as a distribution box.

9th April 2021

Predictive maintenance on long travels protects energy chains

Energy chains for protecting moving cable assemblies in cranes can be damaged by foreign objects like loose tools, causing costly system failures. This prompted Igus to develop a new push/pull force monitoring system. The EC.PR system records the precise force values of the moving end and adjusts the force limits, preventing potentially catastrophic damage to the crane and expensive repairs.

9th April 2021

Intertronics expands range to include 2-K-DOS

Adhesives supplier Intertronics now supplies the 2-K-DOS metering, mixing and dispensing system, a compact, benchtop system suitable for materials including silicones, polyurethanes and epoxies. The 2-K-DOS provides a clean, efficient and accurate way to apply two-part materials in applications including electronics and LED potting and encapsulation, casting, form-in-place gasketing, sealing and adhesive dots and beads. Its unique modular design provides simple configuration and easy maintenance.

31st March 2021

What is a jetting valve and when should I use it?

Jetting valve technology enables high-speed, continuous, non-contact dispensing of dots of extremely small size, while offering a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. Here Peter Swanson, managing director of adhesives specialist Intertronics, discusses jetting valves in further detail.

31st March 2021

Fast fastening in industrial applications without increasing costs

To ensure they can meet deadlines and deliver products in line with customers’ high expectations, UK manufacturers are looking for ways to increase assembly speed. There are many ways to speed up industrial assembly, such as investing in automation and robotics, but few options can increase manufacturing speed without capital investment. In these cases, perhaps it is the components and not the equipment that needs changing. Here Justin Lawrence, applications engineer at fastening and supply chain expert TFC, explains how to reliably speed up fluid transfer, a common assembly process in UK manufacturing.

31st March 2021

Occupational exoskeletons increase performance on the factory floor

Natural exoskeletons provide animals such as spiders, crabs and insects with protection from predators, structural support, and an area to attach muscles for powerful movement. Similarly, artificial exoskeletons can provide humans with protection from physical strain and enhanced strength in the workplace. Here, Stewart Goulding, managing director at precision drive system supplier, EMS, explores the benefits of occupational exoskeletons.

31st March 2021

Pneumatic clamps for automation and robotics

Elesa announces for this year a partnership with the well-known name of Misati, whose high-performance pneumatic clamps offer exceptional clamping action in work holding, or transport of assemblies in manufacturing operations. They are designed for robotic use, being easy to install, robust and well proven, with fast and reliable operation supported by simple power and control connections which enable rapid installation and setup.

31st March 2021

New modular gearbox kit from Igus for innovative, low cost automation

Igus has released a cost-effective, lightweight, plug and play gearbox kit consisting of gearbox, encoder, controller, force control system and motor for collaborative robotics.

30th March 2021

Kistler offers bespoke multi-channel signal conditioning solutions

Where can you go when you need a custom signal conditioning solution? No doubt that there a few specialists that can build the system you need but they will be using components from different suppliers which might cause problems if a fault develops. The bespoke design and build service from Kistler uses in-house components and, when necessary, components from trusted suppliers. The real difference is that Kistler takes responsibility for all the components, not just those with the Kistler brand; if any component fails, Kistler will fix it.

19th March 2021