Industrial Technology

Rittal"s new laser machining centre to revolutionise control panel production at engineering firm

In a UK first, Runcorn and Ewloe-based electrical engineering firm LCA Controls has switched its control panel operations from manual production to laser-machining. The move is expected to transform its productivity and efficiency.

28th November 2017

B&R steps up efforts advancing OPC UA

B&R is now represented in the OPC Foundation's Technical Advisory Council (TAC). This move further strengthens B&R’s role in the strategic advancement of the OPC UA standard. Appointment to the TAC is a tribute to B&R’s committed involvement throughout numerous OPC Foundation working groups.

28th November 2017

Are you cool about enclosure climate control performance?

Users of Rittal enclosure cooling technology are being offered free on-site inspection surveys to ensure that their production and process critical equipment is being adequately protected. The offer is available for a limited period and extends to any business with Rittal climate control installations, ranging from top therm, roof mounted fans, to Blue e or Blue e+ cooling units, all of which manage the temperature inside their enclosures. The user does not have to have previously registered with Rittal for their cooling units to qualify.

22nd November 2017

CLPA working group on network security

The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) has established a working group on industrial Ethernet security, with the aim of providing a guideline document for users looking to build secure networks around the open gigabit Ethernet CC-Link IE technologies. In particular, the document will cover strategies for users adopting the CLPA’s Seamless Message Protocol (SLMP) and CC-Link IE Field Basic where general IP communication is used for both cyclic and transient communications.

21st November 2017

Industry 4.0: dispelling the myths and misconceptions

Traditionally, machines in industrial environments could only provide actuation, but not anymore. As we enter the era of Industry 4.0, Nigel Smith of TM Robotics dispels some of the common misconceptions about implementing smart manufacturing.

21st November 2017

Making the Industry 4.0 connection

What does Industry 4.0 mean to you? Ask 100 people and you’ll probably get 101 different answers, says Ivor Hunt, product marketing specialist, Device Connectivity, of Weidmüller. But one thing that they’re all likely to agree on is that it’s going to need more connections – often a lot more connections.

21st November 2017

Top tips for implementing Industry 4.0

Steve Askins of Eriks UK offers some practical guidance to help you cut through the hype and get the most from the fourth industrial revolution.

21st November 2017

Wireless monitoring: Kanban without cards

Few Kanban systems are completely free from errors and weak spots: the processing of Kanban cards can be delayed; cards can sometimes be mislaid leading to very little transparency in the operation. The introduction of scanners provides only partial relief to some of these issues, not least of all because often staff will forget to scan leading to incorrect bookings being made and shelves being incorrectly replenished.

21st November 2017

Monitoring the status of energy chains and cables with one module

Predictive maintenance plays a key role in Industry 4.0 and the factory of tomorrow. Supporting this future, Igus has added more sensors and monitoring modules to its smart plastics family for more intelligence – warning of potential failure in good time before unplanned and costly downtimes occur. The new isense EC.RC (e-chain Run Control) monitors the operating status of the energy chains, especially in guide troughs used on long travel applications. Sensors measure and check the position of the energy chain. In this way, the machine is prevented from continuing to operate when mechanical faults occur; meaning that total loss of the chain or an electrical shutdown are a thing of the past.

21st November 2017

Considerations for specifying an enclosure latching system

James Stroud of Southco examines the importance of integration between the key elements of a rotary latching system commonly found on enclosures, and talks through some key considerations for specifying complete latching systems.

21st November 2017