InMotionOnline Feature Articles

Vacuum valve brings energy-saving benefits

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:37:05 +0000

Machine builders using vacuum for handling or pick-and-place applications now have an energy-saving option with the Series ZP2V vacuum saving valve from SMC.

Hose material for transporting powdered foodstuffs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:27:32 +0000

Trelleborg Industrial Hose, part of Trelleborg Engineered Systems, launches a new compound for food hoses that prevents the accelerated wear usually associated with static dissipation when transferring powdered foodstuffs.

Correct valve selection

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:31:12 +0000

Microfluidics is associated with the control of very small volumes of fluids. Throughout life science industries the precise control of fluids is a major factor in the successful design of devices and instruments often used in testing and analysis processes. Accurate and repeatable results and reliable performance can often only be obtained through the correct selection and application of specialised valve technology.

Grants to help industry adapt to climate change

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:56:33 +0000

Retrofitting equipment to use waste heat for production and upgrades at a process plant to improve energy efficiency are among 12 projects to be funded under the latest round of Re-tooling for Climate Change.

The right sensor for every requirement

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:50:28 +0000

Increasing automation in mechanical engineering means that the demands on machine safety are also rising. Aspects of process safety, availability and cost-effectiveness must all be reconciled. Safety guards or gates ensure that operating personnel are protected against flying metal swarf or hazardous movements on plant and machinery. Their position can be monitored by a wide range of safety switches available on the market, which take into account not only safety-related aspects but economic considerations too. The switch you use will depend partly on the machine and partly on the safety-related requirements.

Air auditing tool

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:40:50 +0000

Champion Compressors has introduced a tool to assess compressed air system performance - AirMetrix System Assessment. This measurement and analysis tool can help industry identify areas of waste in compressed air systems, and facilitates the implementation of targeted improvement measures.

Wings that waggle "could cut aircraft emissions"

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:31:02 +0000

Aircraft wings that redirect air to waggle sideways could reduce airline fuel bills by 20%, according to research in the United Kingdom.

Compact manifold design increases flexibility

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:24:25 +0000

In response to a specific request to improve safety and operating efficiency, a hydraulic system has been redesigned to eliminate the use of multiple manifolds and valves. Effectively replacing these items with a single manifold, the new design also incorporates state-of-the-art electronic control components.

Healthcare, the road to robotic helpers

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:55:32 +0000

Robots are whirring away in factories all over the world, building cars, phones and cookers. Yet they can do so much more. Robotics for healthcare has been tipped as the next big wave, and Europe should be poised to ride it, according to a European road-mapping study.

Green industrial lubricant being developed

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:15:38 +0000

A team of researchers from the University of Huelva have developed an environmentally friendly lubricating grease based on ricin oil and cellulose derivatives, according to the journal Green Chemistry.

Hitting the compressor ‘sweet-spot’

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:27:08 +0000

Selecting the right air compressor can be confusing. There are numerous compressor types, variants and options to consider — each of which can impact energy efficiency and operating costs. Champion Compressors’ Executive Manager – Sales, Service & Marketing, Mark Ferguson, explains how identifying a compressor’s ‘sweet-spot’ can help determine if it is right for the application.

Robot for Australian coatings specialist

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:04:42 +0000

Melbourne-based Hilustre Coatings investigated the possibility of using a robot at its spray-painting facility. The breakthrough to make the acquisition of a robot a practical proposition came when the company collaborated with Robotsplus, an integrator that works with ABB robots.

Valve actuation for solar plant

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:15:14 +0000

The Andasol 1 plant in the Spanish province of Granada is a parabolic trough power plant and is claimed as the world’s largest solar power plant. Intelligent electric actuators with digital control have been specified for valve control in all areas of the generating process.

New challenges for compressor manufacturers

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:25:10 +0000

Emerging technologies present new challenges for compressor manufacturers — a trend report from ACHEMA 2009 provides some details.

Robotic hand, powered by compressed air

Tue, 12 May 2009 02:57:00 +0000

The Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech has developed a unique robotic hand that can firmly hold objects as heavy as a can of food or as delicate as a raw egg, and be dexterous enough to gesture for sign language.

Australia's CPRS now delayed

Tue, 12 May 2009 02:52:40 +0000

The introduction of Australia’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is being delayed a year, but legislation is still expected to be passed this year. This will give businesses affected by the CPRS some breathing space, but also provide some certainty if the legislation is passed.

Increased international cooperation on standards for energy efficiency needed

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:54:13 +0000

Cooperation on International Standards to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions was given a major boost by a workshop in Paris, France, on 16–17 March 2009, which brought together 290 experts from the public and private sector. Presentations and discussion panels provided insights on the requirements and challenges related to energy efficiency and related standardisation work in a variety of fields, including industrial systems.

Pump trend report

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:50:03 +0000

At ACHEMA 2009, which will take place from 11–15 May in Frankfurt am Main, manufacturers of pumps, compressors and fittings will be the largest contingent of exhibitors once more. 950 from 4000 exhibitors will be from this sector. For them and the 180,000 expected visitors, surely energy efficiency will be one of the main themes again this year. Solutions that improve availability will also have high priority.

Compressed air maintenance

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:44:09 +0000

As rising electricity costs compel companies to examine their energy usage, advanced technologies are emerging which bring new efficiencies to old tasks, such as ensuring a clean flow of compressed air. John Davis, Business Development Manager for the Australian operation of Parker domnick hunter Filtration, explains.

Energy efficiency through the optimal interaction of system components

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:15:02 +0000

The products and technologies that help make more efficient use of energy in industrial applications are already available. However, maximising energy productivity is not necessarily straightforward.