Plant & Works Engineering
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Venting solutions on show

Donaldson, a leading manufacturer of filtration solutions, has announced it will be exhibiting its venting and industrial air expertise at The Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, between May 23rd – May 25th, 2023.

Placing education centre stage

As part of its campaign to inspire the next generation of robotics engineers, automation expert FANUC UK has announced it will showcase a suite of education-themed initiatives at Automation UK in Coventry in June

UK field buying division launched

Radwell International has announced it has launched a new UK field buying division headed by Andrew Duke and Daniel Jones.

Sustainability through production efficiency

Turck Banner spoke to PWE about four different applications in the production efficiency category; increasing yields in meat processing, increasing efficiency in assembly stations, Edge Guiding to reduce waste and picking solutions to eliminate errors and returns.

Ceramic vs hybrid bearings

Chris Johnson, managing director of ceramic bearings specialist SMB Bearings, explains the specifications, capabilities and differences of full ceramic and hybrid bearings.

Talking Industry: IIOT, digitalisation & Industrial Communications - smart steps to an AI future?

Digitalisation and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) represents the next level of industrial automation. Consultant editor at DFA and chair Andy Pye summarises some of the discussions from the recent Talking Industry episode

Real time process control for food manufacture

Real time process control for food manufacture has come a significant step closer, thanks to pioneering research work at University College Dublin into viscosity measurement techniques for characterising the flow and mixability of highly non-Newtonian fluids.

New robotics business office

ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business has announced it is expanding its presence in Ireland with the opening of a new office in Dundalk, Co Louth.

Optimising pump systems

Gary Wilde, Technical Services Officer at the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) offers some basic information and guidance on purchasing, maintaining, and designing pump systems for optimum energy efficiency, CO2 reduction and capital expenditure payback time.

Transforming industry with digital technology

PWE spoke to Trenton Roncato Juraszek, mechanical project analyst at the global motor and drive manufacturer WEG to discuss the importance of digitalisation in industry, and how it can help you to remain competitive in an evolving technological landscape

Top 100 Global Innovator

Delta, a  leading provider of power and thermal management solutions, has announced it has been honoured for the second consecutive year as one of the Top 100 Global Innovators (2023) by Clarivate for its superior innovation and patent intellectual property portfolio.

Advanced manufacturing requires advanced software

Manufacturers face the ongoing challenge of delivering goods in greater volumes and speeds while keeping prices competitive in an overcrowded market. Automation that features software integrated solutions are helping manufacturers meet these challenges by providing precision and versatility through intelligent systems that increase order fulfilment and improve quality control. Steffen Thierfelder, managing director, Northern Europe of Dematic UK and Ireland, explains more.

Real-time collaboration

ABB has announced it has enhanced its industry-leading RobotStudio robot programming and simulation software with cloud-enabled functionality.

You do get what you pay for

When it comes to power transmission chain, Tsubaki told PWE that buying a quality product results in significant life-time cost savings.

Simple steps to successfully size control valves

PWE spoke to Kieran Bennett, Industry Manager – Food & Beverage at Bürkert, who explains how to specify a control valve.

Bespoke automated cart system helps farming firm increase efficiency

The humble potato has been voted as the UK’s favourite vegetable, according to a new public poll. But do you know how they end up on your plate? Here’s how industrial motor manufacturer, WEG has partnered with Technidrive to provide equipment for an automated cart system for plant propagator, John Gabbie & Sons, to help produce over 52 million seeds a year.

What is Digital Twin technology and why is it important?

Prashanth Mysore, Strategic Business Development and Industry Marketing Director at DELMIA, part of the Dassault Systèmes Group, looks at what is Digital Twin technology and why is it important for manufacturers?

How automation technology can help support the wind industry

Beth Ragdale, product manager of the energy industry at Beckhoff UK, discusses how automation technology can help support the wind industry

The future of safety engineering is digital

The future of safety engineering and manufacturing and processing now focuses around the digital and this creates new opportunities and challenges for plants operators, and enables them to enhance efficiency, increase flexibility, while making their plants more safe and secure. Andy Pye, Talking Industry Chair looks at some of the discussion points.

Digitalisation can help increase equipment life in pumps

Marek Lukaszczyk, Europe and Middle East marketing manager at the motors and drives specialist WEG, looks at how Industry 4.0 has evolved to now support increased equipment life in pumps

PPMA Total Show 2022: A myriad of innovation

With a myriad of new product launches, new technologies and live demonstrations of the latest smart manufacturing solutions, PPMA Total Show 2022 is set to be an important event for members of the processing, packaging machinery, robots and industrial vision communities. PWE reports.

How to achieve the 3 Rs in Bearings

By applying the 3 Rs waste hierarchy - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - to bearings, we can make a genuine difference, explains Alan Stewart, Brammer Buck & Hickman Bearing Product Manager – SKF Products.

RFID: is it more than a smart barcode?

While there are some similarities between RFID tags and barcodes, there are also significant differences. Tony Coghlan, Managing Director at Turck Banner explains how his company is specialising in harvesting these extra benefits.

Are counterfeit bearings on the rise?

A petrochemical processor was recently forced to make an emergency shutdown to reveal that it was being supplied with counterfeit bearings. Most people do not fully appreciate the scale of the counterfeiting problem or the risks it creates. At a time of rising demand and growing pressures on supply chains, Chris Johnson* asks if the problem of counterfeiting may be on the rise.

Roller chain upgrade reduces costs for pizza manufacturer

Roller chains used to drive food packaging machines have to ensure stable motion. With produce destined for demanding supermarkets, conveyors driven by roller chains must maintain the quality of packaged produce, as well as high throughput. PWE reports.

Valve position sensors: making the right choices

If you think that valve position sensors are uninteresting devices and that there’s little to choose between them, read on, says Andy Walker of ifm electronic.

Optimising a new thermal fluid system

Clive Jones* explains how to optimise a new thermal fluid system.

Wireless pump monitoring and control for reservoirs

How would you expect to monitor water levels at a group of water reservoirs dispersed over a large area reservoir and control water pumps accordingly? Ian Loudon* spoke to PWE about what is needed for industry to overcome these challenges

Comprehensive belt ratings: a new level of predictive accuracy

With the launch of Gates’ GT4, the company highlights how it has conducted the most comprehensive ratings development plan in its history in order to provide its customers with the most accurate predictive tools in the industry. PWE reports.

Stepper motor versus servo motor: which is right for your application?

Mike Keefe* explains the differences between stepper and servo motors and when it is appropriate to use each technology

For prototyping and testing – 3D printing has the answers

Andy Pye reports on the final Talking Industry session of the year. It covered the burgeoning applications of additive manufacturing (3D printing). Additive manufacturing (AM) uses CAD data or 3D object scanners to deposit material, layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes

A fine solution for cheese production

The Swiss company Kaesaro connects sensors and actuators in cheese cellar robots with Murrelektronik’s F&B Pro connectors designed for the food industry. This in turn has benefited both cleanability and longer maintenance intervals. PWE reports.

Pumps increase recovery rates

Fifteen water injection pumps are optimising production at Iraq’s largest oil field. PWE reports.

Thermal fluid or steam?

Clive Jones* gives advice on choosing the right heat transfer system for your application.

Transforming the factory floor

We’ve seen a gradual increased presence of robots on manufacturing factory floors, and industries that have embraced automation have seen an increase in efficiency and productivity. Gary Livingstone* reports

Identifying pump failures

From worn bearings to a damaged seal, seemingly minor issues can quickly escalate and lead to the shutdown of an entire pump system. Luckily, a careful preventive maintenance strategy can help pump owners identify potential threats before disaster strikes. Brian Tait* explains how.

How to maintain your seals during periods of no use

It is vital to check your seals constantly whether the machinery is being used or not. Especially during periods of no use, this is the perfect time to check your seals for any signs of damage and wear that you may need to address. It’s important to do this as seal failures can lead to equipment problems which may be detrimental to your equipment and business.

Pumps solutions

PWE reviews the concepts of mine water and mine water management as well as the most common pumping applications.

MegaSys hydraulics lineup expanded

Gates (NYSE: GTES), a leading global provider of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions, has announced it has introduced MEGASys MXT with XtraTuff

Maximising the opportunities of automation

The fifth in the Talking Industry series of online panel discussions focussed on developments in, and issues surrounding, robotic and advanced automation technologies. Andy Pye, who chaired the session, reports on some of the highlights of the lively session.

Achieving plant resiliency

Sean Robison* explains what modern technologies to implement that can improve overall equipment effectiveness and operational resiliency.

Cables: Adapting and transforming the manufacturing industry

In a wireless age, the use of cables may be losing its function in some industries, however for others, the role they play is as important as ever. In the case of the manufacturing, as technology becomes increasingly integrated, so does the prominence of cables. Stewart Beer* reports.

A catalyst for digital transformation

Chris Evans* looks at the effect the pandemic could have on the future adoption of automation in manufacturing within SMEs.

Surround yourself with pump expertise

Most pump failures are maintenance or installation-related and that is good news because it means that a lot can be done to minimise the risk. Proactive maintenance is key to eliminating common failure. It extends the useful life of the pump and increases both its efficiency and reliability. Bob Orme* reports.

New boiler installation at pet food manufacturer

A Babcock Wanson BWD40 Fire Tube Boiler has been installed in the Real Petfood Company’s manufacturing facility in Bodelwyddan, north east Wales, where it is being used to heat retort cookers and mixing vessels for high quality baked semi-moist pet treats and super premium biscuit products.

How to keep gearbox maintenance to a minimum

Marek Lukaszczyk* explains how gearbox manufacturers help reduce downtime and keep maintenance to a minimum.

Standing tall

Used throughout the water, petrochemical and power generation sectors to move large volumes of water, vertical suspended pumps are essential assets. By optimising performance and efficiency in these important pumps, both operating and maintenance costs can be significantly reduced. Jason Simcoe* and Seth Tate*look at how various aspects of vertical pump performance can be improved.

Taking responsibility for repairs to Ex-rated motors

Karl Metcalfe, technical support for the AEMT, looks at the knowledge and responsibilities that are expected when it comes to managing electric motors in zoned areas.

Optimising pump performance

Luca Lonoce, pump retrofit specialist at Sulzer, looks at the benefits of a pump retrofit project.

Increasing automation in the post-COVID Era

The theme of the second in the series of Talking Industry panel discussions was Increasing Automation in the post-COVID era. Chairman Andy Pye reflects on a session which set out to look forward to the opportunities, but couldn’t quite shake off the barriers from the past.