Food Manufacturing

Linear chain proves a grand design

Push-pull actuation of heavy loads using the Linear Chain Actuator from R. A. Rodriguez is gaining wide application appeal across all walks of engineering. Indeed, one of its main selling points is the compact nature of the drive which means it is often selected for tasks where technical performance and aesthetics are of equal importance. And it proved to be perfect for a project on the television programme, Grand Designs.

27th August 2014

Just in time maintenance via remote service

Machine operators such as NestlÃ© and Unilever expect 100 per cent system availability. Therefore, machine builder Big Drum Engineering sees demand-oriented maintenance and fast troubleshooting via remote service as key to this increasingly critical success factor. In providing these, the company places great emphasis on safety and security.

21st August 2014

Non-contact torque monitoring brings benefits to ship unloaders

A ship at sea is earning its owners money; a ship in port is costing its owners money. Rapid loading and unloading are therefore critical to the success of a shipping company, hence dockside technology continues to develop to provide more speed and efficiency.

20th August 2014

Altra solves vibration issues for pumps in water treatment plant

A large raw water pumping station in Malaysia was suffering from severe vibration problems with the drivetrains on a number of large pumps which resulted in regular failures and downtime. When an update to the original parts was unsuccessful in solving the issue, the plant's managers turned to Altra Couplings to offer a solution. Fortunately the power transmission specialist was able to design a bespoke system using TB Wood's Form-Flex shafts which substantially reduced vibration.

8th August 2014

Sercos drives innovative robotics design

Sercos International, supplier of the Sercos automation bus, powers the drive construction and rotation options of the Penta Robotics' Veloce parallel robot with its technology.

23rd July 2014

CC-Link partner Festo is using nature to inspire automation

In a recent video made in partnership with the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA), Festo explains how they take inspiration from nature to offer innovations in automation. A specific example of a robot dragonfly that soars and hovers just like the real thing has been inspiring engineers visiting exhibitions around Europe.

17th July 2014

SATO provides printers for GS1 Germany's new knowledge centre

SATO is providing its innovative CL4NX and CT4i printer series to GS1 Germany's new knowledge centre in Cologne. The centre, which opened on 1 July 2014, features live demonstrations of equipment, enabling visitors to learn about practical uses for the printers, particularly in the industrial and health care sectors.

15th July 2014

Mitsubishi Electric PLC controls flagship water treatment works

The Dee Valley Water (DVW) project to build a new water treatment works at its flagship site, Llwyn Onn in North Wales, has now been completed. The £17M project was officially opened in March 2014 by the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies and is controlled by a Mitsubishi Electric system redundant, Q series modular PLC. The new works has been operational since August 2013.

11th July 2014

BOGE further enhances efficiency for Black Sheep Brewery

BOGE has further refined service for the Black Sheep Brewery, where its screw compressor system applied 4 years ago is still delivering faster production and greater reliability. More recently, a BOGE Air Leak Detection Survey, carried out across the site in April 2014, has recorded a series of air leaks that are being addressed to increase efficiency yet further.

26th June 2014

Aseptic drives keep food production areas clean and efficient

Food manufacturers need to ensure that the cleanliness of their production lines is maintained to the highest standard to avoid contamination of product. When a European fruit processor needed to improve its glass jar filling line it was keen to specify equipment which would meet its strict hygiene standards but would also offer improved energy efficiency. Fortunately Bauer Gear Motor was able to offer IE3 aseptic drives which met all of the client's requirements.

18th June 2014

Applications