How the lean philosophy is transforming businesses

27 September, 2017

Two of IMI Precision Engineering’s plant directors: Charles Bamford, for the company’s Fradley, Staffordshire site; and Torsten Norff, for Alpen, Germany, outline the lean manufacturing concept and explain how it is transforming the way the organisation operates for the better.

Agriculture: leader in autonomous mobility?

26 September, 2017

Robots are becoming uncaged, mobile, collaborative and increasingly intelligent and dexterous, moving beyond their traditional strongholds to bring automation to previously inaccessible tasks. Agriculture is also no exception and is being quietly transformed by this rising new robotics. In this article, IDTechEx considers the evolution and the long-term impact of autonomous mobility in farm vehicles.

New UNIDO report explores potential of Industry 4.0

26 September, 2017

A new report launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) looks into the opportunities and challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also referred to as Industry 4.0, to accelerate the transition towards sustainable energy. The report, produced in collaboration with the German Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and the Indonesian think tank Sustainability & Resilience.Co (su-re.co), also provides key recommendations for future policies.

IO-Link supports predictive maintenance strategy with flexibility in the Industry 4.0 era

26 September, 2017

Intelligent production enables minimised downtime and optimal efficiency, writes Patrick Berdal, product manager for control devices, Parker Hannifin, Pneumatic Division Europe (pictured).

SPE Offshore Europe 2017 Preview

23 August, 2017

Embracing new realities: reinventing our industry - SPE Offshore Europe 2017 – which will take place from 5 to 8 September 2017 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) – is being staged at a time when confidence levels are gradually climbing following the longest and most significant downturn the oil & gas industry has seen in decades.

MecWash keeps auto components clean

23 August, 2017

Component cleanliness is a key quality criterion in the motor industry. Requirements are becoming stricter as each vehicle generation launches. This is why more and more manufacturers are turning to companies such as Tewkesbury-based MecWash and its aqueous cleaning and degreasing systems to deliver precision results, as well as reduced costs.

Trelleborg wins Johan Sverdup oil field contract

23 August, 2017

Trelleborg’s engineered products operation has been awarded a contract for the supply of elastomeric bearings to Statoil’s Johan Sverdrup oil field, Norway's largest offshore development in the past three decades.

Fluid Power & Systems and Air-Tech 2018 Update

22 August, 2017

Get ready for the return of our industry’s main event next April. Fluid Power & Systems and Air-Tech are set to taking place again at the NEC, Birmingham from 10 to 12 April next year.

Mixed reality technologies open new vistas for maintenance technicians

22 August, 2017

Setting aside its more familiar applications in gaming and consumer attractions, virtual reality has become a vital resource for the design engineer as it provides valuable insights into the 3D virtual design model, iteration by iteration, ahead of any investment in the physical prototype.

Robotic concepts inspired by elephants, octopuses and the human arm

16 June, 2017

Festo, the supplier of automation equipment, has unveiled three new lightweight robotic concepts for handling with pneumatics, working in collaboration with humans.

The foundation for intelligent sensors and actuators

16 June, 2017

By Patrick Berdal, product manager for control devices, Automation Group Europe, Parker Hannifin, looks at how industrial networks are shaping the future of pneumatic motion control.

Global hub for all things Industry 4.0 and more

16 June, 2017

Making the benefits of digitalisation tangible – that was the declared objective of Hannover Messe 2017. After five days of intense activity, the organisers spoke of a thriving event. A large number of solution-seekers gathered at the event to learn more about the potential of intelligent robots, adaptive machines and integrated energy systems, taking attendance to new heights.

RGU launches new online learning portal for the oil & gas industry

16 June, 2017

Robert Gordon University (RGU) has launched a new set of online short courses to help professional development and address skills needs within the oil & gas industry.

SKF releases next-generation electromechanical linear actuators

16 June, 2017

A new range of electromechanical linear actuators from SKF has been launched with the aim of providing viable replacements for many more hydraulics applications in agricultural machinery and construction vehicles.

The non-negotiables when choosing a supplier

16 June, 2017

John Chapman, managing director of Linde Hydraulics UK, considers what OEM companies within the agriculture sector should insist on from equipment providers in terms of products and services.