A new age in digital transformation is requiring manufacturers to rethink their existing business models and corresponding infrastructure. To remain relevant and competitive in the age of Industry 4.0, manufacturers need to do more than simply adopt digital technologies and deploy predefined processes in isolated islands of automation as they have done in the past.
Every year there are more and more types of vehicle applications moving towards electric. The benefits are clearly unquestionable: reduced emissions, lower noise, less maintenance, and increased performance. But, most all-electric construction equipment offerings to-date have largely been confined to mini-excavators and small wheel loaders while only a few manufacturers have unveiled full-scale heavy equipment prototypes.
If you’re involved in meat and poultry processing, plastics and steel manufacturing, or another industry that has a high rate of accidents resulting in amputations, then you’re likely aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is stepping up National Emphasis Program (NEP).
Industry as we know it is changing rapidly – from a shortage of skilled workers and high turnover to advancements in connectivity and IoT. Innovation is driving us to augment in-house experience and institutional knowledge with intuitive technology and partner support. As a result, machine builders are being asked to play an expanded role in supporting customer operations that encompass the full lifecycle of the equipment.
Pistachio trees didn’t exist in this country in the 1930s. Today, the U.S. is the world’s second-largest producer – and worldwide demand continues to grow. Once reserved for royalty, pistachios have become a global snack sensation. People are hungry for the green nut because of its unique flavor, along with its natural health attributes. Like almonds, walnuts and other nut varieties, pistachios are packed with protein, antioxidants and fiber.
What will the automotive marketplace look like in 10 years and how do I prepare for it? That’s the question foremost on the minds of the powertrain plant personnel I encounter in my work as an industry consultant. It’s not an easy question to answer given that we are in the midst of a truly revolutionary time in the automotive industry.
When selecting a motor, it is important to consider the required duty cycle to ensure the motor can meet the needs of the application. Knowing what type of duty cycle your motor requires will help a motor manufacturer like KEB select the best motor for your application. Watch the video below to see the most common types of motor duty cycles.
It’s a new year, and a new decade (depending on whether you believe the decade begins with year zero or year 1), but manufacturing safety challenges keep expanding: digital transformation, fewer available workers, globalization, and how to manage safety and security risks among them.
Flexibility is the ultimate strategy for success in today’s challenging market for food and beverage packaging. Companies are striving to produce increasingly large varieties of products – including various sizes and combinations – while also being able to turn on a dime in response to any change in consumer demand.
The pumping facility at the Annacis Island plant is a critical part of the infrastructure, as collection and conveyance systems transport the FSA wastewater to the plant. The three 1,200-horsepower influent pumps and four 684-horsepower trickling filter pumps have been in service for about two decades and were at their end-of-life stage. These large pumps regulate the level of raw sewage in the wet well, conveying it into the treatment plant.
Last fall Drives & Control Solutions had the opportunity to tour Yaskawa America’s primary low voltage drive production facility. The facility is located in Buffalo Grove, IL, just outside of Chicago. Hosting both an assembly facility and roughly 100,000 sq/ft warehouse and distribution centre, the site is quite impressive, particularly considering the level of efficiency employed.
STOBER Drives has produced two short videos that highlight the benefits of their new SD6 drive controller with the SE6 advanced safety module. Created in partnership with safety experts Pilz, STOBER’s new, integrated system maximises the safety, efficiency and flexibility of your automated manufacturing plant.
For engineers looking for a more cost-effective and better performing replacement for an AC motor but who don’t require a high specification Servo Drive, STOBER’s LeanMotor is the ideal solution. The LeanMotor is a highly efficient and compact electric drive that is significantly lighter and smaller than an asynchronous drive. With the same output as a more expensive Servo drive, this makes the LeanMotor a robust and cost effective option for those looking for higher performance at a lower cost.
Unplanned outages due to mechanical failures can cost millions of dollars of lost production time to Oil and Gas companies. While it’s difficult to quantify the cost of unplanned downtime, an outage of a single day may exceed ~$6.5M, for the average U.S. refinery. The shift from Reactive Maintenance (RM) to data driven Proactive Maintenance (PAM) strategies can not only reduce lost revenue from unplanned outages but reduce the overall costs associated with operating and maintaining plant equipment by 60%.
There are two types of electric motors, alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC motors can be synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous motors are found in applications where speed and accuracy are essential, including synchronous clocks, timers in electronic appliances, and audio recorders. Able to operate at variable speeds, low-maintenance, and durable, asynchronous, or induction, motors see wide industrial use.
Schindler, a provider of elevators and escalators, has launched a pilot project that features an automated, independently operating robotic installation system for elevators. The company has selected an industrial robot made by ABB for this innovative world premiere. Elevator installations require anchor bolts in the elevator shaft to precisely and safely fasten guide rails and access doors – lots of anchor bolts. The taller the building, the greater the number.
This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.
