For manufacturers profits are under pressure from both ends of the supply chain. On one side, material, labour and energy costs are increasing. On the other, customers want smaller batch sizes, faster deliveries and…
Productivity Articles
AC drives to update plastic extruders
ABB AC drives update plastic extruders.
Most older plastic extrusion machines used DC drives, but few new ones do. What has driven this change are new generations of high performing AC motors and VSDs. Using…
Cost-effective high-speed container capping
Is the lack of high-speed container capping a production bottleneck you could do without? SMAC manufactures a unique range of precision electric moving coil actuators. They are unique in that force, position and speed…
Why production robots are worth a second look
If you are not using production robots, or not planning to, you are not alone according to a report from ifr.org. Whilst worldwide manufacturing is seeing a massive increase…
European engine plant adopts Gigabit open Ethernet
In seeking to increase productivity at their engine and power transmission manufacturing plant in Poland, the management had several priorities. Firstly, to increase production line availability, secondly to improve the data transparency. Finally they…
High-speed bottling rejection gets soft-landing
Reliably rejecting damaged containers is paramount to bottling operations. If a damaged container, especially a glass one, gets through the system it could become a high liability. This can be costly in both money…
Robot deburring of components improves quality and output
When a car buyer makes the decision to buy a vehicle made by a premium manufacturer, it is not only the performance and design of the vehicle that must be right but also the…
