Original article date: October 1997
The cost to industry of leaks, detection, measurement, prevention and correction is massive. In current production control situations, there is a tendency to look for trends, in addition to the application of simple pass or fail criteria, leading to the prediction of process failure, which is more cost-effective than rejection or [...]
This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000
The different linear encoder technologies have never been as competitive as they are now.
Accuracy and resolution are of great concern in cutting and measurement applications. Machines are expected to uphold tighter tolerances and better repeatability than hitherto in the production of parts. Linear encoder manufacturers now offer [...]
This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000
Aluminium framworks for machine construction systems
The quality differences in the aluminium extrusions used for constructing kit-form aluminium frameworks are subtle and become more noticeable as you move down the field. So says Machine Building Systems Managing Director Stuart Mitchell, whose position in this respect is relatively comfortable [...]
Original article date: April 1998
Have Micro PLCs reached their limit? Probably in terms of size, say leading manufacturers, but many other issues are still developing fast. Alan Quinn rounds up the latest opinions.
Micro PLCs may have now reduced in size to an extent where they are probably as small as they can be whilst remaining [...]
Original article date: December 1995
A few short items looking at the European EMC (CE Marking) legislation and how to design to meet it.
1. Six months and counting…
(July 1995) About 20 years ago, a farmer in East Anglia complained to a mobile radio manufacturer that its equipment was responsible for him losing a toe. He claimed [...]