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Renishaw 3D printing technology increases Land Rover BAR’s performance

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land rover bar

Like many other cutting edge technologies – artificial intelligence, big data analytics – additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has been incorporated into daily use at Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing with the help of the team’s Technical Innovation Group.

In this case, TIG partner Renishaw, a global metrology firm which manufactures metal additive manufacturing machines, as well as working with the more familiar 3D printing in plastics for its own prototyping.

TIG project manager, George Sykes of PA Consulting, says: “We use 3D printing at three different levels within the team. The simplest level is as a prototyping and visualisation tool. We manufacture a large number of custom parts and 3D printing allows us to make full size prototypes in-house before we commit to a design.”  [Read more…] about Renishaw 3D printing technology increases Land Rover BAR’s performance

Braking resistors that will not break

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cressall braking resistors

David Atkins, projects director at Cressall Resistors, explains why design is essential not only in art, but also in industry, especially when designing equipment such as power resistors for demanding environments like oil and gas

One of the most popular works of Renaissance sculpture is Michelangelo’s David, a piece that has become synonymous with human strength and beauty.

Despite its seemingly perfect proportions, a basic design flaw of the statue has recently been brought to light.

Recurring micro-fractures in the ankles might cause the statue to collapse under its own weight.  [Read more…] about Braking resistors that will not break

General Motors and Honda to jointly develop hydrogen fuel cell for autonomous vehicles

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By Naomi Tajitsu and Paul Lienert, Reuters

Honda and General Motors will jointly produce pollution-free hydrogen fuel cell power systems in the United States from around 2020, despite President Donald Trump’s promises to dismantle US environmental regulations intended to spur green car demand.

At a briefing in Detroit, GM executive Mark Reuss said the fuel cells could be used in autonomous vehicles, as well by ride-sharing companies, such as GM affiliate Lyft. He also said fuel cells could have aerospace and military applications.

The companies on Monday said they will invest $85 million to add a production line at a GM battery plant in Brownstown, Michigan, and create 100 jobs. The fuel cell production line will be partly automated and is designed to be quickly scaled up if demand warrants. [Read more…] about General Motors and Honda to jointly develop hydrogen fuel cell for autonomous vehicles

Pearson becomes Fanuc certified servicing integrator

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Pearson Packaging Systems
Pearson Packaging Systems technicians have earned what they say is a much-sought-after accreditation

Pearson says its technicians have complete Fanuc’s extensive training program and earn a “hard-to-come-by accreditation” to perform robotic troubleshooting and repair work

Pearson Packaging Systems, a provider of automation solutions and longstanding Fanuc partner, has become a Fanuc-certified servicing integrator. 

Pearson is now able to augment its service offering to customers by taking full responsibility for diagnosing issues and executing warranty repairs that would previously have required Fanuc-direct assistance.

The Fanuc seal of approval is “held by less than 5 per cent of all authorized system integrators nationwide”, accorind to Pearson, which claims to be the only integrator on the West Coast with such an accreditation.  [Read more…] about Pearson becomes Fanuc certified servicing integrator

Global collaborative robotics market forecast to grow to $95 billion in seven years

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The worldwide collaborative robot market is expected to be worth $95 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Transparency Market Research.

Companies in the global collaborative robot market are focused on the acquisition of smaller and local automation companies to expand their operations, says Transparency.

Leading companies such as ABB, Kuka, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Robert Bosch are expected to launch products in the coming years to fulfil the requirement of their clientele in the several end-user industries.  [Read more…] about Global collaborative robotics market forecast to grow to $95 billion in seven years

SPX Flow launches ‘multi-million-dollar’ European manufacturing facility 

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Company says its new, “multi-million-dollar” European plant enhances process equipment manufacturing capability 

SPX Flow has expanded its manufacturing capability in Europe.

The company – which offers an extensive range of hygienic valves, plate heat exchangers, pumps, homogenizers and process systems designed for use in dairy, food, beverage, pharmaceutical and personal care production – says the expansion is part of its “continued commitment to excel in service, quality and delivery”.

The new SPX flow facility in central Europe is designed for “manufacturing excellence” in terms of efficient production of high quality products with reliable and competitive lead times, says the company.  [Read more…] about SPX Flow launches ‘multi-million-dollar’ European manufacturing facility 

Industrial internet: The latest trends and challenges in systems integration

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Nick Boughton, sales manager of Boulting Technology, discusses the challenges connectivity poses for industry, particularly with regard to systems integration and the water industry

Our world is getting smaller every day.

Never before have remote locations been more accessible thanks to communications technology, smartphones and the internet.

Connected devices have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, including the most traditional industry sectors.

One question industry has been unsuccessful in answering refers to the number of connected devices that exist in the world at the moment. Gartner says that by 2020, the Internet of Things will have grown to more than 26 billion units.  [Read more…] about Industrial internet: The latest trends and challenges in systems integration

Energy efficiency: The industrial sector can do much more, say experts

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A coal power plant in Datteln, Germany
A coal power plant in Datteln, Germany. Picture courtesy of Arnold Paul

In this article by Hannover Messe, experts say the industrial sector has more potential to save on energy costs

Six out of ten companies are satisfied with the results of their most recent energy efficiency measures according to the energy efficiency index EEI’s winter evaluation.

The Institute for Energy Efficiency in Production at the University of Stuttgart surveys the German industry’s ongoing and planned activities regarding energy efficiency every six months.

“The latest information campaign from the German Ministry of Economics, is correct and will remain enormously important,” says the director of EEP Professor Alexander Sauer. “Ignorance continues to be a major obstacle.”   [Read more…] about Energy efficiency: The industrial sector can do much more, say experts

From virtual space to outer space: Siemens shows off its PLM client list

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Land Rover BAR america's cup yacht
Land Rover BAR design team uses NX, Teamcenter, Femap, Fiberism and Star-CCM+ to develop this innovative racing catamaran to bring the America’s Cup back to Britain.

Siemens has been showcasing some of the prestigious projects the company’s product lifecycle management software is being used for – and they include space and maritime projects

Whether it’s space taxis or passenger cars, America’s Cup yachts or Formula 1 race cars, products are more complex, smarter and more connected than ever before. Product Lifecycle Management software helps manufacturers transform their operations into digital enterprises and lead the way – with smarter products and smarter machines making them.

The world’s fastest Space Utility Vehicle will have to be able to withstand a lot.

When plying its standard route between the Earth and the International Space Station, which circles the Earth at an altitude of about 250 miles, transporting cargo there and back, it will do more than merely travel at over 17,000 mph (Mach 25).  [Read more…] about From virtual space to outer space: Siemens shows off its PLM client list

Tata robotics unit launches new industrial robot

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The new TAL Brabo industrial robot
The new TAL Brabo industrial robot

TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, has launched a new industrial robot.

The compact Brabo 2kg payload range of industrial articulated robot was unveiled at the Imtex 2017 a couple of days ago.

The company says the launch of Brabo heralds a phenomena it calls “robolution”, adding that industrial Rrobotics will take a “quantum leap” with the TAL Brabo expanding its robot line-up to cater to original equipment manufacturers, as well as medium and small enterprises.  [Read more…] about Tata robotics unit launches new industrial robot