Prashanth Mysore, Strategic Business Development and Industry Marketing Director at DELMIA, part of the Dassault Systèmes Group, looks at what is Digital Twin technology and why is it important for manufacturers?

Beth Ragdale, product manager of the energy industry at Beckhoff UK, discusses how automation technology can help support the wind industry

The future of safety engineering and manufacturing and processing now focuses around the digital and this creates new opportunities and challenges for plants operators, and enables them to enhance efficiency, increase flexibility, while making their plants more safe and secure. Andy Pye, Talking Industry Chair looks at some of the discussion points.

Marek Lukaszczyk, Europe and Middle East marketing manager at the motors and drives specialist WEG, looks at how Industry 4.0 has evolved to now support increased equipment life in pumps

With a myriad of new product launches, new technologies and live demonstrations of the latest smart manufacturing solutions, PPMA Total Show 2022 is set to be an important event for members of the processing, packaging machinery, robots and industrial vision communities. PWE reports.

By applying the 3 Rs waste hierarchy - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - to bearings, we can make a genuine difference, explains Alan Stewart, Brammer Buck & Hickman Bearing Product Manager – SKF Products.

While there are some similarities between RFID tags and barcodes, there are also significant differences. Tony Coghlan, Managing Director at Turck Banner explains how his company is specialising in harvesting these extra benefits.

A petrochemical processor was recently forced to make an emergency shutdown to reveal that it was being supplied with counterfeit bearings. Most people do not fully appreciate the scale of the counterfeiting problem or the risks it creates. At a time of rising demand and growing pressures on supply chains, Chris Johnson* asks if the problem of counterfeiting may be on the rise.

Roller chains used to drive food packaging machines have to ensure stable motion. With produce destined for demanding supermarkets, conveyors driven by roller chains must maintain the quality of packaged produce, as well as high throughput. PWE reports.

If you think that valve position sensors are uninteresting devices and that there’s little to choose between them, read on, says Andy Walker of ifm electronic.

Clive Jones* explains how to optimise a new thermal fluid system.

How would you expect to monitor water levels at a group of water reservoirs dispersed over a large area reservoir and control water pumps accordingly? Ian Loudon* spoke to PWE about what is needed for industry to overcome these challenges

With the launch of Gates’ GT4, the company highlights how it has conducted the most comprehensive ratings development plan in its history in order to provide its customers with the most accurate predictive tools in the industry. PWE reports.

Mike Keefe* explains the differences between stepper and servo motors and when it is appropriate to use each technology

Andy Pye reports on the final Talking Industry session of the year. It covered the burgeoning applications of additive manufacturing (3D printing). Additive manufacturing (AM) uses CAD data or 3D object scanners to deposit material, layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes

The Swiss company Kaesaro connects sensors and actuators in cheese cellar robots with Murrelektronik’s F&B Pro connectors designed for the food industry. This in turn has benefited both cleanability and longer maintenance intervals. PWE reports.

Fifteen water injection pumps are optimising production at Iraq’s largest oil field. PWE reports.

Clive Jones* gives advice on choosing the right heat transfer system for your application.

We’ve seen a gradual increased presence of robots on manufacturing factory floors, and industries that have embraced automation have seen an increase in efficiency and productivity. Gary Livingstone* reports

From worn bearings to a damaged seal, seemingly minor issues can quickly escalate and lead to the shutdown of an entire pump system. Luckily, a careful preventive maintenance strategy can help pump owners identify potential threats before disaster strikes. Brian Tait* explains how.

It is vital to check your seals constantly whether the machinery is being used or not. Especially during periods of no use, this is the perfect time to check your seals for any signs of damage and wear that you may need to address. It’s important to do this as seal failures can lead to equipment problems which may be detrimental to your equipment and business.

PWE reviews the concepts of mine water and mine water management as well as the most common pumping applications.

Gates (NYSE: GTES), a leading global provider of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions, has announced it has introduced MEGASys MXT with XtraTuff

The fifth in the Talking Industry series of online panel discussions focussed on developments in, and issues surrounding, robotic and advanced automation technologies. Andy Pye, who chaired the session, reports on some of the highlights of the lively session.

Sean Robison* explains what modern technologies to implement that can improve overall equipment effectiveness and operational resiliency.

In a wireless age, the use of cables may be losing its function in some industries, however for others, the role they play is as important as ever. In the case of the manufacturing, as technology becomes increasingly integrated, so does the prominence of cables. Stewart Beer* reports.

Chris Evans* looks at the effect the pandemic could have on the future adoption of automation in manufacturing within SMEs.

Most pump failures are maintenance or installation-related and that is good news because it means that a lot can be done to minimise the risk. Proactive maintenance is key to eliminating common failure. It extends the useful life of the pump and increases both its efficiency and reliability. Bob Orme* reports.

A Babcock Wanson BWD40 Fire Tube Boiler has been installed in the Real Petfood Company’s manufacturing facility in Bodelwyddan, north east Wales, where it is being used to heat retort cookers and mixing vessels for high quality baked semi-moist pet treats and super premium biscuit products.

Marek Lukaszczyk* explains how gearbox manufacturers help reduce downtime and keep maintenance to a minimum.

Used throughout the water, petrochemical and power generation sectors to move large volumes of water, vertical suspended pumps are essential assets. By optimising performance and efficiency in these important pumps, both operating and maintenance costs can be significantly reduced. Jason Simcoe* and Seth Tate*look at how various aspects of vertical pump performance can be improved.

Karl Metcalfe, technical support for the AEMT, looks at the knowledge and responsibilities that are expected when it comes to managing electric motors in zoned areas.

Luca Lonoce, pump retrofit specialist at Sulzer, looks at the benefits of a pump retrofit project.

The theme of the second in the series of Talking Industry panel discussions was Increasing Automation in the post-COVID era. Chairman Andy Pye reflects on a session which set out to look forward to the opportunities, but couldn’t quite shake off the barriers from the past.

Various countries around the world have taken different approaches towards energy usage and possible energy reduction. Across Europe, the Commission has concentrated on components within the Energy Related Products Directive (ErP).

The turbocompressor has become a mainstay of modern water treatment technology. Ideally suited for the production of large volumes of compressed air at relatively low pressure, they rely on bearings that can spin at high speeds with minimal resistance and for extended periods. Today, the market is dominated by two rival technologies: air foil bearings and active magnetic bearings. Edward Paro of Sulzer compares their strengths and weaknesses.

John Smith* gives guidance to help optimise machine performance coming out of lockdown.

Bondlok UK a leading adhesives and sealants company has announced it has “bonded” with the University of Bolton which will help students to learn the latest in motorsport industry techniques.

While end users in the process industries began to digitise their plants decades ago with the introduction of “smart/intelligent,” digitally integrated process transmitters and final control devices, pumps and valves have often been last in the queue. Andy Pye, consultant editor for PWE, reports.

Alistair Binks, general manager of technical and life sciences translation specialists Albion Languages, explains to Plant & Works Engineering how the COVID-19 pandemic has driven businesses to focus inwards, looking with a critical eye at their more “fragile” business areas, or those markets which they may have relied upon too heavily so far.

Steven Horn, European product manager, Mueller Electric Europe takes a look at static electricity and grounding in the industrial workplace.

Vibration analysis has long been the instrument of choice to use for bearings and other rotating equipment. More commonly, ultrasound is being used in conjunction with vibration analysis to help technicians confirm the condition of mechanical assets. PWE reports

Modern process control valves offer a wide range of features and benefits for industries that require precise control over fluids, steam and other gases. With so many control valves on the market, it is important to establish the features that will deliver the most cost-effective design for a particular application. Damien Moran, field segment manager, hygienic -pharmaceutical at Bürkert, looks at some of the basic differentiators as well as some recent design developments

Case Study: A switch to Mobil DTE 10 Excel hydraulic fluid has helped MPact Polymers reduce the energy used by processing equipment at its Pinetown site by 7%. The move also helped optimise equipment performance, which reduced unscheduled maintenance, while the hydraulic fluid’s long life cut waste oil disposal costs.

A new modelling approach for hybrid bearings gives a more accurate picture of their performance and helps engineers justify their use in the correct application, writes Guillermo Morales-Espejel, Principal Scientist at SKF Research and Technology Development.

The aim of the EU Eco-Design Directive is to improve the environmental impact of energy-intensive products by optimising their design. Since pumps require a lot of energy, some inevitably fall within scope of this directive. Better design could significantly reduce their energy consumption. However, considerably more can be achieved if the pump is not viewed in isolation, but as part of the overall system along with its electric motor and controller.

Jonathan Wilkins, director of industrial automation parts supplier, EU Automation, discusses what manufacturers should consider when choosing which type of robot to invest in.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to Farnborough between February 11th-13th 2020, and will again include a range of exhibitors spanning the full panorama of engineering activity. PWE reports.

Tobius Antius, CEO of food process automation company Novotek AB, explains how, with automation and systems, manufacturers can help to minimise the creation of food waste in manufacturing.

PWE takes a look at the potential benefits that can be achieved when retrofitting pumps.