Chris Johnson, Managing Director at bearing relubrication specialist SMB Bearings, explores how the remanufacturing process can yield economic and environmental benefits

With energy accounting for a significant proportion of the cost of ownership of a compressed air system, operators will want to ensure their equipment is optimised for best performance. Vanda Jones, Executive Director at the British Compressed Air Society discusses the importance of good compressed air system design in helping to mitigate for rising energy costs.

In the ever-evolving world of plant maintenance equipment and services, the landscape is marked by increased demand for essential solutions that play a pivotal role in sustaining key sectors, both domestically in the UK and beyond. As industries strive for greater efficiency and productivity, a notable shift is taking place. PWE offers an overview of the growing significance of Maintenance 4.0.

Amid reports that doubling energy efficiency by 2030 could cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as a third, energy specialist Aggreko is highlighting some of the key areas that industry can make immediate efficiency gains.

Circular economics is going to be a key focus for global businesses in 2024, according to the President of ABB Electrification Service, Stuart Thompson.

Held on 14 November, the last Talking Industry of 2023 revisited one of its most popular topics of robotics and automation, chaired Andy Pye.

The fact that Hart Door Systems has built a reputation for quality and longevity of its wide range of industrial doors, the importance of door maintenance should not be understated says Keith Fisher, Hart’s National Operations Manager (pictured).

LiftEx 2023, sponsored by CoreRFID, attracted the crowds to the Exhibition Centre located among the docks on the banks of the Mersey in Liverpool on 21-22nd November. Over 1000 visitors across two days came to see the lifting products and services from more than 80 global exhibitors. This included all the latest lifting products including hoists, mobile and overhead cranes, steel chains, wire rope, winches, shackles, web slings, rigging, spreader beams, height safety and load monitoring equipment, IT solutions and more. 

Coventry University’s Vice-Chancellor will speak on how today’s youth can make a real difference at the global climate summit COP28.

The success of the first-ever 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) trans-Atlantic flight by a commercial airline, operated by Virgin Atlantic, signifies a new era in SAF technology. This step towards eco-friendly air travel was made possible thanks to an innovative process, BioForming Sugar to Aromatics (S2A). The technology was originally invented by Virent and jointly developed for commercialisation by Virent and Johnson Matthey. The process marks a significant move towards decarbonising the aviation sector and a breakthrough in SAF.

Fluke, a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement tools and software, has announced the expansion of its Premium Care support packages to include a wider range of market-leading industrial and electrical tools.

The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) presented the winners of the LEEA Awards 2023 with their trophies at the Awards Dinner on 21st November, held at the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool. The winners of the annual awards recognising excellence in the lifting industry are as follows:

Tan Delta Systems, a manufacturer of real-time oil quality monitoring sensors and systems is leading the way within the plant, works and maintenance sector with the launch of SENSE-2. The new oil condition monitoring kit provides real-time data about machine oil quality to optimise maintenance and reduce operating costs.

SICK has launched an Industry 4.0 on-premise data intelligence platform that enables manufacturing and logistics organisations to optimise their operating performance. SICK Field Analytics can be quickly and easily set up to provide meaningful, application-specific condition monitoring and process insights, independently of an organisation’s existing machinery and systems.

School pupils, university students and engineers travelled to London this week for the highly prestigious Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal Award Ceremony to receive recognition for their work in creating a Prototype based on a school pupils engineering idea.

Businesses, industry, academia and communities in West Cumbria are reported to be well-placed to work together to maximise a wealth of opportunities.

ABB has announced it has launched its new global sustainability initiative, showcasing the power of technology and expertise to accelerate sustainability while enhancing productivity. ABB says its Real Progress campaign is a rallying call to customers, partners and suppliers, inspiring them to harness technology leadership and the solutions that exist today to amplify their own impact across process industries such as mining, metals, and pulp and paper.

Ovarro, a remote monitoring specialist across several sectors — including water, oil and gas, broadcast, transportation and power — has unveiled an ambitious new Graduate Programme. The initiative is aimed at fortifying Ovarro’s operations in the water management and leak detection industry and developing a dedicated sales division. Five graduate hires have joined the global company at its offices in Chesterfield, UK.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2024 will open its doors again from 6-8 February. PWE takes a closer look at the forthcoming show.

Lifting equipment specialist, Konecranes, has launched its RailQ 3D crane runway survey programme. The package has been designed to provide highly accurate measurement of crane runway alignment and is backed by comprehensive analysis of cloud-based data.

Following the European Union’s launch of a new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) to reduce emissions across the continent earlier this month, energy solutions specialist Aggreko is encouraging businesses to make sure their energy needs are being correctly specified.

Avoiding process contamination is a necessity for any hygienic application using compressors – ranging from the food and beverage sector, to pharmaceuticals to sensitive electronic environments. Claudia Vignelli, Product Manager Plant Air Centrifugal Compressors Ingersoll Rand, explores the variety of factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate oil-free compressed air technology.

Rockwell Automation has announced that its automation technology sits at the heart of new machines that assemble the Royal British Legion’s new plastic-free poppy.

Greg Wainhouse, Industry Account Manager for Water Applications at Bürkert, explains the importance of reviewing input data for control valve specification

PWE takes a look at how developments in instrument condition monitoring can unlock operational excellence

Christopher Hallum, UE Systems North Europe Operations Manager looks at the role of ultrasound as a condition monitoring tool and why using vibration and ultrasound together is the best way to reach excellence in your maintenance practices

Amina Hamidi, Managing Director of ABB’s Instrumentation Business Line within the Measurement & Analytics Division, was named Industry Personality of the Year at this year’s Instrumentation Excellence Awards. The award was presented at a ceremony in London organised by Instrumentation Monthly publisher Datateam Business Media.

Martyn Williams, managing director of COPA-DATA UK, explains how industry can help to tackle the skills shortage in the sector, with just a little influencing required.

In the fast-evolving digital landscape, manufacturers face unique cybersecurity challenges, with IoT devices experiencing an average of 5,200 attacks per month. Add in ageing equipment, and the challenge to maintain operational resilience increases exponentially. Jeremy Whittingham, industry consultant and member of the Advanced Engineering* team highlights the vulnerabilities associated with outdated technology and provides manufacturers with insights on mitigating risks.

Finning, exclusive distributor of Cat engines and power solutions in the UK and Ireland, overhauled a CHP generator for Southern Water – helping the utilities company to benefit from a lower-cost and more sustainable way to power its operations. PWE reports

Lyle Oxton had worked at igus for 3 years when he was tasked with implementing a workflow system. PWE reports.

Martin Hurley, business development manager for industrial automation specialist Novotek Ireland, looks at how you can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

In 1998 Combilift originally made history with its world-first multidirectional C4000 3-wheel, all-wheel drive forklift. Last month, the company celebrated its 25th Anniversary at its headquarters in Monaghan, Ireland with the launch of its latest products. PWE reports

Industrial process heating equipment and solutions specialist Babcock Wanson has completed a turnkey project to supply steam, via its BWD30 fire tube boiler, to cookers at IRC Cucina’s new Trafford Park centralised kitchen. PWE reports

Applications that require precise information on the linear or angular movement of an object rely on the accuracy of motion sensors within. Accelerometers and gyroscopes can be used to provide this movement data, and utilising developments in MEMS technologies means this is all possible within a much smaller space envelope. But as we push for increased functionality in smaller spaces, what can custom ICs do to benefit? Richard Mount, Director of Sales at ASIC design and supply company Swindon Silicon Systems explains. 

A collaboration of four leading Cumbrian SMEs are embarking on a pioneering venture to establish "Resolve Engineered Solutions".

The plant in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where Hyster Big Trucks are produced is celebrating its 70th year in 2023.

Hundreds of people potentially looking for a career within engineering and maintenance at Sellafield attended the department's first careers day.

Brooklands Innovation Academy brought together 400 students aged 12-14 for an action-packed day of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths education. Led, in person, by Professor Brian Cox CBE OBE FRS, and a key partner in the national Science Summer School programme.

Dave Palmer, General Manager for the UK at ICS Cool Energy asks: Is your cooling system ready for winter?

Advanced Engineering Exhibition is taking significant steps to make this year’s show more sustainable, which is taking place between November 1 to 2 at the NEC, Birmingham.

On 28th September, National Manufacturing Day, local youngsters enjoyed a factory visit with a Fort Dunlop-based manufacturer today as they considered careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sector.

A pioneering programme helping North West manufacturers invest in industrial digital technology is forecast to create more than 1,550 new jobs and boost the region’s economy by £242m, new figures reveal.

Cramlington-based industrialised construction and digital manufacturing specialist, Merit, has announced it has welcomed 21 new engineering apprentices to the business as it continues its growth journey.

New coil technology for solenoid valves can increase energy efficiency by up to 80%. Bürkert’s Kick and Drop valve coils save significant cost by reducing energy use and extending service life. The increased efficiency also optimises environmental sustainability. With a low maximum operating temperature, the coils enhance safety and remove the potential of electrical overheating. The 3-in-1 design, covering various voltage inputs, also streamlines inventory management.

An African agricultural business which helps the continent’s farmers increase crop yields is among the 13 cohort companies announced for this year’s University of Edinburgh AI Accelerator (AIA). The programme has selected a group of emerging companies from Scotland, the UK and other parts of the globe which are focused on using ‘AI (artificial intelligence) for good.’

By Matt Hale, International Sales & Marketing Director, HRS Heat Exchangers

Acorn Industrial Services, a leading power transmission stockist has announced it has become the first company in the UK to be awarded new maintenance product partner status by bearing and maintenance product manufacturer - SKF.

Winches play a crucial role in ensuring ship passenger safety in the maritime industry. Responsible for lowering and lifting lifeboats and liferafts to and from the water surface, winches must be reliable, repeatable and easy-to-use. Technidrive, a bespoke integrated automation systems provider, says it recently tackled a challenge posed by Survitec, a manufacturer and supplier of liferafts, Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) and offshore rental PPE, to create a winch solution for its liferafts.

The BCMPA – the Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment and Logistics,  has announced it will be highlighting the many benefits of outsourcing at two major industry exhibitions later this month: London Packaging Week and – for the first time – eCommerce Expo, both being held at London’s ExCel.