Manufacturers continually seek ways to maximise productivity and efficiency. Today, those efforts frequently involve high-level programs that employ buzzwords that include cloud computing, data-driven manufacturing, cyber-physical systems and Industry4.0. These advanced initiatives are excellent concepts and can produce impressive results. However, manufacturing realities often interfere with the implementation of such ambitious plans, and a critical reality is the presence of uncontrolled waste in the manufacturing process.
Before discussing digitisation and optimisation, it is necessary for a manufacturer to examine its operations, determine where waste occurs, and develop methods to reduce or eliminate it. Controlling waste is the first step in preparing a manufacturing company for the adoption of sophisticated smart manufacturing strategies.
Figure 1 – Total image of all elements and how they relate and interact, in a manufacturing plant (NEXT STEP model and concept).
Lockout/Tagout is a great procedure to enable safer machine interventions by isolating the energy supply for machinery that is being serviced. Brady Corporation launches a new and highly practical Safety Lock & Tag Carrier that enables users to keep Lockout/Tagout padlocks and tags close at hand, and to quickly isolate energy points when needed.
Facing numerous challenges in smart factories, system integrators (SIs) are always on the lookout for solutions that make the interoperability of operational technology (OT), information technology (IT), and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) protocols straightforward. Moxa is one of the few product manufacturers and solution providers to offer a comprehensive product portfolio that streamlines the interoperability of OT, IT, and IIoT protocols.
At the SPS IPC Drives Italia exhibition, German manufacturer NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is showcasing user-friendly innovations in the segment of distributed drive technology.
REXUS Pulsating Heatpipe System developed by Aavid Thermalloy’s Italian Design Center in conjunction with the European Space Agency has been launched from the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, North Sweden. It’s one of two prototypes manufactured for the INWIP Project (Innovative Wickless Heat Pipe Systems) in order to study the behaviour of a Pulsating Heatpipe System in micro-gravity conditions.
In order to deliver spindle drive service life optimisation in injection moulding machines, NSK has developed several new high-load ball screws, including the latest S-HTF series. However, many well-known manufacturers of injection moulding machines also use NSK's high-load ball screw drives for the clamping and injection axes, which is where the established HTF series is proving popular.
Well identified cables often are a customer requirement. They are also necessary to deliver standardised cable assemblies and to produce more efficiently. However, identifying cables can be very time consuming, especially if it is done manually. By automating cable identification you can save time, comply with customer requirements, deliver standardised assemblies and produce more efficiently all at once.