Michelangelo used the principles of reverse engineering to create great sculptures. Today, manufacturers use it to create images of products to speed up prototyping, manufacturing and testing processes

In the never-ending quest for better financial returns, manufacturing and process industries have been paring down their costs wherever possible. And no department has been spared in the quest for cost savings

Increase throughput, improve yields, enhance quality, conserve energy, eliminate waste, reduce downtime - these are the rallying points in today's processing world as pressure grows to improve overall profitability

Gearboxes are so common in so many applications that it is easy to overlook this vital link in production and processing. But maintaining a speed reducer in top condition depends on correct installation, proper use and regular checking

The push to create lighter and lower cost products is forcing designers to consider new materials. These are often difficult to exploit effectively so an increasing number of manufacturers have rekindled an interest in the use of adhesives

The worldwide market for industrial ethernet devices is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 84.1 per cent over the next five years. The market was 286.8 thousand nodes in 2002 and is forecast to be over 6.06 million in 2007

A simple box device containing a series of cotton filters could play a large role in improving global air quality as well as being a huge success for the small engineering business behind it

According to recent reports, a newly-developed biodegradable grease has shown it can match traditional grease performance in bearing applications. It also meets the increased demand for environmentally friendly products in the engineering industry

The ultimate recognition of credibility for commercial calibration agencies is ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, as it is the only independent credential that embraces both key elements of sound management and technical competence

An increasingly competitive environment, tolerating nothing short of manufacturing excellence, is driving the requirement for plant and enterprise-wide decision-support tools - more recently known as manufacturing intelligence

The worst-case scenario for an exterior paint is early failure at the mercy of demanding environmental conditions. Whilst companies can test samples in challenging climates over the long term, it is possible to simulate these conditions in the laboratory

Measurements of level serve to optimise processes and cut production costs. Nevertheless, when complicated processes are to be improved, experience and the readiness of the sensor manufacturer and plant operator to cooperate are indispensable needs

The Environmental Group Ltd (EGL), both under its own name and under that of its predecessors Horizon APC, Transfield RP/C Division and Ceilcote Australia, has been designing and supplying wet scrubbing systems for over 30 years in Australia

In the processing of molten metals, one important parameter is the chemical composition of the molten metal. Chemical sensors have been developed to monitor the chemical composition during the processing stage