Traditional fieldbus networks were - and some still are - isolated automation systems that required extensive local monitoring and routine on-site maintenance. To increase productivity and reduce operating costs, many manufacturers and plant operators have deployed Industrial Ethernet to converge remotely isolated fieldbus systems for centralised control and monitoring. [ + ]

Olympus has partnered with Ford Performance Racing (FPR) since 2007 to provide the team with the latest technology to ensure their cars are tuned for success. [ + ]

Kolak Snack Foods is a London snack food manufacturer that, having experienced an upturn in business, needed to increase its output capacity. [ + ]

Mark Elrick has been in love with watching stuff being made since childhood factory tours. Cheese was the first date, the 'Rotolactor' turntable milking machine the engagement and ice-cream wrapping lines the wedding. At age seven he knew he wanted to be around machinery. [ + ]

Encoders are special sensors that capture position information and relay that data to other devices. They are used to determine the position, velocity and direction of a motor shaft or other mechanical motion. They provide information required for the precise control of a variety of applications, such as positioning a rotary table, pick and place, machine assembly, packaging, robotics and more. [ + ]

A quick check of the local supermarket shelves gives a clue as to the complexity of the snack-food manufacturing process. The variety on display is enormous. Everything from high-energy breakfast alternatives and morning pick-me-ups to chips and party foods is readily available. [ + ]

With the increasing use in industry of common IT networking technologies such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi and WANs, there is an increasing need for the ability to effectively monitor and troubleshoot these technologies in industrial settings. [ + ]

A 25-year project on thickener modelling that has already delivered huge value for the mineral processing industry has now entered a new phase. Jodie Parry investigates what the world's first three-dimensional thickener model will deliver to industry. [ + ]

Sunshine Sugar's centrifugal drive system was aging and in need of replacement, and after considering all the options, the company chose a Siemens AC drive-motor combination for the upgrade. [ + ]

Enware Australia has made its largest export delivery to date, delivering more than 700 of its Australian designed and manufactured emergency safety showers along with associated safety equipment to the $US10.8 billion Ma'aden aluminium complex in Saudi Arabia. [ + ]

One of the toughest challenges for a petroleum refinery is to select the best combination of components to produce cost-effective, on-spec petroleum products.

The ability of a robot to sense and feel objects the way our skin does may soon be within reach. [ + ]

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) last week presented a panel which discussed the future of manufacturing in Australia. Lauren Davis reports. [ + ]

Manufacturing has a long history in Australia and is a vital part of our economy. However, we have seen a downturn in the manufacturing sector over recent years and we need to address this urgently. But why do we care and what can be done about it? [ + ]

Like most manufacturers in Australia, the ever-increasing cost of electricity was a huge factor when deciding on a new compressor for Aquaknect Flexible's plant. [ + ]