Articles
Robot-human interactivity success crucial for automation
The operation of an automated machine or system must be as simple and convenient as possible due to a number of productivity reasons. The interfaces of a system must quickly and clearly show how efficiently work can be performed
[ + ]New electrical test standard designed to save lives
Faulty electrical cables present the greatest risk of electrocution of any equipment in a business and the risk of shock can result from nothing more than normal wear and tear due to daily usage
[ + ]Machine vision eyes the future
Image processing is becoming an ever more important area for production and assembly. Industrial image processing is enjoying above-average growth. High innovations potential and sector-specific developments are further promoting this boom
[ + ]Testing the testers
Quality auditors, when assessing an organisation to ISO 9001, expect to find that measuring equipment is within its calibration interval and that the performance of the equipment is suitable for its application
[ + ]Revolutionising maintenance with RCM
Over the years, several myths and misunderstandings have arisen about reliability-centred maintenance (RCM). Against a background of having to do more with less, RCM offers a proven and robust means for industry to obtain maintenance 'value for money'
[ + ]National Manufacturing Week 2004 preview
Australia's premier annual trade exhibition for the manufacturing industry, National Manufacturing Week (NMW 2004), is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere
[ + ]Pulp and papermaking: future trends in equipment and processes
Future trends in equipment and processes in the pulp and paper industry must be viewed against the background of changing economic and social global developments. Chief among these is the investors' demand for a better financial performance
[ + ]Oils ain't oils
The wrong lubricant, or the correct lubricant applied in the wrong manner, can halt plant operations. With so much at stake, making sure that the right lubricant is used at the right time is critical
[ + ]Maximising your warehousing systems
The last decade has seen a shift towards smaller orders, more often. This trend puts the onus back onto the distributor to ensure that enough stock is being held or can be sourced quickly enough to support the variable demand
[ + ]Micro-machines advance electronics
Tiny machines could be used to revolutionise the manufacture of electronic devices such as minute 'invisible' hearing aids and the new generation of video mobile phones
[ + ]Modern controllers driving continuous plant improvement
Many companies are getting far from their best value out of their controllers. They largely limit their use in the main to that of the pure engineering function and miss out totally on their additional use as a key component
[ + ]Beware of bad imitations
Imagine being four and a half weeks into a tight five-week drilling, sand-blasting or construction contract a thousand kilometres from anywhere. You're being paid per hour and you know you'll be pushing it to finish the job on time
[ + ]Remote control of natural gas flow
Envestra Limited's natural gas distribution system in Victoria comprises over 8300 km of natural gas mains and supplies over 400,000 consumers in metropolitan and regional areas
[ + ]Virtual product development - the engine for successful enterprises
Manufacturers today need more than just the next 'big idea'. They need to make that big idea a reality. They need to do it in a business environment that demands faster time-to-market, higher quality, lower costs and greater innovation
[ + ]Towards 2006 - a new age of motor efficiency
New regulatory requirements for induction motors are in the pipeline and promise to raise the bar on motor minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), according to SEW Eurodrive's Frank Cerra
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