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In this day and age, when we rely more and more on technology and artificial intelligence, it is refreshing to see that even simple common sense and human intelligence can come up with a smart and effective solution. An example of such a solution is blown thermal insulation.

What is blown insulation?

Blown insulation is a modern way of insulating buildings, when insulating material in the form of flakes or granules is applied to the cavities and spaces of the structure using a special machine. The insulation thus fills even hard-to-reach places and creates a continuous thermal insulation layer without gaps.

Advantages of blown insulation

Effective insulation: Blown-in insulation achieves excellent thermal insulation properties, which reduces the heat loss of the building and leads to energy savings for heating and air conditioning.
Application in hard-to-reach places: Thanks to blowing, the insulation reaches hard-to-reach places, such as cavities in ceilings, pitched roofs, walls and floors.
Quick and easy installation: The application of blown insulation is relatively quick and easy, so it does not cause unnecessary mess and noise.
Environmental friendliness: Many materials for blown insulation are made from recycled materials and are environmentally friendly.
Long service life: Blown insulation has a long service life if properly designed and maintained.
Common sense in practice:

Blown insulation is an example of a smart and effective solution that is based on common sense. Instead of complex technologies and expensive materials, it relies on the simple principle of filling cavities with insulating material. The result is insulation that is efficient, ecological and affordable.

Cracks in concrete floors are a common problem that can have various causes, whether it is subsoil settlement, concrete shrinkage, incorrect design of the structure, or mechanical damage. Regardless of the cause, it is important to repair cracks in time and properly to prevent further spread and deterioration of the floor.

Types of cracks and their impact

Static cracks: These cracks are not caused by structural movement and usually do not propagate. Their repair consists in injection with epoxy resin or another suitable strengthening substance.
Dynamic cracks: They occur due to the movement of the structure and require more complex repair. This includes cutting and widening the crack, inserting steel clips and then filling with epoxy resin.

The method of repairing cracks in a concrete floor depends on several factors

Type of crack: Static cracks are easier to repair than dynamic cracks.
Crack size and depth: Larger and deeper cracks require more difficult repair.
Crack Location: Cracks in exposed areas with heavy traffic require a more durable repair.
Required level of strength: The repair should restore the required bearing capacity and stability of the floor.

Crack repair methods

Epoxy resin grouting: Epoxy resin flows into the crack and, after hardening, strengthens and stabilizes it.
Insertion of steel clips: Steel clips are used to reinforce and stabilize cracks in dynamic structures.
Filling cracks with mortar: For smaller cracks, mortar is used, which, after hardening, is flush with the surface of the floor.
Covering cracks: In exposed areas, cracks can be covered with steel sheets or other covering materials.

Important aspects of repair

Before the repair, it is necessary to find out and remove the cause of the cracks. Otherwise, cracks may reappear.
The repair should be carried out by an experienced specialist using appropriate materials and technologies.
After the repair, it is necessary to follow the instructions for curing and loading the repaired area.

Staining wood is a popular technique that allows you to highlight its natural beauty and structure. An important part of the staining process is the drying of the stain, which affects the final appearance and properties of the wood.
In addition to temperature, which is generally known as a factor affecting the drying of the stain, the hardness of the wood and humidity also play an important role.

Effect of temperature

Higher temperature: Shortens the drying time of the stain.
Lower temperature: Extends the drying time of the stain.

Effect of wood hardness

Hardwood: The stain dries more slowly.
Soft wood: Stain dries faster.

Influence of humidity

High humidity: Extends the drying time of the stain and can lead to uneven staining.
Low humidity: Reduces the drying time of the stain and promotes uniform coloring.

Tips for optimal drying of the stain

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: On the stain label, you will find the recommended temperature and humidity for optimal drying.
Provide adequate ventilation: Good air circulation will speed up the drying process.
Do not use the stain in direct sunlight: High temperature and UV radiation can cause uneven coloring.
Check the moisture content of the wood before staining: The moisture content of the wood should be between 8% and 12%.
Apply a thin layer of stain: Thin layers dry faster and more evenly.
Allow the wood to rest after applying the stain: The resting time is indicated on the stain label.
Knowing the factors affecting the drying of the stain will help you achieve optimal appearance and property.

The Odysseus module, which made space history last week as the first private spacecraft to make a soft landing on the moon, broke its leg and then flipped over while landing on the lunar surface. According to the AP agency, this was stated by its manufacturer, the American company Intuitive Machines. However, it cannot be ruled out that the scientific work of the apparatus may continue even later.

The company expected the module to operate for at least a week overall, but now it says it is nearing a complete loss of power and will shut down operations with the coming lunar night — probably „today“ (Thursday, February 29), the AP wrote. However, not necessarily forever…

Intuitive Machines released images of the Odysseus lander alongside the IM-1 mission status press conference it held with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Wednesday evening – six days after the module landed.

The Nova-C spacecraft had too much speed during the landing maneuver near the south pole of the Moon, skidded and then overturned. This disrupted communications with Earth and the power capability, but data was still obtained from all six NASA science instruments on board.

Less than 20 meters separated the two satellites in Earth orbit on Wednesday, otherwise they would have collided. One of them is Russian, retired, the other American, functioning, but without the ability to maneuver. If the collision occurred, 2,000 to 7,000 pieces of debris could be created, threatening at least other satellites in orbit. The situation once again highlighted the problem of space debris.

California-based low-orbiting object tracking company LeoLabs has reported that two satellites nearly collided this week: NASA’s Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics Mission (TIMED) satellite and Russia’s defunct Kosmos 2221 satellite.

According to NASA, „the dead Russian spy satellite Kosmos 2221 came uncomfortably close to the TIMED spacecraft studying Earth’s atmosphere at 7:34 a.m. CET on Wednesday, February 28.“

The satellites flew past each other extremely close at a height of about 608 kilometers above the Earth – apparently only 17 meters, according to data from the company LeoLabs. At the same time, both devices move at a speed of around 28,000 km/h.

It was their closest flyby anyway, and now their expected orbits around Earth are drifting apart, NASA wrote after confirming the objects had finally passed safely.

The agency warned in advance about the close flyby and the potential risk of a crash.

High variability and different batch sizes can be a challenge for many contract manufacturers, but not for Microart. The precision part manufacturer achieves efficient machining with flexible capacity using digital structures and automated Hermle five-axis machining centers.

Microart

Microart, with 180 employees, produces precision parts from aluminum, stainless steel, and special alloys, as well as from highly robust materials such as titanium, mostly in small batches of 50 to 2,000 pieces. All components are intended for the capital goods sector, especially for mechanical engineering and machine tools, but also for electrical engineering and process engineering.

Dr. Alexander Artmann founded Microart in 2007 with the help of his father. Michael Kerscher has also been with the company from the beginning. The engineer is still responsible for the company’s finances and is its driving force. Originally, the company focused on supporting tool manufacturers in the high-precision sector. „We then developed quite quickly into the field of machining precision parts and abandoned the original idea,“ says the company founder and managing director. Hermle has been with them from the very beginning: „Michael Kerscher and my father come from the tool manufacturing industry and knew about the reliability and performance of Hermle machining centers in terms of precision and good service. So we started right away with a C 40 U machine,“ says Artmann. Today, Microart has a fleet of 25 Hermle milling centers – the latest seven are automated by two RS 2L robotic systems.

Digitalization and automation

Artmann sees digitalization as the foundation of automation. „Without digitalization, automation is not possible today,“ he says. „The data from the machines, the software, and the employees must be connected and exchanged. This is the only way to achieve the efficiency and flexibility that are essential for us.“

Microart uses a variety of digital tools to achieve this. The company has implemented an ERP system and a document management system, and it has also digitalized the entire tool cycle. This includes everything from the design of the tools to their procurement, maintenance, and disposal.

Automated machining

Microart uses automation to increase productivity and flexibility. The company has two robotic systems from Hermle that load and unload the machining centers. This frees up employees to focus on more complex tasks, such as tool setting and quality control.

The automation also makes it possible to produce small batches efficiently. „We can produce even small batches with the same efficiency as large batches,“ says Artmann. „This is because we can use the same machines and processes for both.“

Microart is a good example of how digitalization and automation can help contract manufacturers to achieve high efficiency and flexibility. The company has invested in a strong digital infrastructure and automated machining to meet the needs of its customers.

The development of machine elements does not have just one common denominator. Elesa+Ganter strives to cover the widest possible spectrum of industries with its production and expands its product range with new product groups every year. One of the main trends is undoubtedly the electrification of products for the purpose of ensuring higher safety, greater efficiency, and more reliable workflow processes.

Several examples from the wide range of electrified standardized parts by Elesa+Ganter. During 2023, the company launched a long series of elements specifically for the food industry, supplying these elements with various certificates, expanding the range of parts made from self-extinguishing plastics, and the range of elements designed for environments that require compliance with the Atex standard. This manufacturer also introduced a number of entirely new product groups, such as modular hose systems or transmission systems with gear wheels and racks, and is planning profile systems for 2024. However, if there was one most apparent and recurring trend, it was the electrification of products. Targeting safety and the need for feedback in the form of an electrical signal is clearly something that this manufacturer will continue to develop extensively in the future.

The signaling handle M.2000-SWM and the electronic hinge CFSW help to increase operational safety. Intelligent electrified machine parts from Elesa+Ganter ensure higher safety, greater efficiency, and more reliable workflow processes. Do you need information about the engagement of a pin or plunger? Handles with a signal light? Oil level indicators that provide not only visual information but also an electrical signal thanks to reed contacts? It can be said with certainty that Elesa+Ganter’s standardized parts are becoming more functional – specifically multifunctional. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, such as remote monitoring of fill levels and temperatures in hydraulic tanks, displaying process situations, or reporting the positions of parts in machines.

For example, the intelligent positioning screw GN 251.2 with an integrated end position switch reports whether the workpieces are precisely positioned in the machining process. The spring plunger GN 817.6 and its pneumatically operated alternative, the indexing plunger GN 817.7, send a signal as soon as the plunger is extended. The electronic hinge CFSW, which allows for the design of a system with a safety integrity level of up to SIL 3 and meeting the requirements for machine safety necessary for inclusion in category 4 according to EN 954-1, can ensure operational safety. These hinges can be frequently cleaned and used in any location or environment where special hygiene requirements are imposed. This is achieved through the use of stainless steel in the elements that close the body of the hinge and also thanks to the IP67 protection rating. Similar security can be provided by the signaling handle M.2000-SWM. The design is ergonomic and compact, the body is made of technopolymer with certified self-extinguishing properties (class V0 according to UL 94 standard), and the monostable safety switch allows for proper interruption of the power circuit. All this ensures maximum safety for the operator. Moreover, the handle significantly signals the current status to the operator and staff.

Enter the revolutionary era of industrial transformation where the real world intersects with digital reality to benefit efficiency and innovation. At the heart of this evolution are two key players: ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies. This synergistic alliance not only brings a new dimension to industrial processes but also opens the door to numerous possibilities for evaluating and optimizing production.

Advertisement IoT technology, a network of smart sensors, is key to connecting the real manufacturing environment with the digital sphere. These sensors monitor every detail, recording temperatures, pressures, movements, and many other parameters, thereby creating an extensive database of operational data. This raw data is then transferred to the ERP system, which serves as a central point where all information converges.

This system becomes not only a central data repository but also the brain of operations. Business Intelligence (BI) in the ERP system takes the initiative in analyzing these data and transforms them into comprehensible information. This means that every sensor signal or piece of data is thoroughly evaluated, visualized, and used to optimize operational processes. Or at least it can be, as not every ERP system is capable of this and not every system is ready for the challenges of the industrial revolution. However, the K2 ERP system is prepared for the era of digitalization and automation.

One of the most effective tools in the area of production evaluation is OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), a performance indicator for machines that provides an overall view of equipment efficiency. Thanks to sensors and integration into the ERP system, you can not only monitor machine performance in real-time but also identify opportunities for improvement and minimize losses. However, it should be noted that the most important player in this area is the human. They must set certain boundaries for the evaluative part so that the final calculation of OEE indicators – including performance, quality, and availability – is unbiased and, most importantly, that the evaluation is sustainable in the long term. The person, typically responsible for manufacturing processes, should also be responsible for the precise definition of the calculation that will then serve as a primary basis for managing process changes.

Returning to automation/digitalization, another possibility that the ERP system opens up is monitoring and planning maintenance. Data from sensors can significantly benefit the introduction of so-called predictive maintenance, meaning that you can intervene in the system before an unpleasant event such as a breakdown and the resulting machine downtime occurs. This not only minimizes outages and repairs but also reduces the overall costs of machine maintenance and product manufacturing.

Thanks to the synergy of ERP and IoT, including the human role, an optimal manufacturing environment is created where every data point has its significance and outcome and contributes to the overall efficiency of production. This integration allows companies to gain a comprehensive view of manufacturing operations, identify areas for improvement, and bring innovations for growth and competitiveness.

Management and Control, Production and Technology, Industry 4.0 & Education Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly recognizing the advantages of industrial robots, with user-friendliness and costs being decisive factors in their selection. And as major automobile manufacturers have long relied on extensive robotization, these robots regularly enter the used machinery market. Purchasing used robots represents a cost-effective solution not only for SMEs.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the deployment of robotics is experiencing a shift: whereas previously its main users were large companies, especially from the automotive industry, now there is growing interest among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This development is driven by the need to remain competitive. The benefits of robotics in manufacturing include ensuring consistent quality with fewer defective products and efficiency, which is reflected in lower production costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Additionally, robotics can also help reduce the shortage of skilled workers.

Used industrial robots mainly come from the automotive industry, as major automobile manufacturers are pioneers in integrating robots into production. Advantages of Used Robots for SMEs According to the IFR, user-friendliness and the cost of robots are crucial for SMEs. In this context, used equipment offers significant advantages. They are more affordable than new models, making them attractive for smaller budgets. Moreover, used robots typically contain proven technologies and are tested and optimized for a wide range of different applications. This reduces the risk of compatibility issues and simplifies integration into existing production lines. Another advantage is their availability: Used robots can often be delivered more quickly than new ones.

One of the platforms where used industrial robots are offered is Surplex.com. Surplex is one of the leading B2B auction houses for used machines in Europe – including industrial robots. Several auctions are held in this sector every month. Most of the robots sold come from renowned automobile manufacturers. Surplex offers comprehensive services covering the entire sales process to every seller, regardless of size or industry. Surplex also provides similar support to buyers, for instance, by helping clarify questions related to transport and customs clearance.

High-quality equipment from renowned manufacturers FANUC and KUKA comes from the production plant of a Czech automobile manufacturer. Each articulated robot is offered with a suitable switchgear, control panel, and cable set. The machines can be viewed by prior arrangement in Hodonín, Czech Republic. The auction is characterized by the absence of minimum prices, which allows small and medium-sized enterprises to acquire high-quality industrial robots at competitive prices.

Potential Uses of Robots in SMEs These robots, with a load capacity of 125 kg and more, originally valued in the automotive industry for their precision and load capacity, open up a wide range of applications in other industrial sectors – especially in the areas of material handling and assembly. For example, they can be used for precise gripping, moving, and positioning of parts in various production processes. In addition, they are very precise and efficient in welding.

The flexibility and economy of these robots make them a valuable investment for SMEs looking for ways to automate and optimize their production processes. The acquisition of these robots, originating from the automotive industry, offers companies not only an expansion of their existing capabilities but also opens up new possibilities for use in various industrial areas.

In the era of digitalization and Industry 4.0, data has become a key element of success in most industrial sectors. This is particularly true in the field of robotics, where effective data mining can mean the difference between successful operation and production downtime. But what exactly does data mining mean for robotics?

Experts in robotics, robot manufacturers, mechanical engineers, and end-users have the most valuable knowledge about their systems. Data mining is a process that allows these experts to gain valuable information from extensive datasets. Data mining involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, enabling them to better understand operational conditions and perform effective analyses.

SCOPE – A Data-Driven Solution Supported by Expertise

SCOPE is more than just a data mining tool. Its open data interface allows easy connectivity with other MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. This enables collaboration between various stakeholders and real-time data sharing.

The SCOPE solution utilizes a decentralized Edge system that ensures users retain ownership of their data. Open data routing functions through HTTP, WebSocket, or MQTT protocols offer full connectivity to any compatible MES or ERP layer for further local exploration or tasks such as email or SMS notifications.

The SCOPE system enables the connection of up to 50 robots into a single functional unit. This innovative hardware platform creates a bridge between robots and various system layers. As a result, users can better coordinate and manage their robotic fleet.

SCOPE continuously analyzes the status and load of robots, alerts upcoming maintenance, and offers an overview of production resources for better control of the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). This proactive approach ensures problems are detected in advance, before they become an issue, helping manufacturing enterprises achieve more efficient and smarter processes and moving the entire operation a step closer to zero downtime.

In its short time on the market, SCOPE has already gained a number of references. One such case involved an initially inexplicable problem of irregular production of defective parts on a line. An analysis of the force data deviation from the average value during the placement of parts onto the carrier revealed that all affected parts were produced on the same carrier, which was bent.

An example of data mining usage: Data analysis from production revealed that the problem repeatedly occurred with parts manufactured on the same carrier. Identifying similar issues can also use the carrier’s identification number (e.g., barcode reader), product serial number (e.g., production tracking), product quality feedback (in the simplest case, good/bad part, e.g., control camera), or the aforementioned deviation from the average value of force when placing parts on the carrier (e.g., reading the robot motor’s current).

Using the autonomous SCOPE system for data mining is an essential step in gaining valuable insights from data, allowing industrial experts to better understand their systems and perform effective analyses. This achieves higher productivity, efficiency, and quality of production, which is the path to success in the modern industry.