Machine builders and original equipment manufacturers needing to incorporate controls in their designs had limited options until the introduction of 'smart relays'

Stainless steel is an attractive material for a variety of applications, usually due to the corrosion resistance and strength but sometimes also for aesthetics. However, designers that are new to stainless steel can find the choice of grades confusing. Alistair Rae provides an overview of the different types, typical applications and recent developments

Nobody wants a threaded fastener to fail. Paul Stevens reports on some of the latest developments for ensuring that threaded fasteners are tightened correctly and do not lose their tension over time

Ophir Photonics Group introduces BeamTrack, industry's first laser power/position/size sensors

Frank Wiele outlines the benefits of using a flange connector system which simplifies assembly, maintenance and subsequent modification costs

Magnetism stops welding. Then the old 'black magic' begins. John Anderson reviews the causes and some solutions without recourse to witch doctors

Glen Robertson describes a dramatic approach to health and safety intervention in the offshore sector

A new plant design suite can help reduce wasted engineering hours, says Derry Vaughan

Start-up, shutdown and transition actions are often the most dangerous periods of operation in the process industries. Ian Curtis argues that companies could consider reducing the potential for human error by employing automated control through safety permissive sequencing at such times of high risk

Placing staff and contractors in high risk locations needs to be based on high quality and timely information and backed up by detailed emergency planning. The two allow for proactive solutions that can be implemented smoothly in the face of rapidly changing circumstances. Nick Stocker reports

The world depends for much of its energy supply on oil and gas extracted from beneath the seabed. New technology for installing production platforms offshore provides a welcome reduction in costs

Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey launches 110ft research vessel for marine surveying

Jo Firth looks at an integrated geophysical approach to characterising shale gas reservoirs

PE42750 addresses FCC 15.115 isolation spec, offers unpowered operation for broadband TV applications

The gear drives feature heavy-duty sealed ball bearings, 1:1, 2:1 or 3:2 ratios

RockTron and Eurostar Engineering Plastics announced grade of polypropylene containing RockTron's 100 per cent recycled Eco-Mineral Fillers

Features PTFE seats and seals for longer life and leak-free operation and a blowout-proof stem for added safety

Tool for process development and automated production in many sectors including chemical industry

Inspection and measurement of underground pipes such as gas, water and sewerage, and rainwater drainage pipes