Pit and the Pendolino
Two years ago, Leighton Buzzard-based Harmill Systems won an unusual project - a rail-mounted seat for the London Underground Waterloo and City depot inspection pit. Within months, that turned into a plant lifting and manipulator project for maintenance crews. Then Taiwan's high-speed rail got wind of it - and ordered motorised versions to hugely accelerate inspection of the underside of its trains in service.
Material world
New materials are being investigated for coal-fired power plants as their owners and operators seek to reduce emissions, using alternative fuels and carbon capture technologies.
Load and behold
Automated truck loading machines can be used as alternatives to forklift trucks and pallet trucks. How does this machinery work, and what installation and training requirements are needed?
Driving forward
Forklift truck manufacturer Combilift has opened its brand-new global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Ireland. (NOTE: This article was originally printed in Manufacturing Management magazine)
Flixborough revisited
Forty years on from the Flixborough disaster, Brian Tinham looks at the lessons learned then and since – and the repercussions for safety throughout the process industries.
Future fuels?
Materials handling is a sweet spot for hydrogen fuel cells, according to one expert. They've been introduced in the US, with proven benefits, so why haven't they taken off in the UK? Laura Cork reports
Cleaning up
Leaks and uncontrolled releases of diesel can have major impacts on nature and the environment if they aren’t dealt with properly. Luckily there are different measures, products and services available for operators and businesses in dealing with such problems