ENCYCLOPEDIA
Equipment guides
Definitions, operating principles, key specifications and selection criteria for industrial equipment, organised by industry and category.
Browse by industry
Start from the industry, then narrow to a category.
Automation & control
PLCs, control systems, robotics and industrial automation technologies.
0 GUIDES
Material handling
Conveyors, cranes, AS/RS and systems for moving, storing and handling goods.
1 GUIDE
Pumps, valves & piping
Pumps, valves, pipework and associated equipment for industrial fluid systems.
1 GUIDE
Electrical equipment
Motors, drives, switchgear and industrial power distribution equipment.
2 GUIDES
Measurement & testing
Sensors, instruments and test equipment for monitoring, control and quality assurance.
1 GUIDE
Materials & manufacturing
Industrial materials, processing technologies and manufacturing equipment.
0 GUIDES
Featured guides
Browse all categoriesVariable frequency drives
A variable frequency drive (VFD) controls motor speed by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the motor.
Read the guideElectric motors
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation.
Read the guideProximity sensors
A proximity sensor detects the presence of an object without physical contact.
Read the guideCentrifugal pumps
A centrifugal pump uses a rotating impeller to add energy to a fluid and move it through a system.
Read the guideStacker cranes
A stacker crane is an automated storage machine that moves along an aisle to place and retrieve loads in high-bay racking.
Read the guideAll categories
Topic areas across the industries. A category becomes a guide only after it is written from sources and reviewed.
Automation & control
17 CATEGORIESMaterial handling
17 CATEGORIESPumps, valves & piping
17 CATEGORIESElectrical equipment
17 CATEGORIESMeasurement & testing
16 CATEGORIESMaterials & manufacturing
16 CATEGORIESWhat each guide covers
Short entries give a clear definition and link to deeper guides. Full guides follow the same structure.
Definition
A direct definition in the opening paragraph, with synonyms and abbreviations explained.
How it works
The operating principle and main components in plain language.
Types
The main types and what distinguishes them.
Key specifications
What each parameter means, its unit, how it is measured and how it affects the application.
Selection criteria
Trade-offs and the questions to ask a supplier before you decide.
Sources and review
References, the date of the last review and who reviewed it, shown only when a review took place.
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