Suction plate ensures even vacuum distribution A new suction plate is flat to within 15 pm, enabling pieces such as soft components or thin sheets to be picked up without warping

Spring loaded buffer saves tiny fingers from sliding doors A safety device provides an automatic stop to protect children's fingers beingtrapped by patio doors and stops damage to a door mechanism

Self-levelling suspension for streetwise tractor JCB designers looked at a farm tractor design from a different angle and came up with the Fastrac. Contributing editor Norman Bartlett talked to the engineering manager, David Brown, to find out where the major changes were made