www.bfpa.co.uk 57 digital technology in our homes and our cars, we can start to build a picture of how much life has changed. The availability of information has never been so great and there are people willing to give their knowledge away for free. In terms of machine operation skills, autonomous vehicles will come, and that will have a significant impact on machine design. It is the protection of the operator that defines how machines look and operate. There was a time before electrohydraulic controls were introduced when machine operators took weeks to become safe and years to become efficient. That has already changed as machine control software now offers pseudo control, a perception that the operator is in control when the reality is that the software is controlling the machine based on a basic set of inputs from the operator. If we now contemplate how design engineering will function when the machines run for longer, accelerate and move more aggressively, and recover themselves if they fall over, we can see a different approach emerging. The same principles of system performance will apply. We are not changing the laws of physics, but we must consider paradigm shifts as all types of machines are put into service, completing functions reliably, repeatedly and extremely efficiently. Sustainability At the time of writing, we are seeing a slowdown and some signs of a reversal of sustainability initiatives. One major petroleum company is rolling back its efforts on renewable energy, electric vehicle sales have stalled, and the US Administration has signalled its intent with the statement “drill, baby drill”. We should not think that the sustainability drive is over or that we can all go back to the way things used to be; things were not great. Motion control is a key driver in terms of sustainability. The acquisition of large volumes of data pursuant to machine control is a major part of how motion control systems function and the outcomes that the systems can deliver. There is more to discuss on efficiency, but for the aspect of sustainability, efficiency as a simple mathematical equation is at the heart of the discussion on sustainability. Aesthetics is a human construct that holds sway in sustainability. When machines are autonomous and out of sight of humans, there will be no concern about how machines look and feel; there is no need for chemical-based paints, plastics, or excessive materials that are there simply to improve the experience of the human operator or observer. As robots do now, future autonomous machines that will be the outcome of the current transition to motion control, will be more efficient in the use of energy and they will be more productive. Furthermore, they will be sustainable. Energy efficiency An internal combustion engine is, at best, 33% efficient. Battery technology is not moving forward quickly. Hydrogen storage is technologically difficult and hazardous. Wind turbines are either ugly or beautiful, you decide, but they are certainly not low cost or always available. Solar power is good if the sun is shining, but let’s not get silly, we live in the UK. The planet’s future is not about how energy is created; it’s about how it is used. Motion control solutions play a vital role in how energy is consumed in the most efficient way possible. If you drive a modern car, you will know 0114 349 0766 | info@plascompo.com | www.plascompo.com SPECIALISTS IN HOSE PROTECTION SPIRALS • HDPE • NYLON • PVC • FLAME RETARDENT • MSHA • EN 45545 • COLOURS • TWO COLOUR • FLAT PROFILE • DOMED PROFILE SLEEVING • POLYPROPYLENE • POLYESTER • POLYAMIDE • VELCRO FIXING • FIRE SLEEVE • PVC SLEEVE • POLYURETHANE SLEEVE • OVERBRAIDS • STAINLESS • GALVANISED All made in Europe & UK
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