January 2022

50 42 CONTENTS n Drives&Controls is a controlled circulation publication. If you live in the UK and want to subscribe phone 0333 577 0801 or fax 0845 604 2327. Alternatively for both UK and overseas subscriptions please subscribe online at www.drivesncontrols.com. If you have any enquiries regarding your subscription, please use these numbers. The content of this magazine, website and newsletters do not necessarily express the views of the Editor or publishers.The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising from information in this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or stored in a retrieval systemwithout the written consent of the publishers. Paid subscriptions UK: £110 per annum Europe: £145 per annum Rest of World: £180 per annum Printing: Warners Midlands PLC., PE10 9PH ISSN 0950 5490 Copyright: DFA Media Ltd 2022 NEXT ISSUE The February issue of Drives & Controls will look at what’s happening in the world of robotics and automated manufacturing, report on developments involving sensors and encoders, and bring news from the hazardous areas sector. UPDATE 14 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 44 Gambica Column 46 New Products 48 Design Data and Multimedia 49 Products & Services IN DEPTH Follow us onTwitter @DrivesnControls Drives MagazineWeb site www.drivesncontrols.com Drives ShowWeb site www.drives-expo.com Join us on Facebook Drives & Controls Drives & Controls REGULARS 26 18 5 47 46 DRIVES & CONTROLS JANUARY 2022 Vol 38 No 1 Editor Tony Sacks t: 01732 465367 e: tony@drives.co.uk Consultant Editor Andy Pye t: 07808 137312 e: andy.pye@dfamedia.co.uk Production Manager Sarah Blake t: 01233 770781 e: sarah.blake@dfamedia.co.uk Project Liaison Manager Emma Floyd t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk Financial Caren Brown t: 01732 370340 e: caren.brown@dfamedia.co.uk ADVERTISING Sales Director Damien Oxlee t: 01732 370342 f: 01732 360034 m: 07951 103754 e: damien.oxlee@dfamedia.co.uk Sales Manager AndyWylie t: 01732 370341 f: 01732 360034 m: 07939 607855 e: andy.wylie@dfamedia.co.uk DFA Direct Ian Atkinson t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Italy Oliver & Diego Casiraghi e: info@casiraghi.info t: +39 031 261407 f: +39 031 261380 Managing Director Ryan Fuller t: 01732 370344 e: ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Chief Executive Officer Ian Atkinson t: 01732 370346 e: ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Reader/Circulation Enquiries Perception-MPS Ltd t: 01825 701520 e: cs@perception-sas.com HEAD OFFICE DFA Manufacturing Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: info@dfamedia.co.uk www.drivesncontrols.com 34 5 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 18 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 26 Edge Computing Implementing big data systems is a daunting prospect for many manufacturers. Two experts argue that the best way to solve data problems is to take them one manageable step at a time using edge controllers. 28 Paper and Packaging A Swiss packaging manufacturer has modernised a key paper-making machine using high-efficiency motors and VSDs. The upgrade has boosted productivity and reliability, and cut energy consumption by up to 900MWh a year. 30 Variable-Speed Drives An industry analyst examines three key trends that are driving the low- voltage AC drives market, plus we report on several applications of VSDs, including one that is using large VSD-controlled heat pumps to extract energy from the River Clyde to heat more than 1,200 homes and businesses in the area. 36 Gears and Gearboxes An expert offers advice on choosing the best type of industrial gearbox for your application, and we report on how helical-bevel gearboxes are playing a vital role in a London theatre, ensuring that heavy props are lifted to the stage level reliably and quietly. 42 Automation The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way that we run our lives and our businesses, possibly forever. An industry observer argues that manufacturers need to adopt more automation to operate successfully in the post-pandemic world. 45 Southern Manufacturing Organisers of the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics show expect it to fill its regular venue in Farnborough when it returns next month for the first time since 2020. 45 38 48