Drives & Controls March 2022

50 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 April issue of Drives & Controls will contain a feature on machine vision, a section devoted to developments in conveyors and material-handling, and a look at what’s been happening in the machine-building sector. It will also include the complete catalogue for the upcoming shows at the NEC. UPDATE 12 Comment 15 Back to Basics 60 Gambica column 62 New Products 64 Design Data and Multimedia 65 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 25 18 6 62 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS MARCH 2022 Vol 38 No 3 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 e: emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk Marketing Executive Hope Jepson t: 01732 370340 e: hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Financial Caren Brown t: 01732 370340 e: caren.brown@dfamedia.co.uk ADVERTISING Sales Director Damien Oxlee t: 01732 370342 m: 07951 103754 e: damien.oxlee@dfamedia.co.uk Sales Manager AndyWylie t: 01732 370341 m: 07939 607855 e: andy.wylie@dfamedia.co.uk DFA Direct Ian Atkinson t: 01732 370340 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 29 5 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 16 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 24 Digitalisation How Schneider Electric converted an ageing factory that it operates in North Wales into a digitised plant ready for the future. The upgrade has improved efficiency and productivity, and slashed water and electricity consumption. 26 Food and Beverage The vast amount of data generated by modern food and beverage plants lays the foundation for new operating strategies which analyse the data to generate insights that can boost production. Plus how a Swiss ice cream maker has cut waste and speeded up its operations by upgrading its controls. 32 Bearings, Belts and Chains An expert suggests three ways to cut friction in bearings. Plus advice on how to choose chains that need to operate in arduous conditions, and how to specify conveyor belts for hygienic applications. 38 Building Services Advice on how to monitor HVAC installations in buildings from remote locations, plus a look at how an Irish specialist in automated storage systems is using inverters to control lifts that experience wide variations in temperature at their location in Dubai. 41 Drives & Controls Show Preview A look forward to the cluster of industrial and engineering exhibitions, including the Drives & Controls Show, that are taking place at the NEC next month. 46 32 41 40