Drives & Controls June 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 Manufacturing Media Ltd 2022 NEXT ISSUE The July/August issue of Drives & Controls will contain our annual Buyer’s Guide – the industry “bible” for motion control and power transmission engineers, telling you who makes and sells what in the automation and allied sectors. We will also be looking at developments in the transportation sector, and in robotics and automated manufacturing. 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 28 26 16 5 46 DRIVES & CONTROLS June 2022 Vol 38 No 6 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 33 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. 26 Automation Tesla’s journey to becoming one of the world’s most successful car-makers has been marked by extreme lows and highs. An expert recounts how the company used automation and robotics to claw its way back from what Elon Musk called its“production hell”to becoming the world’s sixth-largest enterprise. 28 Communications and Networking Wireless networks are becoming more popular in industry but they entail risks. We offer advice on how to ensure that wireless LANs will operate reliably. Plus how CC-Link IE is helping to control power at HS2’s London terminus, and how open architectures could speed the rollout and cut the costs of 5G. 33 Monitoring Williams Racing has installed new sensor and control technologies at its Oxfordshire wind tunnel facility, unlocking insights into the performance and efficiency of the facility, while minimising downtime. We report on the installation. 34 Mechanical Power Transmission Ensuring efficient, reliable connections between shafts is paramount for system reliability and to avoid costly redesigns. An expert explores what designers need to consider when specifying couplings. 38 Talking Industry Modern maintenance practices formed the cornerstone of recent Talking Industry events, both live and online. The maintenance session at Talking Industry Live, at the Drives and Controls show in April, was followed by the 12th virtual event. Consultant editor Andy Pye reports on both. 41 System Integration and Panel Building There are different requirements when designing switchboards for use on- board sea-going vessels, compared to land-based installations. A recent project involving a new-build Scottish trawler illustrates some of these challenges. And how safety interlocks are vital for users of laser equipment. 41 34 38