Drives & Controls September 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 October issue of Drives & Controls will contain a special section devoted to developments in machine-building, as well as round-ups of recent applications in precision engineering and motion control, and news from the water industry. UPDATE 14 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 52 Gambica column 53 New Products 55 Multimedia and Design Data 56 Appointments 57 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 24 18 8 50 DRIVES & CONTROLS September 2022 Vol 38 No 8 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 36 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 Robotics What do robots have to do with sustainability? Is automation good for the planet? The founder of an automation design company considers these questions, illustrating his arguments with real-world case studies. 27 Energy efficiency Using inverters to cut hydraulic energy use by up to 90%, plus how a Norwegian hospital is going greener by converting to CO 2 -based heating and cooling, and an electric ferry sets a new world distance record. 34 Food and beverage How automation can help to tackle the food and beverage skills shortage. Plus using automation to enhance existing food factories, revolutionising fresh fish supply chains with robots, and how to decorate 10,000 biscuits in an hour. 43 Service and Repairs How keeping your inverters clean can avoid downtime – not only from failing inverters needing to be replaced, but also from the mechanical damage they can cause to other components. Plus, a look at how to shrink the end-of-life environmental footprints of motors and drives. 46 PPMA Show preview The PPMA Total processing and packaging machinery show takes place at the NEC later this month, with more than 350 stands promoting the latest manufacturing technologies from 2,000 brands. 48 Engineering Design Show preview Next month the Engineering Design Show will be celebrating its tenth anniversary when it returns to its Coventry venue. The organisers are inviting you to join the party. 50 Robotics Specifying the peripheral components for robot installations – such as vision systems and grippers – is as important as the arms themselves. An expert offers some advice. 48 43 46