Drives and Controls January 2023

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 Group 2023 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 process automation and hazardous areas sectors. UPDATE 12 Comment ABB Back to Basics 43 Gambica Column 45 New Products 47 Design Data and Multimedia 48 Appointments 49 Products & Services IN DEPTH Follow us onTwitter @DrivesnControls Drives MagazineWeb site www.drivesncontrols.com Follow us on LinkedIn @ Drives & Controls Join us on Facebook Drives & Controls Drives & Controls REGULARS D f A mediagroup 34 30 18 6 DRIVES & CONTROLS January 2023 Vol 39 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 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 Media Group 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: info@dfamedia.co.uk www.drivesncontrols.com 41 5 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 17 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 26 Robots Robots are increasingly being adopted as a hedge against the upcoming recession. A technology analyst examines the prospects for collaborative, mobile and social robots. Together, these technologies are expected to generate business worth more than $90bn by 2032. 28 Variable-Speed Drives How VSDs can help to tackle the problem of industrial shredders breaking down when objects get jammed in their teeth. Plus how a biogas power project in Greece is relying on VSDs to control the mixing of animal effluent and food waste, and how the drives and control systems at the UK’s largest pressurised wind tunnel have been upgraded. 34 Gears and Gearboxes Soaring energy prices are affecting the sales and prices of industrial gearboxes and geared motors. An expert examines the factors driving the market. Plus how a Japanese specialist in gearboxes for robots is working on a project that will allow real-time monitoring of these gearboxes using digital models. 40 Packaging One of the biggest challenges facing FMCG manufacturers during packaging redesigns is how to adapt their existing lines to accommodate new materials and formats. We look at some possible answers. Plus two examples of how Scara robots are being used to help with packaging in the food industry. 44 Southern Manufacturing The Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition is returning to its Farnborough venue next month. The 2023 show marks the event’s 25th anniversary. We look at what visitors can expect to find when they attend the exhibition. 45 44 43 46