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 system without 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 2024 NEXT ISSUE The March issue of Drives & Controls will contain a report on applications in the food and beverage sector, coverage of the latest developments in bearings, belts and chains, plus a look at the world of building services and HVAC. UPDATE 12 Comment 13 ABB Back to Basics 45 Gambica Column 46 New Products 48 Design Data and Multimedia 49 Products & Services IN DEPTH Follow us on X @DrivesnControls Drives Magazine Web site www.drivesncontrols.com Follow us on LinkedIn @ Drives & Controls Join us on Facebook Drives & Controls Drives& Controls REGULARS DfAmedia group 40 34 24 14 6 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS February 2024 Vol 40 No 2 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 Operations Manager Emma Floyd t: 01732 370340 e: emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk Marketing Manager Hope Jepson t: 01732 370340 e: hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Financial Finance Department t: 01732 370340 e: accounts@dfamedia.co.uk ADVERTISING Sales Director Damien Oxlee t: 01732 370342 m: 07951 103754 e: damien.oxlee@dfamedia.co.uk Sales Manager Peter Sayer t: 01732 370341 m: 07802 583726 e: peter.sayer@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 5 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 14 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 24 SPS show report Germany’s SPS automation mega-show is showing signs of returning to its pre-pandemic scale, despite difficulties in the German industrial market. We look at some of the key technologies, developments and trends on show at the 2023 event, which took place in November. 32 Robotics and Automated Manufacturing In a special feature, we report on how a Japanese manufacturer of aluminium profiles has installed an array of two-armed cobots to perform assembly tasks previously done by hand, boosting productivity by 20%. Plus we examine the future for piece-picking robots and bust seven automation myths. 38 Sensors We explain how incorporating Teds (transducer electronic datasheet) chips in sensors can avoid the costly and time-consuming need for calibration. Plus, how a Scottish producer of bi-metal strip materials has adopted a laser-based technology to measure the thickness of the strip. 43 Hazardous Areas Powdery materials such as sugar and flour can cause massive explosions in processing plants if not handled correctly. An expert explains the vital role that materials-handling equipment can play in improving worker safety and reducing the risk of explosive incidents when transporting such materials. 44 Talking Industry After appearing as a zone at Manufacturing & Engineering Week in 2023, the Drives & Controls show can be found in its own hall at the NEC in June as part of the recently renamed Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week. We look forward to what visitors can expect to see at the show. 46 43 21,157 Average net circulation January to December 2022 45 44
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