ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Should you upgrade your motors to save energy? FOOD AND BEVERAGE: Cultivating tomorrow’s food under a London station SERVICE AND REPAIRS: Failed motor bearing cuts plant output by 25% Drives&Controls AUTOMATION FOR MANUFACTURING INSIDE and protectin , performance motion solutio Perfectly pack g goods. and quality trol, ons; con kaged g g p www SEPTEMBER 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com
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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 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 48 Gambica column 52 New Products 56 Multimedia and Design Data 57 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 38 30 24 16 5 56 DRIVES & CONTROLS September 2024 Vol 40 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 Operations Manager Emma Godden-Wood t: 01732 370340 e: emma.godden-wood@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 and DFA Direct Damien Oxlee t: 01732 370342 m: 07951 103754 e: damien.oxlee@dfamedia.co.uk Sales Manager Sara Gordon t: 01732 370341 m: 07505867211 e: sara.gordon@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 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. 16 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 24 Automation Embarking on an automation project can be a daunting prospect for many manufacturers. But by putting some planning and thought into the process, the journey can become much smoother. An expert outlines six factors that he considers to be essential for integrating automation projects successfully. 27 Energy efficiency Should you upgrade your electric motors simply to save energy? Plus examples of how energy consumption has been reduced in a variety of sectors ranging from Mexico’s tequila industry, to feed milling, and the production of brass hardware and accessories. 36 Food and beverage We report on the world’s first robotic machine designed to slice large sausages. Plus how automation is being used to develop insect-farming technologies in the UK and in Denmark. As well as a machine vision application which is being used to examine ceramic bottle-tops. 38 Service and Repairs How the failure of a motor bearing at a minerals-processing plant resulted in a 25% drop in output – and how this could have been avoided. Plus how a crane at a Dutch port has been given a new lease of life by converting its previous DC drive system to AC motors and drives. 50 PPMA Show preview The PPMA show – the UK’s largest event for processing and packaging machinery, industrial robots and machine vision systems – returns to the NEC later this month. It is expected to attract more than 350 exhibitors and more than 8,000 visitors. 48 Average net circulation January to December 2023 52 54 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 18,942 50 15
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NEWS n 5 US group buys UK’s Sewtec A US-BASED INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GROUP, Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR), is buying the UK company, Sewtec Automation, for an undisclosed sum. Los Angeles based AIR says the acquisition will expand its geographic footprint, strengthen its engineering capabilities and position it to capitalise on the growing global demand for manufacturing automation from a broad range of customers. Sewtec, whose head office is in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, employs more than 170 people and generates annual revenues of more than £30m. The company, founded more than 40 years ago, has a 75,000ft2 (7,000m2) design and manufacturing facility, and operates in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food and beverage and e-commerce. It has supplied more than 7,000 automation systems. Sewtec’s founders came from the Singer Sewing Machines R&D department and set up the company in 1983 to manufacture industrial sewing machines for the automotive sector. In 1990, it sold its first robotic system, and in 1999 entered the tobacco market. In 2003, Sewtec sold its first automation system to the pharmaceutical industry, and in 2007 it entered the medical device and pet care markets. In 2017, the private equity firm, Endless, backed a management buyout at Sewtec. Earlier this year, Sewtec started work on a 16,000ft2 (1,500m2) extension to its headquarters at Silkwood Park, which opened just four years before. The new area was needed to extend the company’s test and assembly capacity. Sewtec will join AIR’s existing portfolio which consists of Totally Automated Systems (TA Systems), located in Michigan, US, and Modular Automation (Modular), located in County Clare, Ireland. AIR now has more than 400 employees and a footprint of around 25,500m2 in the US, Ireland and the UK. By leveraging the engineering experience and capabilities of these hubs, AIR is aiming to deliver industrial automation systems and services to global customers. It expects to expand further through strategic acquisitions of other industrial automation companies, as well as continuing to invest in organic growth. In a joint statement, its executive chairman, Brian Klos, and CEO, Darragh de Stonndún, say that“the acquisition of Sewtec represents a significant milestone for AIR. We have long been admirers of the quality of the automation solutions Sewtec has developed for their loyal customer base. We believe that sharing the respective strengths of Sewtec, TA Systems and Modular through AIR will help accelerate our businesses’ abilities to enhance efficiencies, drive technological innovation and deliver industry-leading automation solutions to our partners.” Mark Cook, joint managing director of Sewtec, has been appointed as AIR’s chief operating officer. “This transaction represents an exciting new chapter in Sewtec’s long history,” he says. “I believe AIR is the right partner for Sewtec as we look to grow our business with existing and new customers.” www.drivesncontrols.com September 2024 A UK start-up which claims it can slash the costs of implementing AMR (autonomous mobile robot) and AGV installations in warehouses, has raised £2m in an oversubscribed funding round. London-based Phinxt Robotics has developed a decentralised AI software system that supports robotic automation at any scale. The company will use the new funds to increase its engineering and sales teams and to start expanding into mainland Europe. The global market for mobile robots is predicted to reach $16bn by 2027, with 2.4 million robots in use by then. Phinxt Robotics says that its cloud-based platform is redefining warehouse automation, streamlining robotic deployments and cutting costs via a monthly subscription model. Traditionally, the use of robots in warehouses has been held back by their high setup costs – often more than £500,000 – and the complexity of site deployment. More than 90% of warehouses are still run manually. Phinxt says it is addressing these challenges with its proprietary technology, which coordinates robots at the edge, simplifying deployments. It supports a variety of robots, allowing users to choose the types that they need. The company claims that initial users have been able to double profit margins and quadruple productivity. One of Phinxt’s early customers is a UK grocery retailer which is expected to sign a multi-year contract following a successful pilot. Phinxt’s long-term vision is to extend beyond automating warehouses to delivery drones and autonomous vehicles. Its edge computing technology allows machines to be coordinated in distributed networks. Phinxt was co-founded in 2022 by CEO Yanwen Chen, who has PhDs in computer science and robotic communications, and Quirino Zagarese, an expert in distributed systems. Chen has developed an algorithm that allows robots to self-orchestrate safely, even if they lose connection to a central network. “Our mission is to revolutionise the logistics industry with our cloud-based platform that seamlessly integrates any type of robot, enabling them to collaborate and coordinate in a shared space without needing a centralised server,” Chen explains. “Our robotagnostic platform supports warehouses at every stage of their automation journey, providing unparalleled flexibility. “We aim to be the gateway for the logistics industry, facilitating the integration of these robots into operations and helping businesses achieve a rapid ROI,” she adds. “By accommodating different types of robots, we ensure that warehouses can optimise tasks from picking to transportation, enhancing productivity.” UK start-up raises £2m for cost-cutting warehouse technology Automated Industrial Robotics is acquiring Yorkshire-based Sewtec Automation
n NEWS September 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 6 A NEW REPORT from the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult predicts what the country’s manufacturing sector could look like in the future if it was built on a foundation of automation and robotics (A&R). The 2050 vision for automation and robotics in UK manufacturing report looks at the current state of A&R in the UK, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as outlining a vision for A&R in the future. The 41page report, produced by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), with contributions from other High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres, argues that there will be widescale adoption of A&R across the sector by 2050. The vision includes: n a decentralised approach to producing goods, with manufacturing processes dispersed across multiple locations or facilities; n designing products with automation and the circular economy in mind; n advances in sensory capabilities and intelligence, driven largely by AI; and n an acceptance of robots working alongside humans or providing support by undertaking tasks that humans do not want to do. The report suggests that by embracing automation and robotics technologies, the UK could improve its productivity and competitiveness, strengthen its supply chains, raise its living standards, and create more jobs with higher salaries. It calls on academics, equipment suppliers and end-users to work together to develop the support services and skills needed to make this happen. “Despite the UK’s strengths in advanced robotics research and AI, the UK needs to ensure that it is not left behind other nations when it comes to implementation,” warns the MTC’s chief automation officer, Mike Wilson. “It is crucial to continue investing in R&D, fostering collaboration, but also ensuring the responsible adoption of A&R technologies to maximise their benefits across the UK and the global manufacturing industry.” You can download the report from https://drivesncontrols.news/2ukt88f4 Report: automation could transform UK industry p Global sales of collaborative robots (cobots) exceeded $1bn during 2023, despite demand recovering more slowly than expected after Covid, according to Interact Analysis. It predicts the market will see a 22% increase in shipments during 2024 and expects growth rates to exceed 20% each year in the period to 2028. Cobot revenues grew by around 11.9% in 2023, despite tough economic conditions and supply chain issues. Demand from the automotive and new energy sectors remained high, but interest from the electronics and semiconductor industry waned. p The Welsh drives-maker Invertek Drives has extended the warranty on its Optidrive VSDs from two to three years, reflecting “confidence in the durability and performance of its products”. The extended warranty covers all new Optidrive drives manufactured after 1 June, 2024. An optional Warranty Plus extension can provide a five-year warranty. p The UK electrical protection and connectors conglomerate nVent Electric is selling its Thermal Management business – which includes the Raychem and Tracer brands – for a $1.7bn in cash to funds managed by the Canadianheadquartered Brookfield Asset Management. nVent will focus on its remaining brands, which include Caddy, Erico, Hoffmann, Ilsco and Schroff. It intends to use the proceeds from the sale – around $1.4bn after tax – for acquisitions and share repurchases. In 2023, the Thermal Management business had sales worth $595m and employed around 1,700 people globally. p Mitsubishi Electric has partnered with Hal Robotics to extend the rollout of operator-controlled robots capable of executing variable, complex and uncommon tasks and applications. Hal recently launched software that gives operators, and those with expert knowledge, the ability to adapt robotic tasks without any programming. It allows them to set up complex toolpaths, simulate and validate procedures, and send programs automatically to robots. The new partnership allows the software to be integrated with Mitsubishi’s sixaxis Melfa robots, giving the ability to automate non-uniform tasks without extensive set-up and training investments. NEWS BRIEFS A BIRMINGHAM AUTOMATION specialist which was a pioneer of plug-and-play robotics has secured £350,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II to help it meet demand from manufacturers wanting to automate their processes, and to expand its team, creating seven new jobs. Mechatronic Production Systems (MechTech) was established 35 years ago to provide bespoke automation systems. It was one of the first to offer off-the-shelf robotics with the launch of its Robopod system in 2014. This system still accounts for almost half of the company’s revenues. Robopod automates repetitive processes such as assembly, ultrasonic welding, glueing, dispensing, inspection and machine tending, and can be adapted and reconfigured for different tasks. Mechatronic currently employs 35 people. The company, which boosted its revenue by 35% in the 12 months to March, is headed by managing director, Tony Parker-Watkins, who led a management buy-out in 2022. MechTech’s backing has come from the £400m Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, operated by the British Business Bank, which supports new and expanding businesses in the Midlands region. The fund provides debt finance from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help SMEs to start up, scale up or stay ahead. The fund provides early-stage finance to firms that might otherwise not receive investment. It works alongside local authorities and enterprise partnerships to support smaller businesses at all stages of their development. Midlands automation firm secures £350,000 from investment fund
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September 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 8 n NEWS THE GERMAN SENSOR MANUFACTURER Sick has formed a joint venture with the Swiss measurement specialist Endress+Hauser covering decarbonisation technologies for process applications. The JV is part of a wider strategic partnership between the companies aimed at supporting the sustainable transformation of the process sector. The deal will see around 800 employees in Sick’s sales and service operation for process automation being transferred to Endress+Hauser. The new announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies in October 2023, which stated their intent to jointly market and develop Sick’s analyser and gas flow meter technologies. They say their portfolios are complementary, allowing them to offer process industry customers a broader range of technologies and services, and a higher pace of innovation. The new joint venture will develop and produce process-related systems for decarbonisation. Sick and Endress+Hauser will each hold a 50% stake in the JV. Sick will contribute its Cleaner Industries production plants, as well as around 730 employees from various sites in Germany, to the JV, which is expected to start operations at the end of this year, providing that it receives approval from the relevant authorities. Until then, there will be no changes for the companies’ process automation customers. Sick’s core business in factory and logistics automation, which accounts for more than 80% of its sales, will not be affected by the partnership, and will benefit from a stronger focus, according to the company. “Our aspiration is to drive the sustainable transformation of the process industry and to support our customers in leveraging the opportunities presented by decarbonisation,” says Sick chairman, Dr Mats Gökstorp. “This strategic partnership opens up opportunities for growth and development for Sick and Endress+Hauser,” adds E+H CEO, Dr Peter Selder. “We are taking this path because by collaborating and networking we can achieve more together in a reasonable amount of time than either side could on its own.” Around 800 Sick employees focusing on Cleaner Industries will transfer to Endress+Hauser sales centres. Sick and E+H form venture to target the process sector Shaping the future of process automation: Sick chairman Dr Mats Gökstorp (left), with Endress+Hauser CEO, Dr Peter Selders UK investor buys NSK bearings biz EVENTS PPMA Show 24–26 September, 2024 NEC, Birmingham The UK's largest event for processing equipment, packaging machinery, industrial robots and machine vision systems is expected to attract more than 370 exhibitors. The show, organised by Automate UK, will include demonstrations of labelling, filling, packaging, processing, robotics, automation and industrial vision systems. www.ppmashow.co.uk MachineBuilding.Live 2 October, 2024 National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham The organisers are promising “the largest array of machine-building technical experts ever assembled in one place at one time in the UK”. The oneday event includes free breakfast to those arriving before 11am, as well as a free pass to visit the Motorcycle Museum. www.machinebuilding.live Engineering Design Show 9-10 October, 2024 Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry Billed as “the UK’s biggest show dedicated to mechanical, electronics and embedded design,” the event gives visitors access to the latest products, services and innovations in the sector. More than 200 exhibitors are expected, and the show includes a free conference and workshops. www.engineeringdesignshow.co.uk Advanced Engineering 2024 30–31 October, 2024 NEC, Birmingham Advanced Engineering UK returns to the NEC, showcasing innovation from the UK’s manufacturing and engineering sector. More than 85% of the available floor space has already taken. In 2023, more than 400 companies exhibited at the show, with a further 202 at the colocated Lab Innovations event. www.advancedengineeringuk.com SPS (Smart Production Solutions) 2024 12-14 November, 2024 Nuremberg, Germany The German automation mega-show is expected to attract around 1,200 exhibitors to its 16 exhibition halls, covering a total area of 125,000m2. Last year’s show drew more than 50,000 visitors. The event spans the spectrum of smart and digital automation, from simple sensors to intelligent systems, offering a vision of a digitalised industrial world. https://sps.mesago.com/events/en.html THE JAPANESE bearings-maker NSK has sold its German Neuweg Fertigung subsidiary to a British investor, Stephen Lord (who has become CEO). Two existing employees, Willi Castro Santanella and Dominik Szell, are now chief financial officer and chief operating officer, respectively. The terms of the deal have not been released. Neuweg specialises in producing small quantities of high-quality rolling bearings. It will be run independently but will continue to work with NSK. Neuweg was founded in 1954 by an agricultural machinery manufacturer and was taken over by NSK in 1990. It produces about three million ball bearings annually, specialising in double-row ball bearings. The company has focused on flexible production of rolling bearing for applications such as agricultural machinery, elevators, sports cars, pumps and compressors. Neuweg develops and manufactures double-row angular contact bearings, as well as fourpoint contact bearings. The new CEO Stephen Lord, has extensive experience in international management. “Our aim is to build on the strong foundation of NSK and utilise the heritage and technical excellence of the Munderkingen plant to expand our global reach,” he says. “Our focus will be on expanding the product portfolio and further improving our efficiency, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability,” adds Szell.
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NEWS n www.drivesncontrols.com September 2024 11 THE WORLD’S MANUFACTURERS will generate 4.4 zettabytes of OT (operational technology) data globally by 2030, according to a new report from ABI Research. This is similar to the amount of data expected to be generated by all mobile phone users around the globe in that year. “In the wake of Industry 4.0, data is becoming the lifeblood of industrial enterprises, driving innovation and efficiency, and the comparison to telecoms consumer data is compelling,” says Leo Gergs, ABI’s principal analyst for hybrid cloud and 5G markets. “The vast volume of data that enterprises generate only reveals part of the picture,” he adds. “OT data in enterprises often involves extremely hazardous environments, where any data malfunction could lead to severe consequences. “On the other hand, a significant portion of data in telecommunications networks consists of cat videos and other entertaining memes. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying Internet memes, OT data in enterprises is crucial for ensuring safety and maintaining business operations.” According to ABI, handling these massive volumes of OT data will require capabilities in three main areas: n Infrastructure and storage Enterprises will need to invest heavily in data storage to handle the large volumes of OT data, and network infrastructures will need to be upgraded to support the high bandwidths needed to transmit the massive amounts of data. n Data management and processing capabilities Sophisticated data management systems will be needed to organise, store and retrieve OT data efficiently. “At present, only a shocking 5% of enterprise OT data is properly utilised due to high friction between data siloes,” Gergs reports. “To maximise the benefit of all their data for advanced use cases such as generative AI, enterprises will demand integration solutions that help tear down the walls of individual data siloes.” Highperformance computing will be essential to process and analyse the data in real-time. n Cybersecurity Large volumes of OT data, often generated by critical infrastructure, present a tempting target for cybercriminals, and will demand robust cybersecurity measures. “The massive IT outage following a malfunctioning CrowdStrike software update laid bare, in a shocking way, the importance of a thorough security strategy and robust data storage and accessibility strategy,” says Gergs. “Enterprises are overwhelmed by the complexity this entails. Therefore, they will turn to digitisation partners to provide these strategies as part of a comprehensive data and cloud offering. The findings are published in ABI’s14-page Industrial Data Generation Forecast report. www.abiresearch.com/market-research/ product/market-data/md-dtamms Manufacturers will generate as much data as mobile users by 2030 CHINA IS PLANNING to use robots to drive a new round of industrial transformation. The decision was made at a recent meeting of the National Congress of the Communist Party. The country is already the world’s largest robot market and wants to sell more Chinese-made robots outside the country. At present, it exports less than 5% of the robots it produces. “China's rapid development in industrial robot automation is extraordinary,” says Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). “The operational stock surpassed the 1.5-million mark two years ago, making China the first and only country with such a large industrial robot stock.” In 2022 alone, it installed 290,258 robots, representing 52% of global installations. “So far the number of exported robots from China has been very limited,” acknowledges Xiaogang Song, executive director and secretary-general of the China Robot Industry Alliance (CRIA). “Like any business looking for a new market, Chinese robot companies go where there is demand for their products.” Song says it will take time to build brand credibility and provide the service levels to meet the demands of foreign markets. In some areas, such as vision systems and AI applications, Chinese automation suppliers are benefiting from accelerating demand from Chinese manufacturers. China is also at the forefront of humanoid robot developments with one manufacturer, Unitree, recently announcing that its G1 humanoid is ready for mass production, with prices starting at $16,000. The 1.3m-tall, 35kg machine contains up to 43 joint motors, each delivering up to 120Nm of torque. It has threefinger “hands” with force control to handle objects. Massive investment in China’s automotive industry has boosted demand for industrial robots, with the country being both the world's largest car market and the world's largest production base for cars – including electric vehicles. China is also a major manufacturer of electronic devices, batteries, semiconductors and microchips. Since 2016, the electrical and electronics industry has replaced the automotive industry as the main buyer of industrial robots in China. The latest data on the Chinese robot industry will be released by IFR when it publishes its World Robotics report in late September. China wants to use robots to drive its industrial growth and exports The Chinese humanoid robot developer, Unitree, has announced that it is about to commercialise a machine with a starting price of $16,000
n NEWS September 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 12 A UK ROBOT AND AUTOMATED materialshandling specialist believes that the economic case for automating warehouses and fulfilment centres has been helped by a recent ruling that the retailer Next must pay its shop staff the same rate as its warehouse workers. More than 3,500 current and former Next employees had claimed that store staff, who are mostly women, should not be paid less than warehouse workers – most of whom are men. They argued that better-paid warehouse jobs are more likely to be filled by men because of the physical demands of the work, putting women at a disadvantage. In its defence, Next argued that the different rates of pay between its warehouse and retail staff were justified because warehouse staff are generally paid more than shop workers. But the retailer’s argument was rejected by a pay tribunal – a decision that could cost it around £30m in backpay. Workers at five of the UK’s largest supermarkets are reported to be pursuing similar equal-pay cases. Frazer Watson, recently appointed vicepresident of the Lancashire warehouse automation specialist Rainbow Dynamics, believes that the ruling is likely to add to the already significant recruitment issues faced by the supply chain sector. “One of the ways that logistics companies and own-account warehouse operators have tried to tackle the labour crisis that has existed since Brexit, has been to offer increasingly attractive rates of pay in order to draw in the workers needed to run their facilities,” he points out. “But this ruling means that if a retailer or its logistics services partner decides to seek extra warehouse staff by raising pay, the retailer must also offer its shop assistants the same deal,”Watson continues. “So, not only is the retailer’s wage bill increased but if it is possible to earn the same amount by working in the relative comfort of a high street shop as in a warehouse – which can be cold, dark and sometimes dangerous places – the already tough task of recruiting warehouse personnel will be even more difficult. “In my opinion, this verdict can only accelerate the trend we are seeing across the logistics sector for companies to introduce automated and robotic solutions as a way of mitigating the problems associated with recruiting suitable personnel and the high cost of labour.” Chorley-based Rainbow Dynamics designs and builds robotic load-handing and automated parcel-sorting systems for warehouses, parcel-handling facilities, manufacturing sites and e-commerce fulfilment centres. Rainbow, founded by CEO Alfred Chen, recently appointed Jens Mueller as MD. Mueller has held senior roles in the sector, including with SSI Schaeffer and GLP. It has also appointed Frazer Watson as vicepresident to spearhead the company’s UK business strategy. Before joining Rainbow, Watson held roles at Movu Robotics, Invar Systems, EDG and Datascan. Pay tribunal ruling could boost case for automated handling Watson: tribunal verdict will accelerate trend to automated and robotic warehouse systems SOFT ROBOTICS, the US developer of soft gripper, 3D vision and AI technologies, has sold its gripper business to Germany’s Schmalz Group for an undisclosed sum. Soft Robotics has reformed itself as Oxipital AI, aiming to deliver “transformative” AI technologies to critical industries, enabling a new generation of resilient, efficient, sustainable manufacturing. The divestiture of the mGrip gripper business will allow Oxiptal AI to focus on commercialising its end-to-end visual AI systems for high-speed product inspection and robotic picking. In 2020, Soft Robotics raised $23m and formed a strategic venture with Fanuc to integrate its mGrip grippers with Fanuc’s robots. The company’s backers included Honeywell and Yamaha. The new owner of the mGrip technology is the German familyowned vacuum specialist Schmalz, which is planning to expand its activities in the food-handling sector. As well as the gripper products, Schmalz has acquired associated patents and knowhow. “The food industry is a growth market," says Schmalz Group managing partner, Dr Kurt Schmalz. “We now offer our customers finger grippers for the automated handling of food products, in addition to an extensive portfolio of vacuum grippers.” The modular, flexible mGrip grippers can be adapted quickly to suit customer needs. They can handle delicate objects that are difficult to grip due to their changing shapes. The hygienic design is suitable for food industry applications such as handling baked goods, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. Schmalz employs around 1,800 people at 31 locations worldwide. It will continue to run the mGrip business at its existing location in Boston, US, giving it quick access to the market and uninterrupted delivery. www.oxipitalai.com Gripper firm sells assets, and changes name and strategy Schmalz Group managing partner, Dr Kurt Schmalz, with one of the newly acquired gripper products
Nidec Drives provide the solution to improve airflow management and reduce energy consumption for Italian packaging machine specialists. Baumer Srl's Wrap-around machines are among the fastest and most flexible on the market; it sought an energy-efficient solution to control airflow and temperature in its high-speed processes in the manufacture of food and beverage packaging. The company's advanced Shrink Wrappers with GreenTech Tunnel™ are versatile and easy to use. Their flexibility makes them suitable for any production requirement, including film only, tray+film, and pad+film. Previously Baumer worked with various drive brands, but none offered the flexibility that distinguishes the Nidec Drives offer. Today Baumer relies on a combination of the Control Techniques Unidrive M700, Digitax HD, and Commander C300 to control the airflow and temperature in its packaging machines. The introduction of centralised motion control MCe200 has allowed Baumer to offer a more up-to-date solution leaving the decentralised system unchanged; this allows greater flexibility and guarantees excellent operation. Furthermore, the modularity of Unidrive M700 and Digitax HD guarantees a comfortable, easy-to-use, and flexible application for its machines. Additionally, spare parts are readily available, limiting downtime on production lines. The integration of the new drives has improved the management of airflow inside Baumer's GreenTech Tunnel. They provide independent control of the air flux for each lane, ensuring shrink wrap is wrinkle-free and reducing heat waste. Marco Stanzani, Marketing Manager Baumer said, "the Nidec Drives brand for us at Baumer is synonymous with reliability and safety. Thanks to the drives, we succeeded in reducing energy consumption. We improved the ease of format changes for our customers – automatic changeover times are completed in a few minutes, and the machines automatically reconfigure themselves making it simple for the customer. We have a minimal and clean panel design thanks to the common DCbus, and to date, support has proved to be equal to a real partner. Remote assistance via the onboard ethernet port is beneficial, and the after-service team always works hard to find a solution to various problems quickly." n COVERSTORY The Nidec Drives brand for us at Baumer is synonymous with reliability and safety. Thanks to the drives, we succeeded in reducing energy consumption. Marco Stanzani, Marketing Manager, Baumer Lamonde has proven to be an exceptional Partner and Authorised Distributor of Nidec Drives. Their technical knowledge of our products and commitment to customer service make them a great partner for machine builders to work with. Contact Lamonde on the details below for more information, including availability for Nidec Drives products. Kevin Brooks, Nidec Drives Regional Sales Director, UK and Ireland “ “ Nidec Drives are available from: Lamonde Automation Limited +44 203 026 2670 sales@lamonde.com www.lamonde.com PACKED WITH EFFICIENCY
UK MANUFACTURING THRIVES, BUT NOT EXPORTS The latest UK Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) paints a relatively rosy picture of the state of the country’s manufacturing sector. The PMI hit a 26-month high of 52.5 in August, up from 52.1 in July, with output, new orders and employment all rising. There were further signs of price pressures easing, as inflation in input costs and selling prices both slowed. The UK manufactring PMI has been above 50.0, indicating an expansion of the sector, in five of the past six months – the exception being April. The only European country with a higher manufacturing PMI than the UK in August was Greece. Italy hit a five-month high of 49.4, but France recorded a seven-month low of 43.9, and Germany returned a five-month low of 42.4. And in the US, production fell for the first time in seven months, with the manufacturing PMI slipping from 49.6 in July to 47.9 in August. UK production increased for the fourth successive month in August, as companies raised their outputs to satisfy growing numbers of new orders, and to clear previous contracts. The rate of expansion was close to July's near 2½- year high. The recent rebounds in output and new orders have led to the fastest rate of job creation in the UK manufacturing sector for more than two years, especially among larger producers, although some smaller firms have also taken on staff. The fly in the ointment is that most of the new orders are coming from UK customers, with export orders falling for the 31st month in a row. Rob Dobson, director of S&P’s Global Market Intelligence operation which compiles the PMI figures, warns that the falling export numbers are “a key cause for concern, with new business from overseas having fallen continuously since early in 2022”. He points out that UK manufacturers are “experiencing difficulties in securing new contract wins overseas due to weaker demand from Europe, a slowdown in mainland China, freight delays, competitiveness issues, high shipping costs, global conflicts and political uncertainty. “Many of these issues are also impeding imports which, while benefiting domestic suppliers, is causing supply chain-related production constraints as witnessed by a further lengthening of supplier delivery times,” Dobson adds. Despite the poor export figures, UK manufacturers are bullish about the future, with 61% predicting that their production will be higher in a year’s time than it is now, with just 6% expecting a decline. UK manufacturing may not be out of the woods yet, and significant issues still remain – not the least being the shortage of suitably skilled workers, and the growing number of experienced personnel reaching retirement age – but the sector can be relatively satisfied with its recent performance, especially compared to some of its rivals. Tony Sacks, Editor n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ÐÕÍÖÓÖÎÐÊ ËÌÚÐÎÕ ÐÕÊÌ ¯´²³ ,QIRORJLF 'HVLJQ /WG _HQTXLULHV#LQIRORJLF GHVLJQ LVDWLRQ ZZZ LQIRORJLF GHVLJQ
Drives&Controls & BACK TO BASICS n SPONSORED BY VSDs can cut heating bills without a motor Industrial heating processes rely on precision temperature control to optimise efficiency, reduce waste and enhance product quality. Liam Blackshaw, ABB’s product manager for LV drives, explores how drives can help to save energy without needing a traditional motor. Not all industries are equal when it comes to energy usage. For example, the steel sector is one of the top three contributors to global CO2 emissions, due largely to its reliance on coal. And manufacturing flat glass and glass containers produces more than 60 million tonnes of CO2 every year. Electrifying these industrial heating processes can reduce or eliminate Scope 1 & 2 emissions from the manufacturing supply chain. In industries where large amounts of heat are needed, switching to non-carbon-based sources of energy is imperative to reduce carbon footprints. Direct burning of gas has traditionally been cheaper than electricity, kW for kW. However there is a growing demand to increase efficiency and sustainability, cut Scope 1 emissions, and reduce waste heat – which, for traditional gas-fired applications, goes up the stack into the atmosphere. Electric heating is the most promising way forward, using precision control to maximise process efficiencies. If, for instance, you overshoot on required heating levels, not only is it inefficient, but it also takes time to lower temperatures back down. That is why non-motor drives are being used for industrial heating applications in the metals, glassmaking, pulp and paper, and food and beverage industries. The main purpose of these drives is to optimise processes by providing precise control over temperatures. Because there is no motor to slow down, a non-motor drive does not save energy in the same way as it would on a pump or fan. Rather, it improves the efficiency of the process as a whole by providing extremely accurate automated temperature control to help the process to run faster, reducing the risk of product wastage and improving product quality. Processes such as annealing, drying and melting typically consume vast amounts of heating energy. In industrial furnaces used to produce glass or metal, temperatures can reach 1000˚C or above, with high peak loads, and can run 24 hours a day. Even small gains in efficiency can add up rapidly. Non-motor drives, such as ABB’s DCT880, can provide different control methods simultaneously for each heating element, with one device controlling up to three independent loads. For applications with more than three loads, one drive can act as a master controller for other subordinate drives. A power optimiser function can balance the loads of each device to reduce peak loads, without affecting the heating performance. Industries such as metals and chemical processing are widely seen as being difficult to decarbonise due to their high operating temperatures, and the vast amounts of energy they consume. Even without a motor, a drive can still provide precision control, and help to improve efficiency throughout a process. To find out more about the DCT880 power controller visit: https://new.abb.com/drives/dc/dct880 AS GO WIRE, CLICK, ASEASYA COMMANDDERS nde.com Advice mited sales@lamonde.com | www.lamon +44 (0)20 3026 2670 Quality Products: Expert A Lamonde Automation Lim
n TECHNOLOGY 16 September 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com OLIS ROBOTICS, THE US DEVELOPER of diagnostics systems for industrial cells, has extended its capabilities to include PLC monitoring, creating what it describes as “the world’s most comprehensive remote diagnostics solution for industrial automation cells”. The development will allow remote monitoring, diagnostics and debugging of complete industrial cells. It will allow integrators to debug their systems before shipping, and to monitor their systems once they have been deployed. Olis’ video and telemetry-based technology can diagnose the root causes of downtime, such as robot failures. The data allows robot cells to be debugged quickly and remotely, cutting downtime. “PLCs often contain important diagnostic data required to understand the causes of unplanned downtime,” explains Olis’ CEO, Fredrik Ryden. The new capabilities “enable real-time access to that data, effectively closing the loop on video-based diagnostics for industrial automation systems.” The new capabilities cover entire cells from PLCs to robot grippers, including conveyors and other hardware. Users can monitor and set alerts for predefined runtime parameters via a PLC, including I/Os, registers and the custom tags that PLCs use to measure OEE (overall equipment effectiveness), monitor cycle times and detect faults. For end-users, this will reduce downtime costs for entire cells, according to Olis. The new functions can also help to maintain and improve production throughput. For example, in an application where a robot inserts bolts into a part, the system could tell operators to refill the feeder with bolts when it is running low. At present, Olis’ capabilities are limited to Allen Bradley PLCs from Rockwell Automation, and to robot arms from Universal Robots, Kawasaki and Fanuc. Olis says that other makes of PLC and robot will be supported “in the near future”. “Sometimes, when a failure occurs, the robots may not even know that there's a problem,” points out Olis sales engineer, Bill Ordakowski. He reports that early testers of the new PLC functions have said they will be “unstoppable” with the new technology. “It’s not just the radically reduced downtime that they appreciate, but the extra breadth and control PLC access brings to remote monitoring and diagnostics.” Olis Robotics was founded in 2013 as a spinout from the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Lab. Its technologies are based on more than a decade of telerobotics R&D conducted in collaboration with Nasa and the US Navy. It has offices and laboratories in Seattle. https://olisrobotics.com SIEMENS CLAIMS TO BE producing the world’s first “green” control cabinets, made from scrap metal using renewable energy. The Sivacon 8MF1 cabinets, from Siemen’s Alpha Verteilertechnik subsidiary, are said result in 70% lower CO2 emissions than those made from conventional steel produced in a blast furnace using iron ore and coal. The green steel is produced in an electric arc furnace, powered by wind energy. It has been sourced from suppliers in Europe. The 70% reduction translates into savings of 308kg of CO2 per enclosure. Currently, steel production is responsible for 8% of global emissions. Siemens says that as demand for steel rises, it is essential to decarbonise its production. The new cabinets have the same technical specifications as those produced from conventional steel. They will help industrial businesses to cut their CO2 emissions and to reach their sustainability goals. The development of the cabinets also supports Siemens’ own sustainability goals, outlined in its Degree framework, which sets a 1.5°C decarbonisation target. https://drivesncontrols.news/3p5n2b2b Control cabinets are the first to be made from ‘green’ steel Extending diagnostics to PLCs will cut automation cell downtime Extending monitoring and diagnostics capabilities to PLCs will allow problems in complete industrial cells to be debugged quickly and remotely, cutting downtime. Photo: Business Wire The new control cabinets are made from 100% scrap metal produced using wind power.
BLH Series Oriental Motor (UK) LTD www.oriental-motor.co.uk – info@oriental-motor.co.uk – 01256 347 090 EZS Series AZ Series CVK Series BLE2 Series KIIS Series DGII Series KIIS Series Angle Gearboxes STEPPERMOTORS BLDC MOTORS AC MOTORS ACTUATORS We have the solution. Position. Transport . Rotate At this year's exhibitions, OEM Automatic, in partnership with Oriental Motor, is poised to redefine the standards of motion control and automation solutions. Our objective is to showcase cutting-edge technologies designed to solve your engineering challenges and connect with the next generation of innovators. A Basket Full of Solutions and Applications OEM Automatic offers a comprehensive range of products covering all essential technologies, ensuring we have the perfect solutions for your motion control requirements. Our extensive product portfolio spans industrial automation to precision robotics, providing the right solution for any engineering challenge. Our face-to-face technical visits mean we work closely with your engineers to aid in product selection, ensuring tailored solutions. Additionally, our state-of-the-art logistics process ensures ontime delivery from our Leicester facility. New Partnerships, New Opportunities This collaboration brings the latest in motor technology, expanding our ability to provide unparalleled solutions. Together, we drive industry standards forward and deliver exceptional value. Spotlight on Innovation: The Oriental Motor AZ-Series We are proud to highlight the Oriental Motor AZ-Series of closed-loop stepping motors. These advanced motors feature absolute encoder positioning, providing precise control and eliminating the need for external sensors. This represents a significant leap forward in motion control, offering enhanced performance and reliability. Additionally, we will showcase Oriental Motor's brushless motor range, known for high efficiency, low maintenance, and exceptional performance. These motors are ideal for applications requiring precise speed control and long operational life. We Solve Your Problems We are here to help solve your motor drive and motion control problems. Our team of experts provides the best solutions and support, ensuring your projects succeed. By partnering with OEM Automatic and Oriental Motor, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a robust portfolio of products meeting the highest standards of engineering excellence. Join Us at the Exhibition Visit our booth to explore our latest products and innovations. Engage with our team, discover how our solutions can enhance your projects, and learn more about our new partnership with Oriental Motor. Together, let's push the boundaries of motion control and automation. See you at the show! OEM AUTOMATIC LTD Tel: 0116 284 9900 Email: motors@oem.co.uk ADVERTORIAL Experience Innovation with OEM Automatic and Oriental Motor at This Year's Design Engineering Show & IATECH Exhibition.
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