Drives & Controls Magazine October 2024

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 November/December issue of Drives & Controls will contain our annual feature on machinery safety, as well as a look at what’s been happening in the world of controlgear and enclosures, and a report on recent developments in controllers, HMIs and software. 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 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 30 26 5 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS October 2024 Vol 40 No 9 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. 26 Industrial networking Virtual local area networks – or VLANs – are well-established in the IT industry, but do they offer potential benefits to the industrial sector as well? An expert argues that they do, including enhanced cybersecurity and the ability to manage network traffic more effectively. 28 Machine Building A German machine-builder has adopted a cabinet-free form of automation for a profile-processing machine that makes parts for windows. It has found that the new system saves time and space, reduces wiring errors and cuts the number of parts needed. Also, how robots are being used to automate pathology testing. 34 Precision Engineering We report on how fitting a rotary encoder to a linear stepper motor can add a host of benefits, including improving control and load monitoring. Also, a look at how drawing up a correct specification is crucial when using miniature drive systems for precision applications. 40 Water Industry A wastewater treatment plant near Naples has installed 28 submersible mixers in 14 denitrification tanks which are used to remove nitrogen from effluents. The mixers, powered by IE3 permanent magnet motors, have cut the plant’s annual energy costs by up to €45,000. 41 Advanced Engineering Preview A look forward to the Advanced Engineering event which is taking place at the NEC at the end of this month, and will showcase the latest IoT innovations, AI-driven automation and real-time data analytics that are transforming traditional manufacturing into smart, connected operations. 42 SPS Preview The German automation megashow, SPS, returns to Nuremberg next month. The tough economic environment in Germany means that the three-day event will probably remain at a similar size to last year’s show, attracting about 1,200 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors, and drawing more exhibitors than before from outside Germany. 41 Average net circulation January to December 2023 42 47 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 18,942 16

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