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 2025 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 44 42 36 30 6 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS FEBRUARY 2025 Vol 41 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 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. 14 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 23 SPS Show Report Despite the weak German economy, the recent 2024 SPS automation show managed to attract a similar number of visitors and exhibitors to the 2023 event. We look at some of the technologies and products that made their debuts at the show. 30 Robotics and Automated Manufacturing In a special feature, we report on how an hydraulic valve manufacturer is using Scara robots to assemble electromagnetic valves, how a German bakery has installed six robots to help it cope with expanding demand, and how a collaborative robot is being used to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. We also examine the benets of using robots to perform end-ofline palletising. 36 Sensors Smart machines can provide manufacturers with invaluable data. But buying a new machine just for its IoT capabilities can be hard to justify. A less costly approach can be to add sensors to capture real-time data from existing equipment. An expert explains. 40 Process Automation and Hazardous Areas A Finnish company has developed a technology that produces bres sustainably from natural and waste materials. To help it design its plant and reach the market quicker, it turned to digital twins and other automation technologies. Plus how purging the air from inside a motor can be quicker and cheaper than adapting standard motors for explosionproof applications. 44 Smart Manufacturing Week Smart Manufacturing Week returns to the NEC in June with new attractions as well a familiar favourites. For example, a new Technology Showcase Theatre will oer a glimpse into future developments and prototypes, from advanced robotics to wearable technologies. 45 Average net circulation January to December 2023 46 47 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 18,942 14
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