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 April issue of Drives & Controls will contain a feature on machine vision, a section devoted to developments in conveyors and material-handling, and a look at what’s been happening in the machine-building sector. UPDATE 12 Comment 13 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 32 30 27 24 6 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS MARCH 2025 Vol 41 No 3 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. 24 Robotics 2025 could be a pivotal year for robotics. As AI matures and robots address new challenges outside of industry, we will see them paving the way to a future that is safer, more ecient and collaborative. An expert from Universal Robots identies ve key trends for the coming year. 26 Food and Beverage With alcohol-free beverages growing in popularity, we look at how automation can help drinks manufacturers to cater for the burgeoning low- and no-alcohol market. Plus we report on a machine designed to harvest grapes from the steepest vineyard slopes, 34 Bearings, Belts and Chains Mechanical bearings and guidance systems have many drawbacks, especially for high-performance motion control. Air bearings can oer advantages in applications where high precision, long lifetimes, low vibrations and good repeatability, are needed. Plus advice on how to pick the most suitable industrial chain for your application. 38 Building Services Using VSDs in HVAC installations can introduce electrical harmonics, voltage spikes and EMI, aecting reliability and increasing running and maintenance costs. We look at ways to tackle these issues. Plus how permanent magnet motors paired with VSDs can boost HVAC eciencies. 40 Average net circulation January to December 2023 44 47 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 18,942 14 38
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