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 May issue of Drives & Controls will contain our annual supplement on electric motors, plus a look at developments in linear motion technologies, and applications in the scientic, pharmaceuticals and medical engineering markets. We will also be previewing Smart Manufacturing Week 2025. UPDATE 12 Comment 13 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 42 38 27 24 6 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS APRIL 2025 Vol 41 No 4 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 Artificial Intelligence Opinions vary widely on whether artificial intelligence is a boon or a threat to the manufacturing sector. An AI expert takes a look at how the technology may affect manufacturers in the coming years, and what steps they need to take to ensure that they are keeping up with what it has to offer. 27 Machine-Building We report on a machine said to be the rst to cut reinforcing steel mesh automatically. Plus a look at a pair of UK-developed machines that test composite structure and components for Boeing aircraft, and advice on specifying motion controls for gantry applications. 34 Conveyors and Materials-Handling 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. 40 Machine Vision An Austrian manufacturer of parquet ooring has adopted an AI-based vision system to help it identify insucient or excessive use of the adhesives that hold the oor’s layers together. Plus how two German companies have developed a robotic system for loading and unloading trolleys with vaccine vials. Machine vision allows the robots to work autonomously. 44 Smart Manufacturing Week Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 taking place at the NEC in June will bring together some of the industry’s brightest minds and prospects. The event will shine a spotlight on advances in automation, AI, and robotics, while addressing the most pressing challenge facing the sector today – the skills shortage. 44 Average net circulation January to December 2023 45 46 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 18,942 14
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=