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 September issue of Drives & Controls will contain a special section on energy efficiency, as well as a feature covering developments in the food and beverage industry, and a look at what’s been happening in the world of service, maintenance and repairs. UPDATE 14 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 56 Gambica column 58 New Products 62 Design Data and Multimedia 185 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 DfA media group 44 40 34 30 12 62 DRIVES & CONTROLS JULY/AUG 2025 Vol 41 No 7 Editor Tony Sacks t: 01732 465367 e: tony@drives.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. 18 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 30 Safety and Security Developments such AI and the rise of cybercrime are challenging established concepts of machine safety. An industry leader examines some of these issues and how they are being tackled. He believes an international approach will be needed. 32 Robotics and Automated Manufacturing Examples of industrial automation and robotics in practice, ranging from assembling low-voltage switches to welding wood-burning stoves. Plus a look at how AI is transforming packing and palletising, and a report on a global survey of attitudes to smart manufacturing. 40 Corrosion Corrosion is often overlooked as a failure risk for industrial drives. Traditional corrosion standards can fall short when applied to drives. An industry expert describes a new test method that helps to predict drive lifetimes in harsh environments 42 Transport A novel electric propulsion and steering system for ships delivers higher efficiencies than traditional systems, thus cutting the use of fuel as well as emissions. Plus a look at how VSDs are increasingly being used to propel vessels ranging from navel corvettes to ferries and tugboats. 48 Clean Energy A subsea tidal flow turbine operating off Scotland since 2018 has demonstrated the long-term viability of the technology. It could lead to commercial arrays producing power at competitive costs. Plus reports on two large heat pump schemes, and a hydro plant in the Peak District. 54 Skills Tackling the shortage of suitable skilled personnel is a perennial problem for UK industry. Based on many years of experience, a UK operations director offers suggestions on how UK manufacturers cn combat recruitment challenges. 50 Average net circulation January to December 2024 54 60 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 20,514 18 63 ANNUAL BUYER’S GUIDE This issue contains the 2025/2026 edition of the industry “bible” for power transmission, automation and motion engineers, telling you who sells what and how to get in touch with them.
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