n NEWS September 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 6 AFTER SPENDING ALMOST six years developing separate versions of Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE), two group of industrial communications companies have decided to join forces to work together on the technology and its promotion. SPE allows industrial data to be transmitted over a single twisted pair of wires, saving space and costs for both cabling and connectors, and simplifying industrial automation installations. Until now, the two groups – the SPE Industrial Partner Network and the Single Pair Ethernet System Alliance – have operated independently with their own members, working groups and areas of interest. With the growing awareness and relevance of SPE, the groups have been moving closer since the Hannover Messe 2025 exhibition and now plan to coordinate their activities to accelerate the uptake of SPE. Members of the SPE Industrial Partner Network include Harting, TE Connectivity, Hirose, Hirschmann, Würth Elektronik, Softing, Amphenol, Lütze, Lapp, igus, Nexans, Molex and Helukabel. Members of the SPE System Alliance include Phoenix Contact, Weidmüller, Rosenberger, Sick, Wieland, Keba, Ilme, Honeywell, Wago, Legrand, Eaton, Werma, Innovance, Kübler, Endress+Hauser, 3M, Advantech and HMS Networks. Murr Elektronik and Hilscher are members of both groups. The two groups say they have been committed to the development of international standards for SPE since the start. They both support the IEC 63171-7 SPE connector standard and have been driving its expansion to include a standard IP20 SPE mating profile. A main focus of their new collaboration will be the further internationalisation of SPE. The groups – most of whose members are German – are aiming to make the advantages of SPE known worldwide and to give users around the globe access to what they see as a powerful, efficient and future-oriented network technology. The IEC 63171-7 standard creates a uniform basis for future-proof industrial communications. Other connector systems and associated international standards are unaffected by the latest developments, and will continue to be valid for the numerous fields of application of SPE. Single-Pair Ethernet groups bury the hatchet p Rockwell Automation plans to spend $2bn over the next five years on its manufacturing plants, staff and digital infrastructure. CEO Blake Moret says that most of the expenditure will be on investments in the US. After cutting its workforce in 2024, Rockwell is taking on new staff again. p The engineering specialist March has launched a digital apprenticeship programme to address the shortage of automation and control systems skills and to create a training path across its business. An initial group of apprentices at four of its offices will work towards an HNC in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Teesside University via flexible open learning, with options to progress to higher qualifications. p Klüber Lubrication has acquired TriboServ, a German company specialising in automatic lubricators and customised lubrication systems, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition expands Klüber’s portfolio to secure further growth. p Around 1,600 products from the connector manufacturer binder are now available in the Eplan Data Portal, simplifying their integration into electrical and mechatronic projects. The portal gives direct access to standardised CAD and product data, embedded in an engineering environment. It will make it easier to integrate the connectors into circuit diagrams, wiring schematics, and bills of materials. p The global services company Accenture has acquired Systema, the German-based supplier of software and consulting services for manufacturing automation. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. p Zebra Technologies and its distributor, Clearview, have set up an Industrial Automation Centre of Excellence in Oxfordshire, offering training, advice and demonstrations for manufacturers, logistics organisations, and machine vision users in EMEA. The centre will support end-users, machine-builders and systems integrators looking for machine vision, 3D and AI systems. www.clearview-imaging.com/coe p RARUK Automation has formed a partnership with Grip, the German specialist in intelligent tool-changing systems for collaborative robots. The deal will bring Grip’s portfolio to UK manufacturers, enhancing the flexibility, safety and efficiency of cobot cells. The tool-changers integrate with Universal Robots cobots, with a URCap for easy set-up and programming. Manual and automatic options available, allowing a robot to perform multiple tasks by switching between tools. NEWS BRIEFS The Stoke-on-Trent based transformer manufacturer Electro-Wind has designed, built and delivered a bespoke 500kVA 3-phase 415V/690V transformer to power one of the world’s largest land-based cranes, which is being used to build the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. The robust transformer, designed for outdoor use, will operate on a raised platform. It is providing temporary power to the Unit 2 reactor polar crane during the commissioning phase of the station. A major challenge was achieving IP55 protection, while minimising the transformer’s size and weight. This was achieved by incorporating forced air cooling, ensuring compliance with environmental standards while maintaining performance and efficiency. Electro-Wind delivered the transformer in eight weeks. Single-Pair Ethernet has the potential to simplify industrial automation connections
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