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 2026 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 industrial safety. UPDATE 12 Comment 13 ABB 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 40 39 30 23 6 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS FEBRUARY 2026 Vol 42 No 2 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. 16 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 23 SPS Show Report Despite the continuing weakness of the German economy, the recent SPS automation mega-show managed to attract more exhibitors and visitors than the previous event in 2024. We look at some of the technologies and products that were on show. 30 Robotics and Automated Manufacturing The International Federation of Robotics identifies five trends that are driving the robot industry in 2026. Plus an injection-moulding specialist installs its first robot, and how a UK egg producer has invested more than £1m in a robotic palletising installation. 36 Sensors and Encoders How do you choose whether to use linear, rotary or sine encoders? Plus we report on a UK-developed test rig that compares the performance of different types of conveyor, and look at an application involving label-readers in a confectionery plant. 40 Hazardous Areas Machine vibrations in hazardous plants such as refineries can lead to unplanned downtimes that cost millions. One way to reduce such risks is to check the alignments of shafts of machinery using equipment specifically designed for use in hazardous environments. 42 Materials As copper prices hit record highs, engineers are reassessing whether aluminium has now become a more attractive option for some winding applications. An expert examines the pros and cons, and the role that hybrid windings could play. 42 44 Average net circulation January to December 2024 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 20,514 16 46
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