May 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com 6 A CANADIAN COMPANY that claims to have developed the first silicon carbide (SiC) based drive that feeds motors with real sine waves, thus avoiding the need for external filters, has secured CA$15m (£8.1m) of funding to accelerate its product roadmap and meet a growing demand from users wanting simpler, more efficient and more reliable drive systems. Montreal-based SmartD Technologies adds that its Clean Power technology enables filter-free drive systems that meet IEEE 519 harmonic recommendations (with less than 5% THDi on the line side), resulting in simpler and smaller drives applications. SmartD says that following a year of wider adoption in sectors such as water infrastructure and data centres, it is entering a new phase of growth, focused on scaling the deployment of its technology globally. The company claims that its drives represent “a paradigm shift”, delivering clean sine-wave power to both the motor and the grid. They eliminate the need for external harmonic and output filters, cutting energy losses, and extending the lives of motors and electrical equipment. The wide-bandgap SiC devices offer fast switching, low drain-source on-resistance, and low switching losses. This results in high efficiency and good signal quality, leading to rapid control responses and low torque ripple. The drives also incorporate a multilevel inverter (MLI) technology of a type already widely used in renewable energy converters , grid-connected inverters, EVs and industrial applications. But, according to SmartD, MLIs have yet to enter the low-voltage motor control market due, mainly, to their high potential costs. But, it adds, the benefits of MLI are “compelling”, leading to improved harmonic content, reduced dV/dt (voltage change rates), lower switching frequencies and losses, reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI), and enhanced fault-tolerance. SmartD argues that using MLIs can increase efficiency substantially and lead to a much lower TCOs. It claims that its drive technology: n cuts capital costs by eliminating the need for external filters, specialised cabling, and oversized electrical infrastructures; n reduces operating costs through improved system efficiency and lower harmonic losses; n allows the use of long cable runs; n extends the lives of motors and electrical infrastructure, with lower bearing and insulation stresses, even in demanding environments; and n complies with IEEE 519 harmonic recommendations without needing any extra mitigation equipment. https://smartd.tech p For the first time, the European Robotics Forum (ERF) convention is coming to the UK. More than 1,000 robot specialists from industry and academia across Europe are expected to converge on Birmingham from 2-4 March, 2027, to explore robotic technologies and address the latest challenges and trends shaping robotics in Europe. The ERF2027 event is being organised and hosted by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the University of Birmingham, is partnership with the European robotics association, euRobotics. p Wittenstein is buying a majority stake in the Israeli motor controls supplier STXI Motion, for an undisclosed sum. Wittenstein says the acquisition will expand its capabilities in electronics and software for motors, and boost its drive systems expertise. STXI’s products include servomotors and servodrives, integrated motors, geared motors, and motion controls. It was founded in 2019 as an offshoot from Servotronix. p PP Control & Automation has launched an acquisition drive aimed at hitting a record £40m in sales in 2026, and £100m within four years. The expansion will be achieved through organic growth in areas such as clean energy, defence and life sciences, combined with buying manufacturers in Europe, the US and Asia. The M&A activity will be led by Pinaki Banerjee, who succeeded Tony Hague as CEO last year. He is talking to potential targets in Italy, Eastern Europe, India and the US, as well as a possible joint venture in India. An outsourced manufacturing specialist, PP employs more than 200 people in the West Midlands. p A new industrial software business, called Velotic, with combined revenues of more than $300m, has been created by bringing together the Proficy business, formerly owned by GE Vernova, with the Kepware industrial connectivity business and the ThingWorx industrial data and analytics operation, previously owned by PTC. The announcement follows last year’s acquisition of the businesses by the US-based asset management firm, TPG which says that the new conglomerate brings together trusted platforms to advance a new era for industrial and manufacturing technologies. p Fanuc is collaborating with Nvidia to advance physical AI, which merges AI with physical robotics to produce machines that see, reason and act in dynamic environments. They say that the collaboration will combine Fanuc’s strength in robotics with Nvidia’s AI and simulation expertise to deliver intelligent, adaptable automation for factories of the future. Fanuc will use Nvidia’s AI infrastructure in its robots and its Roboguide simulation software, allowing manufacturers to create photorealistic digital twins of factories, train robots virtually, and deploy them quickly and flexibly. NEWS BRIEFS n NEWS Filter-free, SiC-based drives developer secures $15m of funding This installation of SmartD’s drives at a Canadian pumping station used an existing 415m-long buried cable to power a 37kW submersible pump, which had previously experienced dV/dt and reflected wave faults when used with a conventional VSD. The new installation runs reliably at 48Hz without any extra hardware and is claimed to have cut energy use by 40% due to its lower operating frequency and the elimination of throttling. AUTOMATE UK, THE ORGANISATION that represents more than 500 companies in the UK industrial automation sector, is combining its PPMA and UK Automation shows to create a single event called Automate UK Week. The new show will make its debut across two halls at the Birmingham NEC from 28–30 September, 2027. Automate UK describes the move as a strategic step to create a more integrated, future-focused event that reflects the evolving needs of the industry. It expects the show to be its biggest exhibition to date. “Our intention in co-locating our flagship shows is to create what we believe is a genuine one-stop shop for industrial automation in the UK, thereby enabling exhibitors and visitors to maximise their experience and get the best possible return on their investment,” says Automate UK’s chief operating officer, Scott McKenna Further details of Automate UK Week will be released later. www.automate-uk.com PPMA show will merge with UK Automation to create three-day event in 2027
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