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 October issue of Drives & Controls will contain a special section devoted to developments in machine-building, as well as roundups of recent applications in precision engineering and motion control, and news from the water industry. UPDATE 14 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 54 New Products 56 Multimedia and Design Data 57 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 46 44 36 28 5 55 DRIVES & CONTROLS SEPTEMBER 2026 Vol 42 No 8 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. 24 Machine Vision AI is becoming one of the most important factors shaping the future of machine vision. It is expanding the number and variety of applications, and will be a primary driver of future growth. An expert observer considers how AI is transforming the market, and impacting various industries. 27 Energy Efficiency You don’t have to build a new factory to improve sustainability in your manufacturing operations. You can start by understanding where energy is consumed on existing lines. Plus how a ceramics producer has cut the time that it spends monitoring and controlling energy from hours to minutes. 34 Food and Beverage How a German brewery has slashed its can-printing downtime by 99% by installing a vision inspection system. And how a Spanish automation specialist has developed a system for applying labels automatically to Serrano hams – an arduous task, performed by humans until now. 40 Maintenance and Repairs Recent updates to the standard governing the repair, overhaul, and reclamation of equipment used in hazardous areas have seen notable updates to the “responsible person” role – placing much more responsibility on the function. An insider explains. 46 Artificial Intelligence AI software is already influencing how industrial assets are maintained, processes are optimised, and workforce planning is transformed. An expert outlines how AI is shifting from a future ambition, to a scalable technology that is reshaping industrial operations today. 48 Humanoid Robots What happens when a component in a humanoid robot fails when it is operating in a real-world environment? The CTO of Teradyne Robotics argues that the real test for humanoids isn't just how well they work, but how safely they respond when something goes wrong. 50 Interoperability Opting for interoperable components when modernising automation systems allows users to upgrade their systems gradually, lowering capital and operating costs, reducing risks and disruption, and prioritising investments to obtain the best operational benefits and returns. 52 Engineering Design Show preview The Engineering Design Show (EDS), now in its 14th year, has unveiled a new brand built around three key disciplines: mechanical design, electronic design, and embedded design. The organisers describe the rebrand as a “realignment”. 53 Gearboxes A German manufacturer of fitness and rehabilitation equipment has turned to industrial gearboxes, motors and controls to help provide the smooth, quiet operation needed for a range of strength training machines. 48 50 Average net circulation January to December 2025 Subscribe for your FREE copy now 27,126 20 53
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