March 2018

50 34 26 4 16 29 79 73 80 CONTENTS 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 systemwithout the written consent of the publishers. Paid subscriptions UK: £95 per annum Europe: £125 per annum Rest of World: £160 per annum Printing: Warners Midlands PLC., PE10 9PH ISSN 0950 5490 Copyright: DFA Media Ltd 2018 NEXT ISSUE The April issue of Drives & Control s will contain a supplement on machine vision, a feature on developments in conveyors and materials-handling, a look at machine tools, and a preview of the Hannover Fair. It will also include the complete catalogue for the upcoming shows at the NEC. UPDATE 13 Comment 68 Gambica column 71 ABB Back to Basics 73 Design Data 75 Multimedia 77 New Products 84 Products & Services 88 Appointments IN DEPTH Follow us onTwitter @DrivesnControls Drives MagazineWeb site www.drivesncontrols.com Drives ShowWeb site www.drives-expo.com Join us on Facebook Drives & Controls Drives & Controls REGULARS DRIVES & CONTROLS MARCH 2018 Vol 34 No 3 Editor Tony Sacks t/f: 01732 465367 e: tony@drives.co.uk Production Manager Sarah Blake t: 01233 770781 e: sarah.blake@dfamedia.co.uk Customer Liaison Chelsea Moss t: 01732 370340 e: chelsea.moss@dfamedia.co.uk Financial Clare Jackson t: 01732 370340 e: clare.jackson@dfamedia.co.uk ADVERTISING Director of Sales Nigel Borrell t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 m: 07818 098000 e: nigel@drives.co.uk Sales Manager Sara Gordon t: 01732 370341 f: 01732 360034 m: 07505 867211 e: sara.gordon@dfamedia.co.uk DFA Direct Ian Atkinson t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Eastern US Karen C Smith-Kernc e: karenkcs@aol.com t: +1 717 397 7100 f: +1 717 397 7800 Western US & Canada Alan A Kernc e: alankcs@aol.com t: +1 717 397 7100 f: +1 717 397 7800 Italy Oliver & Diego Casiraghi e: info@casiraghi.info t: +031 261 407 f: +031 261 380 Commercial Director Ryan Fuller t: 01732 370344 e: ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Publisher Ian Atkinson t: 01732 370346 e: ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Reader/Circulation Enquiries Perception-MPS Ltd t: 01825 701520 e: dfamedia@dmags.co.uk HEAD OFFICE DFA Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge KentTN9 1BE t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: info@dfamedia.co.uk www.drivesncontrols.com 47 63 3 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. 26 Recycling The concept of circular economy was created to encourage better recycling of materials and other resources. An expert argues that the motor repairs industry is already a front-runner in demonstrating the circular economy in practice, and could be role model for other sectors. 29 Bearings, Belts and Chains How belts are being used to move seven-tonne sheets of glass on the world’s longest glazing line; how chains solved a problem at a Dutch steel mill; and a look at hybrid and thin-section bearings, and advice on how to avoid lubrication problems and to cut costs.. 43 Service and Repairs A six-point health check for variable-speed drives; how VSDs are stopping an animal feed machine from grinding to a halt; and how monitoring critical bearings in a plastics plant has helped to avoid costly shutdowns on six occasions. 54 Drives & Controls Show Preview A look forward to the cluster of industrial and engineering exhibitions, including the Drives & Controls Show, that are taking place at the NEC month and will combine to form the biggest industrial trade show in the UK this year. 54