January 2019

50 49 44 42 35 28 48 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 2019 NEXT ISSUE The February issue of Drives & Controls will contain a report from the SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, a look at what’s happening in robotics and automated manufacturing, a report on developments involving sensors and encoders, and news from the world of hazardous areas. UPDATE 13 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 46 Gambica Column 48 Design Data 48 Multimedia 49 New Products 55 Products & Services 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 JANUARY 2019 Vol 35 No 1 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 Ewa Hodden t: 01732 370340 e: cewa.hodden@dfamedia.co.uk Financial Clare Jackson t: 01732 370340 e: clare.jackson@dfamedia.co.uk ADVERTISING Director of Sales Damien Oxlee t: 01732 370342 f: 01732 360034 m: 07951 103754 e: damien.oxlee@dfamedia.co.uk Sales Manager AndyWylie t: 01732 370341 f: 01732 360034 m: 07939 607855 e: andy.wylie@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 3 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 17 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 28 Machine Design The way that machines are designed and built has changed dramatically in recent years. An expert examines some of the factors that you now need to take into account when choosing electromechanical components such as actuators. 31 Variable-Speed Drives Our special feature on VSDs reflects the variety of applications that drives are helping to control and make more efficient. We also consider the potential of VSDs to increase a company’s profitability and efficiency, at the same time as saving energy. 41 Gears and Gearboxes Despite promises that the IIoT could eventually mean an end to unplanned downtime, machinery still needs to be maintained. An expert offers advice on how change gear oil effectively. We also look at a project where cloud- based monitoring is helping to extend the lives of wind turbine gearboxes. 44 Southern Manufacturing A look forward to the three-day Southern Manufacturing & Electronics show which takes place in Farnborough next month and is expected to attract around 800 exhibitors. 19 3 32 50