February 2019

50 59 56 51 40 27 58 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 March issue of Drives & Controls will contain a special Executive Viewpoint supplement in which leaders from the automation and motion engineering industry will give their personal views on issues that they see as being critical to the sector. UPDATE 13 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 57 Gambica column 58 Design Data 58 Multimedia 59 New Products 62 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 FEBRUARY 2019 Vol 35 No 2 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. 26 SPS IPC Drives Show Report In our exclusive 14-page report, we look at some of the highlights from the recent SPS IPC Drives automation and motion engineering mega-show, held in Nuremberg, Germany. 41 Robotics and Automated Manufacturing In a special nine-page feature we look at how robots and advanced manufacturing technologies are being applied in sectors ranging from pottery production, to machine shops and sawmills. 51 Sensors and Encoders An expert offers advice on the technologies available for non-contact colour measurement and how to choose the best one for your application. Also, how torque sensors are helping to test electric vehicle motors, and rotary encoders are boosting tool-grinding productivity. 56 Oil and Gas A Welsh company has developed a control room simulator that replicates the movements and conditions that might be encountered on offshore oil and gas rigs during emergency situations. 17 3 60 26