July/August 2019

BINDER, the German manufacturer that specialises in circular connectors, has embarked on a project to build a new manufacturing and logistics centre at its headquarters in Neckarsulm. The 8,500m 2 centre will be built in two phases with the first opening in 2020, and the second following three years later. The family-owned business currently employs more than 1,800 people in 13 locations around the world, with manufacturing facilities in Hungary, Switzerland, the US and China, as well as Germany. Each year it produces more than 60 million circular connectors. Binder’s UK subsidiary is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Since managing director David Philips established the business in Hemel Hempstead in 2009, the company has grown by an average of 17% every year. It has invested recently in stockholding, which has increased by 180% and will result in shorter lead times. Connector specialist embarks on two-phase expansion THE UNIVERSITY of York is to establish a £35m research facility aimed at ensuring the safety of robotics and other systems that use artificial intelligence. The York Global Initiative for Safe Autonomy will house specialist laboratories and testing facilities – bringing together industrial partners and experts. The UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) will provide £10.5m of the funding, with the rest coming from industrial and philanthropic partners through match funding. The facility represents one the biggest investments made to date in York University’s research infrastructure. It will house up to 100 researchers and support staff and will include specialist robotics design and testing equipment. Work on the new building will start in April 2020, with the facility due to open in 2021. According to Professor John McDermid, director of the University’s Assuring Autonomy programme: “The world is experiencing an unprecedented period of technological advancement. Robotics and AI will change every part of our lives. They will remove people from harmful jobs, transform transport, improve productivity, and deliver better social and medical care. But this rapid advancement comes with challenges: how do we assure their safety? The York Global Initiative for Safe Autonomy will support research that will give developers, members of the public and regulators the justified confidence that they need in the safety of autonomous systems.” Professor Deborah Smith, the university’s pro-vice- chancellor for research, predicts that the initiative“will contribute significantly to the national industrial strategy, enabling us to establish a world-class facility and help strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in the safe introduction of advanced technology. Our dedicated research facility will help attract new expertise toYork and create a unique environment for fundamental and applied research into the safety of next generation autonomous systems.” The York initiative is one of 11 projects being funded in the sixth round of UKRPIF, Research England’s flagship capital investment scheme.  The government is funding a £3m extension to the Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (Race) research facility at the Culham Science Centre, near Oxford. The extension will allow Race to expand its workforce by more than 50%, to around 250, and increase its collaboration with academic and industry partners on the latest robotics equipment and testing facilities. Since opening in 2016, the Race facility has conducted r&d into the use of robotics in extreme industrial environments where it is difficult for people to work. It also supports companies developing their own autonomous systems. Race is a key centre for implementing the government’s Robotics & Autonomous Systems strategy, which aims to equip the UK to compete in this emerging global industry. £35m facility will focus on safety of robotic and autonomous systems A control room at the Race robotics research facility which has received a £3m boost from the government n NEWS 4 July/August 2019 www.drivesncontrols.com p The global market for Industrial Ethernet products will rise from $25bn in 2018 to around $70bn by 2025, according to Global Market Insights . The growth will be driven partly by the need for items such as switches, gateways, connectors and controllers. www.gminsights.com p A new company Plus Automation is now distributing sensors from the Swiss manufacturer Contrinex in the UK and Ireland following a management buyout of Contrinex’s UK operation, led by former MD, Mark Weymouth. The Droitwich-based business is selling directly and via distributors. www.plusautomation.co.uk p Mitsubishi Electric has taken an equity stake in Akribis Systems , a Singapore-based manufacturer of linear servomotors and stages. By integrating its own servo systems and other industrial automation products with Akribis’ portfolio, Mitsubishi aims to meet the increasing need for high-specification precision manufacturing. Akribis, founded in 2004, employs around 700 people. p Sister companies RA Rodriguez and RARUK Automation have moved into new premises in Shefford, Bedfordshire. The move has been driven by increased sales and by a growing demand for consultancy services from the companies. As well as a showroom, the new site has facilities for feasibility studies and training. p Westermo , the communications specialist owned by the Beijer Group , has bought the Swiss company Neratec Solutions , which specialises in WLAN products, focusing on robust wireless communication systems for railway applications. Neratec has about 25 employees and achieved sales of around CHF 6.5m (£5.5m) in 2018. p Curtis Instruments has established an r&d engineering facility on Tyneside to expand its capabilities as an electrification partner to OEMs and EV system suppliers. The UK Engineering Centre (UKEC) will also strengthen Curtis’ability to provide systems engineering services to UK and European vehicle and mobile machinery manufacturers. Curtis is recruiting engineers with mobile electronics experience to join the UKEC team. p Fluke has acquired Prüftechnik , the German specialist in laser shaft alignment, condition monitoring and non-destructive testing. p Stemmer Imaging has bought the Spanish of the Spanish supplier of software and hardware for machine vision and robotics, Infaimon . It expects an additional revenue contribution of around €18m and an EBITDA contribution of around €3m in the 2019/2020 financial year.