February 2020

50 58 54 52 44 34 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 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 2020 NEXT ISSUE The March issue of Drives & Controls will contain a preview of the upcoming Drives & Controls Show as well as a report on the latest developments in bearings, belts and chains, plus a look at the world of building services and HVAC. UPDATE 15 Comment 16 ABB Back to Basics 59 Gambica Column 60 Design Data 60 Multimedia 61 New Products 65 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 5 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 18 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 28 SPS Show Report In our exclusive 15-page report, we look at some of the highlights from the recent SPS automation and motion engineering mega-show, held in Nuremberg, Germany. 44 Robotics and Automated Manufacturing In a special five-page feature we look at how robots and advanced manufacturing technologies are being applied in sectors ranging from sensor manufacturing and concrete slab moulding, to testing ATMs and variable- speed drives. An expert also offers advice on choosing motors for robot arms. 54 Sensors and Encoders How laser scanners are being used to measure the presence and height of beer bottles in moving crates, plus how a sensor-maker is using Industry 4.0 principles and IO-Link sensors to implement condition-based maintenance on critical air filters in its own plant. 58 Offshore, Oil and Gas In a $100m project, a consortium of offshore industry giants has developed a pioneering subsea power distribution and conversion technology that, they say, will save energy, reduce emissions, and open up new areas for oil and gas production. 18 3 60 59 DRIVES & CONTROLS FEBRUARY 2020 Vol 36 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 Operations Manager Ewa Hodden t: 01732 370340 e: ewa.hodden@dfamedia.co.uk Project Liaison Manager Emma Floyd t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: emma.floyd@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: cs@perception-sas.com HEAD OFFICE DFA Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: info@dfamedia.co.uk www.drivesncontrols.com 28