March 2020

23 www.drivesncontrols.com March 2020 TECHNOLOGY n AT THE RECENTWorld Economic Forummeeting in Davos, Switzerland, ABB, Ericsson, and the Swiss telecoms company Swisscom, demonstrated real-time 5G communications being used to control robots over long distances. In the demo, an ABB YuMi collaborative robot (cobot) carved a message in a sandbox that was replicated simultaneously by a secondYuMi located 1.5 km away. The link was made via Swisscom’s 5G mobile network, which incorporates Ericsson technology, and the demo was shown on video screens at both locations. ABB and Ericsson have been working together for several years to develop the technologies needed to connect machines via 5G. Adopting 5G in industrial environments will allow multiple machines to be controlled from a central point, reducing the cost of managing and maintaining OT (operational technology) and IT systems. 5G will also make factory operations more flexible, allowing fleets of AGVs and robots to be deployed. Speaking at Davos, Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business, predicted that 5G will“make it easier to connect robots to the cloud and factory automation systems, enabling faster access to more data and better decision-making based on insights which will help improve efficiency and reliability through the entire production cycle. As we replace traditional wire set-ups with 5G mobile networks, we can significantly increase flexibility in manufacturing.” Davos 5G demo synchronises robots located 1.5km apart Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business, with Ericsson CEO, Börje Ekholm, at the Davos 5G demo A US MANUFACTURER OF fluid-handling equipment has developed an automatic lubrication controller that supports Bluetooth, allowing maintenance personnel and operators to monitor parameters such as lubricant levels, pressures and configurations on a phone or tablet. Minneapolis-based Graco says that its GLC X controller and matching free app will help users to make faster, smarter decisions. The app allows them to perform control functions on a smart device. The controller “is a significant breakthrough for the automatic lubrication industry given its wide range of differentiating capabilities,” says Dan Jensen, Graco’s lubrication equipment global product marketing manager. “The new controller is built to withstand the rigours of many environments, from industrial plants to heavy- duty construction sites, and is compatible with Graco auto-lube systems and most competitive systems.” One user involved in field trials reports that “operators really value how the GLC X controller indicates the exact amount of grease in the canister so they can be more proactive in keeping it filled”. www.graco.com/glx Bluetooth-enabled lubrication controller is ‘a breakthrough’ “With the right partner, the battle is already won...” The UK’s largest stock of quality electric motors, inverter drives & gearboxes. T o t a l E n g i n e e r i n g C o mm i t m e n t 01299 252990 enquiries@tecmotors.co.uk www.tecmotors.co.uk