March 2020

50 63 40 30 28 24 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 April issue of Drives & Controls wil l contain a feature on machine vision, a section devoted to developments in conveyors and materials-handling, and a look at what’s been happening in the food and beverage sector. It will also include the complete catalogue for the upcoming shows at the NEC. UPDATE 15 Comment 66 Gambica column 68 Design Data and Multimedia 70 New Products 73 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. 16 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 28 Blockchain The value of blockchain technologies in manufacturing applications is predicted to exceed $26bn by 2025. An expert explains how blockchain will affect manufacturing supply chains, from making payments and performing audits, to tracking inventory and assets. 30 Bearings, Belts and Chains Advice on choosing bearings for use in extreme environments, a look at a pioneering application for polymer bearings on offshore platforms, tips on prolonging transmission belt lives, and how spin-riveting can help in critical chain applications. 38 Building Services As data centres proliferate to support cloud services and other computing operations, they are creating a massive demand for energy. How can this demand be met and managed cost-effectively? 46 Drives & Controls Show Preview A look forward to the cluster of industrial and engineering exhibitions, including the Drives & Controls Show, that are taking place at the NEC in Birmingham next month and will combine to form the biggest industrial trade show in the UK this year. 63 Machine Safety A recent standard lays down measures to ensure that maintenance personnel stay safe when entering a stopped machine. An expert explains how the standard differs from its predecessor. 64 Motors From 2021, some hazardous area motors that were previous exempt from efficiency regulations, will need to achieve minimum efficiency levels. We examine how the new requirements could deliver financial gains for users. 18 5 71 64 DRIVES & CONTROLS MARCH 2020 Vol 36 No 3 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 46