October 2020

50 50 38 30 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 November/December issue of Drives & Controls will contain our annual feature on machinery safety, as well as a look at what’s been happening in the world of controlgear and enclosures, and a report on recent developments in controllers and HMIs UPDATE 15 Comment 17 ABB Back to Basics 51 Gambica column 52 Design Data and Multimedia 54 New Products 57 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 21 5 54 52 DRIVES & CONTROLS OCTOBER 2020 Vol 36 No 9 Editor Tony Sacks t: 01732 465367 e: tony@drives.co.uk Consultant Editor Andy Pye t: 07808 137312 e: andy.pye@dfamedia.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 Italy Oliver & Diego Casiraghi e: info@casiraghi.info t: +39 031 261407 f: +39 031 261380 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 5 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 21 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 28 Robots The latest figures for robot installations around the world reveal that the market was slowing down even before the arrival of Covid-19. Will the pandemic sustain the decline, or will it give the market a boost? 30 Machine Building Our special six-page feature contains examples of the machine-builder’s art in a variety of sectors, including laboratory equipment, train-building, and manufacturing components for refrigeration compressors. 36 Precision Engineering and Motion Control An expert examines the benefits of using PWM drives to control brushed DC motors, and we report on a three-axis positioning system designed for use in a pharmaceutical testing machine, and how Nasa has opted for brushless DC motors for its latest Mars rover mission. 44 Water Industry German researchers are harnessing digital twin technologies to develop new strategies for improving efficiency in the water and waste water industry. Also, advice on how water companies can prepare for unexpected surges or drops in demand. 50 SPS Connect Preview This year’s SPS automation and motion engineering megashow will be rather different. Because of Covid-19, it will not take place as usual in Nuremberg, Germany, but will be a virtual online-only event. We report on the organisers’ plans. 48 35

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=