January 2021

50 36 28 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: £110 per annum Europe: £145 per annum Rest of World: £180 per annum Printing: Warners Midlands PLC., PE10 9PH ISSN 0950 5490 Copyright: DFA Media Ltd 2021 NEXT ISSUE The February issue of Drives & Control s will look at what’s happening in the world of robotics and automated manufacturing, report on developments involving sensors and encoders, and bring news from the hazardous areas sector. UPDATE 13 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 40 Gambica Column 42 Design Data and Multimedia 45 New Products 49 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 19 5 45 42 DRIVES & CONTROLS JANUARY 2021 Vol 37 No 1 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 26 5 News A round-up of the latest business and industry developments from around the world. 19 Technology Cutting-edge innovations in motion, power transmission, controls and related technologies. 26 Manufacturing As we begin to discern the possibility of a new normal emerging in the post- Covid era, one observer examines how factories are adapting to the new normal, while another looks at how the pandemic could affect the future adoption of automation technologies by SME manufacturers.. 31 Variable-Speed Drives Our special feature on VSDs: reflects on how variable-speed drives are evolving into automation platforms; reports on how Munich is using matrix converters to control its subway escalators; and describes how inverter-fed motors have helped to make a three-keel yacht a reality.. 34 Gears and Gearboxes An expert offers advice on choosing the best type of industrial gearbox to choose for your application, and we report on how a Chinese manufacturer of large aircraft components is using rack-and-pinion systems in conjunction with planetary gearboxes to feed aluminium blocks up to 10m long into a machining centre. 38 Packaging We report on how a Turkish chocolate-maker has installed three delta robots on a packaging line, boosting its production capacity by 40% while reducing its workforce by 20%. The company is now aiming to became an Industry 4.0 compliant operation. 38 40 32

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