50 CONTENTS n 22Drives & 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 system without 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 Group 2023 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, HMIs and software. UPDATE 14 Comment 15 ABB Back to Basics 45 Gambica column 46 New Products 48 Design Data and Multimedia 49 Products & Services IN DEPTH Follow us on X @DrivesnControls Drives Magazine Web site www.drivesncontrols.com Follow us on LinkedIn @ Drives & Controls Join us on Facebook Drives & Controls Drives& Controls REGULARS DfAmedia group 36 30 26 16 6 48 DRIVES & CONTROLS October 2023 Vol 39 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 Emma Floyd t: 01732 370340 e: emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk Marketing Executive Hope Jepson t: 01732 370340 e: hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Financial Finance Department t: 01732 370340 e: accounts@dfamedia.co.uk ADVERTISING Sales Director Damien Oxlee t: 01732 370342 m: 07951 103754 e: damien.oxlee@dfamedia.co.uk Sales Manager Peter Sayer t: 01732 370341 m: 07802 583726 e: peter.sayer@dfamedia.co.uk DFA Direct Ian Atkinson t: 01732 370340 e: ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Italy Oliver & Diego Casiraghi e: info@casiraghi.info t: +39 031 261407 f: +39 031 261380 Managing Director Ryan Fuller t: 01732 370344 e: ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Chief Executive Officer 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 Group 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE t: 01732 370340 f: 01732 360034 e: info@dfamedia.co.uk www.drivesncontrols.com 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. 26 Robots After a slow start, collaborative robots are starting to make inroads into the industrial robot market. But how do newcomers to this technology choose the best cobot for their application? An expert offers some advice. 28 Machine Building A German machine-builder has adopted a modular, cabinet-free distributed control architecture for its latest confectionery moulding machines, cutting on-site installation work by up to 70% and saving space. Plus advice on how to choose between leadscrews or ballscrews to achieve linear motion. 34 Precision Engineering A pioneering production line is using mobile robot modules, which can be docked in under a minute, to cater for changes in production. The line uses other advanced technologies including a linear transport system and a robotic tool-changer. Plus how to choose precision motors for applications such as applications such as robot joints and centrifuges. 40 Water Industry Massive pump motors at one of Europe’s biggest water treatment works were starting to fail, threatening London’s water supplies. Replacing the motors has safeguarded supplies. And how a German wastewater treatment plant is using a combination of energy technologies to drastically reduce the amount of energy it needs from the grid – eliminating it entirely at times. 43 Talking Industry The most recent edition of the Talking Industry series of Webinars considered how implementing safety initiatives can enhance efficiency, while addressing the risks. Consultant editor Andy Pye, who chaired the session, gives an overview of the event. 44 SPS Preview Following a successful first post-Covid show in 2022, the German SPS automation show returns to Nuremberg next month, with two more halls and around 1,200 exhibitors from around the world. Those who can’t attend in person can still follow the main seminar programme online, complete with English translations. 46 42 21,157 Average net circulation January to December 2022 45 44
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