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Managed Security Services for operational environments

Schneider Electric, has announced it has launched a Managed Security Services (MSS) offering to help customers in operational technology (OT) environments address the increased cyber risk associated with the demand for remote access and connectivity technologies.

New partnership announced

RARUK Automation has announced a new partnership with Vention and says t The new deal will enable RARUK Automation to offer Vention’s high-quality, custom framework solutions for robots to UK customers.

Major multi-million-dollar manufacturing contract

ASG Tooling has announced a recent major contract award win with Airbus. The company says the contract, worth $2.4 million, solidifies its position as a trusted partner in the aerospace industry and highlights its expertise in providing innovative solutions for complex transport container requirements for both land and sea.

MTA appoints a new Acting President.

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), the voice of the UK’s engineering-based manufacturing sector, has appointed a new Acting President.

Applus UK joins EEMUA as Associate

Applus UK is the newest member of EEMUA’s Associate Scheme. The company’s Tank Inspection Team falls within scope of the Associate status.

AEMT announces new President

At its recent AGM, the Association for Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) announced the appointment of James Stevens as its new honorary President, taking over the position from outgoing President, Central Group Director Shaun Sutton.

Young engineers get tooled up

Electromechanical repair specialist, Fletcher Moorland, has announced it has launched an initiative to support the younger generation entering engineering, design, and manufacturing careers.

TI Live delivers successful learning experience

The inaugural Talking Industry Live conference took place at the MTC on 25 April. Moving from its on-line format to a physical version, the event started with a keynote session dedicated to a case study in digital transformation, followed by three themed discussions. Chair Andy Pye takes a look back over the day.

Future Lab to return to UKCW Birmingham

Robotics, sustainability and productivity will all be highlighted in Future Lab at UKCW Birmingham this October - a showcase of technology, disruptors and change-makers who are at the leading edge of innovation in the industry.

British Compressed Air Society appoints Cliff Warne to Board

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has appointed Cliff Warne as Executive Director.

Talking Industry in conversation with John Kraus – Chief Executive for Engineers Without Borders UK

Smart Machines & Factories’ and Talking Industry’s Aaron Blutstein talks to John Kraus, Chief Executive for Engineers Without Borders UK, to find out a bit more about the origins, philosophy and the role the organisation is playing to help reimagine engineering practice so that engineers can respond effectively to the complexity and uncertainty of pressing global challenges such as climate change

Rapid boiler feed pump repair & root cause analysis ensure power generation reliability

At a time when national electrical grids are under extreme pressure, unexpected outages can prove to be a considerable challenge. When a power plant in Germany experienced the sudden failure of a boiler feed pump, output dropped by more than 40%, which affected both the local grid and company profits. Needing to resolve this situation urgently, Sulzer was called in to repair the asset and investigate to secure the reliability of the power station. PWE reports.

From robotics to AI

Special Report – Talking Industry Live Review

The Heat is on: How to prevent your electrical drives having a meltdown

Although there’s no doubt that inflationary pressures and supply chain delays continue to cause concern to manufacturers, what isn’t perhaps so widely appreciated is that last year was also reported to be the hottest year on record by the Met Office. Without being alarmist, that is another serious issue that we cannot ignore. Rising temperatures are a global trend and they will have a major impact on your electrical equipment. Christian Westwood, Rittal UK’s Service Manager, explains further.

Understanding the PSSR

The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (S.I. 2000 No 128) (PSSR) relate to pressure systems for use at work and the risk to health and safety. Vanda Jones, Executive Director at the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) outlines the responsibilities as an owner or operator

M&E Week becomes industrial sectors biggest event

Manufacturing & Engineering Week 2023, produced in association with The Manufacturer, has become the biggest industrial sector event in the UK in just its second year, according to statistics released by event organisers The Nineteen Group. Over the course of the live shows on the 7th and 8th June, 10,355 manufacturers, designers, engineers and maintenance professionals attended the event at the NEC which had 342 exhibitors.

Largest environmental health risk

Serving as a reminder that air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths every year in the UK, Clean Air Day 2023 will take place on Thursday 15th June.

Annual event receives glowing reviews

Held at ExCeL London in May, GEO Business showcased cutting-edge technologies, ground-breaking innovations, and an insightful education programme. With over 3950 total attendees, the packed-out event served as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and exploration of emerging trends.

Proactivity crucial for manufacturers to weather summer heatwaves

Following 2022’s record-breaking heat and forecasts of similar temperatures this summer, an industry expert is calling for proactive contingency planning to protect cold chains and avoid short-term supply shortfalls.

Businesses invited to get on board as Space Week launches in Cumbria

Opportunities for businesses in Cumbria to diversify into the space industry are being brought to the region in June. iSH, the Industrial Solutions Hub, is hosting Space Week across West Cumbria from June 26-30.

Manufacturers scoop eco innovation awards

Three manufacturers have scooped awards for eco innovations developed as part of a groundbreaking R&D programme.

Reducing your carbon footprint with heat exchangers

By Matt Hale, International Sales & Marketing Director, HRS Heat Exchangers

Venting solutions on show

Donaldson, a leading manufacturer of filtration solutions, has announced it will be exhibiting its venting and industrial air expertise at The Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, between May 23rd – May 25th, 2023.

Placing education centre stage

As part of its campaign to inspire the next generation of robotics engineers, automation expert FANUC UK has announced it will showcase a suite of education-themed initiatives at Automation UK in Coventry in June

UK field buying division launched

Radwell International has announced it has launched a new UK field buying division headed by Andrew Duke and Daniel Jones.

Sustainability through production efficiency

Turck Banner spoke to PWE about four different applications in the production efficiency category; increasing yields in meat processing, increasing efficiency in assembly stations, Edge Guiding to reduce waste and picking solutions to eliminate errors and returns.

Ceramic vs hybrid bearings

Chris Johnson, managing director of ceramic bearings specialist SMB Bearings, explains the specifications, capabilities and differences of full ceramic and hybrid bearings.

Talking Industry: IIOT, digitalisation & Industrial Communications - smart steps to an AI future?

Digitalisation and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) represents the next level of industrial automation. Consultant editor at DFA and chair Andy Pye summarises some of the discussions from the recent Talking Industry episode

BCAS launches essential industry guide to compressed air installation

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has launched a new compressed air installation best practice guide (BPG 101). As one of the only truly impartial guides in the UK, the guide covers ‘installation’ in terms of the collection of equipment and processes within the compressed air system. PWE reports.

Real time process control for food manufacture

Real time process control for food manufacture has come a significant step closer, thanks to pioneering research work at University College Dublin into viscosity measurement techniques for characterising the flow and mixability of highly non-Newtonian fluids.

New robotics business office

ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business has announced it is expanding its presence in Ireland with the opening of a new office in Dundalk, Co Louth.

BCAS encourages further energy-saving measures

The Government’s new Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which came into effect on the 1st of October - is encouraging compressed air users to act now to minimise their compressed air energy consumption for the long-term through a series of low-cost measures. PWE reports.

Postponing compressed air maintenance costs more money than it saves

As energy prices continue to soar across Europe, operators may be tempted to delay the recommended maintenance intervals and routine service on compressed air systems in order to save cost. However, this can be an expensive mistake says Gary Spence, Service Operations Leader from CompAir

Optimising pump systems

Gary Wilde, Technical Services Officer at the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) offers some basic information and guidance on purchasing, maintaining, and designing pump systems for optimum energy efficiency, CO2 reduction and capital expenditure payback time.

Transforming industry with digital technology

PWE spoke to Trenton Roncato Juraszek, mechanical project analyst at the global motor and drive manufacturer WEG to discuss the importance of digitalisation in industry, and how it can help you to remain competitive in an evolving technological landscape

Top 100 Global Innovator

Delta, a  leading provider of power and thermal management solutions, has announced it has been honoured for the second consecutive year as one of the Top 100 Global Innovators (2023) by Clarivate for its superior innovation and patent intellectual property portfolio.

Celebrating 150 years of innovations

Atlas Copco, founded in Stockholm in 1873, has celebrated its 150-year anniversary. During a century and a half, Atlas Copco says it has been driving development and delivering breakthrough innovations to customers in many different industries.

Free cooling – the cheapest and greenest way to provide cooling

By: Dave Palmer, general manager for the UK and Ireland at ICS Cool Energy

Advanced manufacturing requires advanced software

Manufacturers face the ongoing challenge of delivering goods in greater volumes and speeds while keeping prices competitive in an overcrowded market. Automation that features software integrated solutions are helping manufacturers meet these challenges by providing precision and versatility through intelligent systems that increase order fulfilment and improve quality control. Steffen Thierfelder, managing director, Northern Europe of Dematic UK and Ireland, explains more.

Real-time collaboration

ABB has announced it has enhanced its industry-leading RobotStudio robot programming and simulation software with cloud-enabled functionality.

You do get what you pay for

When it comes to power transmission chain, Tsubaki told PWE that buying a quality product results in significant life-time cost savings.

The fundamentals of thickness measurement

When selecting sensors for measuring thickness, the first step is to choose an appropriate method and measurement technology. The material, surface and thickness of the target play a crucial role in deciding which option is best for the application, says Glenn Wedgbrow*.

Digital sensor data brings compressed air energy savings

Everybody is talking about digitalisation – and sometimes it is the simplest applications that demonstrate its power to transform. By opening a window to visualise their compressed air energy consumption in real time, production teams are defending against rising costs and achieving operating efficiencies with relatively little effort. PWE spoke to Darren Pratt, Industrial Instrumentation Product Manager for SICK UK.

Simple steps to successfully size control valves

PWE spoke to Kieran Bennett, Industry Manager – Food & Beverage at Bürkert, who explains how to specify a control valve.

Bespoke automated cart system helps farming firm increase efficiency

The humble potato has been voted as the UK’s favourite vegetable, according to a new public poll. But do you know how they end up on your plate? Here’s how industrial motor manufacturer, WEG has partnered with Technidrive to provide equipment for an automated cart system for plant propagator, John Gabbie & Sons, to help produce over 52 million seeds a year.

How automation technology can help support the wind industry

Beth Ragdale, product manager of the energy industry at Beckhoff UK, discusses how automation technology can help support the wind industry

More than blowing bubbles

PWE looks at different blower technologies and how to improve the reliability and efficiency of legacy plants.

The drive towards energy efficient, decarbonised technology

Etienne Fourie, Technical Sales Manager, Babcock Wanson, looks at the drive towards energy efficient, decarbonised technology.

Digitalisation can help increase equipment life in pumps

Marek Lukaszczyk, Europe and Middle East marketing manager at the motors and drives specialist WEG, looks at how Industry 4.0 has evolved to now support increased equipment life in pumps

PPMA Total Show 2022: A myriad of innovation

With a myriad of new product launches, new technologies and live demonstrations of the latest smart manufacturing solutions, PPMA Total Show 2022 is set to be an important event for members of the processing, packaging machinery, robots and industrial vision communities. PWE reports.