MEPCA February 2024

February 2024 www.mepca-engineering.com

Automation software experts

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In a world of big data, our software simplifies its use.

From control systems for mobile machines to parameter setting for RFID read/write heads, we have software solutions that simplify your automation. We even have visualisation software for real time plant monitoring, from anywhere in the world.

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CONTENTS Editor Chris Callander chrisc@cimltd.co.uk Publication Manager James Davies jamesd@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509105 Account Manager Hannah Moody hannah@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509115 James Burke jb@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509115 Design & Production Grant Waters grant@cimltd.co.uk James Taylor james@cimltd.co.uk Administration Manager Natalie Murray admin@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509103 Credit Facilities Manager Gwen Lee creditcontrol@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509103 Marketing Manager Lucas Payne lucas@cimltd.co.uk Sales Director Tom Woollin tom@cimltd.co.uk Chief Executive John Denning © 2024 TGM Publishing Limited,1st Floor, Saphir House, 5 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be typewritten. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to TGM Publishing Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non-publication of any advertisement.

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February 2024

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s I write, we are just three weeks away from the first major exhibition in the manufacturing sector for 2024, Southern Manufacturing. Indeed, you may have picked up this issue of MEPCA at that very event. Always a strong start to the yearly schedule of exhibitions, the event has recently changed ownership, being picked up by the organisers of Advanced Engineering, who are keen to build on the excellent work of its previous owners.

March sees the Intralogistex show focus on warehouse and factory logistics. A little later, in April, we have the biannual Mach 2024 event before the Hannover Messe kicks off in Germany the following week.

In May, the growing ChemUK exhibition brings an important sector to the NEC in Birmingham before it gets really busy in June.

First up in June is Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week. Incorporating six exhibitions over three days, this year sees the popular Drives & Controls event back in full swing following its incorporation into the week’s portfolio. Also at the NEC at the same time is the subcontract manufacturing event, Subcon, and the additive manufacturing event, TCT 3sixty. The international process industries event, ACHEMA, follows a week later in Frankfurt. Then, the week after that, the UK Imaging & Vision Association’s Machine Vision Conference will be held in Coventry and colocated with a sister event, Automation UK. The exhibition scene calms down a little for the customary summer break before we’re back to Birmingham for the PPMA Show in September.

Then, in October, we have the second staging of the new Machine Building LIVE event at the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum and the Advanced Engineering Show mentioned earlier.

It will be a busy year, which is excellent news. A thriving exhibition scene brings so much to any sector, and after the struggles faced in recent years, it’s so good to see our sector’s events thriving.

Enjoy the issue.

Chris Callander, Editor @Mepca-magazine

To subscribe to MEPCA visit our website www.mepca-engineering.com or scan the QR code.

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CONTENTS Industry Partners:

FEATURES 12 OPINION Gambica

17 MATERIALS HANDLING FOCUS Combilift, Bito Storage, mk Profile and Bosch

26 SENSORS & SENSING SYSTEMS ifm

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36 SKILLS Beckhoff UK

38 CONTRACT MANUFACTURING Qimtek

42 EVENT PREVIEW Southern Manufacturing, National Manufacturing Summit, Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week, Hannover Messe and Subcon.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

AI-powered tool to navigate electromechanical repair and maintenance standards

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he Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) is working with the British Standards Institute (BSI) and UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, to develop an AI-powered tool to help electromechanical repair specialists ensure they repair hazardous area motors to the correct standard.

The tool, which is being developed with funding and support from Innovate UK, will enable engineers repairing rotating electrical equipment to clarify technical requirements through an easy-to-operate chatbot-style interface.

Within the BS EN and IEC 60079 series of standards, various technical standards govern, among other things, the repair, overhaul, reclamation, installation, maintenance, and inspection, plus the design, testing and marking of equipment designed for use in explosive atmospheres.

Navigating and interpreting this complex range of standards can be time-consuming and open to error. In addition, these standards are reviewed and updated periodically; however, it can be a challenge to ensure the right standard is used in conjunction with the age of the equipment being repaired.

The tool under development by the AEMT and BSI aims to vastly simplify interpreting and complying with these complex standards while reducing the potential for error. Users of the system will be able to ask questions about the repair they are working on and be provided with the technical guidance and information required to ensure compliance and safety. The chatbased interface draws on large language model technology, which allows for further detail or clarification where needed. This is particularly valuable in interpreting a range of cross-referenced documents, where identifying the pertinent parts of various standards is not straightforward.

By understanding the year in which the type of hazardous area equipment was certified, which can be established from the first two digits of the certificate number, the chatbot will be able to establish which version of the relevant standard applies.

For example, in the 2000 version of the Ex d standard BS EN 50018, the dimensions relating to flame paths differ from those in the 2004 version, IEC 60079-1. However, where IEC 60079-19, which covers the repair, overhaul, and reclamation of equipment designed for use in explosive atmospheres,

is concerned, the chatbot will only give information from the latest version.

This is because repair procedures improve over the different versions released. For example, a go-no-go test, which helps to check for damaged threads, was introduced in the latest edition, 2019, but this is not referenced in the 2015 version of the same standard.

The tool will initially cover ten versions of four different BS EN Hazardous Area standards and is due to be tested by AEMT members and rolled-out from quarter two, 2024.

Control systems and drives for the world’s widest paper machine in its class

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BB has been selected as a project partner for the installation of the world’s widest uncoated machineglazed (MG) paper machine at Gascogne Papier’s kraft pulp and paper production plant in Mimizan, France.

Replacing three older machines, the facility’s PM7 will be fully integrated and standardised using the ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system (DCS), and the ABB Quality Control System (QCS) for pulp and paper, drives and motors.

Advanced QCS controls will enable

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automatic grade changes and multivariable cross-direction. The full scope of supply includes 8000 I/O, ACS880 multi-drives and ABB’s energy-efficient SynRM IE5 motors. The package will help Gascogne Papier save on energy costs while simultaneously reducing waste by making more on-spec paper.

ABB’s technologies will be used on the new paper machine that has a web width of 6.8m and a design speed of 1,300m/min. It will be capable of producing 125,000 tons of

basis weight paper per annum, between 25 and 120 grams per square meter, setting a new industry benchmark for uncoated MG papers.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Manufacturers enter 2024 with increased optimism

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ritain’s manufacturers are viewing the UK as a more competitive place to locate their activities compared to twelve months ago, with an increasing number believing they are moving ahead of their European rivals. However, they remain wary of the huge threat to their competitiveness posed by the economic behemoths of the US, India and China.

The findings come from a major survey of over two hundred senior manufacturing executives published by Make UK and PwC, titled Executive Survey 2024 Thriving Despite Adversity (https://bit.ly/MakePWC24).

The survey shows that after a very difficult few years through the pandemic and the shock to energy prices, there are optimistic signs, with companies being more bullish about the prospects for manufacturing in 2024. As a result, the majority of companies are seeing opportunities outweighing the risks to their business.

Manufacturers are backing this belief with investment in new products, expansion into new markets and accelerating use of new digital technologies to improve their business.

However, the survey also shows that manufacturers are wary of the prospects for both the UK and global economies, while

significant challenges remain in the faces of increased energy and employment costs, as well as access to domestic skills.

According to the survey, more than half of companies (52.7%) see the UK as a more competitive place to manufacture. This compares to just under a third (31%) in the same survey a year ago following the political chaos of 2022. Less than a fifth (16.6%) believe the UK is not a competitive place in which to manufacture.

Furthermore, almost a third of companies believe the UK is increasing its competitiveness against Germany and France (30.7% and 30.2%, respectively), while more than a quarter believe the UK is moving ahead of Spain and Italy (29.3% and 28.3%). These figures are greater than those who see the UK’s competitiveness decreasing against EU rivals.

However, by contrast, the share of companies who believe the UK is losing competitiveness against the US, India and China dwarfs those who believe the UK is gaining.

The survey also shows manufacturers are bullish about their prospects for the coming year, with more than four-fifths (44.4%) believing that conditions in the sector will improve, while a fifth (20.5%) see conditions deteriorating. In addition, almost two-thirds

(62%) of companies see opportunities outweighing the risks this year, while just 14% disagree.

In the year ahead, more than half of manufacturers (52.7%) see opportunities in new products, while more than a quarter (27.3%) are expanding into new markets, and a similar proportion (26.3%) are net zero opportunities. Furthermore, digital technologies have the potential to boost productivity, with almost three-quarters of companies (71.2%) believing digitising operations will boost operational efficiency. In addition, more than half of companies (52.2%) see generative AI increasing the productivity of their workforce.

YASKAWA invest in new UK headquarters

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obotics and Automation specialist YASKAWA is making a significant investment in its UK operations with the opening of a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Sunderland. The new, state-of-the-art 35,000sq ft. facility at Hillthorn Park is adjacent to Nissan UK and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) and illustrates a continuation of Yaskawa’s ambitious expansion strategy across Europe following the trend towards building up technology know-how, along with production and supply competence across Europe.

Yaskawa has shipped over half a million industrial robots across the globe, thousands of which are deployed in the UK. One industry Yaskawa has seen new opportunities for growth in is the electric and hybrid vehicles sector, which was a key motivator when moving to Hillthorn Park.

David Walsh, Managing Director at Yaskawa UK Ltd, confirmed: “We continue to see positive growth and investment changes across our European organisation, which includes the continued desire to invest in the growing opportunities for UK industry sectors in the robotics and motion control industries we supply”. He continued: “This represents

a huge vote of confidence in the UK and our new location in the North East is a significant driver for major industrial investment, helping to exploit the opportunities to help shape, create and contribute to innovative automation solutions across many industry sectors. Being close to customers is extremely important to us, and this move puts us right at the heart of one of the UK’s largest manufacturing clusters and some of the biggest names in electric vehicle development and production”.

www.mepca-engineering.com

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SOLUTIONS FOCUS

Trusted temperature measurements for industry

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METEK Land, a leading manufacturer of instrumentation and analysers for non-contact industrial infrared temperature measurements, combustion efficiency and environmental pollutant emissions, has a reputation for producing innovative, resilient measurement technologies designed to operate in the most challenging conditions.

Its wide range of highly accurate measurement solutions can be tailored to meet the unique needs of every customer, with unrivalled expertise in various applications for process safety, process control, and product quality.

AMETEK Land’s single-point pyrometer portfolio is led by the innovative SPOT+ series, which combines EtherNet/IP, REST API, web server, Modbus TCP, image streaming, analogue and alarm outputs within a single standalone device.

The SPOT+ makes non-contact temperature measurement accurate, flexible, and easy to use, with a patented pulsed LED sighting pattern to ensure optimum focus, and advanced software support.

With monochromatic, ratio, and multimode, application-specific models available, the SPOT+ series provides solutions for applications throughout many industries, including power generation, aluminium, steel, and industrial processing.

AMETEK Land also supplies dedicated systems for key applications such as glass furnaces and slag detection in liquid metal tapping. These utilise the company’s extensive array of thermal imaging products, which includes borescope cameras.

With decarbonisation and process efficiency becoming increasingly important issues, AMETEK Land’s thermal imaging range encompasses near-infrared, mediumwavelength, and long-wavelength models

that can provide effective furnace monitoring.

In-furnace thermal imaging generates data that supports predictive control, improves quality and yield, and reduces waste as the first step to decarbonisation.

With the ability to produce a continuous, accurate thermal profile of the furnace in real-time, as well as being able to take temperature measurements at any point in the process and in any location within the furnace, thermal imaging can provide invaluable data for the operation of any modern steel, non-ferrous and glass plant. ametek-land.com.

Machinery safety training experts

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n average, 610,000 workers are injured in workplace accidents in the UK annually, equating to over 2,300 injuries per working day. The cost estimate to the UK in relation to these accidents in 2020 was over £5.6bn.

Euchner helps manufacturers and users meet legal safety requirements at every stage of the machine and installation life cycles.

Its team of highly qualified machinery safety experts is at your disposal.

Euchner Academy offers a wide range of training courses, including Risk Assessment, Safe System Design and Verification, UKCA/ CE Marking and many more.

By attending an Euchner approved training program, delegates will strengthen their skills, knowledge and competency in industrial machinery safety. In addition to the theory many EUCHNER courses are often backed up with hands-on practical sessions, leading to a greater level of understanding compared to other purely academic programs.

As well as gaining the valuable skills

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delegates require for their roles, through attendance on an Euchner training course, they are also helping to promote a safer workplace for everyone.

Based on years of experience and expertise in collaborating with its customers, Euchner offers a systematic approach to machine safety training, ensuring that the relevant health and safety laws and associated standards are adhered to.

Euchner has the flexibility to tailor machine safety services to its customers’ needs to ensure safety compliance and peace of mind for their organisation, helping to achieve machine safety ambitions and goals.

Along with the standard courses offered Euchner can also tailor-make bespoke courses to suit the individual needs of an organisation. www.euchner.co.uk

A Kawasaki Robot for every application

Kawasaki Robotics Tel:+44-1925-713-000 www.kawasakirobotics.com/uk/

SOLUTIONS FOCUS

Reducing manual handling requirements

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ndustrial washer and dishwasher manufacturer, Showa Co., Ltd., began production of face masks in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was robotic automation that supported Showa’s new line of business.

Their mask manufacturing process initially involved much manual work, resulting in long lead times and excessive in-process inventory. Moreover, there were frequent product defects. Though their initial production capacity was approximately 1.5 million masks per month, the orders exceeded well beyond two million per month. To meet the demand, their production process needed to be upgraded drastically.

To increase production capacity, it was necessary to fully automate the entire production process from mask manufacturing to inspection, packaging, and packing for shipment and minimise manual work.

The process involves cutting, layering,

and creasing unwoven fabric, attaching a nose-fitting wire and ear straps, inspection by camera for defects, wrapping individually in plastic, and packing each lot in boxes. By automating this process, the company drastically reduced the number of workers required for the process and achieved a production capacity of two to three million masks per month.

Since then, the company has made further improvements and can now produce more than nine million masks per month.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ high-speed picking robot, Y series, is active on the mask production line 24 hours a day, which enabled the company to successfully reduce the number of workers for material handling from 10 to one. This solution has significantly improved efficiency. Parallel link robots are widely used in the food industry for their quick and accurate material handling

capability using thin arms reminiscent of a claw machine game. They are also suitable for mask manufacturing, where speed and accuracy are required.

“While we use many articulated robots, including duAro, to produce washers and develop cooking assistant robots, mask manufacturing requires speed. In terms of capability, it was inevitable to introduce parallel link robots,” a representative of Showa explained. www.kawasakirobot.co.uk

Partnership opportunities at Vision Engineering

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icroscope and 3D digital inspection and measurement specialist Vision Engineering has created a Technology Exploitation Division, led by Harry Curtis (pictured), to explore new business opportunities for its innovations and strengthen the manufacturing services and capability it offers to potential partners, and will be exhibiting at Southern Manufacturing (6-8 February 2024) on stand J260.

Widely recognised and awarded for its expertise in both optical and digital microscopes and imaging systems – including a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2020 for its Lynx EVO stereo microscope – the Send, Surrey-based company has been partnering for some time with other companies, start-ups or entrepreneurs who have needed help with manufacturing expertise.

“We’ve been manufacturing our own products for 65 years, and this starts with a blank piece of paper, progressing to a fullyfledged product being distributed and sold

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all around the globe. We are very experienced in all the development steps in between, so we help with any or all of those stages to help facilitate any partner who comes to us,” Harry Curtis explained.

“We utilise our manufacturing capabilities as both a solution development partner and a subcontracting manufacturer. Over the years, several companies have come to us with product ideas at various stages of development, and we have advised and supported them with our own product development experience.

Previous projects that Vision has worked on with partners include a high magnification viewer used in jewellery to identify identification numbers inscribed on diamonds in submicron text, a device to clean surgical instruments, micro welding systems and even a range of men’s luxury

grooming products.

“Additionally, we have very good machining and manufacturing capabilities, further enhanced with Milturn Anodising and its expertise within the Vision Engineering Group. So, we assist customers with design, utilise our optical, mechanical and electronics expertise, provide rapid prototyping with our machine shop and additive manufacturing processes, deliver design for manufacture and production engineering services and help with verification, assembly, quality assurance and distribution needs.” www.visionengmanufacturingservices.com

SOLUTIONS FOCUS

Advanced motor condition monitoring devices

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MRON has recently launched the K7DD-PQ Series, an advanced motor condition monitoring device designed to automate the detection of abnormalities in manufacturing sites. This series specifically focuses on monitoring servomotors that frequently change speed and motors with rapidly changing loads.

By analyzing over 400 types of feature values derived from current and voltage measurements, the K7DD-PQ can detect specific failure modes such as worn blades, chip entanglement, or deteriorating bearings in machine tool spindle motors. This automation eliminates the reliance on skilled workers’ experience and senses, reducing inspection effort and preventing unexpected equipment failure.

K7DD-PQ ensures accurate and comprehensive data processing. It

is equipped with high-speed 2.5-μs sampling technology that catches even the most fleeting anomalies, and 6-channel simultaneous/continuous operation capability that processes data without omission or deviation. It can effectively monitor servomotors and induction motors, detecting anomalies caused by gaps between the rotor and stator or changes in torque. The device offers selfcontained condition monitoring within the manufacturing site, eliminating the need for complex installations or cloud-based systems. With easy retrofitting to the control panel, local monitoring and immediate anomaly detection become hassle-free.

Operating at a speed of 50-ms, the K7DD-PQ can keep up pace with variablespeed equipment, significantly reducing inspection workload. It simplifies data analysis by automatically selecting effective feature values and setting thresholds,

enabling the identification of various failure modes and their root causes. This ensures reliable results and enhances overall equipment effectiveness.

By addressing labour shortages and the need for efficient maintenance practices, OMRON’s K7DD-PQ Series contributes to the automation and optimisation of maintenance tasks, ultimately preventing unexpected equipment failures and improving productivity in manufacturing processes. bit.ly/Ok7dd

Distance sensor sets precision standard

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ith the launch of its next-generation DT80 distance sensor, SICK has revised the standard for measurement precision in countless industrial applications with a compact and robust device. Equipped with highperformance time-of-flight measurement technology, the SICK DT80 1D laser distance sensor achieves unparalleled accuracy of +/- 2mm with a resolution of 0.1mm at ranges up to 80m.

The SICK DT80 laser distance sensor uses a class 2 eye-safe laser to detect, measure and position on natural targets with no reflector. SICK has developed the DT80 with simple commissioning and versatile integration in mind, fitting even the tightest of spaces in both mobile and stationary machinery. With a robust metal housing, the DT80 delivers resilient performance despite challenging environmental conditions.

“SICK’s development programme for the DT80 laser distance sensor has perfected

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our time-of-flight measurement technology and raised the bar in this class of mid- to long-range distance sensing,” explained Nick Hartley, SICK’s UK Market Product Manager for distance measurement. “When engineers can trust the DT80’s repeatable performance, their mobile transport vehicles can operate without interruption or adjustments. Accurate measurement is equally critical in diverse machine operations to ensure product and process quality.”

The DT80 will accurately detect an object that has up to 90% remission at a distance of 80m. For objects with extremely dark surfaces and only 6% remission, it still achieves a range of 14m. The SICK DT80 can be configured in a variety of

combinations of distance and remission.

The DT80’s IO-Link connectivity enables data to be transferred and exchanged between sensors, actuators and OT control systems. Using an IO-Link-Master with OPC UA, data from the DT80 can be exported into on-premise and cloud-based analytics and remote diagnostics software, e.g. for condition monitoring. www.sick.com

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OPINION

Sustainability is the key to manufacturing dominance In manufacturing, sustainability is no longer ‘nice to have’, it’s now a key driver of competitive advantage, according to Gambica’s Nikesh Mistry.

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istory has demonstrated that the aim of manufacturing was simple: produce more, faster, cheaper. However, after numerous external pressures, wars, the global pandemic, and, of course, rising energy prices, a new imperative has emerged, and that is to produce sustainably.

The rising impacts of climate change, resource depletion, and growing consumer awareness have rewritten the rules of the game, making environmental responsibility not just a moral imperative but a crucial factor in maintaining competitive advantage.

The reality is that traditional manufacturing practices have always come at a heavy cost. Pollution, waste, and reliance on fossil fuels have cast a shadow over the industry, threatening the very resources it depends on, along with moral dilemmas faced. This unsustainable model is no longer rational, and manufacturers are pushing forward to find better ways to produce. With everchanging societal factors, consumers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly options, governments are tightening regulations, and investors are shifting focus to companies demonstrating genuine commitment to sustainability.

Sustainability in the manufacturing process can encompass every stage, from sourcing raw materials to a product’s end-of-life. Reducing energy consumption is paramount, achieved through energyefficient equipment, renewable energy sources, and optimising production processes. Resource conservation plays a crucial role in minimising waste through lean manufacturing practices, recycling and upcycling of materials, and exploring bio-based alternatives. It has been apparent that those companies utilising advancements in clean technologies, circular

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economy models, and digitalisation for smarter resource management are the ones driving the shift towards cleaner, greener production.

We are slowly learning in our industry that sustainability is not a cost; it’s an investment. By reducing energy and resource consumption, manufacturers cut operational costs, improve resource security, and mitigate the risks of future regulations. Investing in renewable energy creates long-term price stability and independence from volatile fossil fuel markets.

Beyond the immediate financial benefits, sustainable practices enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty. In a world where consumers are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, being at the forefront of green manufacturing builds trust and attracts a broader market. Additionally, a focus on employee well-being through reduced pollution and improved safety fosters greater workforce engagement and productivity.

As with any new technology, there can be some higher initial investments in clean technologies and infrastructure; however, once traditional mindsets are moulded and processes are adapted, and dedicated effort and training are provided, the rewards from these investments are gradually seen and grow consistently. The rewards for the planet, the consumers and the manufacturers are undeniable.

Similar to the digital revolution, manufacturers who hesitate to embrace the green revolution risk being left behind. Those who actively pursue sustainable practices, however, stand to reap significant rewards.

They will be the ones securing valuable resources, attracting the best talent, and navigating the regulatory landscape with ease. Sustainable production is not simply a trend; it’s the future of manufacturing, and those who lead the charge will become the new industry titans.

The greening of industry is not just an environmental necessity; it’s a strategic opportunity. Not just to tick a box or fill out your corporate sustainable responsibility, but rather to actually make a difference by embracing sustainable practices, manufacturers can ensure their long-term viability, enhance their brand image, and become ambassadors in the future of manufacturing.

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Focus On: Materials Handling

MEPCA explores a range of materials handling topics in the manufacturing sector

P24 – Making delivery chains smart

MATERIALS HANDLING

Innovative and safe solution for bale handling A manufacturer of fibres for manufacturing applications is improving its bale handling procedures thanks to stacker trucks from Combilift, as MEPCA found out.

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FG Drake, based near Huddersfield, is part of the International Fibres Group, which services a worldwide market with technically advanced fibres for diverse applications, including the automotive, floor covering, clothing and speciality paper sectors. The company has taken delivery of two Combilift pedestrianoperated Combi-CS counterbalance design stacker trucks, with the aim of improving procedures for handling bales of fibres that are ready for customer despatch.

IFG’s premises in an old mill comprise a number of floors, with the main manufacturing facility being on an upper level. The finished bales, which can weigh up to around 250kg, had traditionally been moved from the bale press to a chute to the lower storage area using a combination of manual handling and a trolley. “This inevitably entailed a certain amount of strain and risk to the workforce, which we wanted to eliminate, so we decided to investigate a mechanised solution,” said Health & Safety and Facilities Manager David Dransfield.

Due to space constraints, ride-on forklifts would have been tricky to operate effectively around the manufacturing machines, which resulted in a collaboration between Jason Rathbone of Spartan Forklifts, Steve Egginton of B&B Attachments, and Steve Tomlinson of Combilift to organise an on-site trial of the 1000kg Combi-CS model.

Instead of the forks usually found on the front of the truck mast, IFG’s CombiCSs were fitted with a KAUP bale tipping clamp supplied by B&B attachments. With hydraulically operated arms, it is ideal for lifting and moving non-palletised loads and ensures a good grip of the bale when taking it from the press and tilting it to 90° degrees at the mouth of the chute. “Ensuring that enough clamping force could be generated from such a small machine was quite challenging, but this customised unit is now

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perfectly suited to IFG’s requirements,” said Steve Egginton, In common with all Combilift’s pedestrian models, the Combi-CS features a multi-position tiller arm that enables push-button rotation of the rear wheel, allowing the operator to remain in the safest possible position at the side of the truck. This also enhances visibility, making it safer for all personnel in the vicinity.

Both trucks have been in operation for over six months and have behaved impeccably, with no downtime to report.

“We got a spare battery per unit to be on the safe side, but we get an impressive 24 hours of operation per charge,” said David.

“Compared to other applications, the trucks don’t travel such long distances or do as many high lifts. But having these on site has opened our eyes to further operational

advantages as well as, of course, the overriding priority of safety. If a bale is slightly overweight, there is no longer any need to split it and repack as was the case with the previous system, as the trucks can easily cope with an extra few kilos.”

“It’s always very satisfying when everything comes together from various parties to provide a solution for a potentially tricky application – and this was the case at IFG Drake,” said Jason Rathbone. “Most of the 40 plus operatives have now been trained up on the CS, which is relatively quick and easy, and although the old trolleys are still out on the factory floor, they are tucked away in a corner and serve as a reminder of how things used to be!” www.combilift.com

WITH US, FAST STOCK TURN BECOMES EVEN FASTER

www.bito.com

BITO Carton live

Carton live storage with roller track shelving levels provides first-in, first-out stock control and picking.

25 Safety Storage Efficiency Enhance the Safety, Capacity and Efficiency of your Storage The Combilift ethos is helping customers increase storage without the need to expand the size of their facility.

Our range of warehouse and multidirectional forklifts, pedestrian reach trucks, and straddle carriers will allow you to maximize the storage, efficiency and safety of your warehouse facility.

Contact Us Today To find out how Combilift can help you unlock every inch of your space

combilift.com PWE Liz A5.indd 1

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MATERIALS HANDLING

Picking for production made easy Storage and order picking equipment are essential for maintaining efficient material flow.

Creating the ideal system will give manufacturers a massive increase in storage capacity and pick rates within the space they have available, says Edward Hutchison, Managing Director of BITO Storage Systems.

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ithout effective and reliable storage and order picking systems, production and assembly lines will grind to a halt. The Just In Time (JIT) supply of parts, semi-finished products and raw materials to production machines requires flexible and scalable warehouse storage and retrieval systems, whether manual or automated, working in combination with continuous units, such as overhead conveyors and conveyor belts, or discontinuous systems, such as Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMRs), Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) or forklift trucks.

Such systems must not only provide a smooth flow of parts through the plant, from storage to feed the line, but also accommodate future growth. And with assembly areas claiming priority over space in most factories, storage and order picking will often need to fit into a constrained footprint. Fortunately, there are many ways that these objectives can be achieved successfully.

A good example of a lower cost and space-saving method to achieve ‘right first time’ part delivery to the line comes in the form of carton or pallet live systems comprising flow shelves created from racking. With clear labelling, flow shelves help create effective pick zones because the design provides a density of storage that results in a greater number of pick face locations than would be possible with traditional shelving and racking. Because cartons or pallets are loaded into the flow lane on a first in, first out (FIFO) basis, when an empty unit is removed, another full carton or a pallet full of parts flows into place on

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rollers in the inclined lane, ready to pick from.

Simple small parts picking Picking small parts is a vital element in most factory warehouses, and where the goal is to keep things simple, this can be easily integrated within pallet racks. One option is to create small parts pick locations on the reachable ground level, with upper storage levels serving as a buffer store for replenishment. Plastic small parts storage containers will help to store and organise small items and C-parts – making them available for quick and easy picking. This will result in a reasonably efficient picking process, but ground-floor locations within a pallet rack will, of course, be limited. Flow shelves, however, can be easily installed into pallet racking to increase the number of pick locations and volume of SKUs located on the ground-level pick face. Adding standard shelving within pallet racking is another option to create flexible small item pick faces. Using mobile shelving will maximise the available space, though moving the shelves increases pick times. Inclined shelving within a pallet racking bay will make items clearly visible for picking.

Multi-tier shelving can be used to create a centralised warehouse, providing easy inventory management. A typical installation of two or three storeys might, for example, place a high-turnover item pick zone on the bottom tier of shelving, and put lowerturnover items higher up. Board or mesh

floor deck walkways on the different levels can be linked to each other by stairways and/or lifts for convenient access. Transfer options between levels include lifts, pallet transfer positions (with a pallet gate) or spiral chutes that help optimise the workflow between order-picking areas and despatch to the line by allowing products to be moved gently from one level down to the next.

A supplier, such as BITO, which can contribute a wealth of expertise and experience to the solution, combined with a comprehensive range of storage equipment, will work closely with the customer to design a seamlessly integrated system. Having a onestop-shop also means a single point of contact from the design and manufacture through to the installation and support. This is important because the passion and involvement at the design stage should be continued through to project planning and then execution to deliver a truly successful storage and order-picking system that keeps production moving. www.bito.com

Optimum Power Management Systems Power management is the starting point for machine efficiency Power conditioning, properly sized power supplies, current monitoring, redundancy and energy savings are all considered when we assemble a solution for our partners.

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MATERIALS HANDLING

Transfer system for gate valve manufacturer MEPCA found out how transfer system specialist mk Profile Systems helped a manufacturer of liquid gate valves with a bespoke system to support its production process.

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ne of mk Profile Systems’ customers required a pallet transfer system for the production of gate valves for water pipes, on which the valves could be assembled and buffered.

The system was needed to transport the valves to the customer’s dipping station, where they would be checked for leaks.

Three valves are processed on each pallet, making a total weight of up to 250kg per pallet. The pallets had to have the option to be stopped at the assembly stations.

The conveying path needed to be at an ergonomic working height and be secured in accordance with accident prevention regulations (UVV).

Solution from mk The transfer system supplied by mk was constructed out of chain conveyors and accumulating roller chain conveyors. The profile series used was selected to suit the loads being processed. The conveyors form a circuit on which the alignment of the pallets always remains the same, meaning that there was no need for rotating elements.

The pallets are stopped for processing at the assembly stations. Here, the pallets are aligned longitudinally to the conveying direction, allowing workers to easily reach every workpiece. Pressing a button releases the pallet again. On the buffering section, the pallets are transported transversely to the conveying direction. This allows a large number of pallets to be buffered one behind the other in a small space. At the transfer to the customer’s dipping station, the pallets are stopped again and transported further as soon as the dipping station becomes free again. The controller and sensors were installed by the customer themselves.

The customer benefitted from the considerable experience of mk in transfer and circulation systems and could rely on

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them to understand the requirements and execute the best solution.

KTF-P 2010 Chain Conveyor The KTF-P 2010 chain conveyor is a conveyor system for moderate loads and is ideally suited for transporting workpiece carriers. Its large selection of drives makes it extremely flexible, and it is usually used as the basis for constructing transfer lines. It is available as a single, dual or multiple-line system with either a simple roller chain or a duplex roller chain for higher loads and a larger support surface.

The various chains and wear strip guides allow the workpiece to be optimally placed on the conveyor, while their excellent anti-

frictional properties make them extremely low maintenance and sturdy.

Longitudinal slots in the mk 2010 profile beam provide flexible options for connecting struts, guides, sensors and components from the mk profile system.

Like all chain conveyors, the system can be equipped with an optional tensioning device and a continuous lubrication device.

The wear and guide strips that support and guide the timing belt are made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW), which provides a low friction coefficient with excellent wear characteristics over a wide temperature range (up to 65°C over extended periods). www.mkprofiles.co.uk

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MATERIALS HANDLING

Track assets across the supply chain Transparent container management is an important factor in ensuring efficient and effective logistics operations. To help manufacturing companies manage this in a simple and intuitive way, Robert Bosch has launched Track and Trace to support asset tracking across the entire supply chain.

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ontainer management plays an important role in the logistics of manufacturing companies. However, this aspect usually only comes into play when load carriers go missing, transport times increase, or new purchases have to be made at great expense.

Stefan Schenk, who is responsible for the off-road business sector at Robert Bosch GmbH, explained: “Particularly in the case of expensive special load carriers, which are frequently used in the automotive industry, non-transparent delivery chains are an avoidable nuisance. There is huge savings potential, after all.”

This is why Bosch has developed Track and Trace. The smart, complete solution ensures full transparency throughout the load carrier cycle – across different plants and national borders and with effective integration of various suppliers, logistics service providers, and empties locations.

Transparency Where are there (special) load carriers in the logistics cycle? Are they being used to optimum effect? How can their use be optimised? These are just some of the questions faced by logistics experts the world over. All too often, inventories of (special) load carriers across multiple sites are still performed manually – an elaborate and highly error-prone process.

“Employees spend too much time looking for containers that have been recorded either incorrectly or not at all,” added Stefan.

“To maintain an uninterrupted supply to production, additional load carriers have to be purchased while others remain unused.”

Help is now at hand, however, in the form of the smart logistics solution Track

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and Trace from Bosch. The smart tracking solution provides complete transparency regarding the usage and whereabouts of individual load carriers across all processes.

The containers are equipped with sensors to enable real-time tracking. Gateways located at the main hubs within the plants and at the supplier sites collect the sensor data and enrich it with position data before transferring it to the application in the cloud. Thanks to the software’s web interface, the received data can be clearly displayed in the form of dashboards. This provides all user groups with permanent access to the position as well as transport, throughput, and standstill times of the loading units.

“We want Track and Trace to be simple and intuitive to use,” continued Stefan.

“Logistics is not about millimeter-accurate localisation. Instead, the focus must be on cost-efficient implementation and scalability of the solution for later rollouts.”

As well as classic asset tracking, Track and Trace also enables tracking of materials or goods. This allows movements to be tracked via IoT devices in real-time, thereby ensuring the necessary availabilities. Data regarding product-related information – such as temperature, humidity, and shocks – can also be displayed with the tracking solution. bit.ly/BoschTandT

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SENSORS & SENSING SYSTEMS

IO-Link sensors keep brewery on the level When Marston’s Brewery needed help to devise a better and more dependable level control solution, it approached sensing experts, ifm electronic. MEPCA found out more.

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arston’s Brewery is a company with a long and proud tradition – it has been producing its popular and highly regarded English ales at its site in Burton on Trent in Staffordshire since 1898. But although tradition has much to recommend it when it comes to the techniques of beer production, this is not always the case with process control. Modern options can sometimes offer important benefits, as proved to be the case when the company decided to update the level control system on six of its massive bright beer storage tanks, each of which can hold up to 21,000 litres of beer.

Prior to the update, the plant operators monitored and controlled the level of beer in the tanks manually with the aid of sight glasses – essentially the same system that had been in use since the brewery first opened. The sight glasses required regular cleaning, however, which was a difficult and inconvenient operation, and some were not readily visible, making it hard for the operators to keep track of the levels. As a result, a tank was sometimes allowed to become completely empty, allowing air into the system, which disrupted the operation of the bottling lines.

Key requirements of a new solution were that it should enable accurate automatic control of levels in the tanks, that it should interface with the plant’s existing PLC and SCADA systems to allow the levels to be monitored remotely, and that it should provide clear level indication adjacent to the tanks via digital displays.

After carefully assessing the requirements and noting the need for the solution to be compatible with the hygienic requirements of the food and beverage industry, engineers from ifm electronic proposed that each tank should be fitted with two flush-fitting

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hygienic PI2796 pressure sensors with integral displays and one LMT100 hygienic level sensor. These sensors incorporate IO-Link interfaces, meaning that digital process values are transmitted, which greatly simplifies interfacing them with the existing plant systems and also ensures that the data they capture will always be transmitted accurately.

The plant systems use an Ethernet network with redundant ring topology to ensure high reliability. The ifm IO-Link sensors were connected to this via AL1121 Ethernet interface modules which, with an IP65 rating, are suitable for installation in the field without additional protection. The requirement for local display of the tank levels was met with E30391 IO-Link display modules, which also connect directly to an IO-Link master port on the AL1121 and, like the Ethernet interface modules, require no additional protection when mounted in the field.

In most applications, the sensors would have been installed on top of the tanks, but in this case, space above the tanks was limited, and access was difficult. The

decision was therefore taken to mount the sensors in the pipes that supply the top pressure to the tanks. In this location, the sensors provide identical data, but installation was much faster, easier and safer as no scaffolding was needed.

Despite the exceptionally high reliability of modern sensors, the engineering team at Marston’s wanted to be sure that, should it ever prove necessary, they would be easy to replace. This requirement was satisfied not only by installing the sensors at a convenient working height, but also by an intrinsic feature of the IO-Link system which allows configuration data to be directly loaded into the sensors.

If a sensor needs to be replaced, all that is necessary is to send the configuration data to the replacement via its normal IO-Link connection, and it is then ready for immediate use. The need for inconvenient and time-consuming manual setting up is completely eliminated, which helps to ensure that plant downtime is kept to a minimum. ifm.com

IMAGING & VISION

The role of photonics in modern manufacturing Technology specialist, Hamamatsu, examines how photonics technology is utilised in manufacturing and the impact it has on different sectors. Visitors to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2024 can find out more on stand L150.

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hotonics technology plays a vital role in modern manufacturing processes, revolutionising various industries by enabling faster, more precise, and more efficient production.

Photonics involves generating, manipulating, and detecting light and its properties; its integration into manufacturing processes has led to significant advancements.

The technology finds applications in several aspects of manufacturing, including imaging, sensing, communication, and material processing.

detection, and monitoring that range from autonomous driving to helping manufacturers automate the quality control process or security. LiDAR systems also utilise laser light to accurately measure distances, map surroundings, and detect objects. They are extensively used in robotics (e.g., moving objects), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and intelligent manufacturing systems for real-time feedback and control.

By integrating LiDAR into manufacturing processes, companies enhance safety, optimise workflows, and improve productivity.

Defect detection

The rise of laser technology

High-resolution cameras and advanced imaging techniques allow manufacturers to detect defects, measure dimensions, and ensure product quality during various stages of production. These imaging systems quickly identify flaws, scratches, or imperfections that may be invisible to the human eye, leading to improved product reliability. For example, different high-speed imaging devices can be placed strategically on a conveyor belt to optimise the food sorting inspection process.

When fruits travel down the conveyor belt, they can be scanned using InGaAs and CMOS cameras. The InGaAs camera will show defects beginning to form under the skin that a human eye cannot see (using infrared technology), while the CMOS camera will show visible defects. All defects detected will help filter out poor quality produce.

Also of practical usage and seen in our everyday lives are optical sensors, which fill our modern cars, creating elegant interiors, interactive displays, and modular lighting.

They have seamlessly been transforming our driving experience, providing us with safety and comfort. Furthermore, they are essential for advancing LiDAR technology (light detection and ranging). LiDAR offers a multitude of applications for its precise measurements,

Laser technology has also brought significant advancements to material processing. Laserbased systems are extensively used for cutting, welding, marking, and surface treatment of various materials. Lasers provide a high-energy, focused beam of light that can accurately and precisely process materials, resulting in enhanced productivity and improved product quality. Laser cutting machines, for example, offer high-speed, contactless cutting of metals, plastics, and textiles, enabling complex and intricate designs with minimal material wastage.

Laser welding provides a fast, efficient, and non-contact method for joining materials, while laser marking offers permanent and highresolution product labelling and branding.

3D printing utilises lasers and other light sources to selectively cure or melt materials layer by layer, creating complex threedimensional objects. Photonics-based 3D printing enables the production of highly customised parts, rapid prototyping, and even the manufacturing of complex geometries that are difficult or impossible to produce with traditional methods. This technology has revolutionised various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and healthcare, by reducing production time, enabling costeffective small-batch production, and fostering

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design innovation.

The era of communication Finally, efficient communication and data transfer is also crucial to the manufacturing environments. Fibreoptic communication systems are widely adopted for high-speed, long-distance data transmission between machines, control systems, and remote monitoring stations. Fibreoptic cables, composed of thin strands of glass or plastic, enable the transmission of light signals carrying large amounts of data thanks to integrated transmitters and receivers. Transmitter and receiver photo ICs, for example, support a wide variety of transmission speeds over a long distance at high speed. This ensures reliable and secure communication, minimising latency and electromagnetic interference. The ability to transmit data rapidly and without loss makes fibreoptics a critical component of modern manufacturing infrastructure.

Additionally, new developments in quantum optical communication can provide secure and encrypted communication with the use of lownoise, high-quality, and high-efficiency single photon emitters and detectors In summary, photonics technology has profoundly impacted manufacturing processes across multiple industries. Hamamatsu Photonics’ extensive portfolio of components, modules, and systems provides innovative, high-quality, and high-performance solutions to the manufacturing industry. www.hamamatsu.co.uk

SAFETY FOR PERSONNEL AND MACHINE

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CONNECTIVITY

Flexible and external embedded Wi-Fi 6E Solutions Mouser Electronics has broadened its range of antennas designed for high-speed Wi-Fi 6E communication.

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he introduction of IEEE’s 802.11ax wireless standard brought forth several technical initiatives aimed at advancing connectivity for the next generation of devices. One key addition was the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E, enabling Wi-Fi communication on the 6GHz spectrum for the first time. By operating at frequencies above the existing 2.4 and 5 GHz networks, Wi-Fi 6E enables better optimisation, less interference, and lower latency. Security is also enhanced, as Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) certification is mandatory for all Wi-Fi 6E devices. Since its introduction in 2020, the deployment of Wi-Fi-6E has expanded to a diverse range of industrial and consumer locations, including offices, manufacturing facilities, clinical environments, and residential areas. Consequently, supporting Wi-Fi-6E has become essential for the latest high-performance wireless devices.

Mouser stocks a wide range of antenna designs needed to fulfil the diverse technical requirements of Wi-Fi 6E devices. Some of the newly added solutions include: The UAM Wi-Fi 6E/Wi-Fi 7 Embedded Antennas from Linx Technologies / TE Connectivity are an innovative range of omnidirectional tri-band antennas designed for the latest Wi-Fi 6E devices. As an externally mounted solution, they can be easily attached to a metal chassis using the unique snapin feature, removing the need for fixings, allowing for unambiguous mounting direction, and increasing assembly speed. Alongside Wi-Fi 6E functionality, they allow for wireless Bluetooth and ZigBee communication, as well as supporting future Wi-Fi 7 networks. The RoHS-compliant range includes multiple cable lengths, with MHF4l and MHF termination available, and is suitable for a wide range of indoor applications.

The Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E Flexible Printed Antenna from Abracon provides high-

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Image courtesy of Mouser Electronics

performance communications in low-profile and easy to integrate packaging. The omnidirectional tri-band operation provides high performance across 2400MHz to 7125MHz frequencies, covering vital 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. The antenna helps to enhance the range of Wi-Fi signals, providing dependable and high-speed connectivity in congested public spaces and complex industrial settings. In conjunction with Wi-Fi 4/5,6/6E and 7 connectivity, it is also ideal for devices using Bluetooth, ZigBee, Thread, and Matter protocols.

System assembly is incredibly simple, with the flexible design allowing for quick adhesive mounting even along contours. The antenna is suitable for a variety of routers and network devices, as well as home automation and IoT sensors.

Kyocera AVX’s range of antennas (pictured) includes solutions designed to suit

a variety of Wi-Fi-connected applications.

The FR4-based WXP3015W08 antenna features an embedded Wi-Fi dipole design and delivers high-performance connectivity and signal sensitivity in miniaturised packaging. It consumes minimal space and can easily be mounted through simple adhesion. For Wi-Fi 6E connections, it features a peak gain of 5.90dBi and an average efficiency of 60%, ensuring a strong connection. It is also suitable for previous iterations of Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth, BLE, and ZIGBEE protocols. Kyocera’s RoHS-compliant AVX range also includes stamped metal and flexible printed circuit Wi-Fi 6E antennas, which use its patented isolated magnetic dipole (IMD) technology, as well as several cable lengths and termination options. www.mouser.co.uk

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FOOD & BEVERAGE

Sponsored article

The online auctioneer to buy or sell your food and beverage machines Industrial Auctions was officially established in 2010, when Ad van Kollenburg opened their doors to the online auctions.. Focussed on the food and beverage industry, the company was determined to become a market leader and has grown its share of the industry each year since it launched as MEPCA discovered.

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ver the years, Industrial Auctions has organised hundreds of auctions for renowned companies like Vion, Nestlé, FrieslandCampina, COOP, Homann, Gordon Brothers, 2 Sisters Food Group and many more.

Industrial Auctions operates out of its head office in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, a 10,000 m2 facility with excellent transport links near a major road network and airport.

With the number of auctions held throughout Europe growing yearly and a worldwide network of buyers, the company is proving its value to the industry.

Key advantages of the Industrial Auctions approach are the cost and availability of the equipment it auctions. A used machine is cheaper than a new one and can be picked up within a week after the auction closes. Another advantage that is not always considered is that used machinery can be more reliable than newer machines and experience fewer complications. The issues that may have occurred will often have been found, tested and fixed on a used machine.

And if it is properly maintained, a used machine can still have many years of useful life left in it. The ever-increasing comfort with which people purchase goods and services online in recent years has helped the company establish itself and grow.

Putting an effort in creating a top-of-mind awareness with its (potential) customers is simultaneously leading to more trust, better approachability and thus a healthy way of doing business together, says Ad van Kollenburg.

An obvious downside of buying machines at an auction is that they will not come with guarantees. However, Industrial Auctions aims to ensure customer satisfaction by

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providing in-depth technical descriptions, many pictures and, when available, videos of the machines in working condition. With the knowledge it has gained in the food and beverage industry over the years, an eye for detail and the highly valued service it provides, it strives to keep its professionalism on top from beginning to end. This is also demonstrated by meeting clients personally during viewing days at all the company’s auctions, providing them with an extensive brochure and an on-site team to answer every question. Even when someone cannot attend the viewing day, the company offers an online brochure and does its best to answer questions quickly by email or phone. Plus, with all of the auctions, the company’s logistics department is ready to help with disassembly and loading during pick up days or as part of the aftersales service, which can include arranging transport worldwide.

The company is proving itself over time but doesn’t rest on its laurels; as Ad van Kollenburg explains: “We will never act like we already know everything; as a matter

of fact, we learn every day. We do not shy away from problems either, and although we’ve drawn up rules and terms and conditions, we do not hide behind them. We want honest trades and try to make sure we meet up to that the best way we can.

Improvements can always be made. Our website, advertisements, and online offers have visibly improved over time.

“We will always strive – no matter how – to offer our clients and contractors the best service possible.”

By providing transparency, open and clear communication, integrity and clarity towards each other Industrial Auctions leaves its clients care free. The company gets the job done with a hands-on mentality, always following the safety rules, with no hidden agenda and a no-nonsense approach.

Getting familiar with the company’s working methods, its casual atmosphere, its high level of commitment and enthusiasm makes believe a cooperation is more than worthwhile. www.Industrial-Auctions.com

DRIVES MOTORS & CONTROLS

Gearbox design cuts downtime and increases flexibility A collaborative solution developed by gearbox manufacturer Apex Dynamics UK with its customer CA Group has created the additional flex needed in the gearbox setup of a converting machine to prevent parts failure and dramatically reduce maintenance downtime.

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uilding envelope manufacturer and contractor CA Group has praised the support it received from gearbox specialist Apex Dynamics UK to redesign the gearbox specifications in its converting machine, delivering much greater flexibility and dramatically cutting maintenance downtime.

CA Group has been creating and delivering advanced build systems to developers for more than 30 years, and its products are featured on hundreds of buildings across Europe.

The company has a converting machine for the manufacture of steel sections for cladding containing a series of 20 Apex Dynamics spiral bevel gearboxes working together. CA Group’s maintenance team identified a problem with the previous setup, as the gearboxes were connected by a solid shaft all the way through, which did not allow for any flexibility of movement.

This flaw in the overall design meant that seals were under strain and often began to leak, leading to high failure rates. Additionally, if a gearbox failed or a seal blew out, it would result in 5-6 hours of downtime to repair the machine because of the difficulty of accessing the gearboxes in order to change them.

CA Group approached Apex Dynamics UK, which supported the CA Group team’s hypothesis that the solid shaft was not working well in the machine, identifying a clear need for more flexibility. Engineering teams from Apex Dynamics and CA Group worked together to come up with a new design that provides the flex needed to prevent parts failure. By developing a new coupling capable of flexing between short shafts, the collaborative project provided the damping needed between the gearboxes to cater for any misalignment of the base or face of the machine.

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A new platform for the gearboxes to sit on has also been created for the converting machine by Apex Dynamics UK and CA Group that reduces downtime in the event of a gearbox failure. The base of the machine is no longer one solid piece, and so, rather than having to dismantle elements of the machine in order to change gearboxes, the platform can simply slide in and out to change gearboxes within 20-30 minutes, compared with 5-6 hours previously.

Prior to the new design, CA Group was seeing gearbox failures and seals blow every few months, which was proving very costly and time-consuming.

Retrofitting the CA Group converting machine has been such a success that the company reports it has not seen any gearbox failures or seals blow in the more than two years since the new solution was implemented, and it has been gradually switching all of its machines over to the new configuration.

The use of Apex Dynamics AT170JH through-hole spiral bevel gearboxes in the converting machine provides CA Group with low backlash, high resilience from the robust stainless steel design, low noise, and excellent nominal torque. Apex Dynamics’ high efficiency, compact AT-H series of spiral bevel gearboxes are easy to mount, with one input shaft and a through hollow output shaft

with a keyway to reduce backlash.

Commenting on the project, Apex Dynamics UK Northern Area Manager, Malcolm Hillary, who worked closely with CA Group, commented: “We were very pleased to be able to help CA Group find the correct solution. They came to us with issues surrounding gearboxes leaking and we confirmed their analysis of the problem.

Working in partnership, we were able to successfully solve the issues of non-flexibility between the gearboxes and make the converting machine easier to maintain in the future.” www.apexdynauk.com

SKILLS

Ageless innovation Stephen Hayes, Managing Director at Beckhoff UK, delves into the challenges of attracting young people to the manufacturing sector and explores the potential role of AI in bridging the generational gap.

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n a recent report by The Royal Society of Motorists, 75% of manufacturers stated that they were concerned about an ageing workforce. However, it’s not just the automotive sector that is facing this issue.

Field service across many manufacturing disciplines has a workforce that is generally nearing retirement, meaning that we are about to lose their expertise and knowledge. Could generative AI help solve the problem?

The manufacturing industry is currently grappling with the challenges posed by an ageing workforce. As skilled workers approach retirement age, the sector is faced with a diminishing pool of knowledge and experience, resulting in a potential loss of invaluable institutional expertise.

The physical demands of manufacturing jobs, such as heavy lifting and climbing, also become more pronounced with age, leading to concerns about workplace safety and the increased risk of injuries.

Additionally, there is a pressing need for upskilling and adapting to rapidly evolving technologies — a task that can be particularly daunting for older workers.

Lack of interest A poll carried out by Sheffield Hallam and Savanta showed that 93% of people surveyed thought that the UK manufacturing industry is important for growing the UK economy, an increase from 70% just five years ago.

However, if this is the case, then why are so many young people not interested in pursuing a career in the manufacturing sector?

This lack of interest from young people is creating an ageing manufacturing workforce — in fact, just 2% of manufacturers’ average workforce age is below the age of 30, according to a study by the University of Strathclyde.

Those born in Generation Z often think that working in the manufacturing industry

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is an old-fashioned, tedious job with few opportunities to develop within the role.

But manufacturing is moving to an age of digitalisation; with Industry 4.0, the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), this revolution could not only potentially attract a younger workforce but also aid the ageing one.

The potential of generation Z People born in Generation Z (1997 – 2012) are a product of the digital age. Unlike any generation before, they entered a world where the internet, smartphones and social media were not just prevalent but integral to daily life.

From a young age, Gen Z individuals navigated a digital landscape, learning to

communicate, access information and form connections through various online platforms. This has not only shaped their communication styles but has also developed a unique ability to adapt to rapidly changing digital environments.

Growing up in the era of instant information, Generation Z is characterised by its tech-savvy nature and inherent comfort with using technology to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

A recent survey conducted by the United Nations asked 254 young people (aged between 10 and 24 years old) from 36 different countries for their opinions on AI. The findings were overall favourable, with 93.2% saying they have a positive perception of AI and robotics, 68% stating that they trust AI, and 80% saying that they interact with AI multiple times a day.

SKILLS Both the fourth industrial revolution of the manufacturing industry and the implementation of automation and AI have the potential to attract younger, skilled, and knowledgeable workers into the sector.

Opportunities for young people AI creates a demand for new skills in areas such as machine learning, data analytics and AI programming. This, in turn, generates opportunities for young individuals to acquire and develop these in-demand skills, enhancing their employability and making the manufacturing sector more appealing.

The integration of AI in manufacturing also expands the range of career paths available.

It’s not only about traditional roles but also involves positions related to AI development, data analysis and system optimisation, providing a diverse array of career options for young professionals. It also introduces innovative technologies and advanced automation, providing young workers with an opportunity to engage with state-of-the-art tools and systems.

The pull of working with AI-driven solutions

can attract those who are enthusiastic about the latest advancements in technology. AI facilitates connectivity and collaboration on a global scale — young workers may be attracted to manufacturing roles that involve working with teams and technologies from around the world, offering a sense of global engagement and diversity, which can be seen to be lacking in the manufacturing sector.

Aiding an ageing workforce AI and automation systems emerge as transformative solutions to address the challenges faced by an ageing workforce in the manufacturing industry. Here, it can act as a supportive force, augmenting the capabilities of older workers by automating routine tasks and mitigating the physical strains associated with manual labour.

Personalised, adaptive learning programmes driven by AI facilitate continuous upskilling, enabling older employees to stay up to date with technological advancements. Also, to facilitate the ageing workforce, AI-powered

collaborative robots can work alongside seasoned professionals, assisting with physically demanding tasks and forging a human-machine partnership.

Additionally, AI-driven predictive maintenance systems enhance workplace safety by foreseeing equipment issues, reducing the risk of unplanned downtimes and potential injuries.

By using AI technologies, manufacturers can not only retain the expertise of their ageing workforce but also create an inclusive and dynamic environment that maximises productivity and ensures a seamless knowledge transfer to future generations.

Currently, there are around 95,000 unfilled positions within the manufacturing industry, according to a survey conducted

by Make UK. Of course, AI cannot replace the decades of knowledge from older experts in the field. However, embracing AI in manufacturing not only helps address the challenges of an ageing workforce but also takes a proactive step in attracting the next generation to fill these open positions. www.beckhoff.co.uk

www.mepca-engineering.com

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CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

Subcontract market ends 2023 on a high The latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) shows that the UK market for subcontract manufacturing ended the year on a strong positive note after a difficult twelve months.

The Contract Manufacturing Index shows the value of the market for contract and subcontract manufacturing services for machining, fabrication and other processes.

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erformance in the contract manufacturing sector during 2023 was driven down by buyers putting new projects on hold and focusing on reducing stock in response to uncertain demand. It reached an all-time low in August.

The rebound in the fourth quarter was impressive, with the market up 106% compared to the previous three months as purchasing organisations unlocked budgets and started to place new work with suppliers.

Overall, the market ended the year 7.5% higher than it was at the end of 2022.

The CMI is produced by sourcing specialist Qimtek and reflects the total purchasing budget for outsourced manufacturing of companies looking to place business in any given month. This represents a sample of over 4,000 companies that could be placing business that together have a purchasing budget of more than

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£3.4bn and a supplier base of over 7,000 companies with a verified turnover in excess of £25bn.

The baseline for the index is 100, which represents the average size of the subcontract manufacturing market between 2014 and 2018.

The CMI for Q4 2023 was 78.5, compared to 38.1 in Q3 2023 and 73 in Q3 2022.

Over the course of the year, the market got off to a strong start in January but quickly tailed off to hit new lows in July and August. The recovery started in September and carried on picking up momentum for the rest of the year.

On a process-by-process basis, fabrication was the strongest area of the market – up 160% on the previous quarter and 12% on the previous year. Growth in machining was less strong but still significant – up 51% on the previous quarter but just 2.4% up on the previous year. Other processes, including moulding and electronics, were up by just

0.5% year-on-year.

The largest single sector throughout the year was Industrial Machinery, with Food & Beverage second and Electronics third.

Qimtek is now also tracking average lead time, which stayed consistent throughout the year at 22 days.

Commenting on the figures, Qimtek owner Karl Wigart said: “The main reason that 2024 was a slow year was that a lot of new projects were being kept on hold, and buyers were concentrating on using up their existing stock.

“It seems as if the optimistic view we had at the end of the third quarter was justified, and Q4 saw a good rebound of activity among both buyers and suppliers. Buyers suddenly started to release new projects, and suppliers picked up on the quoting activity from the third quarter. This trend seems to be set to continue, and the start of the new year has been surprisingly busy.” www.qimtek.co.uk

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BEARINGS

Ultrasonic testing provides highly accurate bearing life predictions After years of research and development, NSK is revising the basic dynamic load rating of many bearings by up to double the equivalent rolling contact fatigue life with no change in design or materials.

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SK is the first company in 60 years to make a significant breakthrough in bearing life calculation techniques, helping end-users to improve productivity and boost environmental protection.

Some engineers may be surprised to learn that the fundamental formulas used to calculate bearing life are more or less the same as those defined in a 1962 report by the International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA), the precursor to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In 2023, over six decades later, NSK has learned a few more things about calculating and predicting bearing life, making it time to reconsider the evaluation techniques for this critical parameter.

The project began around 20 years ago, when NSK noticed a growing gap between the bearing life calculated in the ISO standard and the actual bearing life verified by endurance testing. A more detailed study commenced.

At that time, NSK confirmed that the life of its bearings was approximately 20 times longer than the life expected under ISO standards. And today, in 2024, the life of NSK bearings can be more than 50 times longer.

Erring on the side of caution is fine, but longer bearing life is beneficial to improve production efficiency and protect the environment by reducing the frequency of replacement and quantity of waste.

NSK research demonstrated that, under well-lubricated conditions, the composition and quality (amount of impurities) of the bearing steel are more accurate indicators

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The size and amount of non-metallic inclusions help predict the life of rolling bearings.

in predicting how long a bearing will last.

However, as the company continued its research, engineers realised that an evaluation method based on fracture mechanics might provide more meaningful insight.

Technology development commenced via an open innovation project between NSK and Kyushu University. The result was the establishment of a quantitative evaluation method that could determine which factors influenced the process of crack propagation in a material, and to what extent. Notably, by combining the new method with an ultrasonic inspection technique that scans the nonmetallic inclusions in a large volume of steel, NSK discovered it could predict the life of its bearings with much higher accuracy.

With the establishment of the Micro-UT ultrasonic inspection method, it is today possible to inspect more than 3,000 times the

volume of steel compared with conventional microscope methods in just 20% of the time.

NSK already has these innovative testing systems in place at its Technology Centres around the world.

The company’s current catalogue contains a very large number of bearing types, and the applications and conditions of use by customers are also diverse. In order to ensure that customers can use NSK bearings with confidence, the company is reviewing the basic dynamic load ratings in consideration of an appropriate safety margin. Customers can rest assured that the updating process will take place based on well-researched methodology supported by extensive empirical data. Any uprated values will be well within the safe range. www.nskeurope.com

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EVENT PREVIEW

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics has arrived With the annual Southern Manufacturing & Electronics event almost with us, MEPCA looks at what visitors will discover when they visit the Farnborough event on February 6 to 8.

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he 2024 Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition, which is being held from 6 to 8 February, will be more international than ever following a big increase in stand bookings from overseas. The eagerly awaited event is the most important annual engineering show in the UK calendar. It will be attended by many thousands of people from across Britain, Ireland, continental Europe and beyond, involved in design, procurement, production and management in a plethora of manufacturing sectors.

As usual, it is being held at the worldclass Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Hampshire, which is well served by road and public transport links.

There is ample free car parking, and a regular, complimentary bus service runs between Farnborough’s Main and North Camp railway stations and the showground.

Since it started in 1997, the exhibition has grown continuously from a small gathering of regional firms into a major international expo. As it represents both the mechanical engineering and electronics sectors, it garners support from both disciplines in approximately equal measure, which has helped its spectacular growth.

So also has the organiser’s policy of discouraging larger firms from dominating the space to the detriment of SMEs and smaller vendors. It creates a vibrant atmosphere that promotes the formation of long-term business relationships and a lively exchange of ideas, especially as there is no demarcation between the two sides of the show. It means that visitors are able to walk freely between stands and perhaps discover things they were not expecting at the outset. A large percentage of exhibitors are regular returnees, and many have supported the show since the start.

Hosting so many companies offering goods and services across a multitude of sectors,

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the event is an ideal venue for addressing multiple sourcing issues quickly and efficiently, especially in times when supply chains are under pressure. Visitors will see all the latest in machine tools, tooling, workholding and other production hardware, test, measurement, inspection and metrology equipment, materials suppliers and an extensive range of subcontractors.

There will be companies offering additive manufacturing platforms and production services, as the technology continues its path to becoming a mainstream manufacturing technique. There will be a dizzying array of mechanical, electrical, electronic, electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic components and assemblies, surface mount technology, PCB manufacture, box build, cables, cabinet and mechatronics assembly, plastic injection and rubber mouldings, connectors, sensors, drives and encoders.

Automation on both the mechanical engineering and electronics sides will feature strongly, driven by a skills shortage in Britain and across Europe. The manufacturing industry is also facing a battle to recover from the impacts of Brexit, supply chain disruption, soaring energy costs and higher taxation. Not surprisingly, these themes are emerging strongly at this year’s show.

There is an emphasis on Industry 4.0 and end-to-end digitalisation as well as robots, cobots (collaborative robots) and other forms of autonomous handling, plus renewed interest in the reshoring of production and new technologies such as green energy and power-saving machinery.

Alongside the exhibition and demonstration areas, over the three days there will be a series of free technical seminar programmes giving visitors and exhibitors alike valuable learning opportunities, with a particular focus on the technical, managerial and environmental issues facing manufacturers today. Presentations will include digital process management, advice for small manufacturers looking to improve their relationship with customers, change management, how to enhance a sales team’s performance, CE and UKCA marking compliance, sustainable practices in manufacturing, how to avoid constraints imposed by over-reliance on key staff, and skills coaching including the best way to manage the challenges of hybrid working.

Admission to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is free of charge, and tickets are available from the event’s website. www.industrysouth.co.uk

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EVENT PREVIEW

National Manufacturing Summit returns The National Manufacturing Summit returns to the Manufacturing Technology Centre on March 14 this year. Its organisers outline what they have in store for visitors to the event.

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he UK manufacturing sector has always been supported and promoted by a wide array of events.

However, many have typically been based on a legacy format that, over the last decade, has become somewhat stale and uninspiring.

In 2020, MTC Events surveyed the manufacturing horizon along with industrial partners to ascertain what the manufacturing industry wanted to see in the future from industry events. Without a doubt, the resounding response was there was an overwhelming feeling that events - and the industry bodies organising events - were not fully representing the voice of industry, and that events were scripted and even politically focused too much on specific policy areas by the organisers.

The call was for industry to have more involvement in both the construction of events and the content, delivering an unbiased voice for industry. Taking this feedback, it was decided that another industry conference wasn’t going to be good enough to stage that unbiased industry voice, and something bigger and more purposeful was needed.

The idea of an annual summit was created jointly between the Industrial Policy Research Centre (IPRC) and the MTC Events team. An event of significance, fuelled by industry, for industry, giving UK manufacturers a stage to project an unbiased voice.

In March 2021, the inaugural National Manufacturing Summit was held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.

The first new large-scale event of its kind for some time, NMS 2021, was underpinned with government representation from all four nations, industry partners, academics, leaders, and experts from our sector.

A fully virtual event, while some COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were still in place, NMS 2021 was a resounding success, with more

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than 1,500 delegates joining across the two days.

NMS returned in February 2022 and marked the first major MTC-led face-to-face event to be held at the venue since the start of the pandemic. Building on the considerable virtual audience from the year before, we combined in-person conference sessions with a full live broadcast, thus creating the MTC’s first ever large-scale hybrid event.

The 2022 National Manufacturing Summit was centred around three core themes – ‘fossil fuels to renewables’, ‘factory to door’, and ‘field to fork’ – providing a clear focus on the UK’s charge to achieving net zero by 2050. We welcomed over 4,500 inperson and virtual attendees over two days from across five continents, with over 540 companies represented.

In 2023, building on the success of the previous year’s hybrid model, the National Manufacturing Summit was even bigger still.

NMS 2023 was centred around unlocking the digital revolution and sought to address the prevalence of digital technology in UK manufacturing, both now and in the future.

This year, our focus turns to technology, skills, and training, a topic that is high on the agenda within our sector, as we explore how advances in technology will affect the workplace and workforce of the future.

The event will provide a national forum for discussing key topics, which this year include: • Workforce development on the road to net zero • The future workforce and technologies • Tackling the skills crisis to build manufacturing resilience • A review of the current scene within manufacturing Event delegates will also have the benefit of seeing the latest technologies and demonstrations on display by a number of event exhibitors. Like every edition of NMS, our focus is informed by industry demand. With proven year-on-year growth, the National Manufacturing Summit affords opportunities for industry, academic partners, government, and the wider HVM Catapult network to not only be a part of the conversation but to help shape it, too.

The original aim for this conference was to create an event fuelled by industry, for industry, and to give UK manufacturers a stage to project an unbiased voice. Four years on, and we truly believe that the National Manufacturing Summit continues to be just that. www.nmsummit.co.uk

January 2024 www.mepca-engineering.com

December 2023

November 2023

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The MX-System: A pluggable system solution for control cabinet-free automation

Regular Sections: Food Processing Machine Building Robotics Imaging & Vision Drives Motor & Controls Sensors & Sensing Systems Test & Measurement Additive Manufacturing Pumps & Pumping Systems Packaging & Inspection Manufacturing Software Health & Safety

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To advertise with MEPCA please contact: James Davies on 01795 509105 jamesd@cimltd.co.uk

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EVENT PREVIEW

Manufacturing and Engineering Week gets smart for 2024 Following an incredibly successful event in 2023, Manufacturing & Engineering Week continues to evolve, becoming Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week in 2024. This small adjustment reflects the forward-looking nature of the event and its focus on the new technologies, tools, and solutions that are driving the sector forward.

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erity Noon, Marketing Director at Nineteen Group, commented on the name change, saying: “The week, and especially the live events at the NEC, are all about cutting-edge innovations in hardware and software, and solutions to the current challenges being faced around industry 4.0, sustainability and supply chain shortages to name a few. Manufacturers and engineers are constantly looking for ways to work smarter, to become more efficient, stay ahead of the competitive curve and explore new business models and practices, and Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week will help them do just that.”

With more than 10,000 manufacturers, designers, engineers and maintenance professionals attending in 2023, the event will expand up to and beyond 450 exhibitors for 2024. The show comprises a number of unique and exciting shows.

Smart Factory Expo will showcase cutting-edge solutions in modern manufacturing, from AI and automation to cyber security and robotics. Maintec is the longest-standing exhibition for the predictive maintenance, reliability and asset management sector. Design & Engineering Expo focuses on innovation so that design and engineering professionals can reduce costs and streamline and optimise their future design and engineering strategy.

Drives & Controls highlights the latest in machinery, robotics, industrial automation, and more.

A host of other live events will be taking place. Senior leaders will be able to attend the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit, the Industrial Data & AI Summit and the Manufacturing Automation and Robotics Summit, as well as the Director’s Forum.

Plus, The Manufacturer Top 100 Award

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ceremony, which celebrates the heroes of UK manufacturing and recognises their contribution to the sector, will be held during the week.

Sustainability stands tall at the heart of both the industrial sector’s future and the event organiser’s thinking. The event will once again be carbon neutral in 2024, with more than 20,000 trees planted in the Nineteen Group Forest since 2022. The event’s charity partner is again Engineers Without Borders UK, which ensures that globally responsible engineering is embedded within the thinking of both engineers and the businesses they work for.

Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week’s live events will run from June 5 to 6, 2024, with Smart Factory Expo, Design & Engineering Expo and Maintec in Hall 4 at the NEC and Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems and Air-tech in Hall 5. Other exhibitions are also taking place at the NEC

during the week, and these include TCT 3Sixty from Rapid News Group and Subcon from the Mark Allen Group.

A single visitor registration to Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week 2024 provides access to all the events.

Registration is now open, to secure your pass head to: www.mandeweek.co.uk

Live Events 5-6 June 2024 | NEC Birmingham

9 events

12,500+ visitors

450+ exhibitors

Incorporating:

Register now at www.mandeweek.co.uk or scan this code

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EVENT PREVIEW

Deutsche Messe invites entries for the HERMES AWARD 2024 Deutsche Messe is once again inviting entries for the HERMES AWARD – the world’s most important industrial prize. It will be presented by Germany’s Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, at the opening ceremony of HANNOVER MESSE on April 21.

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he deadline for companies and institutions participating in HANNOVER MESSE to submit their entries for the HERMES AWARD is February 21. Besides this prestigious prize, submissions are also being invited again for the HERMES Startup Award.

The independent jury will be chaired for the first time by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the FraunhoferGesellschaft. Under his chairmanship, the jury members will nominate three products each for the HERMES AWARD and for the HERMES Startup AWARD from among the submissions, and determine the respective winner from those nominees. The degree of technological innovation, benefits for industry, the environment and society, as well as cost-effectiveness and implementation maturity, are key criteria in assessing which entry merits the award.

Every year, Deutsche Messe AG honours a company with the HERMES AWARD in recognition of a product or solution that demonstrates a particularly high degree of technological innovation.

Only those technological solutions that have already been proven in industrial practice are considered. Companies can apply via this link: https://hermes-award. alpha-awards.com/ The Bosch Rexroth company was presented with the HERMES AWARD 2023. The Smart Flex Effector project consists of a sensor-based compensation module (end effector) for robots, featuring independent, precise kinematics in six degrees of freedom. It can be used in handling or joining processes with tight tolerances in automation technology or robotics, with loads of up to 6kg.

The position of workpieces or handling objects can be sensed by robots which are outfitted with the Smart Flex Effector.

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The range of applications is diverse since it is also suitable for human-robot collaboration as an add-on device for a variety of robots.

The HERMES Startup AWARD 2023 went to the Netherlands. The young company MantiSpectra from Eindhoven was awarded for its ChipSense product. It is a fully integrated near-infrared sensor – the smallest of its kind on the market, with a footprint of 1 mm2. The sensor enables rapid, highly accurate analysis and is used directly on the production line, from where it delivers real-time data. This makes it possible for defects to be detected as soon as they occur and for savings to be made through immediate quality control on the spot, on the production line. The product is already in use in industry, agriculture and food processing.

HANNOVER MESSE HANNOVER MESSE is the world’s leading trade fair for industry. Its lead theme of ‘Industrial Transformation’ brings together exhibiting companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and digital industries as well as the energy sector to present solutions for future production methods and the energy supply. Key topics include Industrie 4.0/manufacturing-X, energy for industry, digitisation/artificial intelligence and machine learning, carbon-neutral production, and hydrogen and fuel cells.

The program is complemented by a series of conferences and forums. The next edition of the event runs in Hannover, Germany, from April 22 to 26, 2024. www.hannovermesse.de

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14.06.23 13:43

EVENT PREVIEW

Your manufacturing solutions show Celebrating 47 years on June 5-6, 2024, at the NEC, Birmingham, Subcon will showcase over 200 subcontract and outsourced engineering services to a diverse audience of over 4500 senior attendees.

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ubcon remains the essential event for manufacturing buyers across all industry sectors, providing a unique platform to source suppliers, benchmark capabilities, and network with industry leaders.

After launching a newly refurbished website at the end of 2023 that offers an improved online experience for both exhibitors and visitors, Subcon has recently announced exciting enhancements that make for two jam-packed days of innovation and celebration.

What’s new in 2024?

Manufacturing Solutions Awards – Subcon will host the inaugural ‘Manufacturing Solutions Show Awards’, set to take place within the exhibition on Thursday, June 6, and designed to celebrate excellence in UK manufacturing and honour outstanding engineering innovations.

Networking welcome drinks & entertainment - We’re extending an invitation to all visitors, exhibitors, and speakers to attend our welcome drinks reception, taking place at 5pm on Wednesday, June 5. A perfect way to unwind and network after a busy day in a friendly, informal setting.

Same venue, new hall - Subcon will take place in Hall 3A, making it even easier to access the events taking place across the same dates and even closer to the main transport hubs.

Dedicated work and meeting spaces - If you need a place for face-to-face meetings, want to take time out to catch up on messages, or just grab a coffee, there will be dedicated times available in the meeting spaces.

Benefit from CPD The all-new’ Learning, Innovation & Insights Programme’ is a noteworthy addition to the

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show, designed to provide a better, more informative experience for everyone, with the introduction of new learning formats including: Peer-to-peer roundtable discussion sessions - Join a table with your peers for focused networking and sharing of challenges, led by a subject expert. Gain practical advice, ask your questions, and share challenges and solutions with your peers.

Live product demo sessions – An easier way to learn and interact with the array of world-class products on display at the show.

Get hands-on, practical demonstrations of future solutions for efficiencies, products, materials, and systems in the innovation sessions.

Drop-in advice clinics and workshops CPD Accredited workshop sessions, led by a subject expert, with practical takeaways to progress your professional development or company strategy.

Topics in the ‘Learning, Innovation & Insights Programme’ include: • Government insights for the future of manufacturing and subcontracting in the UK • Global and local market forecasts for materials, suppliers, and trade links • Cross-sector case studies in aerospace, automotive, medical, defence, and more • Lively debate and discussion around reshoring versus offshoring, decarbonisation, and supply chain collaboration • Recruitment and re-skilling advice and support • Industry experts sharing how and where technology and innovation will

create efficiencies and alleviate resource challenges If you’re interested in any speaking opportunities at the show, please complete our short submission form: bit.ly/sub-speak

New for exhibitors Fuel your success at Subcon 2024 at the exclusive Exhibitor Breakfast. All exhibitors will be invited to an informal breakfast reception on the second morning of the exhibition.

Connect with your fellow subcontract suppliers and enjoy complimentary food and refreshments.

The Subcon floorplan has had an incredible 33% expansion on 2023; this along with the high rebook rate, exciting new additions and the continued growth in visitors makes for a brilliant couple of days at the beginning of June. Stand space is still available, but it’s selling fast! If you’re interested in exhibiting at the show, contact sales manager Ben Watkins at: ben.watkins@markallengroup. com.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to visit the show, registration will open at the beginning of March. To be the first to know when registration opens, you can register interest here: www.subconshow.co.uk/register-interest

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Revolutionising the rotary filling and dosing industry

Eliminate strapping to hold spacers and bearers

ottinger Brüel & Kjær has launched what it is calling an innovation in weighing – the FIT5X digital load cell, designed to revolutionise the control of the packaging process for manufacturers of rotary filling/dosing machines.

The FIT5X is an advanced digital load cell, merging a sophisticated filling/dosing algorithm with a control weighing function. Manufacturers can now benefit from advanced automation and increased precision in the filling process.

Thanks to its digital inputs/outputs, the FIT5X provides intelligent interaction with triggers/actuators such as valves, paving the way for automated process control. This feature allows manufacturers to optimise operations, improve the consistency of finished products, and ensure maximum yield from their rotary filling/dosing machines.

As an evolution of the FIT5A, the FIT5X brings crucial additional advantages. Its hermetically sealed construction, even in the sensing area, eliminates risks associated with external exposure, minimising contaminant accumulations and avoiding zero-point or linearity issues. www.hbkworld.com

sers can now eliminate the strapping process from packaging lines when using a RoRo StretchPack packaging machine. The machine enables the packaging of goods in a tubular stretch hood film, allowing spacers and bearers to be held in place without strapping.

The RoRo StretchPack packaging machine from Tentoma A/S is suitable for six-sided sealed packaging. Besides offering 100% waterproofing, it also allows the elimination of the strapping process from a packaging line. Removing the strapping process is feasible when strapping only is used to hold spacers or bearers in place below the packed product. Instead, the spacers, for example, are included inside the stretch hood film.

The tension forces of the stretch hood film ensure tight and smooth packaging and hold the spacers against the bottom of the packed products. This solution is suitable for products with friction between the product layers, preventing slipping, e.g. plasterboards. www.tentoma.com

Flowmeter sales beyond expectations

Verderair e-PURE ATEX certified

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L

iquid flow meter specialist Titan Enterprises has achieved a 33% increase in sales revenue over the last two years. With momentum continuing across the three key regions – UK, Europe and the USA – Titan looks set to reach a similar level by the end of the 2023/24 fiscal year.

A UK-based manufacturer specialising in small-bore liquid flowmeters, Titan has developed an expansive network of distributors and partners around the world to extend its reach.

“We value our global partners as they provide our international customers with local support and technical expertise. They also enable our flow measuring products to reach markets that might otherwise be restrictive, such as the USA,” said Jeremy Thorne, Operations Manager for Titan Enterprises.

Titan’s flowmeter range delivers a variety of parameters and technology, including chemical resistance, long life, clean bore and low flow. This enables Titan to provide liquid flow control solutions to a diverse range of industries. www.flowmeters.co.uk

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T

he Verderair e-PURE, a fully electricdriven pump, has received ATEX certification, making it a reliable and safe pump for use in hazardous environments. The pump, produced by Verer Liquids, is designed with better flow and energy efficiency, resulting in reduced energy costs, maintenance, and a longer lifetime. With its new certification, the e-PURE is now able to transfer fluids in potentially explosive environments without any concerns.

In e-PURE diaphragm pumps the fluid moves through the pump horizontally. The electric drive ensures the reciprocating movement of the diaphragms so that the diaphragm chambers are alternately filled and pressed. This pump design utilises flapper valves instead of ball valves, a reduced number of flow bends and moving parts resulting in less friction losses. The speed of the fluid and the energy efficiency of these pumps is therefore optimal. High speed low stroke technology enables low pulsation. www.verderliquids.com

CONNECTIONS 3D Print Manufacturing

Machine Safety

Midlands 3D Printing T: 01785 594389 E: sales@midlands3d.com W: www.midlands3d.com

Anti Vibration Products, Mounts & Bushes

Schmersal UK Ltd T: 01684 571980 E: uksupport@schmersal.com W: www.schmersal.co.uk

Marking Solutions

Fibet Rubber Bonding (UK) Ltd T: 01282 878200 E: sales@fibet.co.uk W: www.fibet.co.uk

Connectors & Cabling Solutions

T-Mark T: 0870 803 1877 E: sales@t-mark.co.uk W: www.t-mark.co.uk

Pipework Systems

CEMBRE Ltd T: 01675 470 440 E: sales@cembre.co.uk W: www.cembre.com/en

Control Systems

Jacob UK Ltd T: 01694 722841 E: sales@jacob-uk.com W: www.jacob-group.com/uk

Pressure Measurement Specialists

Beckhoff Automation Ltd T: + 44 (0)1491 410539 E: info@beckhoff.co.uk W: www.beckhoff.co.uk

Drives, Motors & Gears

ESI Technology Ltd T: +44 (0)1978262255 E: sales@esi-tec.com W: www.esi-tec.com

Robotics & Automation

Nord T: 01235 534404 E: GB-sales@nord.com W: www.nord.com

Dust & Fume Solutions Impact Technical Services T: 0116 244 8855 E: enquiries@impactts.co.uk W: www.impacttechnicalservices.co.uk

Flow Meters Titan Enterprises Ltd T: +44 (0)1935 812790 E: sales@flowmeters.co.uk W: www.flowmeters.co.uk

High Shear Mixing Equipment Silverson Machines Ltd T: +44 (0)1494 786331 E: sales@silverson.co.uk W: www.silverson.co.uk

Industrial Communications Brainboxes T: + 44 (0) 151 220 2500 E: sales@brainboxes.com W: www.brainboxes.com

Industrial Fans Axair Fans UK Limited T: 01782 349 430 E: sales@axair-fans.co.uk W: www.axair-fans.co.uk

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www.mepca-engineering.com

KUKA Robotics UK Ltd T: 0121 505 9970 E: sales.uk@kuka.com W: www.kuka.com

Sensors Carlo Gavazzi UK Ltd T: 01276 854110 W: www.carlogavazzi.co.uk IFM Electronic T: 020 8213-0000 E: enquiry.gb@ifm.com W: www.ifm.com PLUS Automation Ltd T: 0121 58 222 58 E: Sales@PLUSAutomation.co.uk W: www.PLUSAutomation.co.uk

Storage Solutions BITO Storage Systems Ltd. T: 02476 388 852 E: Info.uk@bito.com W: www.bito.com

Test & Inspection AMETEK Land (Land Instruments International) T: +44 1246 417691 E: land.enquiry@ametek.com W: www.ametek-land.com Cupio Services Ltd T: 01256 262800 E: info@cupioservices.co.uk W: www.cupioservices.co.uk

Kassow Robots is now part of Bosch Rexroth.

With this powerful collaboration, we improve our advances in robotic technology even further- and join forces to create even more value for our customers.