Latest News
MVQ for industrial pneumatic valve positioning
10/10/25 09:00
In what it says is a significant advancement for industrial automation, ifm has launched its MVQ3 range designed specifically for industrial pneumatic valve positioning. The company says this promises to transform operations across multiple sectors by enhancing simplicity and efficiency.
Bearings with optimised coating for improved protection against current passage
16/01/25 10:00
The new J20G series bearings from Schaeffler have an optimised Insutect A coating, offering even greater protection against the risk of current passage.
Improved pizza picking and packing using robots and AI
16/01/25 09:00
Supermarket logistics may get a boost as igus, research institutes and the University of Bonn have developed a language model for low-cost automation solutions in order picking.
Raising the bar for measuring temperature, pressure and conductivity
15/01/25 09:00
If your processing application requires pressure, temperature or conductivity sensing, or perhaps a combination of all of these critical measurement and monitoring functions, sensor specialist BAUMER offers the benefits of its 50 Series.
Catering to the low- and no-alcohol market in Dry January and beyond
14/01/25 09:00
Stephen Hayes, managing director of automation and control specialist, Beckhoff UK, explains how automation can help food and beverage manufacturers cater to the low- and no-alcohol market.
Container ships can now connect to electric power quickly
13/01/25 11:00
igus has developed the world's first mobile shore power connection system and received the EHM Award for Port Innovation of the Year. The igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO) is a mobile connection system for shore power supply that can be aligned to the ship's position at berth.
New I/O modules for PROFINET and EtherNet/IP
07/01/25 09:00
ifm announces the launch of its latest I/O modules for PROFINET and EtherNet/IP applications, combining robust performance with seamless integration into field applications.
SKF empowers customers with AI enabled tool for addressing technical queries
06/01/25 10:00
SKF has launched a generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) enabled tool named SKF Product assistant to assist customers with accessing the right technical information more efficiently.
Zebra Technologies to acquire Photoneo to expand 3D machine vision solutions
06/01/25 09:00
Zebra Technologies has announced it intends to acquire Photoneo, a leading developer and manufacturer of 3D machine vision solutions. The 3D segment of the machine vision market is the fastest growing, and this acquisition will further accelerate Zebra's presence in the category.
How recipe software makes your food production safer and more efficient
18/12/24 08:33
ProRecipe XT is an optimal solution from Minebea Intec for companies in the food industry in particular. The software combines scales and software into a powerful unit to map manual dosing processes and fulfils the highest requirements for precision and process reliability.
Transformative coatings expand industry capabilities
13/12/24 09:00
Customers of igus are experiencing the benefit of the impressive properties of coatings with the company's low friction coatings range. For example, a steel sheet can be transformed into a low friction and wear-resistant plate. Or a metal component can be coated using iglidur ic-05 to become a blue-coloured, corrosion-resistant part that is FDA compliant and approved for use in the food industry.
ABB launches Genix Copilot with Microsoft
12/12/24 11:00
Building on its long-standing collaboration with Microsoft, ABB has launched ABB Ability Genix Copilot, a generative AI solution that helps energy, utilities and other industries improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability by contextualising vast amounts of data and providing actionable insights in an intuitive manner.
Beware the automation skills gap
12/12/24 11:00
Automation can enhance jobs, making them safer and quicker for humans. Nevertheless, reaping these benefits means closing a wide automation skills gap, explains Stephen Hayes, managing director at automation specialist Beckhoff UK.
WEG integrated drives support critical energy infrastructure project
12/12/24 09:25
WEG will support the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in creating a critical oil pipeline. WEG's integrated drive package, including flameproof electric motors, variable speed drives (VSDs) and transformers, will help maximise the efficiency, reliability and safety of the horizontal centrifugal pumps underpinning the infrastructure.
Ensuring operator safety and efficiency on automated assembly benches
11/12/24 09:30
A challenge in automated assembly systems is ensuring the protection and safety of the operators without compromising high product throughput or quality. Assembly benches provide many manufacturing businesses with flexible and efficient processes, but they can be challenging to implement with robust automation and machine safety solutions, as the experts at PLUS Automation explain.
IDS cameras help to redefine astrophotography
10/12/24 09:30
Australian amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley has found the uEye XCP camera from IDS, equipped with Sony Starvis 2 sensors, to be an excellent choice for capturing high resolution pictures of our neighbouring planets including Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
Mitsubishi Electric partners with Sella Controls for Tyne and Wear Metro project
09/12/24 16:00
A major contract for the refurbishment of traction power systems on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been won by Sella Controls utilising Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems hardware.
ABB invests in Engineering Software Steyr
09/12/24 10:00
ABB has entered into a strategic collaboration with Austria-based Engineering Software Steyr (ESS) to develop powerful simulation tools that will transform automotive paint shop operations while reducing costs by up to 30 percent. As part of the collaboration, ABB will take a minority investment in ESS.
90 seconds to create custom nut detection smart sensor
08/12/24 09:00
Nuts are an essential component in many assemblies. However, they challenge automation systems because of their low metal content for detection with inductive sensors or because the variety of angles and reflections that nuts can present to photoelectric sensors are problematic. Contrinex offers a solution.
ifm electronic launches innovative safety encoders for mobile machines
04/12/24 12:00
ifm announces the release of safety encoders designed for mobile machines. These encoders offer high precision and reliability for a broad spectrum of applications including municipal vehicles, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and various heavy-duty machinery used in mines and ports.
Flow meter brings big benefits to large flow applications
04/12/24 11:00
Baumer has developed a robust, cost-effective electromagnetic immersion flow sensor specifically designed for water pressures up to 100 bar, making it an ideal choice for large flow applications such as pumping stations. The PFM43 flow measurement sensor will suit large pipe diameters from DN80 up to DN2000.
Food safety in chocolate production
03/12/24 18:00
The experts at Minebea Intec describe how advanced weighing and inspection technologies help produce chocolate products safely and efficiently.
From optimisation to autonomy
02/12/24 12:00
Fernando Colas, CEO of OMRON Industrial Automation Europe, discusses the top five manufacturing automation trends for 2025.
Precise and reliable object detection in food industry applications
02/12/24 10:00
New optical sensors feature enhanced detection capabilities and faster commissioning thanks to Leuze's Power PinPoint LED technology. Retro-reflective photoelectric sensors with Power PinPoint LEDs are ideal for object detection in harsh food industry environments.
ATEX-certified versions of safety controllers
28/11/24 12:00
ReeR Safety's ATEX (Ex) certified Safety Light Curtains from Plus Automation are now complemented by a new range of ATEX-certified versions of the company's Mosaic Safety controllers.
Wanted: Green use of plastic plain bearings
28/11/24 09:00
Smart engineers with great ideas for using plastics are invited to apply for the 12th manus award 2025, the igus award for creative, ambitious and sustainable uses of plastic plain bearings. The competition has a strong sustainability focus, and the winners will receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money.
WEG unveils powerful new PLC500 Series for Industry 4.0
27/11/24 11:00
WEG has announced the launch of its latest innovation in programmable logic controllers (PLCs) - the PLC500 series. Designed to meet the growing demands of Industry 4.0, the PLC500 offers high performance, flexible programming and robust connectivity.
Analogue inductive sensors ring a bell at SPS
25/11/24 09:00
At the Smart Production Systems (SPS) exhibition in Nuremberg, Contrinex's stand featured a display visualising the precision of its analogue inductive sensors, which were, on this occasion, used within its SMART measurement sensors. The display featured a metal cylinder, and visitors were encouraged to squeeze it like a fairground test of strength.
When to choose a soft starter over a variable frequency drive
22/11/24 09:00
Ali Khalil, development sales manager for high voltage solutions at industrial equipment manufacturer WEG explains that deciding when to use a soft starter instead of a VFD involves assessing four key factors: speed control, price, size and energy efficiency.
Schaeffler UK wins Most Innovative Supplier Award at RS Connect 2024
14/11/24 10:00
Schaeffler UK has been recognised by RS, a global omni-channel provider of industrial product and service solutions, with the Most Innovative Supplier Award 2024.
Hygienic design enclosures in food and beverage manufacturing
14/11/24 09:00
Electrical enclosures are a fundamental part of the food and beverage production line but may be considered as just 'metal boxes'. That would be a major error of judgement, as the experts at Rittal explain.
Linux-based real-time control opens up new application possibilities
11/11/24 10:00
With TwinCAT runtime for real-time Linux, Beckhoff is opening up new application possibilities for real-time control. The ability to execute several TwinCAT runtimes on a single industrial PC means users can now combine different system parts on one high-performance computer to streamline programming and diagnostics.
Colourful, bright and simply smart
11/11/24 09:00
WERMA presents the compact MC 55 LED recessed beacon as a new touch version and with smart additional functions.
Complete system for safe guard locking and operation
21/10/24 15:00
Miniaturisation is an important aspect of industrial transformation. It ensures efficient and sustainable processes, because 'smaller' solutions save space and energy. Pilz supports this aspect with safe sensor technology solutions: The new PSENmgate safety gate system combines the classic safety locking device PSENmlock and the control element PITgatebox in a compact solution.
Hygienic Design enclosures for the food industry
15/04/24 13:00
Hygienic Design enclosures from Rittal that offer numerous advantages over conventional enclosures have become the standard housing for electrical controls because they permit rapid cleaning and prevent the formation of pockets of dirt.
Revolutionary control module for RGBW LED light bars
20/11/14 09:00
ifm launches the DP1615 Control Module, which it says is a groundbreaking innovation for RGBW LED strips and sets a new benchmark in lighting technology, delivering unmatched performance and versatility across various industries.