Machine Building

Transformative technologies driving PLC evolution

After two years of strong expansion, programmable logic controller (PLC) market revenue growth is set to slow to nearly zero in 2019 due to weak demand from downstream industries. Global PLC market revenue is set to rise by less than 1 per cent in 2019 from $9.5 billion in 2018, according to IHS Markit | Technology, now a part of Informa Tech. This follows a recent peak of 12 per cent growth in 2017, and a 9 per cent expansion in 2018.

6th January 2020

Dunkermotoren joins MindSphere World e.V.

Automation is facing new opportunities and challenges as a result of digitalisation and new technologies such as the Internet of Things. In order to create effective added value in such an environment, a cross-manufacturer and cross-value chain approach is essential. Partner ecosystems thus play a decisive role in creating interoperable solutions across the board.

3rd January 2020

Nexperia now under new ownership

Nexperia has announced that Wingtech Technology - a Chinese computer and telecom equipment manufacturer - has officially obtained a controlling stake in Nexperia from Beijing Jianguang Asset Management Co. Ltd (JAC Capital). Headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, Nexperia will remain an independent company, operating under Dutch law, and with the same management team, led by CEO Frans Scheper.

2nd January 2020

PwC is Associate Sponsor for Industry 4.0 Summit & Expo

Launched in 2017 and held annually in Manchester, the Industry 4.0 Summit & Expo event covers technologies, products and strategies to make manufacturing smarter. Comprising a high-level conference with a trade show alongside, the event attracts many C-Suite attendees across the UK manufacturing spectrum, as well as government, academia and trade associations, all interested in developing their digital strategies.

2nd January 2020

OPC UA Safety: technical work now finished

Modularisation and interoperability are playing an ever-increasing role in modern systems and are the core requirements for Industry 4.0. PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) spoke out at an early stage for OPC UA as an open, cross-vendor standard for machine-to-machine communication. However, to round out the technology, a standard for fail-safe communication had been lacking at this level. This problem has been resolved by the specification "OPC Unified Architecture, Part 15: Safety", a joint development of the OPC Foundation and PI. The technical work has now been completed.

2nd January 2020

Emerson acquires GEs Intelligent Platforms business

Emerson has completed the purchase of Intelligent Platforms, a division of General Electric. The addition of Intelligent Platforms programmable logic controller (PLC) technologies will enable Emerson, a global leader in automation for process and industrial customers, to expand its capabilities in machine control and discrete applications and will provide its customers broader control and management of their operations.

2nd January 2020

50 per cent discount on Essentra electrical cable terminals

The Essentra Components range of high-quality, low-cost terminals are now available at an even lower, specially reduced cost up to 50 per cent discount. High-conductivity and long-life crimp joints are quickly formed using a crimping tool on both uninsulated or polyamide insulated options listed. Available styles include ring, spade and tubular terminals, cord end terminals and butt connectors. Applications include electrical installation, domestic appliances, heating industry, automotive industry, cabinet and panel building where ensuring a complete and secure connection is essential.

19th December 2019

Webinar: How to create a safe human-robot workspace

Pilz has several years' experience in the field of safe human-robot collaboration. For example, the company runs a cobot safety training course and offers a force and pressure measurement system for checking cobot safety.

19th December 2019

Pilz UK machine safety training courses gain CPD accreditation

Two of the most popular machine safety training courses from Pilz Automation, namely the City & Guilds and Certified Machinery Safety Expert (CMSE) courses, are now CPD-accredited.

19th December 2019

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics, 11-13 February 2020

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to Farnborough from 11 to 13 February 2020. The show is arguably the biggest annual engineering exhibition in the UK and will fully occupy the 20,000m2 Farnborough International Exhibition Centre with its usual excellent selection of production equipment vendors, components and engineering services from all over the UK, continental Europe, Asia and the Far East.

19th December 2019