When machine builders talk about the benefits of cabinet-free automation, the conversation usually focuses on faster installation and simplified maintenance. What often goes unnoticed is a commercial advantage that starts well before a machine even reaches the factory floor: shipping costs. In a logistics environment increasingly shaped by volumetric pricing models, machine footprint is becoming just as important as machine weight. Here Neil March, MX Product Specialist at Beckhoff, explains how this shift makes control architecture a surprisingly relevant cost driver.

Ben Lloyd, Product Manager at Festo, argues that invisible engineering effort is becoming an unsustainable cost in modern automation systems. So what can be done to avoid this hidden 'integration tax'?

For manufacturers, it is estimated that over a quarter of operating costs are energy related. With rising energy costs and increasing volatility in the energy market, focusing on energy efficient technologies has never been more important. When it comes to electric motors, you'll find a host of solutions at MachineBuilding.South to help you reduce your energy costs.

As the food and beverage sector faces rapidly evolving supply chain, sustainability, and automation demands, staying ahead of industry trends is more critical than ever. Whether you are looking to optimise your production lines or explore the latest compliance standards, MachineBuilding.South provides an opportunity to discover actionable insights.

With its rack and pinion gearboxes, STOBER offers compact, dynamic solutions for linear motions. Thanks to new FEM calculation methods and optimised microgeometries, the drive specialist is now significantly increasing their performance.

HMS Networks introduces the new Ewon Edge & Cloud, a unified industrial connectivity platform that combines plug-and-play edge gateways with a cloud-based subscription service to deliver simple, secure remote access from day one.

An increased focus on automation brings with it a need to deliver control signals and transfer data, so the role of cables and connectors, not to mention associated cable management systems is vital. And you'll find plenty to see and discuss at MachineBuilding.South on 8 July at Sandown Park.

In less than a year, the new EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 (MR) supersedes the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (MD) on 20th January 2027. Machine builders must be prepared, including manufacturers of series machines already in production. There is no transition period - the change will, in effect, be overnight. While some machine builders will only need to revise their paperwork, others may have to go much further, as Derek Coulson, compliance specialist at Hold Tech Files, explains.

Inovance has established a new UK business, with an office in Manchester and the appointment of Dominic Bowker as General Manager - UK & Ireland. The global industrial automation specialist's new office in the North-West of England provides technical sales and support services to industry across the UK and Ireland.

The new speed starter in the Contactron series from Phoenix Contact is suitable for motors up to 7.5 kW and offers flexible speed control as well as high safety standards (SIL 3/PLe). Installation is quick and easy thanks to intuitive operation and simple wiring.