Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly made its way into people's personal and professional lives; in the constantly evolving landscape of manufacturing, it's a game-changer. Manufacturers like igus are navigating the complexities of the Fifth Industrial Revolution where AI stands at the forefront, driving unprecedented advancements in efficiency, precision, and innovation but emphasising the importance of maintaining human creativity within this.

In the realm of automation and control systems, choosing the right controller can significantly impact the efficiency and performance of your application. The experts at maxon delve into the advantages of maxon's MACS range compared to standard PLCs and microcontrollers.

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.

The Health and Safety Executive estimates that over two million people in Great Britain are exposed to unacceptable levels of noise at work, with food and drink production being amongst the biggest culprits. Many of the processes that emit the most noise happen during manufacturing, but there are ways that plant managers can reduce it, as Tom Cash, director at automation parts supplier Foxmere, explains.

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.

Patrick Faulkner, lead engineer at Accu, looks at why understanding surface roughness is essential for manufacturers and engineers - not only to ensure functionality but also to optimise the longevity and reliability of the final product.

Alongside motors and gears, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS points to the importance of its NORDAC frequency inverters for applications where movements must be intelligently controlled.

Stephen Hayes, managing director at Beckhoff Automation UK, looks at magnetic levitation and its revolutionary potential for manufacturing.

Fernando Colas, CEO of OMRON Industrial Automation Europe, discusses the top five manufacturing automation trends for 2025.

Demands on the precision drive system market, covering applications ranging from robotics through to medical implants, continue to push needs in precise control with more compact designs. maxon UK and Ireland's managing director, William Mason, explains how engineering support in the drive system market has developed - and where it's going.