Drives & Controls Exhibition set to take centre stage in 2016

The 2014 co-location of events was very popular among exhibitors and trade bodies alike, with an official attendance figure of 12,793. This was an increase of nearly 15 per cent on 2012 and what the organisers described as 'a notably exceptional figure' for a UK-based business-to-business exhibition.

Event organiser, DFA Media, says the overall 2016 co-location could increase in size by as much as 20 per cent compared with 2014. Ian Atkinson, DFA Media managing director, comments: "For 2016 we will build on the success of our 2014 show by further improving the look and layout of each exhibition within our co-location of events, as well as making it as easy as possible for visitors to navigate their way around each separate event."

Drives & Controls 2016 will again bring together key suppliers of state-of-the-art equipment representing the multi-tasking culture of today's design engineer, covering critical areas such as energy efficiency, machine safety, drives, motion control, robotics and automation, plus much more, all under one roof.

With a rush of new companies booking stands, it is anticipated that the 2016 show will cover at least 50 per cent more floor space than in 2014, with a prediction of at least 50 more exhibitors in Drives & Control alone. It is apparent that there is a diverse range of automation companies of all sizes supporting the event. There is also a high percentage of renewals from last time.

The new bookings include many first-time exhibitors - as well as companies that have not attended the event for many years. Among the newcomers are: Applied Automation, which will be taking part in the robotics demonstration area as well as having its own stand; Cornelius Electronics, a Welsh producer of cable assemblies and manufacturing systems; the electrical equipment specialist, Mersen; the energy and automation supplier, Lovato Electric; the measurement and controls vendor, Techni Measure; the small motors specialist, Portescap; the chain manufacturer, Ramsey Chain, which was established in the US more than 90 years ago and has a UK base in Wales; ABB's low-voltage division, ABB Controls; the enclosures supplier, Fibox; and the Haley Group.

Recent sign-ups from abroad include the Turkish controlgear and electrical equipment manufacturer, EMAS, the French belt specialist, Hutchinson (which will be appearing on the pavilion organised by the European Power Transmission Distributors Association), the Italian motor-maker, Carpanelli Motori Elettrici, and Apex Dynamics, a planetary gearbox manufacturer whose headquarters are in the USA.

Among the many companies that have signed up recently to return to the Drives & Controls Exhibition following successful appearances at previous shows are: Delta Line; Automation Experts; RS Components; Principle Engineering; WEG Electric Motors; Kormag; Danfoss Drives; Semikron; Phoenix Contact; Beijer Electronics; and Vacon (which will be appearing on the Gambica pavilion).

Industrial robot technology area

The Drives & Controls Exhibition and Conference will, for the first time, also include a dedicated area where industrial robot technology will be demonstrated. Interest in robotics is growing rapidly as prices come down and capabilities increase. The technology is moving ahead quickly and the show organiser believes the time is right for a robotics demonstration area at the event.

This demo has attracted many big names, including ABB Robotics, Applied Engineering, B&R, Harmonic Drive AG, Mitsubishi, Universal Robot, RA Rodriguez, Staubli, and Active8 Robots Ltd.

There will be several examples of the new generation of 'collaborative' robots (or 'cobots') designed to operate safely alongside human workers, without needing a protective cage. For example, robots from the Danish cobot pioneer, Universal Robots, will be demonstrated by the company's UK distributor, RA Rodriguez.

Seminars taken to a new level

The free 2016 seminar and conference programme running alongside the co-location of exhibitions, will be taken to a new level, adding significant value with a more comprehensive speaker programme than ever before, and a strong emphasis on technology, entrepreneurship, skills, regulations, the environment, and safety.

The full programme of free seminars for the co-location, with speakers offering expert insight and practical advice on important and topical issues, will take place across three seminar theatres: The Drives & Controls Seminar Theatre; Fluid Power & Systems Seminar Theatre, and the Maintenance Seminar Theatre.

Within the Drives & Controls Seminar Theatre there will be a programme bringing together all aspects of robotics and automation, energy efficiency, machine safety, drives, motion control, legislation, system strategies and technological developments. Featuring representatives from across industry including government agencies, the EU, research bodies, trade associations, and manufacturers. The Drives & Controls conference programme will focus on practical solutions to real-life industry problems. For example, GAMBICA's Steve Brambley will be presenting a seminar on future trends - circular economy, Industry 4.0 and EcoDesign, and a panel discussion on trends in the industrial automation sector and what are the influencing factors. Other highlights include: Optimising Energy Consumption in motor driven systems, by Steve Schofield of the BPMA, and a seminar on Driving the future of robotics by Graham Mackrell, Harmonic Drive. A full seminar programme will be published shortly.

New for 2016, exhibition organiser, DFA Media has teamed up with The Industry Entrepreneurship Network (IEN) to put on a series of three panel discussions during the three-day exhibition, which will run alongside DFA Media's other seminar programme. The three sessions will cover the topics of 'Blended Education', 'Entrepreneurship in Industry' and 'The Economics of Manufacturing', with panels formed from the network's membership of established entrepreneurs, industrial companies and UK trade, science, education and engineering organisations.

The Network provides an umbrella framework for a diverse group of organisations, businesses and media to come together and provide high-quality outputs that bring together ideas, campaigns, initiatives and expertise for promoting and developing industry entrepreneurship and tackling important associated issues such as STEM education and equality.

IEN is supported by many trade bodies and membership organisations, including, among many others, Primary Engineer; GAMBICA; IMechE and the EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, as well as other influential thought leaders and influencers.

The IEN is therefore a natural choice to assemble the panels for three high-profile forward-looking seminars at DFA Media's co-located events (Drives & Controls, Plant & Asset Management, Air-Tech, Fluid Power & Systems, European Offshore Energy 2016) taking place between the 12-14th April 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Ian Atkinson, DFA Media managing director, comments: "Global initiatives and the technological paradigm shift associated with the Industrial Internet of Things, shows that there is a growing opportunity for industry to take advantage of the creativity and entrepreneurial nature of UK companies. Our seminar programme fully reflects that and will provide a fascinating insight into the workings of the sector."

For regular updates on Drives & Controls Exhibition and for detailed seminar information, go to the official website at www.drives-expo.com.