Mouser Electronics has expanded its industrial automation portfolio with the addition of nine new manufacturers in the first two quarters of this year, strengthening its lineup of solutions supporting modern industrial systems.

Kollmorgen has expanded its Essentials portfolio with the launch of an 8-axis variant of its PCMM2G programmable motion controller. The development coincides with the release of a new high-voltage servo drive with support for 240–480 VAC up to 4 kW. The products are distributed in the UK by INMOCO and the expansion of the Essentials portfolio is designed to support a broader range of applications and motion control requirements.

New technology naturally attracts attention in the automation sector, and sensor innovation continues to drive improvements in machine performance, efficiency and reliability. Swiss sensor manufacturer Contrinex has remained at the forefront of sensing technology for more than 50 years. However, as Mark Weymouth of UK representative PLUS Automation points out, achieving the best automation solution is not always about selecting the newest technology. In many cases, significant performance gains and cost savings can be achieved by choosing the most appropriate sensor technology for the application.

ABB’s LV Titanium Variable Speed Motor (VSM) platform delivers the benefits of an IE5 Ultra-Premium efficiency motor and variable speed drive (VSD) technology in a single, compact, plug-and-play solution. Michele Maggi, R&D Engineer Product Development at ABB, explains that VSMs, now available from 1.1 to 30 kW, enable a wide range of industrial customers to minimise their energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.

WEG has launched the W22 Prime, the next generation of its W22 induction motor range. Designed to deliver IE4 and IE5 efficiency levels without the need for an inverter, the W22 Prime combines the proven robustness of traditional induction technology with significantly enhanced energy performance.

ABB is the world's first manufacturer to offer an IE6 Hyper‑Efficiency motor certified to ATEX and IECEx requirements for use in hazardous areas. The new IE6 Increased safety motor, based on ABB's magnet- and rare earth- free synchronous reluctance (SynRM) technology, offers up to 60 percent lower energy losses than the IE3 induction motors commonly used in Zones 1 and 2.

The industrial control panel is an essential element of machine design, with important considerations such as optimising panel layout, choosing the right components, and the ease with which those components can be wired. And you'll find a host of panel components and solutions at MachineBuilding.South at Sandown Park on 8 July.

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.