Machine hardware upgrades can make a difference in improving productivity, but often the greatest gains don't come from replacing physical components, they come from improving how machines are controlled, explains Beth Ragdale, product manager at industrial control and automation specialist Beckhoff UK & Ireland.

In motion system design, a great deal of attention goes into choosing the right motor and the right drive. Far less tends to go into what connects them, or into where those drives are placed. Yet these decisions shape much of what ultimately matters about a machine - what it costs to build, how much space it takes up, how quickly it can be commissioned, and how easily it can be adapted years later, as the experts at Kollmorgen explain.

Drive technology and automation are no longer purely technical matters. In a market where energy, labour and expertise are becoming increasingly scarce, the operational foundation increasingly determines whether industrial companies can protect their margins, delivery reliability and capacity for growth, as the experts at Lenze explain.

Although the case for investment in industrial automation and robotics is strong, in the current climate of corporate belt-tightening, many automation projects don't make it off the drawing board because of the perceived high upfront investment. Oliver Selby, Head of Sales, FANUC UK, reframes the cost of robotics.

From the resistance of a control knob to the feel of a handle, Rencol Components explores how seemingly minor design decisions can have a major influence on perceptions of quality.

Mounting a robot arm on a movable base, known as a 7th axis, adds flexibility, enhances collaboration and provides collision protection. A 7th axis is, however, a high-precision system, and maximising productivity from it requires close consideration of where and how you mount it, and application-specific factors such as the availability of collision detection systems and the number of linear guides used, as the experts at Thomson Industries explain.

John Mackey, Head of Automation Sales, WAGO UK & Ireland, explores the benefits of interoperable technology in automation modernisation.

Machine builders are not only looking for better technology. They are looking for more value across the full machine lifecycle, as the experts at Lenze explain.

New machinery is relatively straightforward to install, but building consistency across multiple facilities is often much harder. Here, Mark Richards, sales manager at Beckhoff UK, explains why standardising automation matters for growing manufacturers.

3D vision technology is transforming automation across industries, enabling more accurate detection, measurement, and interaction with real-world environments. But with several different technologies available, choosing the right solution can be challenging. The experts at OEM Automatic guide us through the options.