Southern Manufacturing 2019 - 800 exhibitors and 30+ seminars

The opportunity to tackle a variety of procurement challenges at one event remains one of Southern's greatest attributes. For anyone engaged in machine building and automation, the event is arguably the most abundant hunting ground in the UK for components and subassemblies such as encoders, displays and sensors of all descriptions, not to mention fluid power components and OEM parts including power supplies, drives and motion controllers. Attendees are guaranteed to meet countless famous brands, along with an excellent selection of less well known, specialist vendors.

Southern 2019 will provide the setting for the launch of numerous new products with relevance to machine builders. RDP Electronics will launch a CANbus LVDT and a rotary position sensor; the CANbus LVDT combines the benefits of absolute, high-repeatability, robust LVDT technology with efficient modern CAN interface protocols, while the R360D rotary position sensor uses contactless magnetoresistive sensing to provide a conditioned 4-20mA output over a full 360 degrees of shaft rotation.

BT2000 will introduce the Aceinna MTLT305D Dynamic Tilt Sensor Module, which combines accelerometers, gyroscopes and a temperature sensor with advanced calibration and correction algorithms to provide accurate 3D acceleration, 3D rate and pitch and roll measurements in dynamic applications. The completely sealed compact module (65 x 66 x 27mm) supports industry-standard SAE J1939 messaging over CAN-bus.

Low-cost robotics

igus UK will be displaying the newest extension to its automation offering, the budget-conscious drylin delta robot. Constructed from common igus parts, the robot is driven by three maintenance-free drylin ZLW toothed belt axes and features lubrication-free igubal link rods and matching adapter plates. NEMA stepper motors and encoders assure speedy manoeuvring of up to 1.0kg with a precision of +/-0.5mm. The entire system has an installation space of up to 420mm in diameter and can convey as much as 5.0kg at lower speeds.

New TFT products to be exhibited by Midas Components will include HDMI TFTs, and new transflective panels for outdoor use. Standard RGB and mono devices will be demonstrated alongside display enhancement products such as cover glass, multi-touch capacitive and RMTS touchscreens. The company is also showing new E-paper displays, which maintain an image even when the power source is removed, complementing the company's traditional LCDs and OLEDs, which include mono and RGB OLEDs, VA technology LCDs, high-resolution graphic LCDs and alphanumeric LCDs.

The show is also an abundant source of mechanical and fluid power components. WDS Component Parts manufactures and supplies more than 20,000 components to an array of markets globally including OEM machine builders, aerospace, defence, motor sport, marine, automotive, rail and general MRO.

Machine components

Elesa UK will be highlighting more than 600 new products added to its latest catalogue of machine components and hydraulic accessories. IMI Precision Engineering will be exhibiting its recently launched ISOLine, a new range of ISO VDMA pneumatic cylinders, and Excelon Plus, a new range of modular air preparation equipment manufactured in the UK.

Lee Products returns for 2019, exhibiting three ranges of its fluid control components. Its microhydraulic components range is designed for demanding high-pressure applications in commercial and military aircraft, spacecraft, down-hole oil tools, machine tools, industrial gas turbines and top-class autosport. A selection of special lubrication nozzles for aircraft and helicopter gearboxes will be on display for the first time. The industrial microhydraulic (IMH) range is suitable for high-volume, low-cost applications in automotive, industrial and medical markets. Visitors will also see the Electro-Fluidic Systems range of miniature, chemically-inert solenoid valves and pumps, nozzles, tubing, fittings and manifold systems for medical and scientific instruments and ink jet printing applications.

Packaging machinery applications

HepcoMotion is another well-known regular exhibitor at Southern; its V-guide system for automation and linear projects is very popular in the packaging industry for applications such as a telescopic pick-and-place gantry, transport system or multi-lane row divider. At Southern 2019 buyers get the chance to view a Hepco GFX system with high-speed pick-and-place robots. Also displayed on the stand will be the DTS2 driven track system, suitable for packaging applications that need high positional accuracy and demanding duty cycles. It can form the foundation of an automated production cell to guide and transfer a component through the system for high-speed automation of assembly processes.

Subcontract companies are another important element of the event, with a wide-ranging array of services being offered from cabling and wiring, precision engineering, specialist finishes and complete machine building operations. Delivering sub-contract electronic manufacturing services for over 40 years, Industrial Electrical Wiring (IEW) serves a wide selection of clients. Services include the manufacture of cable assemblies, looms, PCB assemblies, panel and box build, cabinet build and electromechanical assemblies.

A new exhibitor at Southern, Design & Automation Solutions (DAS), is a machine builder specialising in automation systems for manufacturing applications. At Southern Manufacturing 2019, the firm will focus on its innovative 'assembly services' in which the company does not just design and build machines for customers, but operates them on their behalf. The service is geared towards enterprises that lack the means or technical competencies necessary to manage and support the machines in-house.

Industry 4.0 is also well represented at Southern; Heidenhain features its Industry 4.0-compatible StateMonitor software, and Harmonic Software Systems introduces its new Hypervisor Reference Platform for safety-critical systems, combining the effectiveness of a Windows or Linux platform, with the safety and security of a VxWorks Real Time OS.

Free technical seminars

Industry 4.0 is also addressed in the show's excellent and comprehensive free technical seminar programme, when Steven Barr of Edge Digital examines Digital Readiness Tools and Industry 4.0, and approaches to maximise value from the most appropriate digital technologies for your enterprise. A total of 30+ sessions will run in two lecture theatres over all three days of the show. The show's close ties with important organisations - which includes Composites UK, the Confederation of British Metalforming, Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, The British Gear Association, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Gauge and Toolmakers Association - have facilitated the feed-in of a high-level of technical know-how and the exceptional opportunity to learn from several of the country's finest experts within their disciplines.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2019 opens from 5-7 February at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, alongside Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, close to the M3. Admission to the event and the seminars is free of charge. Further information as well as tickets can be obtained from www.industrysouth.co.uk. Farnborough Exhibition and Conference Centre provides free on-site parking and is easily reached by road, air or public transport.