Southern Manufacturing 2019 has plenty to offer machine builders

Exhibitor reservations for February's show are more than 20 per cent ahead of last year, which indicates that the event is going to comfortably reach its maximum capacity for 2019. Moreover, a Brexit-defying 26 per cent boost in reservations from overseas exhibitors appreciably expands the international aspect of the exhibition and, therefore, the array of products, systems and services on display.

With an expected 800 or so participating companies, Southern Manufacturing retains its reputation as one of the best marketplaces for industrial hardware and engineering services in Europe. Aided by its growing popularity with non-UK firms, Southern Manufacturing offers visitors the opportunity to meet a much wider range of companies than they would normally expect to find at a domestic event. This ability to address multiple sourcing issues at one show has always been one of Southern's strongest features, and it is one that remains top of the list for the majority of visitors.

Machine building sector

For machine builders, there is - as always - plenty to see, with many of the show's most familiar faces returning for 2019. igus demonstrates its drylin delta robot - a cost-effective addition to its automation offering with a typical ROI period estimated at just six months. The robot is based on three maintenance-free drylin ZLW toothed belt axes, lubrication-free igubal link rods and matching adapter plates. NEMA stepper motors and encoders ensure fast handling of up to 1.0kg with a precision of +/-0.5mm. The complete system has an installation space of up to 420mm in diameter and can carry up to 5.0kg at lower speeds, with a minimum pick rate of at least 60 per minute.

WDS Component Parts will highlight some of its portfolio of more than 20,000 components that it manufactures and supplies to an array of markets globally including OEM machine builders, aerospace, defence, motor sport, marine, automotive, rail and general MRO. 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 industrial, automotive 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.

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. New e-paper displays, which maintain an image even when the power source is removed, complement the company's traditional LCDs and OLEDs, which include mono and RGB OLEDs, VA technology LCDs, high-resolution graphic LCDs and alphanumeric LCDs. CamdenBoss returns to Southern for 2019, boosted by its recent merger with Smartboxx. The firm will be highlighting its enhanced range of enclosures and a full range of UL-listed terminal blocks, IP-rated circular connectors and switches, plus updates on forthcoming new product introductions.

Machinery

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics remains a major exhibition for machinery manufacturers and the line up for 2019 is bolstered considerably by the return of several major firms after an absence of some years. Citizen Machinery, which last exhibited in 2007, returns alongside other notable names such as Filtermist International, Hainbuch, Mitutoyo (UK), Schmidt Technology, Rapid Electronics and LNS Turbo. New exhibitors include Instrutec Controls, Oemeta UK and Polydist UK. Another new exhibitor, Canvys, is a specialist in OEM and custom display engineering, designing and manufacturing display products from the initial steps of design through the entire product lifecycle. Applications include medical, leisure, transportation, automation and industrial, military defence and aerospace, retail and air traffic control. The firm offers sales and support for a full range of displays, mounts, enclosures and calibration software products.

Seminar programme

In addition to a record number of exhibitors predicted, the show has formalised links with several important industry organisations, like 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. The partnerships will enable the roll-out of brand new show features and access to authoritative technical competence through the show's comprehensive free technical seminar programme, open to all visitors. Some of the new elements to be tackled in the 2019 programme will include a short look at incremental sheet forming processes, automated mould design and large-scale 3D printing.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2019 runs from 5 to 7 February at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, alongside Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, close to the M3. Farnborough Exhibition and Conference Centre features free on-site car parking and is easily accessed by road, air or train and buses. Admittance to the event is free of charge. Further information and event tickets are availabel from www.industrysouth.co.uk.