At the binder Innovation and Technology Center (ITZ), sensors, heating elements and conductor tracks are produced by printing - on plastic, metal, glass or ceramic, and even on curved surfaces. The binder group turns this into a production-ready system solution.

ifm has expanded its family of safety encoders for mobile machines, giving manufacturers a reliable way to capture position, angle, and speed values wherever vehicles or superstructures move automatically. The RM900S series suits applications ranging from municipal vehicles and AGVs in intralogistics to heavy-duty AMRs used in mines and harbours, where safe operation must be always guaranteed.

DELO has developed an adhesive that consists primarily of bio-based components and combines performance with sustainability. DELO PHOTOBOND SJ4192 is characterised by excellent moisture resistance as well as high flexibility and peel strength.

NORDAC ON, the most recent product family of decentralised frequency inverters from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS, receives new functional safety features. The specialist for drive solutions thus optimises the system for use in automation environments.

The UK lags behind the rest of the world on automation. In sectors where adhesive dispensing is a routine part of assembly, that gap represents a real competitive disadvantage. Here, Matt Baseley, Head of Sales at adhesives and dispensing systems supplier Intertronics, examines ten reasons for investing in automation.

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.

Digi International has announced global availability of the Digi ConnectCore 95 SMARC system-on-module (SOM) Development Kit. Among the first to deliver a SMARC module as part of a complete, ready-to-deploy solution rather than as bare hardware, Digi ConnectCore 95 SMARC goes beyond hardware by including security, lifecycle management and cloud services.

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.