Before and after Christmas, I was in discussions with DFA Media about joining its experienced editorial team on Drives & Controls and its sister titles. I am delighted that these reached a successful conclusion, even though none of us envisaged what lay ahead, and the extent to which it is now defining everything we all do and how we do it. Many businesses will be challenged merely to get through the coming months. Against this backdrop, Tony Sacks has kindly handed me the opportunity to write this – my first Comment column for Drives & Controls.
If the UK votes to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum, it could have far-reaching effects for SMEs operating in the VSD (variable-speed drive) repair and refurbishment industry. Jordan Griffin, technical director at Northern Drives & Controls, gives his personal view on the challenges that NDC and others could face.
It can be difficult to keep track of changes in EN standards. Machine safety expert Paul Laidler, who is business director (machinery) at TÜV SÜD in the UK, offers some advice.
What can evolution teach us about our attitudes to technology? Steve Brambley, deputy director of Gambica – the UK trade association for the automation, control, instrumentation and laboratory technology sectors – has some ideas.
Machine safety expert Paul Laidler, who is business director (machinery) at TÜV SÜD in the UK, ponders the tricky question of whether entire production lines need to be CE-marked.
Signs are emerging of a gradual improvement in machinery production and in the automation and motion engineering sectors in Europe. In this exclusive article, the economist Alan Beaulieu, CEO of ITR Economics and chief forecaster for the European Power Transmission Distributors Association, looks at what the future holds.
The UK electronics sector is twice the size of the automotive sector. But, as Steve Brambley, Gambica’s deputy director* argues, with more support from Government this “invisible”, yet vital, industry could become much bigger.
ISO 50001 offers a framework and strategy for systematic management of energy use. Steve Brambley, Gambica’s deputy director*, explains why the standard makes perfect business sense for all organisations, irrespective of their size, sector or location.
What does to future hold for the British economy and how should you prepare for it? In this exclusive column, the economist Alan Beaulieu, who is CEO of ITR Economics*, and his colleague, Will Skebey, make some predictions and offer advice for UK industrial firms.
Before installing energy-saving drives and high-efficiency motors, you need to examine carefully the system in which they will be used. Frank Griffith, a drives consultant with ABB in the UK, offers advice on what to look for.
The Government has announced a ten-fold increase in the tax-free allowance for energy efficiency investments. Gambica’s deputy director, Steve Brambley, explains how this could give you savings worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
When buying a motor-driven system, it is much more important to consider its running costs than its purchase price. Gambica’s* deputy director, Steve Brambley, draws a striking analogy with buying a car.
