Chris Johnson* explores how precision bearings are enhancing the performance and reliability of cobots

The BCMPA has announced it is launching a new category of membership from the 1st January 2025, as it invites organisations who provide goods, services and advice to the manufacturing, packing, fulfilment, and logistics sectors to network and collaborate with the UK’s outsourcing industry.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is transforming manufacturing, with open automation systems connecting devices and machines across the factory floor. While this connectivity unlocks incredible efficiencies, it also creates a vast attack surface for cyber threats.

Polypipe Building Services has significantly cut energy costs by up to £36,000 annually with the installation of a new process water cooling system at its Aylesford plant. Designed by Isocool and incorporating Eurochiller’s free air coolers, the system reduces energy consumption by utilising ambient air for cooling.

Chris Iveson, the CEO and Co-Founder of FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, has shared four predictions for how he believes smart factory operations will evolve in 2025:

Renishaw has announced it recently hosted a special event at its Miskin manufacturing facility in South Wales, celebrating the intersection of cutting-edge additive manufacturing (AM) technology and high-performance sports. Team GB cyclists Emma Finucane and Sophie Capewell visited Renishaw to share their experiences, inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators and highlighting Renishaw’s contribution to Great Britain’s Olympic success.

On 23rd October 2024, the National Fluid Power Centre (NFPC) in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, hosted its 12th annual Industry Open Day, marking its most successful event to date. Over 300 attendees, including students and representatives from national and international companies, gathered to explore advancements in hydraulics, electro-hydraulics, pneumatics, control, and automation technologies.

On October 30 and 31, 2024, over 9,800 engineering and manufacturing professionals flocked to the NEC, Birmingham, to attend the 15th edition of Advanced Engineering. Across the two days, visitors witnessed the very latest that the industry had to offer, with over 400 exhibitors showcasing their innovations.

Companies that want to collaborate on government-backed environmental projects are being urged to contact Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI).

A University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre apprentice has helped the UK's largest aircrete block manufacturer slash operational pump costs by 86% by significantly reducing water usage, repair costs and downtime.

Stephen Hayes, managing director of automation and control technology specialist, Beckhoff UK, explores how companies can strengthen cybersecurity in open automation systems and safeguard their connected factories

Libby Peacock, a compressed air specialist at Rubix, has highlighted the significant financial challenges faced by production facilities across Europe due to air leakage. She emphasises that this often-overlooked issue can lead to substantial financial losses as well as serious environmental consequences. PWE reports.

The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) has made a call to action for businesses within the UK’s industrial sector, urging them to prioritise energy audits as a vital strategy for improving operational efficiency. PWE reports

Innovate UK has announced it has launched the NextGen Space Challenge 2024, a key initiative designed to unearth the UK’s next generation of space technology entrepreneurs.

PWE looks at the critical issues facing burner technology in manufacturing, focusing on environmental regulations and the impact of digitalisation.

London Packaging Week 2024 has announced a new attendance record, solidifying its position as a premier event for packaging innovation across beauty, luxury, food, drink and FMCG sectors.

As Advanced Engineering approaches, the excitement builds with fresh announcements of cutting-edge technologies and products to be showcased at the upcoming event at the NEC in Birmingham on October 30 and 31, 2024. As a result, this year’s exhibition is shaping up to be a must-attend for engineering and manufacturing professionals, offering a glimpse into the future of innovation.

Industrial process heating equipment and solutions specialist Babcock Wanson has launched the EPC EL range of electric thermal fluid heaters, providing customers with an effective low carbon process heater with no direct emissions. The key functionality required by thermal fluid heaters are high turndown, low heat flux, accurate temperature control and high safety level which is incorporated in the design.

PWE looks at the critical issues facing burner technology in manufacturing, focusing on environmental regulations and the impact of digitalisation.

ERIKS UK & Ireland has launched a new compressed air filtration technology - Expel. The compressed air filter continually removes 99.9999% of water, oil emulsion fluids and solid particulates down to 1 micron. Its design means that users never have to change any internal elements, but simply fit and forget. Typically, it would take three conventional compressed air filters – one each for water, oil emulsion and solid particulates – to do the job of one Expel.

Used by manufacturers, technicians and field service engineers alike, gas flow sensors can provide crucial insight into the performance of a wide variety of devices. As their applications grow, it’s becoming ever more important to provide gas flow sensing capabilities in a smaller package — but how? Ross Turnbull, Director of Business Development and Product Engineering at ASIC design and supply company Swindon Silicon Systems, explores.

Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings explains how, by preventing failures, reducing maintenance costs, and extending component lifespan, sensor-equipped bearings will be at the forefront of smart maintenance and supporting Industry 5.0 goals

Automate UK, the organisers of the PPMA Show, is finalising preparations for the UK's largest processing and packaging event, set to take place from September 24-26 at the NEC Birmingham. PWE reports.

Local manufacturers can get the inside track on export strategies at next week’s meeting of METALL, the forum for manufacturing, engineering and technology businesses in Sussex and Surrey.

An Italian bicycle manufacturer has significantly improved its energy efficiency by upgrading its compressed air system, achieving a 30% reduction in energy consumption. This enhancement has supported the company's commitment to sustainability and high production standards. PWE reports

Rockwell Automation, has announced it is supporting The Royal Mint’s Precious Metals Recovery facility – which uses the PlantPAx DCS (distributed control system) to manage and control the gold extraction process.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has invested in a new hub for sustainable additive manufacturing (AM). This initiative opens avenues for research and development to support the design and manufacturing of net zero products with end-to-end circularity.

KME Steelworks has reduced its costs and carbon footprint with a new onsite nitrogen generation system from Atlas Copco Compressors. PWE takes a closer look

REHAU’s Chief Executive of the UK and Ireland, Martin Hitchin, has supported the British Plastics Federation’s (BPF) call for a greater utilisation of the opportunities offered by the plastics industry regarding sustainability, especially on promoting greater circularity within manufacturing.

Dave Palmer, General Manager for UK at ICS Cool Energy, takes a look at how to run the latest, most efficient and technically up to date temperature control equipment, without the need of capital investment

A historic figure skating blade manufacturer has announced it has increased production capacity by 30% and growth by 135% after a digital transformation programme supported by an internationally renowned plating consultancy.

Precision cooling technology serves as a silent yet indispensable backbone across a spectrum of industries, from healthcare and biotechnology to manufacturing and beyond. Its role in preserving materials, optimising processes, and ensuring product quality is fundamental to driving innovation in modern industrial operations. PWE reports.

KME Steelworks has reduced its costs and carbon footprint with a new onsite nitrogen generation system from Atlas Copco Compressors. PWE takes a closer look

Dave Palmer, General Manager for UK at ICS Cool Energy, takes a look at how to run the latest, most efficient and technically up to date temperature control equipment, without the need of capital investment

Fulton Managing Director Carl Knight delves into the importance of BG13 and the insights it provides into how to ensure the safe operation of electric powered steam boilers

Precision cooling technology serves as a silent yet indispensable backbone across a spectrum of industries, from healthcare and biotechnology to manufacturing and beyond. Its role in preserving materials, optimising processes, and ensuring product quality is fundamental to driving innovation in modern industrial operations. PWE reports.

Donaldson, a leading manufacturer of filtration solutions, has been demonstrating how effectively implementing air and gas solutions is crucial to the performance of Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries, at The Battery Show Europe – the conference and expo focused on the Battery and EV industries.

A Made-Smarter backed campervan manufacturer has secured a ‘transformational’ partnership with Mercedes-Benz after investing in new technology.

Manufacturing and engineering employers came together recently to celebrate some of the sector’s brightest younger stars at a packed awards ceremony held at Leeds Beckett University’s Rose Bowl building.

Over 1500 innovators, academics and industry representatives attended this year’s Materials Research Exchange (MRE), marking the event’s 10th anniversary.

Locit, a leading manufacturer of steel lockers and innovative storage solutions, has announced it has bolstered its sales team to drive growth.

ABB, Imperial College London and computer vision company Unleash livehave announced they will leverage AI-powered video analytics in a new project that aims to help industrial companies improve safety, productivity and efficiency.

Wednesday 5th June saw leaders from across the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector gather at the 10th annual Enginuity Skills Awards, to celebrate the brightest and best in UK engineering and manufacturing talent and the organisations championing skills development to ensure a bright future for this sector, which is the backbone of the UK economy.

West Yorkshire’s manufacturing and engineering employers are once again being urged to nominate their outstanding younger employees for the 2024 Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, which return for the third year to celebrate the rising stars of the sector.

Clive Hickman OBE has been elected 139th President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The live events for Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week 2024 take place at the NEC, Birmingham on the 5th and 6th June. PWE takes a look at what visitors can expect both at the event overall and particularly at Maintec

Aston University is working with an engineering company to make industrial gas burners more environmentally friendly. The University has entered a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with Lanemark Combustion Engineering to enable gas or propane burners users to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Niccolò Casini, Director of Product Management, ELGi Europe examines ways to consume less energy, produce more, and bring lasting benefits in terms of sustainability, profitability, and effectiveness to your compressed air applications.

The Navinergy digital platform for 24/7 boiler room performance monitoring has been launched by industrial process heating specialist Babcock Wanson. This new system allows customers to monitor their boiler room from any device, anywhere in the world, to optimise energy and water efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance.