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.

A new industry report underscores the critical importance of optimising MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) supply chains to enhance maintenance strategies and operational efficiency. PWE explores the key findings, focusing on the implications for maintenance professionals and offering strategies to optimise maintenance practices through improved MRO supply chain management.

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.

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.

As renewable energy facilities upgrade, mitigating harmonic noise is essential for reliable operation. A leading control systems supplier partnered with CP Automation to address this challenge, implementing active harmonic filters and uninterruptible power supply systems. This collaboration aimed to enhance power quality, prolong equipment lifespan, and safeguard continuous energy flow. PWE reports.

Few stories in manufactuirng exemplify innovation and perseverance as effectively as that of Combilift. Martin McVicar, the co-founder and CEO, recently received the prestigious title of Irish Exporter of the Year, a reflection of the company's remarkable journey since its establishment in 1998. PWE reports

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

Monitoring the amount of water vapour in the air, humidity sensors are essential to ensuring optimal environmental conditions for a range of industries, from manufacturing to agriculture and facility management. Ross Turnbull, Director of Business Development and Product Engineering at custom IC design and supply specialist, Swindon Silicon Systems, explains how humidity sensors keep the air clean and ensure an optimal industrial environment.

A recent Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) survey reveals a significant skills gap in the engineering sector, particularly in the context of addressing climate change. While many UK employers are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, there is widespread concern about the lack of necessary skills and training within the workforce. Etienne Fourie, Technical Sales Manager at Babcock Wanson, takes a closer look.

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.

Tom Cash, director of automation parts supplier Foxmere, explains how Supply Chain 4.0 technologies will help manufacturers prevent unplanned downtime.

RS, a digitally enabled global distributor of product and service solutions for industrial customers, has released the ‘Performance in Focus’ 2024 Maintenance Engineering Report in conjunction with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). This is based on findings from a survey that aimed to uncover the challenges facing the profession and its priorities

A new industry report underscores the critical importance of optimising MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) supply chains to enhance maintenance strategies and operational efficiency. PWE explores the key findings, focusing on the implications for maintenance professionals and offering strategies to optimise maintenance practices through improved MRO supply chain management.

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

ERIKS, a leading specialised industrial service provider, has released a new guide designed to help manufacturers streamline their MRO operations. The guide, called 5 ways to enhance your Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) supply chain, offers practical strategies to improve procurement, storeroom discipline, data management, and operational efficiency in the face of evolving industrial challenges

Lynn Loughmiller, Software Engineering Manager at DELMIAWorks, takes a closer look at how IoT can be an effective tool when working with existing equipment, and looking at just how efficient it may be

Ensuring health and safety in the workplace is critical for operational excellence and employee wellbeing. PWE explores how Air Products, a global gases manufacturer, is striving to achieve zero accidents worldwide by implementing a standardised Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) management system across its diverse international operations.

Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2024, hosted by EngineeringUK, is set to spark a nationwide wave of enthusiasm among young people aged 11 to 14 with an exhilarating celebration of engineering and technology careers.

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.

Sixth Form pupils with special education needs have been inspired by the latest technology used in industry during an action-packed visit from experts at Sellafield Ltd’s Engineering Centre of Excellence.

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.

Stephen Davis, Director of Marketing at PEMAC explores the main ways in which CMMS software supports regulatory compliance, including documentation, record-keeping, asset management, and preventative maintenance planning

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.

Schneider Electric, a leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced its EcoStruxure IT Network Management Card 3 (NMC3) platform has obtained a new and higher level of cybersecurity certification, said to make it the first Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) network card to achieve IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 (SL2) designation from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

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 how to tackle the skills gap in the rapidly changing engineering industry

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.

As the UK aims for net zero emissions by 2050, digitalisation in manufacturing becomes essential. Technologies like AI, IoT, and data analytics are transforming energy efficiency and supply chain management, offering significant sustainability benefits. However, overcoming challenges such as high costs and skills gaps is crucial for realising these gains

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.

Ensuring health and safety in the workplace is critical for operational excellence and employee wellbeing. PWE explores how Air Products, a global gases manufacturer, is striving to achieve zero accidents worldwide by implementing a standardised Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) management system across its diverse international operations.

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.

As warehouses evolve into advanced logistics centres, efficient space and inventory management is vital. Innovations like RFID and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) offer transformative solutions. PWE explores the challenges of traditional warehousing and how Turck Vilant's integrated technologies can boost accuracy, effciency, and real-time operations

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

Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is the gold standard for measuring manufacturing productivity. It identfies the percentage of productive manufacturing time, helping to pinpoint losses and optimise efficiency. PWE explores improving OEE using real-time and historical data.

Stephen Davis, Director of Marketing at PEMAC explores the main ways in which CMMS software supports regulatory compliance, including documentation, record-keeping, asset management, and preventative maintenance planning

Schneider Electric, the energy management and automation company, has begun its centennial celebration of the TeSys motor management solutions. At a recent media briefing, David Barrett-Hague, Industrial Automation Marketing Manager, underscored the company’s extensive history and showcased the innovative technologies that enhance the modern TeSys product range’s motor control capabilities.

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.

ALPHR Technology, a manufacturer of specialist machines, has announced it has partnered with Siemens to accelerate the integration of automated & test technologies in customers' manufacturing operations.

PWE looks at the challenges of plant signal conditioning and how multi-functional modules play a crucial role in monitoring applications across the industrial sector

With national and global skills shortages in engineering, Finning says it is bucking the trend by successfully developing its own talent.

Companies are increasingly committed to ensuring employee safety in dangerous environments like loading and unloading areas. However, with staff shortages and rising demand for faster fulfilment, safety pledges risk being compromised for operational efficiency. As employee expectations evolve, creating a safety-first culture is essential for safeguarding well-being, as Wouter Satijn, Sales Director at Joloda Hydraroll, explains

The uptick  in GCSE computer science is 'great news' but there are concerns over the uptake of D&T GCSE which is important for stem careeers

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