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.

In environments like loading and unloading areas, where safety is paramount, companies face a dual challenge of meeting operational demands while ensuring employee well-being. Despite regulatory pressure and evolving expectations, the persistence of manual processes raises critical questions about the sustainability of current safety measures in the face of increasing operational pressures and employee shortages. Wouter Satijn, Sales Director, Joloda Hydraroll, explains further.

Navin Kulkarni, Director of Product Management, Fluke Reliability takes a look at implementing standardised workflows for maximum efficiency.

PWE looks at why precision bearings will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless industrial drone operations

While cold storage hire may be simpler than boiler or chiller hire, there are several requirements you should look for in a unit, and what needs to be considered during the installation process. Ralph Howes, Cold Store Major Accounts Manager, ICS Cool Energy explains further

Advanced shock pulse technology from SPM is enhancing monitoring capabilities for remote water treatment systems by detecting early signs of damage and monitoring lubrication levels in critical equipment such as Rotating Biological Contactors (RBCs). PWE reports

Tom Cash* explains how the role of condition-based maintenance (CBM) helps maintenance engineers recognise gross defects before catastrophe strikes.

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has appointed Terry Collier as its Learning and Development Officer.

Stuart Hawkwood, founder of Powerdown220, compares the pros and cons of three different technologies that can help organisations reduce their energy bills and help towards achieving net-zero

Melina Diaz, Product Engineering Manager at Donaldson, outlines the steps required to comply with legislation designed to ensure workplaces are optimally placed to minimise the possibility of combustible dust creating an explosion risk.

Tom Cash, from automation parts supplier, Foxmere, explores some of the potential industrial applications for Wi-Fi 7.

Lye, Stourbridge - In the heart of the West Midlands, nestled amidst the industrial landscape, Midland Deburr & Finish says it stands as a testament to the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and unwavering determination. As the company commemorates its 25th anniversary this month, Directors Chris and Sue Arrowsmith reflect on the remarkable journey that has shaped their lives and the landscape of metal finishing in the region.

Arron Wilcock, a Reliability Maintenance Engineering Apprentice at Amazon, who is part of a Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) Training Apprenticeship Programme, has been announced as the winner of this year’s Enginuity Skills Awards Trophy Design Competition.

A honey manufacturer says it will double growth and create five new jobs after investing in automation, with the support of Made Smarter.

Can technology save the planet? The sentiment at the World Economic Forum annual conference in Davos evoked an overwhelming yes. Next generation technologies have undeniable potential. Yet, the success of these technologies hinges on how we navigate their implementation. Stefan Reuther, Member of the Executive Board at automation supplier COPA-DATA, reflects on the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual conference — what change is required to achieve the twin transition?

Nanotechnology, biomaterials, textiles, polymers, metals and glass; MRE 2024 will delve into a diverse range of sustainable and functional materials innovations when it returns to the Business Design Centre, London, from 23 – 24 April 2024.

Leeds Manufacturing Festival  has announced it will host the launch of a pioneering new digital platform this week, showcasing the very best employers offering engineering apprenticeships across the UK, as part of the festival’s campaign to address the skills and recruitment crisis facing manufacturing and engineering firms.

A MAJOR investment in Barrow-in-Furness can only be good news for supply chain companies and the wider economy. That’s the view of Forth which has one of its three Cumbrian bases in the town.

BEP Surface Technologies, a leading metal surface specialist, has announced it has launched an innovation arm, BEP Solutions, to accelerate international R&D partnerships to solve global challenges.

PWE looks at how advanced robot controllers can provide enhanced troubleshooting in smart factory settings — while prioritising data security.

PWE looks at how an offshore platform in Malaysia solved an increased rate of seal failures on the condensate pumps by a retrofit

We all know that compressed air leaks are a huge source of energy (and money) waste, but do you know how much they really cost? After conducting around 60 surveys in different facilities from different industries, using an ultrasound camera, UE Systems concluded that the average leak would cost around £1200 per year. When you think that any industrial site will have dozens or even hundreds of leaks, you can quickly realise the savings potential. PWE reports

The Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) is working with the British Standards Institute (BSI) and UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, to develop an AI-powered tool to help electromechanical repair specialists ensure they repair hazardous area motors to the correct standard. PWE reports

PWE takes a look at how Babcock Wanson’s Navinergy is changing the way boiler rooms are managed, providing users with advanced tools to improve efficiency and maintain regulatory compliance

Beth Ragdale, Product Manager at automation specialist Beckhoff UK, explains the value of consolidating production line data

The engineering and infrastructure sector is developing at a rapid pace. There has been growth over the past decade, with the number of people working in engineering increasing from 5.4 million in 2010 to 5.7 million in 2021, with a peak of 6.3 million in 2019. PWE reports.

According to predictive maintenance provider, Senseye, large plants lose an average of 27 hours a month to machine failures. Digital, dynamic control of industrial cranes on the factory floor is a largely unknown, but pivotal, source of uptime. Andy Swann, business development manager for cranes & power transmission at CP Automation, explains why

BEP Surface Technologies, a leading electroplating and surface finishing specialist, has announced it has cut energy use by 20% after investing in control and automation technologies.

With a recent report further underlining skills shortage issues faced by the UK manufacturing sector, a prominent utilities equipment supplier is calling upon industry professionals to re-evaluate their current approaches to temperature control. PWE reports

Product quality is high on the priority list of any reputable manufacturer. Whether your business manufacturers finished articles or components for other business to incorporate into their products, the risks are the same: If your production equipment fails, your business quickly transitions from a profitable organisation to a loss-making company. PWE reports

ChatGPT demonstrates the potential impact that large language models could have on the way people interact with machines. According to Boston Consulting Group, generative AI will surely bring about a boost in productivity from people and machines working together; and there is no place where people and machines interact more than in industrial automation segments. Aurelien Le Sant, Chief Technology Officer, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric explains further

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has appointed Steven Rohan as its new president.

The recent Talking Industry panel discussion, sponsored by the Drives & Controls Exhibition, delved into the intricacies of network connectivity in the industrial sector. The discussion, which featured seasoned experts David Bradley-Foley, Managing Director of HMS Networks, UK and Ireland, and John Browett, General Manager of CC-Link Partner Association Europe, highlighted several key trends shaping the landscape of industrial communications

ERIKS Industrial Services and Festo UK & Ireland are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their partnership with a host of activities that will develop the relationship further and continue to grow business for their mutual benefit.

ABB has entered into an agreement to acquire SEAM Group, a major provider of energised asset management and advisory services to clients across industrial and commercial building markets.

As the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is to ‘inspire inclusion’, Towergate Health & Protection is reminding employers of the importance of providing female employees with equal, adequate, and appropriate support. Three of Towergate Health & Protection’s inspirational women have provided their thoughts regarding changes needed relating to health and wellbeing support in the workplace.

Schneider Electric UK has announced it has opened applications for its newly expanded 2024 apprenticeship programme. The company, a global leader in energy management and automation says it will see it’s cohort double in size for its 2024 apprenticeship programme, with opportunities spanning Levels 3 to 6 across a broad range of specialisms.

Make UK, one of the country’s leading business organisations, has announced it has partnered with Peoplesafe, a personal safety technology leader, to protect the manufacturing industry’s workers.

Rubis Terminal has become the latest company to join EEMUA, the international membership body for companies that own and operate industrial facilities or that are significant purchasers or users of engineering equipment and materials.

Pilz Automation Technology has announced it is continuing its series of free Machinery Safety webinars throughout 2024, with some new additions to the schedule.

The BCMPA says it  was delighted to host 24 of its members at the Contract Pack & Fulfilment (CP&F) zone at Packaging Innovations & Empack at the NEC as retailers, brand owners and entrepreneurs continued to seek the support of UK contract manufacturers, packers and eCommerce/fulfilment providers.

The Leeds Manufacturing Festival returns this month with an extended, year-round programme of events highlighting career opportunities for young people in the region’s manufacturing sector.