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If we were to personify the variable speed drive (VSD), it would have to be the underrated middle child in the family. Motors would be the problematic first born - the result of parenting inexperience - and PLCs represent the youngest child, the know-it-all. Although often overlooked, the VSD is the apple of our energy efficiency eye. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Director, European Automation, discusses the milestones in the history of the v...

First noted in the United Kingdom in the early 1900s, highly concentrated, localised industries, otherwise known as industry clusters, gave some of England’s towns the iconic nicknames they go by today. Stoke-on-Trent is widely referred to as ‘The Potteries’ due to its historic pottery industry and ‘The Black Country’, an area of the West Midlands, gained its title due to the excessive smoke and pollution caused by s...

Unemployment has fallen to the lowest level since 2008 according to recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Falling to a seven year low of 5.3 per cent, the report shows that there are now 31.2m people in work. Despite the short term growth, businesses continue to face long term challenges with regards to skills shortages. Here Cat Whitford, VP of HR & Corporate Affairs, NCH Europe, explores further.

Buzzwords fly around in industry like wasps at a picnic. Industry 4.0 is one of these hugely popular concepts, particularly when it comes to manufacturing. Here Steve Hughes, Managing Director, REO UK, gives further insight into Industry 4.0.

You may have noticed the increasing number of space and sci-fi film releases over the past few years. From the renowned Apollo films to the 2014 release, Gravity, everyone has a favourite that they can watch over and over. I try not to judge, but if you haven't heard of Interstellar by now you must have spent the last year hiding under a rock. Personally, I didn’t notice any industrial automation parts floating in the background, but if the...

Historically, manufacturing has been limited to the things we could physically see and touch. However, over the last few decades advances in science and technology have smashed these limitations. Now, consumer goods are lighter than ever, sportswear and equipment is more aerodynamic and flexible and advanced packaging enables food and drinks stay fresher for longer. Even your evening lager will now keep itself carbonated right through to the end ...

Today, more than 3 billion people live in cities and the urban population of the planet increasing constantly. This means a growing demand for electrical power and more complex requirements for buildings and manufacturing facilities. Add strict energy standards to the equation and the process of identifying the right critical power supply for individual applications becomes exceedingly tricky. Here, Pat McLaughlin, Operations Director, Boulting T...

In 15 short years, rapid advancements in technology have changed the way we live. With each passing month, we’re introduced to new, innovative ways to play, eat, shop and communicate. But new technology isn’t just for consumers. In recent years, several waves of new technology have emerged and transformed the face of industrial automation. While traditionally, the manufacturing industry has been relatively slow on the uptake, a number...

  Hobbyists and makers have come up with some innovative ways to implement the computer into devices: from home automation products to beer brewing systems. This Raspberry-pi powered computer was designed with makers in mind.

The following is an article by Raghu Das, CEO, IDTechEx, the global research and business intelligence firm that created the IDTechEx Show! USA 2015, which will be held on the 18th-19th of November, in Santa, Clara, California. Today’s emerging technologies are varied, vast and moving at the blink of an eye. Here are the top 10 key trends we’ll see at the show that are changing the way the world lives, works and plays.