Audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe has provided a snapshot of the UK manufacturing market with the results of its Manufacturing Outlook Report 2024, examining how the UK government can best support the sector. “With over half the world’s population voting for future governments this year, the manufacturing sector’s attention has been focussed on areas that can be directly influenced and transformed with the right policy support and intervention,” said Johnathan Dudley, Partner and National Head of Manufacturing at Crowe. During a period of high inflation, political changes, and continued ..read more

In a collaborative move with the W3C Consortium, Siemens and Microsoft have announced their commitment to converge the Digital Twin Definition Language (DTDL) with the Thing Description standard from international standards organization, W3C. By unifying both languages, customers are offered consistent modeling experiences, mitigating fragmentation in an evolving IoT landscape. With customers typically deploying a mix of vendors in their infrastructure leading to lock-in and high integration efforts, this convergence will allow for simpler system integration and interoper ..read more

BCS Tools software – the latest version for enhanced Nexto controller configuration. Based on CODESYS technology, BCS Tools provides comprehensive resources for programming, debugging, and simulating applications across all project scales using Nexto and Nexto Xpress products. This is what you get in BCS Tools 3.61: Significant improvements in communication driver performance, IEC 61131-3 editor usability, device communication, and cybersecurity. Native support for CODESYS V3.5 SP18, optimizing communication with devices, the usability of IEC-61131-3 editors. The project opening and compilat ..read more

Fully automated pallet labelling system specifically engineered to function in demanding conditions With over 45 years of expertise in marking, coding and product identification solutions, Videojet is pleased to launch the new Videojet 9560 PL pallet labelling system. In addition to its ability to cover up to three sides of a pallet and apply up to four labels, the 9560 PL can process up to 120 pallets per hour across diverse applications. The 9560 PL also facilitates secure warehouse management and adherence to industry regulations. The 9560 PL verifies label accuracy and reprints incorrect l ..read more

Increasing demands on energy efficiency and system transparency are constantly presenting industry with new challenges. With its i-series motec decentralized frequency inverters, automation specialist Lenze offers an intelligent, cost- and energy efficient solution. Machine builders and operators in the intralogistics, automotive and consumer goods production sectors are the main beneficiaries. The increasing digitalization of industry plays a key role in public discourse. Ueli Allenspach, Product Manager Inverters at Lenze, says: “Digitalization also opens up scope for sustainable innovations ..read more

ifm electronic has launched a new generation of OGD optical distance sensors which reliably measure distances up to 2 m with an accuracy of one millimetre, even with fast-moving, reflective, multicoloured and other challenging targets. Like the existing very successful family of OGD sensors, the new models use PMD time-of-flight technology, delivering superior performance to conventional laser and red-light sensors. Unlike their predecessors, however, the new models allow users to choose from three operating modes optimised for range, precision and frequency. This means fewer OGD sensor types ..read more

Getting perfectly focused images and videos, even when the distance between camera and object is constantly changing? Such tasks often involve webcams. However, they are hardly ever designed for industrial applications. This is where IDS Imaging Development Systems steps in: With uEye XC, the company offers a 13 MP autofocus camera that combines the advantages of industrial cameras and webcams. Programmable or plug & play? This camera lets you choose! It is either available with UVC (plug & play) or USB3 vision protocol (programmable, e.g. via IDS peak). Its components score with long ..read more

The rapid growth in Ireland, alongside a heightened awareness of the advantages of automated processes, has prompted the expansion of our facility footprint at the Brewery Business Park site. This expansion aims to accommodate the surge in activity and personnel, driven by the escalating demand for KUKA’s products and solutions, which continues to grow apace. Brian Cooney, CEO, KUKA Ireland said of the recent expansion and refurbishment: “As our business thrives within Irelands dynamic manufacturing landscape, expanding our Dundalk facility footprint and investing in refurbishment and expansio ..read more

Low ambient light? This is no challenge for a sensitive image sensor like IMX662. IDS Imaging Development Systems offers the exceptional Sony Pregius 2 sensor in colour as well as in mono and in different housing variants. The new USB3 industrial cameras are attractively priced, making them a popular choice for embedded projects. The 2 MP rolling shutter sensor delivers exceptional image quality and is characterised by an impressive high dynamic range. This benefits mechanical and plant engineering as well as ITS, medical and laboratory technology. Discover now uEye XLS and XCP.     ..read more

SICK has unveiled the world’s first photoelectric sensor with a touchscreen display, heralding the future for universal and easy-set-up sensing.  The pioneering SICK W10 is a versatile all-in-one sensor that represents a major step forward in precise detection technology, adaptable for countless industrial automation applications. The SICK W10 photoelectric sensor’s swipe-up touchscreen technology and simple icons enable intuitive set-up and teach-in.  The W10’s settings are pre-configured for rapid installation with common sensor functions, such as background or foreground suppressi ..read more