John Browett, general manager at the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA), looks at SNMP, its benefits as well as how, when combined with the right network, it can support industrial automation and control applications.

Adnan Khan, manager of pharma industries at Beckhoff UK, discusses the challenges of pharmaceutical production lines and how next-generation motion can help.

The rising cost of energy is placing a considerable burden on plant and machine operators. KEB Automation provides various solutions and products that can help. In doing so, you reduce costs and help protect the environment.

Selecting a DC micromotor for use in applications from aerospace through to downhole drilling inspection, a 4pole motor has advantages over a 2pole equivalent, being stronger while fitting within the same space and weight envelope. Greg Dutfield of Maxon UK explains.

The robots of today need one principal attribute: flexibility. Much of this flexibility comes courtesy of the end-of-arm tooling (gripper). Marcus Mazetti, global account manager at SMC, guides us through the factors to bearing in mind when selecting gripper technology.

Gerard Bush of motion specialist Inmoco compares the build versus buy approach for PCB-motion controllers.

Marcus Schneck, CEO of Norelem, explores the standard components that are already available to the engineering and manufacturing industry, that can push forward the creation of flexible solutions and facilitate prototyping and product development.

As more customers, governments and businesses look to reduce their environmental impact, sustainable manufacturing is becoming a higher priority. The experts at Essentra Components look at which green manufacturing technologies companies can use to help them meet their sustainability objectives.

MMC series electromagnetic clutches from jbj Techniques are designed for use with hydraulic pumps, many of which are used in marine winch drives. Typically flange or plate mounted, they engage and disengage the pump.

Touch panel products for the European market must comply with European directives and be CE certified. An essential requirement is that these products meet the requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), as the experts at Schurter explain.