Despite an increasing number of alternatives, the UK PLC market continues to thrive according to trade organisation Gambica, despite competition from IPCs. Just why this is, and the direction of the market is considered…
Read MoreBPX Industrial Control & Factory Automation News & Blog
Manufacturing lighthouses show the way
Manufacturers have tried for years to develop a computer network standard for interconnecting devices from various manufacturers (remember MAP?). Now things are different: IoT is providing the underlying platform. Markedly, equipment and device makers…
Read MoreWhy production robots are worth a second look
If you are not using production robots, or not planning to, you are not alone according to a report from ifr.org. Whilst worldwide manufacturing is seeing a massive increase…
Read MoreEuropean engine plant adopts Gigabit open Ethernet
In seeking to increase productivity at their engine and power transmission manufacturing plant in Poland, the management had several priorities. Firstly, to increase production line availability, secondly to improve the data transparency. Finally they…
Read MoreHow do XIOT remote sensors work?
One of the unusual features of Telemecanique Sensors self-powered XIOT cloud-connected sensors is they work outside of buildings. Indoor wireless sensor applications are not new, but now users can use them in a field with…
Read MoreIntuitive automation with EcoStruxure Machine Expert
EcoStruxure is the Schneider Electric open IoT systems to help organisations compete in the coming digital economy. Within EcoStruxure, Machine Expert is an intuitive software solution for simplifying machine automation. It provides all the…
Read MoreHigh-speed bottling rejection gets soft-landing
Reliably rejecting damaged containers is paramount to bottling operations. If a damaged container, especially a glass one, gets through the system it could become a high liability. This can be costly in both money…
Read MoreMitsubishi iQ Works2 V2.43 – Update
The latest version of iQ Works2 V2.43 is now available and includes an updated version of all the MELSOFT Products.
Mitsubishi’s unrivaled commitment to supporting legacy products ensures that they are still providing a…
Read MoreWhat is EcoStruxure from Schneider Electric?
Commercial, political and environmental pressures are driving organisations to make more with less. This means they need to increase productivity with fewer resources, and using less energy. Thus, connectivity offered by the Internet of…
Read MoreManufacturing Automation is the key
According to Government statistics, UK manufacturing accounts for 11% of GDP. This makes the UK number 11 in world rankings. However, a new study for the Manufacturing Technologies Association…
Read MoreBPX acquires JK Electrical – Schneider Electric distributor in Manchester
BPX has acquired the business of Manchester-based JK-Electrical, a longstanding distributor of Telemecanique and Schneider Electric. The business will now trade as BPX Manchester and we welcome the JK Electrical staff to the BPX…
Read MoreCollaborative robots in UK manufacturing
New generations of collaborative robots (cobots) are changing the face of manufacturing in the UK. From a low starting point, in 2016 the UK increased robot installations for the first time in four years….
Read MoreWhat does IIoT mean for automation?
To begin with, it is hardly surprising that engineers are confused about what IIoT means for the automation of their industry. A recent study by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers showed only 8% of…
Read MoreNew – Mitsubishi iQ-R OPC UA Server Module
Mitsubishi have announced the launch of a MELSEC iQ-R Series OPC UA server module, which integrates the OPC UA server directly into the PLC as a robust alternative to a computer-based configuration.
OPC Unified…
Read MoreIndustry 4 -automated heaven or an engineers’ hell?
Whether Industry 4 represents automated heaven or an engineers’ hell rather depends on your viewpoint. From a management perspective, the challenge for manufacturers is knowing how best to improve productivity. This is important for…
Read MoreWAGO CLOUD DATA CONTROL
The new field to cloud capability offered by WAGO Cloud Data Control simply and easily connects the real and digital worlds. Recognised for its electrical interconnection products, WAGO has a core…
Read MoreCollaborative robots complementing humans to the full
The development of Human-Robotic cooperation (HRC) in manufacturing is at an early stage. Collaborative robot (cobot) design allows them to work alongside people in a production cell. It is no longer necessary to install…
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