In what it says is a significant advancement for industrial automation, ifm has launched its MVQ3 range designed specifically for industrial pneumatic valve positioning. The company says this promises to transform operations across multiple sectors by enhancing simplicity and efficiency.

Miriam Krechlok, segment marketing manager at Mettler-Toledo, explores product inspection solutions tailored for different ready meal categories, addressing the Critical Control Points (CCPs) in the production of dry, wet and frozen applications, as well as those areas on production lines that are not typically considered CCPs.

HRS Heat Exchangers is well known for producing compact, reliable heat exchanger solutions which offer excellent levels of heat transfer and energy efficiency. The key to this is the use of corrugated tubes, the profiles of which are tailored to individual applications, as Matt Hale, Global Key Account Director, explains.

The Health and Safety Executive estimates that over two million people in Great Britain are exposed to unacceptable levels of noise at work, with food and drink production being amongst the biggest culprits. Many of the processes that emit the most noise happen during manufacturing, but there are ways that plant managers can reduce it, as Tom Cash, director at automation parts supplier Foxmere, explains.

ifm announces the launch of its latest I/O modules for PROFINET and EtherNet/IP applications, combining robust performance with seamless integration into field applications.

Under the name LEAP - Lean. Effective. Agile. Platformised. - GEMU is presenting a series of advanced products that offer modular design and flexibility, and are based on modern manufacturing methods. The first products include two new valves and a position indicator, which significantly increase efficiency and safety in the process.

Stephen Harding, managing director at Gough Engineering, explores how advanced material handling equipment can help producers in these sectors improve operational performance.

Customers of igus are experiencing the benefit of the impressive properties of coatings with the company's low friction coatings range. For example, a steel sheet can be transformed into a low friction and wear-resistant plate. Or a metal component can be coated using iglidur ic-05 to become a blue-coloured, corrosion-resistant part that is FDA compliant and approved for use in the food industry.

Building on its long-standing collaboration with Microsoft, ABB has launched ABB Ability Genix Copilot, a generative AI solution that helps energy, utilities and other industries improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability by contextualising vast amounts of data and providing actionable insights in an intuitive manner.

Automation can enhance jobs, making them safer and quicker for humans. Nevertheless, reaping these benefits means closing a wide automation skills gap, explains Stephen Hayes, managing director at automation specialist Beckhoff UK.