AuCom will showcase the series from 25 to 27 November 2025, at SPS - Smart Production Solutions (Stand 326, Hall 3A). The 1 kV VFDs impress with high torque at low speeds and a durable, compact design.

"Extreme temperatures, high humidity, explosion hazards, or constant vibration - none of these pose a problem for the 1 kV frequency converters," said Thomas Zirk-Gunnemann, CEO of AuCom Applied Motor Controls. "Whether in mining, the steel industry, the energy sector, water management, marine applications, or the chemical, oil, and gas industries - companies in these fields benefit from the strengths of the HM Series."

Precise control, grid-friendly, and energy-efficient

Wherever performance and precision are needed in drive applications, the HM VFDs impress. The series covers a power range from 45 to 1250 kW (31–750 A, 1000–1300 V). The energy-efficient NPC three-level topology achieves a frequency conversion efficiency of up to 98 % while reducing harmonics. Available in 2- and 4-quadrant versions, the VFDs allow fast braking as well as regenerative feedback into the grid. The integrated Active Front End (AFE) ensures minimal grid disturbances.

The powerful vector control for synchronous and asynchronous motors - with or without encoder - enables precise control and high torque even at low rotational speeds, making it ideal for drives in conveyors, cranes, and winches.

The robust design of the HM Series, featuring laminated busbars and film capacitors, is also exceptionally compact, allowing installation in pressure-resistant and confined enclosures such as those used in mining. The CAN interface enables master-slave operation for multi-motor systems. In addition to the LED keypad, the optional touchscreen ensures easy parameter setup. Remote monitoring is possible via Ethernet or app.

The AuCom team warmly invites you to visit Stand 326 in Hall 3A at SPS and looks forward to inspiring discussions.

www.aucom.com

88% of the companies questioned by personalised workwear specialist MyWorkwear would like to see a U-turn by the chancellor, with nearly two thirds (63%) stating that NICs and minimum wage increases have already had a negative impact on their performance. 

Almost half of firms (45%) are worried that they will struggle to survive the next five years. And, in a stark message to the government, more than three quarters (77%) of management teams said they would not vote for Labour if a snap-election was held tomorrow.

"We work very closely with thousands of businesses in the manufacturing sector to provide their PPE and workwear and it’s fair to say that it’s been a challenging year for the industry,” explained James Worthington, co-owner of MyWorkwear.

"Our data shows that when manufacturers looked back to the Autumn Statement in 2024, only 48% said their business fortunes had improved since then, whereas 52% said that there had either been no change or things had worsened.

"With the budget looming on the horizon, the results indicate that the current government can’t afford to get on the wrong side of business again with new tax rises and more regulation," he continued.

128 business leaders were questioned as part of the Business Confidence Report by MyWorkwear. 

The survey showed that some companies were still prepared to invest in branded workwear, with it being voted the least likely internal cost businesses were having to reduce.

It also highlighted that branded workwear was the second most popular brand awareness tool being utilised by companies, second only to digital marketing.

For further information or to access the full survey, please visit: https://www.myworkwear.co.uk/content/89-the-myworkwear-business-confidence-report-2025

Building on the acclaimed Heckert HEC series, the Heckert X80 features a workpiece-side swivel unit, allowing for high-dynamic 5-axis machining from a single clamping position.

The Heckert X80's lightning-fast 65 m/min traverse rate and industry-leading changeover times enhance productivity. Pallet changes are completed in just 21 seconds, whilst the tool changer provides chip-to-chip times of only 8 seconds. Standard 800 by 1000 mm pallets incorporate Starrag's precision-engineered concave surfaces with 6 µm curvature depth, ensuring stable positioning of large parts.

The Heckert X80 offers X, Y, and Z axis travel of 1450 by 1300 by 1300 mm while requiring 18% less installation space than its HEC Series predecessor. It accommodates workpieces with a core contour diameter of 1200 mm and a maximum height of 1000 mm, supporting loading masses of up to 1200 kg. Within robust dimensions of 8.5 m by 4 m, the X80 delivers exceptional space utilisation without compromising performance.

The Heckert X80 provides a range of spindle options that cater to specific application requirements, from 12,500 rpm hollow shaft spindles to 15,000 rpm motor spindles, as well as various gear spindles that offer increased torque for heavy machining.

Starrag's innovative tool change system offers both lightweight and heavy-duty versions. The lightweight option accommodates tools weighing up to 22 kg, while the heavy-duty version supports tools weighing as much as 50 kg. The maximum tool dimensions are 800 mm in length and 340 mm in diameter. Tool magazine options include timing belt magazines with 45 or 60 positions for HSK-100 tools, chain magazines accommodating up to 120 HSK-100 tools, and tower magazines supporting up to 440 HSK-100 tools.

Turning technology is integral to the machine concept and available as an option. Using specially developed assemblies and software modules, both classic and complex turning operations can be performed with machining centre productivity levels. Unlike turning centres, the machine benefits from versatile setup options, including vertical workpiece clamping and mid-operation clamping via the pallet changer.

For optimal operator experience, the Heckert X80 boasts Starrag's ergonomic 24-inch touchscreen HMI paired with a powerful Siemens SINUMERIK ONE control system. The touch-sensitive display responds to gloves and features a scratch-resistant, easy-to-clean surface. Operators can access PDF construction plans and sequence sketches while maintaining visibility in the workspace through an integrated camera. New hardware and rapid sensor technology enhance automation capabilities via extended 13-channel clamping hydraulics and optimised standard interfaces for pallet storage systems and robot cells.

Efficient chip management employs a thermo-symmetric design and steep-angled fixed plates, enhanced by an internal coolant supply operating at pressures of up to 80 bar. This setup ensures effective cooling and chip evacuation, with an additional flushing capability of up to 280 litres per minute for applications that generate a high volume of chips. The Heckert X80 integrates with Starrag's comprehensive automation solutions, including Fastems FPT round pallet store systems, linear storage systems, and robotic cells, catering to production requirements from small to large batch sizes.

The new Heckert X80 utilises the proven four-axis Heckert H-series machine envelope. Instead of the NC rotary table from the H-series, X-series models feature a robust rotary/tilt table developed and manufactured in-house at Starrag's Chemnitz plant. The tilting unit incorporates two equally sized bearings and a thermally stable design, enabling five-sided, highly dynamic machining of complex components.

Ensuring pallet compatibility across the new Heckert X80, smaller X70, and larger X90 models was essential for developers. Pallets are interchangeable with Heckert H series machines and older Heckert HEC 630/800 X5 machines. The Heckert X80 is now available as part of Starrag's expanded X-series line of five-axis machining centres. The Heckert X-series includes the smaller Heckert X50 and the larger Heckert X80 and X90 variants, offering enhanced work envelopes and capacity.

www.starrag.com

The Association’s CEO, Emma Verkaik, warned that SMEs are feeling the pinch ahead of November’s Budget, with policy changes coming too fast and impacts not being fully assessed. The BCMPA represents over 200 contract manufacturing, packing, and fulfilment companies in the UK, across a wide range of sectors from food, drink, personal care, chemical and pharma. Many of these businesses are SMEs.

The chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has done little to ease fears following her pre-Budget speech, feeding into further uncertainty and a lack of confidence - two major obstacles to growth and investment. 

"SMEs are the backbone of the UK, providing valuable income and security to communities," said Emma Verkaik. "They give stability but are currently shouldering a huge burden - one that we fear is unlikely to change soon.

"The rise in National Insurance contributions from employers has contributed to a significant recruitment slowdown and a capping in pay rises. This makes it difficult for SMEs to invest and grow, adding pressure to the existing workforce where they are already at capacity and making long term expansion plans very difficult."

The lack of growth and low confidence has also resulted in companies being unable to invest in automation, with a number of BCMPA members reporting that they are cutting back or pausing investment in capital expenditure until they can be sure of shouldering the increased cost burden. SMEs are also halting new hires which include the taking on of vital apprenticeships, with higher costs being passed onto customers creating further inflationary pressure.

To combat this, the BCMPA has called on the Government to do all it can to ease National Insurance contributions, cut red tape and bring down energy bills. It also wants the establishment of ‘SME Impact Assessments’ for all new policies to ensure that regulation doesn’t disproportionately burden small firms.

"Energy bills are staggeringly high and while the Government has advised that there will be some potential relief for large energy consumers, this is still some way off," said Verkaik. "UK firms are less competitive against their international rivals and although relief is likely to arrive in 2026/27, the short-term pressures remain. And smaller manufacturers may not benefit in the same way as larger energy intensive manufacturing firms.

"In addition, members in the packaging industry are getting to grips with the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This change encourages brands to increase their use of recycled materials, which is also driving up packaging prices of recycled material. While sustainability is a key issue for the industry and a once in a lifetime restructure, there is a danger that EPR will create more burdens on overstretched workforces to provide detailed reporting. It creates a new industry of its own with compliance schemes loading additional costs onto firms, which are already stretched." 

The BCMPA hopes that the Budget will go some way to easing uncertainty in the UK’s economy but warns that more consideration of SME’s plight is needed before any additional costs are loaded onto business.

"Sometimes in all the doom and gloom, business owners need to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That is what drives entrepreneurs get up in the morning and want to succeed. Let’s hope the Chancellor wakes up to this before we have an even larger problem in the UK," Verkaik added.

bcmpa.org.uk

This initiative ensures charities can access the equipment they need - when they need it - at affordable prices

"PartsForMachines is proud to be a trusted partner for charities, delivering not just products, but ongoing support tailored to their needs," said MD and co-founder Abhishek Tanwar. "We invite charitable organizations to contact us and discover how we can help them achieve their goals."

There are various key aspects of the PartsForMachines Programme:

• Expert Guidance: Clear explanations and honest recommendations to help charities select the right equipment.
• Responsive Support: Assistance with troubleshooting, exchanges, and post-purchase satisfaction.
• Flexible Delivery: Coordinated scheduling, tracking, and updates for smooth logistics.
• Affordable Pricing: Discounts and credit notes to accommodate budget constraints.
• Transparent Invoicing: VAT-inclusive pricing and clear documentation for grant applications and financial reporting.

 First success story for PartsForMachines’ Charity Programme

The Devon General Omnibus Trust is the first charity to benefit from this programme, upgrading its workshop with a grant that enabled the purchase of various pieces of equipment:

• Sealey pneumatic jack
• SIP belt-drive compressor
• Air hose reel
• Sealey axle stands

The Trust shared its excitement on social media, showcasing its new equipment. "Our recent work with the Devon General Omnibus Trust highlights our commitment to providing flexible, transparent, and supportive service for charitable organisations," Tanwar added.

www.partsformachines.com

CONFIDENCE IN the UK economy among plumbing and heating firms has dropped to its lowest level since reporting began. Only 6% indicated optimism about the UK's economic outlook, while pessimism has climbed to 64%, compared with 49% in Q2 and 46% a year ago.

The sharp deterioration comes just weeks before the Autumn Budget, with firms calling for clear signals from government on business investment, support for skills and action to ease the cost of living.

These are the headline findings of the Q3 2025 State of Trade report from the Plumbing and Heating Federation (SNIPEF), the principal employers’ association for the plumbing and heating profession.

"Although I am relieved to see confidence in our industry has remained relatively steady over the last quarter, the collapse in optimism for the wider UK economy is striking," said Fiona Hodgson, CEO of SNIPEF.

"It reflects a deeper malaise being felt across construction, especially in housebuilding, where repeated government promises of a renaissance have yet to materialise."

The State of Trade report has shown signs of resilience within the plumbing profession. Trading activity in Q3 improved, with 37% of firms saying they were busier than expected. Forward order books have also strengthened, with 32% reporting higher or much higher workloads over the next six months. This is a significant rise from 17% in Q2 and 18% in Q3 2024. 

However, these gains risk being short-lived. Growing speculation around income tax rises in the Autumn Budget is fuelling concerns that household budgets will be squeezed even further. Any such move could hit consumer spending hard and push many public-facing sectors, including plumbing and heating, into renewed stagnation.

"When people are unsure about their disposable income, they delay spending on planned home upgrades and essential maintenance. That has a direct impact on our members, many of whom work in domestic settings and rely on customer confidence. The profession is doing its part to stay resilient, but the government must now do its part to support it," Hodgson added.

"We need a Budget that backs working people, builds business confidence and invests in the skilled workforce that will drive recovery. Without it, we risk pushing stability further out of reach."

www.snipef.org/publications

Recent years have seen a dramatic decline in apprenticeship starts, with 170,000 fewer places available in 2024 than in 2014. 

The former Sector Skills Council, known as the ‘Sector Connector’, Enginuity carries out regular SME Snapshots, monitoring the real time issues affecting small and medium-sized business in engineering and manufacturing.

The latest snapshot showed that the greatest pressure on the bottom line comes from employment costs with issues on the cost of apprenticeships and recent increases in National Insurance Contributions.

"High employment costs are now the largest factor driving inflationary pressures and undermining the UK's labour market. This week’s unemployment figures may well reflect just that," said CEO Ann Watson.

"The skills system must work for the majority - especially SMEs - who are fighting to survive. When it becomes too expensive to invest in the skills of the future, we jeopardise not only businesses but also the prosperity and innovation of our country.

"This is a direct result of soaring employment costs, including a 66% increase in the National Living Wage for apprentices over just two years, alongside additional increases to National Insurance for the existing workforce," she continued. 

"It is absolutely right for apprentices to be paid fairly but for the first 18-24 months of the apprenticeship they are effectively in training and the cost differential between an apprentice and some experienced workers is now so small that we may see many employers replacing their normal apprentice intake for those with more experience. 

"For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of UK manufacturing, these costs have become unsustainable, forcing many to cancel or downsize their apprenticeship programmes."

Chris Houston, MD of Tadweld, a leading steel fabrication and engineering company explains why: "In 2023 the minimum wage for an apprentice welder was £6/hour. Whilst that may seem low, apprentices attend college one day per week and we pay them for that time too. They’re in training for most of the time they are with us, working alongside a skilled fabricator, so we’ve always seen apprentices as an investment rather than an employee able to produce high volumes of work. 

"In 2024 the apprentice NLW increased to £7.50/hour, and then in 2025 it increased to £10/hour. That’s a staggering 66% increase in 2 years. It makes offering apprenticeships exceptionally expensive."

Tadweld’s campaign to safeguard apprenticeship opportunities is a shining example of grassroots action addressing urgent workforce needs. 

By championing apprenticeships and investing in future talent, Tadweld sets a precedent for others in the industry to follow. 

The UK has a proud history of apprenticeships dating back to the Statute of Artificers in 1563. These programmes have been integral to the success of industries from engineering and construction to hospitality and healthcare.

Yet, recent policy decisions - including the 2017 introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, alongside a national push for university degrees - have had a lasting negative impact. 

While there has been a recent shift in attitudes recognising apprenticeships as a valuable alternative to academic routes, the most recent increases in minimum wage have made it cripplingly expensive for businesses to train apprentices, threatening the future pipeline of skilled workers.

At Enginuity, we hear daily from SME leaders who are passionate about developing the next generation but are unable to afford it. The cost of employing an apprentice has risen by over 70% when factoring in both wage and the cost to train. For many, this means having to make the difficult decision to suspend programmes that have produced talented professionals for decades. SMEs constitute 90% of UK manufacturing, and if they cannot invest in skills, the competitiveness and resilience of our industry is at risk.

With demand for skilled roles, such as welders, set to rise sharply in the next five years, but with just 231 welding apprentices trained in 2024, the current trajectory is not sustainable. We must act now. The upcoming budget presents a vital opportunity for Government to support UK industry by making apprenticeships affordable once again. 

Enginuity, alongside partners across the manufacturing sector, calls on policymakers to review employment costs and ensure that SMEs can continue to invest in talent and training. Only by prioritising apprenticeships can we secure the future of British industry and provide meaningful opportunities for young people.

www.enginuity.org

The emergency stop device is triggered manually by a single action of a single person.

Explosionproof emergency stop devices are subject to both Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX 114) and Machine Directive 2006/42/EC.

The emergency stop function must be designed in such a way that the decision to operate the emergency stop devices does not require the person to think about any consequences resulting from it.

The emergency stop devices must be permanently installed, so that it is easy for the operator to press in the event of danger. When pushbuttons are used, it should be possible to actuate them easily with the palm of one’s hand.

The emergency stop function must be available and operational at all times. It must have priority over all other functions and work processes in all types of operations of the machine without adversely affecting other protective functions.

The emergency stop function must be designed in such a way that, once the emergency stop devices has been actuated, any dangerous movements are stopped and the operation of the machine is suitably prevented without causing additional hazards and without any further intervention.

An electrical emergency stop device must apply the compulsory opening principle with a mechanical locking function. Electrical emergency stop devices meet the requirements of EN 60947-5-5.

Colours and texts

The button of the emergency stop device must be RED. If there is a background behind the actuator and inasmuch as it is realizable, this must be YELLOW.

Neither the control device nor the background of the control device is marked with a text or a symbol. If, for the sake of clarity, a symbol is required, the symbol must comply with IEC 60417-5638.

Resetting

If the emergency stop function has been activated:

• it must be maintained until it is reset manually
• a renewed starting of the work processes that were stopped by the initiation of the emergency stop function must not be possible.

The emergency stop function must be reset by a conscious act of one person. An emergency stop function must be reset by unlocking an emergency stop device. The reset must not initiate a restarting of the machine or installation.

The emergency stop function must not adversely affect the effectiveness of other safety functions.

Measures against unintentional activation

The emergency stop device must be designed in such a way that any unintentional activation is avoided. Measures against the unintentional activation of an emergency stop device must not create a risk of hindering the operation or the accessibility of the emergency stop devices. Provided that it is feasible, any unintentional activation must preferably be avoided by the arrangement than by constructional measures.

Certain precautions can be taken to avoid an unintentional activation, for example:

• positioning the emergency stop device far from areas that are expected to be very busy,
• selection of the type of emergency stop device,
• selection of the suitable size and form of the emergency stop device, or
• mounting the emergency stop device in a recessed surface of the surrounding control station.

The use of a protective collar around the emergency stop device to avoid any unintentional operation should be restricted to applications where other measures are not practicable.

A protective collar must not have sharp corners or edges or rough surfaces that could cause injury. Corners and edges must be deburred and the contact areas of surfaces must be smooth.

www.thuba.com

FOR NEARLY all applications, electric linear actuators are a preferable choice compared to their hydraulic counterparts. Today, electric linear actuators from a brand like Tolomatic are available in bore sizes up to 127mm (5”) and can exert up to 222.4kN (50,000lbf) of force. As a result, they can handle force demands across virtually all applications, ranging from metal presses to cranes, except for those requiring the very highest force, where hydraulic designs still have an advantage.

However, when considering retrofitting an application, or upgrading a machine design, reluctance to switch from hydraulic to electric is often a result of the perceived time and cost of the update. Long term though, it’s nearly always less expensive, and a time saving, to make the change to electric.

The demand for regular maintenance, and the risk of leaks, are inherent to hydraulic systems, whereas their electric counterparts are almost maintenance free. The high reliability of electric designs also results in significantly less downtime, which optimises application productivity. What’s more, electric actuators are less expensive to run; while hydraulic systems only achieve around 50% efficiency, electric systems typically operate at 75-80%. 

Lower cost, improved performance

The improvements in precision and repeatable accuracy also mean that electric actuators can deliver a boost in throughput as well as production quality. The motion capabilities of an electric design enable real-time management over force, position, velocity, as well as acceleration and deceleration. This level of control also expands the functionality of what a machine can do. 

However, when converting an existing machine or design to electric actuators, accurate sizing is crucial. When conservative estimates are applied in place of confidence in accurate sizing, this usually delivers an oversized and overpriced actuator. The system pressure method of actuator sizing falls into this category, taking the area of the cylinder multiplied by the rated system pressure. 

To achieve accurate sizing, calculating the true peak and continuous working force of the hydraulic cylinder is the optimum approach. This means identifying, as closely as possible, the forces acting on each side of the piston, then calculating the effective area of the rod side by subtracting the rod area from the full bore area. Finally, ensure that the actuator can deliver the required application force by considering the difference in force between the two sides.

Accurate sizing

Recording the values of the application while in operation will achieve the most accurate data, and this requires a load cell or an electric actuator installed in the application. This method may not be possible with existing machines, so a practical alternative is to measure hydraulic pressures in the cylinder while the process is in operation. 

The closer the measurement is taken to the point of work, the more accurate the measurement, and this means measuring the pressure at the cylinder, however, this area may be the least accessible. An alternative is to measure pressure between the valve and cylinder, as pressure-compensated flow controls and needle valves or other inline 

accessories downstream of the control valve may have an influence on pressure. It’s also possible to measure the pressure at the valve, and while this is the most common for conversion applications, it’s the furthest distance from the work point. This can increase the error in actual versus measured pressures. However, even a pressure estimation within 15% of the actual force will provide a reasonable level of accuracy compared to the system pressure method.

Support in specification

It’s also important to measure the return pressure. Usually, there will be minimal back pressure in the return lines, but some systems can have high return pressure between the cylinder and the valve that will impact the output force of the cylinder. The most accurate force calculations will also determine the dynamics on both the piston end and the rod end of the cylinder. When back pressure is applied to the rod end of a cylinder during an extend move, this will also offset some of the force applied to the piston end of the cylinder, and this must also be accounted for. 

Tolomatic provides a range of electric actuators ideally suited to hydraulic replacement applications, such as the RSX extreme force actuator rated to 222kN force, through to the RSH hygienic actuators designed with IP69K protection for clean-in-place (CIP) applications. INMOCO supports Tolomatic products in the UK and can assist with hydraulic replacement projects including accurate electric linear actuator sizing. 

Gerard Bush is an engineer at INMOCO

For more information: 

www.inmoco.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1327 307600 

Located in Milan, Replique Srl will serve as an additional base from which the company can deploy its continually expanding range of manufacturing technologies - including 3D printing, CNC and injection molding - to address customers’ production challenges.

Expanding International Presence

"The foundation of Replique Srl is a strategic milestone in strengthening our platform’s position on a global stage," said Henrike Wonneberger, co-founder and COO of Replique. "With this step, we’re deepening our connection to the Italian market and enhancing our ability to support our customers in the region in realising spare parts and series applications quickly and cost-efficiently."

Renato Marelli, technical sales manager at Replique, from the company’s new office in Italy, says: "Italy’s rich industrial heritage and energy for innovation make this region a truly exciting frontier. By establishing our local presence, we strategically support Italian companies in bringing innovative manufacturing solutions to life."

Growth in Qualified Series Production

Qualified series production is becoming an increasingly important driver of growth. With an average of around 100 parts per order - a fivefold increase compared to the previous year - the platform now delivers regularly to diverse industries, from rail and mechanical engineering to pharma and healthcare. Series applications already account for 65% of the business, alongside engineering services and one-off parts.

Replique’s network of qualified partners now numbers over 350 worldwide and covers all key manufacturing technologies - from 3D printing and CNC machining to casting, forging, and injection molding.

Meet Replique at Formnext 2025

At Formnext 2025 (Hall 12.1, Booth B95), Replique will present its comprehensive platform, covering everything from engineering services and secure digital storage to decentralised, quality-assured production. Visitors can experience how Replique enables industrial companies to stabilise supply chains, reduce costs, and manufacture more sustainably.

replique.io