Built for demanding environments such as quarrying and recycling, the Drum Drive is a compact, integrated motor and gearbox system used in conveyors and winch systems. With the extended Drum Drive range, Technidrive now supports a broader spectrum of applications, from high-torque feeders to fast-running conveyors and heavy-duty winches.

The newly introduced 80M model offers dedicated solutions for high speed, lower torque applications. Designed for compactness and performance, the 80M features a power range of 2.2 to 18.5kW and delivers torque up to 10,000 Nm, while being up to 72% lighter than equivalent bevel helical units.

For applications requiring winch functionality, the 80W Drum Drive is a dedicated solution. Featuring heavy-duty bearings, integrated gearing and optional failsafe braking, the 80W supports power ratings from 0.12 to 75.0kW and torque output up to 42,000Nm, all within a footprint up to 60% lighter than traditional alternatives.

In medium-to-large belt conveyor systems, the 80D variant combines integrated gearing with external IEC motor compatibility. It delivers high torque in a streamlined package, making it ideal for rugged operating conditions. Meanwhile, the 80MD model offers a completely enclosed solution tailored for fixed belt conveyors operating in harsh environments. With drum diameters ranging from 320 to 800mm and widths from 500 to 1400mm, the 80MD also benefits from a cycloidal-pin gear mechanism, improving durability, transmission stability and service life.

“By expanding the Drum Drive range, we can now support a wider variety of conveyor and winch applications, particularly where space is tight and torque demands are high,” explained David Strain, technical director at Technidrive. “These upgrades help OEMs and operators replace bulky hydraulic systems with compact, energy-efficient alternatives that are easier to install and maintain.”

The Drum Drive’s integrated design allows the motor and gearbox system to be mounted directly inside the conveyor head drum, functioning as a bearing and removing the need for external shafts and lubrication systems. The result is a lower total cost of ownership – up to 33% less than conventional bevel helical units – and a significant reduction in structural load.

All Drum Drive units are compatible with WEG’s high-efficiency motor technology, including hybrid and permanent magnet designs. These feature ferrite, neodymium, or synchronous reluctance (SynRM) magnets, supporting organisations’ energy efficiency and carbon reduction strategies.

“With features like integrated gearing, high-efficiency motors and reduced maintenance, the Drum Drive gives engineers a modular platform for more sustainable and agile equipment,” added Strain. “It’s already delivering results in quarrying and recycling, and we’re excited to see wider adoption as electrification advances.”

www.technidrive.co.uk

In response, Libra partnered with XpertRule to implement XpertFactory, a decision-intelligence powered platform that now gives teams real-time visibility across every stage of production, boosting efficiency, improving quality and transforming decision-making.

The challenge

Despite having a reputation for quality and innovation, Libra faced mounting challenges due to limited real-time visibility in its processes. Relying on manual recordings, engineers could only see issues while physically present, and managers were often making decisions based on outdated data. This approach caused delays, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities for improvement. As production demands increased, the need for timely, accurate data became critical.

For Libra, digital transformation wasn’t about disruption, it was about enhancing what works. The turning point came with Project ARGUS, an industry initiative backed by Made Smarter and led by Procter & Gamble. The goal was to reduce the time and disruption caused by microbial contamination – a common but costly issue for chemical manufacturers.

To mitigate this, rigorous testing is carried out at each stage of the supply chain. But traditional methods require samples to be incubated for up to three days, delaying production and tying up revenue in quarantined stock.

Libra served as the manufacturing testbed, piloting new optical sensors that detect microbial biofilms in real time, critical for preventing contamination and costly downtime.

To bring this data to life, XpertFactory provided the digital layer, capturing sensor outputs, triggering alerts, and offering actionable insights. It enabled teams to act before problems escalated. The success of ARGUS proved the value of live operational visibility, prompting Libra to expand XpertFactory across its core processes.

Dr Oliver Smith, technical manager at Libra Speciality Chemicals, comments: “Having centralised, real-time visibility has transformed how the site operates. Instead of reacting to problems, we anticipate and plan around them based on accurate, up-to-date information. It’s created a culture of visibility and transparency and everyone’s now pulling in the same direction.” 

Real-time intelligence, plant-wide

One of the first expansions focused on monitoring tank levels, previously a manual and fragmented process. With XpertFactory, data is now digitised, visualised, and shared through intelligent dashboards. Teams across procurement, sales, and supply chain all work from the same real-time data, reducing delays, miscommunication, and duplicated effort.

Live monitoring of agitator speeds, temperature, and power use has unlocked even greater benefits. Trends are tracked across batches, giving early warning on inefficiencies.

“If a process takes longer than expected, we know immediately,” explains Libra’s site manager. “That helps us investigate and adjust without waiting for end-of-week reviews."

Beyond technology, XpertFactory has driven a powerful cultural change. Teams now collaborate with confidence, changes are backed by evidence, helping teams prioritise actions that deliver the greatest impact. From improving batch consistency and optimising reactions to reducing cycle time, the site is now driven by data. Urgent customer requests are handled faster. Decisions are grounded in evidence, not assumptions.

“When a customer has an urgent request, our teams can check the status and respond quickly,” says Sahd Hussain, commercial director. “We’ve reduced delays and miscommunication because people no longer need to check updates; they just check the system."

Looking Ahead..

With tangible gains in quality, consistency, and efficiency, Libra is now extending XpertFactory’s reach, starting with eliminating paper trails. Upcoming developments include digital sign-offs and automated compliance logs to improve traceability and simplify audits, critical in a regulated industry.

Darren Falconer, XpertRule technical director says: “With XpertFactory, Libra has transformed its manufacturing operations from manual and reactive to real-time, intelligent and highly efficient. Operating from the same live data, enables cross-functional collaboration and faster, more confident decision-making.

“Ultimately, XpertFactory is not only meeting Libra’s current operational demands but actively shaping best practices for the future.”

Crucially, the journey has been collaborative. “XpertRule listens. They don’t just offer a tool, they offer a partnership,” says Oliver. “It’s not off-the-shelf; it’s something that evolves with us,” adds Hussain.

Libra Speciality Chemicals continues to lead through quality, innovation, and service, now powered by a smarter, data-driven approach to manufacturing. With XpertFactory, they’ve turned digital transformation into measurable business impact.

xpertrule.com

The scheme will launch with an initial cohort of apprentices based across four regional offices in Burton-on-Trent, Daresbury, Reading and Sheffield. Apprentices will work towards a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Teesside University via flexible open learning, with options to progress to Higher National Diploma (HND) and BEng level qualifications.

The programme begins with three months of intensive skills training focusing on accelerated learning across key areas of control systems, software and automation. During this phase the apprentices will be trained together at a regional MARCH Academy hub. Following the initial term, apprentices will return to their regional base to continue their open learning and hands-on training, supported by experienced mentors.

Tailored to support the development of digital capabilities in industrial automation, MARCH is taking an industry-leading approach with this bespoke scheme. Designed to set a new benchmark for skills training in the sector, the programme will ensure high standards of consistency and quality across a geographically dispersed cohort, providing a level of uniformity that is not currently available through levy-funded apprenticeships in this field.

Paul Cantrill, operations director at MARCH said: “As automation becomes increasingly central to engineering, it is essential that early-career training keeps pace. While there are good courses available through the levy, they did not offer the depth or flexibility required to meet the needs of our teams and customers. By designing our own programme with qualifications provided by Teesside University, we are creating a clear, high-quality pathway into digital engineering, one that gives every apprentice, wherever they are based, the tools and support to thrive from the very start.”

The apprentice control systems engineer role will prepare students to design and develop control software that automates complex industrial processes. The programme combines academic learning with real-world project delivery, providing a practical, future-focused route into the industry.

The new apprenticeship forms part of MARCH’s wider investment in people, supporting its long-term strategy to deliver sustainable, technology-led engineering services in highly regulated environments.

Applications are open until the end of July.

To apply, visit: Find an Apprenticeship – GOV.UK
 

The market intelligence specialist reports the market has come under increasing pressure over recent years amid ongoing economic headwinds and supply chain disruptions. Fluctuations in the rate of expansion indicate the market’s sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions. However, a return to stronger growth is expected, with 2026 (23.9%) marking the strongest growth year for shipments during the forecast period out to 2029.

While Interact Analysis forecasts early signs of revival ahead of predicted high growth from 2026-2029, there has been a significant structural shift reshaping the entire cobot market landscape. Both non-manufacturing and new energy sectors have emerged as key pillars for the market, with both maintaining stable demand. Meanwhile, the semiconductor and electronics industries, which have traditionally been strong market end-users, have started to generate significant orders as they move into a recovery cycle.

Two of the most common applications within the manufacturing industries include material handling and assembly. Together, they account for approximately 50% of cobot market revenues in 2024. Downstream industries are also showing strong demand for collaborative robots. Testing and inspection both showcased application growth rates above 20% in both 2023 and 2024.

China could reach 70,000 cobot units by 2029

Since 2023, China has accounted for over half of global cobot shipments and shipments are predicted to reach almost 70,000 units in 2029. EMEA and the Americas will maintain a stable but more modest market share. The biggest end-user industry for the global cobot market is automotive, but electronics remains the largest for China. Approximately one-third of all collaborative robots sold in China in 2023 went into the electronics industry.

In 2024, price reductions in China, among other factors, led to global collaborative robot revenue growth remaining stuck in single digits. In the European market, revenue contributions dropped due to macroeconomic challenges, while the US market faced economic uncertainty and concerns relating to tariffs are continuing to constrain the market.

Maya Xiao, research manager at Interact Analysis, says: “2029 cobot revenues are now expected to reach approximately $2.5 billion. The core growth drivers remain labor shortages and rising labor costs, E-commerce expansion, the shift toward flexible manufacturing, and increasing cobot adoption in the service sector. These trends show no signs of weakening, underpinning a highly positive long-term outlook. Cobot shipments are expected to sustain a strong annual growth rate of 15%–20% through to 2029 at least.”

www.InteractAnalysis.com

While traditional single-head sensors experience shadowing from raised surface areas when the laser hits the target point but the camera is blocked from viewing it, the ECCO X 025 Dual-Head features a second camera head positioned symmetrically to the first, which significantly reduces occlusions and enables uninterrupted visibility even on complex surfaces.  

The dual-head sensor ensures accurate 3D point capture across all parts of the sample without missing data that could occur due to shadowing, as the two cameras overcome this.

The ECCO X 025 Dual-Head is the first dual-head sensor to have X capabilities, which include up to 40 kHz scan rate and 4096 3D points per profile. It also comes standard in lc 3R, with higher scan speeds through shorter exposure times.

It is suitable for a wide range of applications that may be affected by shadowing, including the automotive sector, where the ECCO X 025 Dual-Head can meet the high inspection demands of structural and reflective parts like battery trays.  In semiconductors and electronics, high precision is essential for inspecting small, shiny, metallic objects, including conductor wire bonding, BGA and also PCBA, and this new sensor is a game-changer in this process.

Claire Rathsack, ECCO Business Manager said: “We’re setting a new benchmark for high-precision, shadow-free 3D scanning with the launch of the ECCO X 025 Dual-Head. By integrating dual-head scanning into our industry-leading X platform, manufacturers can now achieve faster, more reliable inspection with precision, especially for challenging, reflective, or complex parts in demanding applications."

Key specifications include a field of view (FOV) of 25mm at mid-field, a typical measurement range of 20mm and a laser wavelength of 450 nm (brilliant blue), the ECCO X 025 Dual-Head offer accurate inspection and precise measurement.

www.smartray.com

UL 2596 Test Method for Thermal and Mechanical Performance of Battery Enclosure Materials, Torch and Grit Test (TaG), is designed to provide a standardised approach for assessing the impact of explosions on electric battery enclosures. The TaG exam involves the exposure of an alternating pattern of flame (~15 seconds) and alumina ejecta (~5 seconds) onto a material sample. The twenty second alternating cycles are repeated up to 10 times, after which the material is said to have passed. The test is designed to prove the performance and durability of battery materials against the extreme temperatures and mechanical abrasion can rapidly cause failure within a battery system during a thermal runaway event.

Blueshift’s AeroZero Flame and Thermal Barrier (AZ-FTB) successfully passed all 10 cycles of the TaG test, proving resilient against high-intensity flame and grit cycles at temperatures reaching 1200°C and power levels of 3 kW. Despite its light weight and thin profile, no breaches or material failures were observed in all samples tested, highlighting the material’s exceptional resistance to extreme thermal runaway events.  

Dr Lawino Kagumba, VP applications and research of Blueshift, reports that this reinforces Blueshift as a disrupter in the advanced material sector for electric aircraft and aerospace industries: “This marks a significant accomplishment for Blueshift as one of the first companies to produce a thin profile and light weight material capable of withstanding all 10 cycles of the challenging UL Torch and Grit test. This is a testament to our material’s unique capabilities and its potential to transform how design engineers approach battery module design.”

The tests were performed at UL Solutions’ Northbrook, Illinois facility following a demand for safer, more resilient battery systems.  

www.blueshiftmaterials.com

 

pladis said the additional capital will be used to increase capacity, capability and productivity through the introduction of more automated lines and updated factory infrastructure.

The biscuit and cracker maker is also targeting a sustainability benefit. Investments in its UK operations are expected to cut 876 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of removing approximately 440 cars off the road.

In Stockport, the home of the iconic McVitie’s Jaffa Cake, pladis is investing £21 million to introduce a new chocolate moulding line featuring state-of-the-art robotic technology.

Liverpool’s Aintree site, known for baking Jacob’s Cream Crackers, will benefit from a £33 million overhaul. This comprehensive refurbishment includes the installation of new ovens and infrastructure, ensuring the facility is fit for the future.

In Carlisle, £2 million will be used to invest in the savoury assortments department, resulting in the bakery recruiting, onboarding and training 48 new colleagues. This historic site, the world’s oldest biscuit factory, has been in operation since 1831 and currently employs around 800 people.

This vote of confidence in the North West as a manufacturing powerhouse comes on the back of new data which revealed pladis’ manufacturing operations generate almost £240 million for the regional economy each year.  

An additional pot of £12 million has been allocated to support infrastructure across its UK sites which - alongside Stockport, Liverpool and Carlisle - include facilities in Halifax, Harlesden in North London and Leicester.

This current investment rollout is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.  

www.pladisglobal.com

Using AI-powered insights, Kallikor’s Adaption platform models and simulates complex operational scenarios to enable businesses to adopt new technologies and rehearse the transformation of their supply chains, so they can implement change and optimise their operations with confidence.

Using the Adaption platform, Morrisons is creating a comprehensive digital twin of its end-to-end supply chain, a fully interactive model that mirrors the complexity, scale, and pace of its national network. This transformational capability provides a powerful design space where Morrisons’ teams can experiment, test, and optimise decisions with unprecedented speed and precision, from warehouse operations to network-wide flows. More than a model, it becomes the environment where supply chain reality and strategic intent meet, aligning decisions, testing trade-offs, and unlocking gains in efficiency, resilience, and customer responsiveness.

As the partnership scales, Morrisons will operate with a living digital model fully integrated into its day-to-day operations, enabling continuous optimisation and proactive adaptation to market shifts. This strategic collaboration will position Morrisons at the forefront of supply chain innovation, enabling the delivery of sustained growth, operational excellence, and market-leading customer experiences through faster, smarter, and more agile decision-making across its business.

Ross Eggleton, group director: logistics, supply chain and technology at Morrisons, said: “Partnering with Kallikor will help us make better decisions faster. By using AI to bring the real and synthetic worlds together, we can design and evaluate changes across our entire supply chain. That means we can move quickly, solve the right problems, and ensure that every supply chain decision supports the bigger picture, delivering greater value and availability for customers while improving our efficiency and resilience.”

Jonathan Barrett, Kallikor CEO, said: “We're witnessing a fundamental shift in supply chain strategy. Organisations that can redesign their networks dynamically, test multiple scenarios, and make evidence-backed decisions at speed will define tomorrow's competitive landscape. This partnership positions Morrisons to turn market volatility into a competitive advantage through faster delivery, optimised cost structures, and complete alignment between operational execution and strategic vision.”

kallikor.ai

The fund, developed in association with Yorkshire AI Labs LLP, highlights significant investor confidence in Yorkshire's potential to become a national centre of AI innovation and economic growth.

The Oberon Yorkshire AI EIS Fund will target pioneering AI-driven companies across Northern England, capitalising on the region’s industrial heritage, strong technology ecosystem, and leading research institutions. Investments will focus on transformative sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and financial services, where AI integration offers substantial economic and societal benefits.

The Fund is delivered in exclusive partnership with Yorkshire AI Labs (YAIL), a specialist incubator that has already built and scaled some of the region’s most innovative AI companies. YAIL is known for its unique model that combines sweat equity, capital, and hands-on commercial strategy to create investor-ready businesses from scratch.

David Richards, founder of YAIL, commented: “This isn’t just a fund, it’s the next phase of a blueprint that’s already working. We’ve shown that you can build nationally significant AI companies right here in Yorkshire. The Oberon Fund allows us to take that model and scale it, to back more founders, accelerate more platforms, and build an ecosystem the whole country can be proud of.”

Paul Sheehan, investment director of Oberon Yorkshire AI EIS, said: "The Oberon Yorkshire AI EIS Fund represents our belief in the significant economic and technological potential of the North of England. In collaboration with YAIL, we are afforded early access to a pipeline of rigorously selected high-potential growth companies in the AI space. With Oberon providing the investment structure and YAIL identifying the regional talent, this new venture is ripe for success in transforming untapped talent into high-performing, scalable businesses."

With a growing pipeline of opportunities already identified by YAIL, and a proven track record of success with companies such as IntelliAM AI Plc (IPO-listed industrial AI), PureTec (a sustainable orthodontics platform), and DigitalCNC (a University of Sheffield spinout applying AI to precision manufacturing), the Fund aims to accelerate regional growth, boost employment, and solidify Yorkshire’s role as a national and global leader in AI landscape.

yorkshire.ai/oberoneisfund/

VDARE (Virtual Demonstration and Assessment for Robotic Environments) allows companies to test, validate and accelerate the deployment of robotics in a range of offshore wind environments. This includes floating offshore wind platforms, fixed bottom wind turbines, and harbour and dockside operations. The technology realistically simulates wind, wave and sea  conditions, environmental parameters such as wind speed and wave height, and a multi-robot communications system.

Dr Cristina Garcia-Duffy, director of research and technical capabilities at ORE Catapult said: “VDARE has the potential to be a game changer in the development of new robotics solutions supporting the roll out of offshore wind. By creating accurate real world offshore environments to put innovative robotics through their paces, we can help fast track their progression to commercialisation and gain valuable learning on how to overcome various technical challenges for the sector. 

“A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that the digital environments we have built are truly reflective of the real world conditions that robotic devices are likely to face in the development and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Our Blyth facility already has a long and proud history of helping innovative companies fast track solutions for the offshore wind sector, and VDARE provides another vital tool to support that.”

A variety of UK locations are offered on VDARE, and the platform can also replicate international locations with the inclusion of site-specific operational and environmental data.

The VDARE project is delivered with funding from Innovate UK’s Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund and OLTER (The Offshore Low Touch Energy Robotics and Autonomous Systems) project, part of the Net Zero Technology Transition Programme, created by the Net Zero Technology Centre.

Dave Wilkes, director, innovation ecosystem at Innovate UK, said: “Offshore renewable energy is a vital part of the UK’s journey to net zero. By investing in robotic systems, ORE Catapult is supporting development of the most cutting-edge technology to help reach that goal and keep UK businesses at the forefront of this opportunity. This work at the ORE Catapult is an example of world-class expertise as part of Innovate UK’s Catapult Network.”

Luca Corradi, chief technology officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre, added: “Creating a test environment that accurately reflects offshore conditions is a significant step forward for offshore wind robotics. Access to real life environmental data allows developers to test and refine autonomous systems earlier, improving reliability and reducing risk. This capability supports safer, low-intervention deployment at scale and plays a vital role in advancing dependable offshore operations as part of the wider energy transition.”

Showcasing VDARE’s capabilities, ORE Catapult teamed up with leading USV (unmanned surface vessel) company Acua Ocean to simulate deployment of the company’s hydrogen-powered equipment. The demonstration involved deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Acua Ocean USV, where it successfully followed the USV autonomously and collected vital data.

Mike Tinmouth, chief operating officer at Acua Ocean, said: “VDARE has enabled ACUA and partners to simulate operational environments, demonstrating our USV PIONEER autonomous vessels’ stability and payload capabilities.

“Working with ORE Catapult we have been able to develop a concept of operations in an operational environment such as an offshore wind farm or subsea data cables and simulate the deployment of payloads from USV PIONEER in different sea states and weather conditions. Whether this is the deployment of ROVs for subsea intervention work or UAS systems for aerial inspections, the VDARE platform enables us to develop a better understanding of operational requirements.”

VDARE is located within ORE Catapult’s DARE (Digital, Autonomous and Robotics Centre of Excellence) at the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, and represents the first stage in a test and validation programme, supporting robotics developers from concept to deployment.

ORE Catapult’s DARE Centre provides physical test facilities for equipment demonstrations within a controlled environment, while the organisation’s Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine, located in Fife on the east coast of Scotland, hosts real-world equipment trials. 

Companies that have supplied sensors and robotics equipment to the VDARE project include Nortech Engineering and Frontier Robotics.

ore.catapult.org.uk