A long-standing automation partnership between a Swiss machine builder and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial robots is aiming to help transform the pharmaceutical supply chain in Europe with the launch of what is believed to be the ‘smallest’ automated palletising cell for vials and pre-filled syringes.
A new wave of more efficient, adaptable and intelligent plant operations is emerging as conventional control systems evolve into modern, open and modular automation ecosystems. Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President ABB Automation Technology, explains how ABB’s Automation Extended allows industrial organizations to fully embrace the opportunities of digitalization while futureproofing their operations.
The modern production facility in Stäfa, featuring highly classified cleanrooms for the semiconductor industry, will be built over the next two and a half years and accompanied by the acquisition of land for an additional office building.
Versatile senor with certification for use in hygienic applications
For accurate and stable measurements of process temperatures above 100 °C
Looks matter, but they aren’t everything: long before croissants, biscuits or waffles are placed in protective packaging, manufacturers need to ensure that their contents are exactly as they should be. In upstream steps, producers pave the way for the highest quality, safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat products. Ingenious technologies that work towards this goal are always part of the packaging process.
Ethernet-APL enables fast, standardized Ethernet communication down to field level, even in hazardous areas. While the technology simplifies engineering, commissioning, and diagnostics, the real value lies in integrated solutions. With engineered, certified systems tailored to customer needs, operators benefit from reduced complexity, faster deployment, and higher system availability.
Enhanced pump design for higher performance
The evaluation of the installed base and its further use is a key decision point in modernization projects. At the same time, Ethernet-based, state-of-the-art field device technology should often be used. For the first time, a product study by Pepperl+Fuchs presented a solution for field devices modern Profinet over Ethernet-APL and those with Foundation Fieldbus H1 (FF-H1) interface at Hannover Messe 2025.
Solenoid and process valves for pressures up to 1.000 bar
Reliable agitating and mixing under difficult conditions in heavy-duty applications
Camera-only variant via kiosk mode available
Pepperl+Fuchs Integrates RFID Reader Into VisuNet GXP HMI Platform and Enables Authentication up to Zone 1/21
Compatibility with harsh environments and different media
Standardized Plug System for PROFINET over SPE
The need for accurate flow measurement in extreme operating conditions and harsh industrial environments, such as those found in hydraulic system applications and the oil and gas industry, is met by Titan Enterprises' high pressure oval gear fluid flow meters.
Versatile and easy-to-maintain pump with small footprint
Ethernet-APL extends connectivity all the way to process automation field devices. This is achieved with 2-wire cabling via Ethernet-APL switches at data transfer rates of 10 MB/s. Transmissions are intrinsically safe and therefore possible into Ex zones as well. This paves the way for the straightforward collection of large volumes of field data, which facilitates plant optimization as well as the development of new business models in process engineering. Yet physical transmission is only part of the story.
Modular valve engineering for a more efficient and sustainable valve, suitable for liquids, gases and vapors
Steen-Hansen – a Norwegian manufacturer of fouling prevention and net protecting solutions for aquaculture use as well as of specialized industrial paint systems – has not only successfully overcome quality problems with its newly developed antifouling coatings, but also significantly shortened process times, simply by switching its production facilities to state-of-the-art mixing and dispersion technology.
High precision measurements despite high temperatures
AERZEN and HH2E agree on cooperation for large-scale production with an initial capacity of 100 MW in 2026
3D-printed containment shroud avoids disadvantages in operation
Software is playing a crucial role in the value chain optimization
The session at the Emerson Exchange EMEA 2024 described improvements for a tank terminal in Antwerp. Dirk van Baelen, Emerson Area Sales Manager for Measurement Solutions in Flanders, described the improvement process in detail.
High-resolution, radiometrically calibrated for temperatures from 300 to 1,700 °C
Sulzer’s repair expertise supports reliability of water utilities with large-scale pump refurbishment project in Africa
For applications with flow rates up to 2000 l/h
Design features offer a solution for common challenges associated with manual sampling
Certified for use in Safety Instrumented Systems up to SIL 3
What does an ambitious contract manufacturer need when customers wish to expand their orders? Exactly, new equipment! The Malmö-based Swedish company Rechon has been a reliable partner to many pharmaceutical producers for decades, from clinical trials through to commercial production. The current trend towards cartridge filling is a good reason for Rechon to continue the successful relationship with Syntegon.
The importance of PAT software for Pharma 4.0-oriented data management
Transforming Plant Process Management with AI
With high protection class IP69 for the food and beverage industry
Schubert has developed a new, extremely compact solution to automate the infeed of carton blanks to the packaging machine. The underlying idea is a slim high-performance machine concept in the smallest possible space, which saves manufacturers money and reduces the workload on production staff.
Implementing safe I/Os for FSoE (Functional Safety over EtherCAT) according to ETG 5100 V1.2.0.
New plug-ins support efficient and flexible safety controller programming
CEO Heribert Rohrbeck retired end of 2022 – successor confirmed
The BEUMER Group has completely redesigned and overhauled its paletpac range of robust palletizers. The modular machines now have identical or similar components and modules and – wherever possible – are based on the same design. The total number of components has been reduced and faster deliveries are possible. If replacement parts are later needed, this will also go faster.
Upgrade for reduced repair time and improved efficiency
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