The industry’s main event is just around the corner

07 March, 2018

Fully supported by the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) and Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine, Fluid Power & Systems comprises the largest gathering of world-class companies displaying and demonstrating the latest in mechanical and electro-mechanical equipment. Whatever your industrial sector, whether engineering, construction, offshore/marine, oil & gas, agriculture/farming, automotive, aerospace etc., Fluid Power & Systems – with free entry for visitors – offers a convenient one-stop shop for all your fluid power and system requirements, including:

 Hydraulics: industrial and mobile, including pumps and power packs, cylinders, valves, motors, heat exchangers, and accumulators. Filters and sealing technologies.

 Pneumatics: valve and valve islands, linear and rotary actuators, air motors, FRLs and other treatment technologies.

 Systems: Electro-hydraulic & pneumatic systems design; CAN bus technology; process automation; monitoring & control; modelling & simulation.

 Instrumentation: Sensors, switches and controls as applied to fluid power: Temperature, flow, pressure, liquid level, position.

The show features:

 World-class suppliers from around the world.

 Full programme of FREE technical seminars supported with top-class speakers offering expert insight and practical advice on the issues that affect you the most.

 Co-located with Air-Tech (Compressed Air, Generators and Pneumatics), Drives and Controls, Plant & Asset Management, together with a brand-new show for 2018 – Smart Industry Expo.

 These co-located events will also be staged alongside MACH, bringing over 40,000 visitors to the NEC over a single week.

Air-Tech 2018

Part of the co-located suite of shows, Air-Tech will again cover the very latest in compressed air, vacuum and generators from the UK's largest gathering of world-class companies. Supported by Hydraulics & Pneumatics and Plant & Works Engineering magazines, visitors to Air-Tech will be able to see a wide range of equipment and solutions, including the following:

 Accumulators, actuators, air delivery systems and air motors.

 Compressors, cooler tools and cylinders.

 Vacuum systems and generators.

 Displays & meters.

 Filters, fittings, heat exchangers and hoses.

 Instruments, lubricators, manifolds and mobile compressors.

 Pumps, regulators, sensors, software and valves.

The Knowledge Hub

The Knowledge Hub – located in the heart of the co-located events – will take the highly respected free seminar and conference programme to a different level. The structure of the Knowledge Hub programme will provide visitors with a unique learning experience with one of the most comprehensive speaker programmes of the year.

Motion Control Industry Awards Dinner

Being held on Tuesday 10 April at the National Conference Centre near Birmingham, the Motion Control Industry (MCI) Awards Dinner will again bring together the entire motion control industry in a celebration of business and professional excellence. The Awards dinner will be co-located with the Fluid Power & Systems, Air-Tech and Drives & Controls exhibitions at the nearby NEC. The Motion Control Industry Awards event recognises the achievements of ‘motion control’ companies and individuals who strive to go the extra mile.

The proceedings kick-off at 7pm with a drinks reception, followed the gala dinner at 7.45pm. At 9.30pm, the Motion Control Industry Awards ceremony begins hosted by popular TV journalist Helen Fospero, who is regularly seen on BBC1’s The One Show and Watchdog, Helen first came to prominence through her roles at both Sky News and ITV’s GMTV. Following the awards presentation, guests will be presented with some further entertainment.

Biggest event to date

DFA Media’s commercial director, Ryan Fuller, commented: “This will be DFA Media’s biggest co-located event to date, with more exhibitors and more extensive floor space than ever before, together with an extended seminar and conference programme. It is also highly encouraging to see how the Motion Control Industry Awards Dinner has become so popular and widely respected over the past few years. We very much look forward to welcoming both our exhibitors and visitors to the industry’s main event in April.”

Fluid Power & Systems 2018 – exhibitor taster

Just some of the exhibitors at Fluid Power & Systems 2018 will include the following:

 Ashton Seals Ltd.

Ashton Seals Ltd. is a leading UK supplier of O-rings, bonded seals, gaskets, fasteners, lubrication and other associated engineering products. Over the full three days of Fluid Power & Systems, the company’s technical experts will be on hand to discuss any specific requirements visitors may have and to demonstrate the capabilities of its product range. Since Fluid Power & Systems 2016, Ashton Seals’ Stock Management services have become increasingly popular. The company can trace its history exhibiting at the show back to the 1980s. Its stand in 2018 will be one of the company’s largest ever exhibition areas and will allow it to better represent and showcase an ever-expanding product range.

The British Fluid Power Association (BFPA)

Chris Buxton, CEO of the British Fluid Power Association, commented on the Association’s decision to exhibit again at Fluid Power & Systems: “As we come to the half-way mark in the two-year Brexit negotiations, the need to be visible in the UK fluid power market is all the greater. There is no better event for the fluid power market than Fluid Power & Systems; thus, BFPA will be present at the 2018 outing with a larger than normal pavilion augmented with a dedicated Distributor pavilion co-located in the centre of Hall 8.”

 The British Valve and Actuator Association (BVAA)

Following the success of the BVAA’s inaugural outing at the Fluid Power & Systems exhibition in 2016, this year the Association will again be providing guidance, advice and updates to attendees of the show. The BVAA’s stand will feature within Fluid Power & Systems’ Valves & Actuators Zone and Offshore Energy Zone. BVAA director and CEO, Rob Bartlett, commented: “The show offers clear benefits and synergies to the Association and its members. Indeed, one of our main goals at the exhibition will once again be to represent our members and bring their products and services to the attention of the very wide customer base that the show attracts.”

Burnett & Hillman

Burnett & Hillman has been manufacturing high-quality, competitive hydraulic fittings and adaptors in the UK since 1965. Its extensive range of adaptors includes stock in excess of 3000 different variations. During the past 12 months, Burnett & Hillman has introduced new products to its adaptors range – forged tees, test points and quick-release couplings – and the company is constantly looking for new products to add to enhance the current stocks it holds. Being one of the leading manufacturers of hydraulic adaptors, Burnett & Hillman celebrates its success and continued commitment to provide quality, customer support and first-class service to an ever-growing industry with a wide global customer base.

FluidPowerNet (FPN)

FluidPowerNet (FPN) is a brand new digital marketplace designed exclusively for the fluid power industry. FPN consolidates many inventory lists into one central platform. This enables users to search and locate the part their customers need, avoiding long lead times from the manufacturer. FluidPowerNet also works with manufacturers and sub-contractors that can help with customised and special orders. Being a part of the FluidPowerNetwork will enable users to trade faster, buy smarter and create better working relationships. FPN is part of the BearingNet family, which has been successfully helping the power transmission industry for 21 years. The company will be launching its website at Fluid Power & Systems 2018 and will be available for demos and to answer questions.

Metal Work

Metal Work will be launching its new Mechatronics portfolio at Fluid Power & Systems 2018. The innovative Electric Cylinder range – including the Ball and Screw ISO 155552 style incorporating sizes from 32 to 100mm, are all available with stepper and brushless motors. These motors can be supplied by Metal Work or customer-specified. Smaller round DC cylinders complete the range. The belt-driven Electric Axis SHAK, will be featured on the company’s stand, comprising two sizes: SHAK 340 and SHAK 470. The SHAK range can develop and axial force up to 700N and create speeds of up to 5m/s making them an essential part of the machine building process. Also available in the SHAK range is the Gantry system with x and y axis, ideal for all pick-and-place requirements. Metal Work has developed a unique programming device named eMotion, which allows clients to either customise existing systems or develop completely new designs, with or without a PLC.

Schwer Fittings

At Fluid Power & Systems in 2018, Schwer Fittings will show its expanded hose catalogue, with dimensions, technical information and a crimp guide. Looking to the future, Schwer recently opened a new production facility in Czech Republic. Alongside existing products, this facility will focus on u2-Lok production, Schwer’s rapidly expanding twin ferrule range. With most products available from stock in Warrington, Schwer can supply a next-day service throughout the UK. Threads available include BSPP, BSPT, NPT, Metric and JIC; hose tails include standard and interlock; DNV certified compression fittings in single and twin ferrule; LP and HP valves.

 SMC

At Fluid Power Systems 2018, SMC will showcase around 50 new products recently launched in Europe. These will include the Series PF3A7digital flow switch for large flow. The latest digital flow switch to join the SMC family, PF3A7#H, monitors the consumption of the main line with a 100:1 ratio. The PF3A7#H covers a large flow measurement range and features a clear and easy-to-read display, which is crucial in monitoring main line, branch or specific equipment. Also on display will be the MACM; a new centring unit from SMC that helps to align and position heavy workpieces on the move, so manufacturers can install and operate more compact conveyor lines. The MACM helps to align and position workpieces up to 1000 kg on conveyor lines, so smaller cylinders can be used.

Sunfab UK

Sunfab designs and manufactures bent axis piston pumps and motors along with its variable piston pump range. At Fluid Power & Systems, Sunfab will be highlighting its Bent Axis Piston motor range (SCM) with a new addition; the ‘SAM’ motor. This motor is the company’s first motor to utilise aluminium for its casing, offering a unit that is claimed to be 20% lighter, corrosion resistant and hydrodynamic. The SCM & SAM offerings are manufactured to the highest quality at Sunfab’s facility in Hudiksvall, Sweden. Some applications where the company’s motors can be found include mobile, agricultural, materials handling and marine. Sunfab will also demonstrate its range of fixed and variable displacement pumps at the show.

Air-Tech 2018 - exhibitor taster

Just some of the exhibitors at Air-Tech 2018 will include the following:

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS)

Vanda Jones, the British Compressed Air Society’s executive director, commented: “As the UK’s only dedicated exhibition for the compressed air, generators and vacuum market, Air-Tech is an ideal chance for visitors to keep up to date with all the latest developments in our industry. For BCAS, it is an ideal opportunity to engage with manufacturers, distributors and end users alike, and for us to provide impartial advice about legislation, standards and technical issues Events like Air-Tech are more vital than ever over the next two years because it brings our industry together to understand issues that affect us all; such as Brexit.”

Hertz Kompressoren

Among its wide portfolio of rotary screw and reciprocating air compressors, and compressed air dryers and filters, Hertz Kompressoren will be promoting its state-of-the art hot water heat recovery unit at Air-Tech 2018. A heat exchanger is installed in the hot oil line in the compressor, and heating water is then heated by this hot compressor oil. Hertz Kompressoren comments that the system is not complicated, and the cost of initial investment is not expensive. The company adds that saving heat energy can realise that cost within one year of operation. There will be further product announcements nearer the time of the show.

Prevost

At Air-Tech 2018, Prevost will exhibit its new PPS1 all aluminium pipework system, which is available in three colours, rated to 16 bar and stocked in the UK alongside the company’s safety and energy efficient range of couplings, blowguns, hose reels and other fluid power distribution products. Also at the show, Prevost will launch a completely new product, which the company believes will be attract considerable interest from the UK market. On the stand, there will be live demonstrations and experts from Prevost on hand to discuss visitors’ needs. Prevost will also offer its free site surveys to demonstrate where the company can save customers money and increase their levels of safety and efficiency.

Sauer Compressors

For the past 130 years, Sauer Compressors has developed and manufactured state-of-the-art high-pressure compressors ranging from 15 to 500 bar for the shipping, naval, industrial and oil & gas markets. Sauer is internationally known as a leading supplier of air & gas solutions while also providing a complete customer service experience for new business and aftercare. Sauer Compressors has recently acquired a 100% stake in HAUG Kompressoren AG, an oil free compressor manufacturer from St. Gallen in Switzerland. HAUG is well-known as a specialist in state of the art gas-tight piston compressors for compression of air and a variety of gases in the 0.5 to 110 kW output range.

SCC Air Compressors

SCC Air Compressors is a relatively new brand in Europe, trading for the past two years. The company already has a presence in 15 countries, including Germany. The concept behind SCC Air Compressors is to use cost-effective production facilities in Asia to produce air compressors for industrial use in Europe. The company’s remit is to offer a level of performance, quality and reliability that is on the same level, or higher, than similar products available from suppliers that manufacture in Europe. SCC Air Compressors can supply a complete range of oil-injected screw air compressors from 4kW to 315 kW, oil-free scroll compressors from 3.7kW to 37 kW and a full range of products for air treatment such as dryers and filters. SCC Air Compressors is currently seeking sales partners within the UK.

Thorite

Thorite, the distributor and installer of compressed air, pneumatic and fluid power products, will be showcasing a range of innovative services and solutions at Air-Tech 2018. These will include examples of control systems build and design capabilities, recently introduced modular aluminium assembly and conveying systems, along with examples of world-class compressed air and pneumatic products. Thorite now has 11 centres across the UK providing practical technical advice to customers in the field, a service department with 14 fully trained engineers, and a team of systems division technicians capable of building complicated control solutions using leading-edge technologies.

Updates

For more information and regular updates, visit:

www.fluidpowersystems-expo.com

www.airtech-expo.com