After a successful pilot in Prague, Brightpick’s AI-powered warehouse robots will automate order picking, consolidation, and dispatch for Rohlik Group, one of Europe’s largest e-grocers. The human hand is said to have 27 degrees of freedom — and as any robot designer will tell you, that’s not an easy thing to replicate cost-effectively. “Replacing the…
Incorporating consumer tablet tech into industrial-grade equipment
A new device provides an ergonomic and secure way for designers to harness the networking and operator interface capabilities of modern tablets when used with industrial equipment requiring safety provisions. By Luiz Shida, IDEC Corporation Dedicated human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and PCs, whether installed in a panel or a control room, have played an important role…
Molex releases global survey results, offering insight into design engineers’ challenges
Molex, an electronics and connectivity innovator, announces the results of a global survey of design engineers and managers to better understand top power-system design experiences, challenges, opportunities, and attitudes that are enabling or inhibiting the development of critical power-system designs. Respondents representing different industries and geographies shared valuable insights into today’s power expectations while addressing…
Advantec’s computing platform improves healthcare, retail, and automation process efficiency
Advantech, a provider of Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) hardware and automation technology, now offers the scalable Valor Mini Workstation that offers a seven-year minimum lifespan. The U.S.-developed and manufactured compact industrial PC provides continuity in complex processes by eliminating the need for frequent recertification, reintegration, and replacement common in typical commercial workstations. It is…
Renishaw launches new line of industrial automation products
Renishaw unveils a new product line specifically designed for the industrial automation market. The new RCS product line builds on its existing expertise and technologies for industrial metrology applications and aims to transform the process of commissioning and servicing industrial automation technologies. Developed to solve some fundamental challenges within the global industrial automation industry, the…
ROLEC’s taraSMART modular suspension arm system
ROLEC has added more components to its taraSMART (IP 54) range of modular suspension arms. Users can now configure their perfect support arm from a choice of 22 different components. Tough, stylish taraSMART supports displays, panel PCs, and HMI enclosures weighing up to 100 lbs (45 kg). The range offers advanced technical features but at…
Wireless module connects sensors to the cloud
InnoPhase IoT, Inc. announced multiple end-to-end (E2E) sensor-to-cloud customer solutions based on its Talaria TWO Wi-Fi/BLE SoC and modules. The solutions accelerate the transition to battery-powered cloud-connected IoT market applications. By delivering an approximately 10+ year battery-operated sensor solution featuring a lower power consumption Wi-Fi module and optimized cloud connectivity reference software, InnoPhase IoT is fueling […]
Continued growth for Industrial Ethernet and wireless networks
Every year, HMS Networks analyzes the industrial network market to estimate the distribution of new connected nodes in factory automation. This year’s study shows that the industrial network market is expected to grow by 7% in 2023. Industrial Ethernet still shows the highest growth and now accounts for 68% of all newly installed nodes (66%…
Hannover Fair update: Microsoft, Toyota work together on warehouse management system
At the recent Hannover Fair industrial trade show in Hannover, Germany, more than 130,000 attendees from across the globe came together to experience the latest technology and products over the five day event. Visitors to the huge Microsoft booth were able to explore four key areas for the future of manufacturing: empowering a connected workforce,…
Mitsubishi Electric Automation releases CNC Oscillation Cutting function
Mitsubishi Electric Automation announces the upgrade option of Vibration Cutting Control (VCC) through hardware to its M8 Series CNC as a solution to eliminate chip strands while machining difficult-to-cut material, such as stainless steel, at faster cutting speeds. Machine tool and Automotive industries alike often experience delays and defects in processes due to long strands…
How real-time data can increase uptime
Today in automation, predictive and preventive maintenance are constantly in the conversation. While the ideas may be clear, the implementation and advantages are not. Is this a fad that will fizzle out soon? By Gerry Paci, Marketing Manager — Material Handling ⋅ Pepperl+Fuchs For many years in the material handling industry, warehouse operators have strived…
SLAM technology improves AMR autonomy
Dynamic warehouses seek robots that can adapt to change with minimal human intervention. With localization and mapping software, AMRs can build facility maps, orient themselves, detect differences, and share changes with their fleet for uninterrupted and safer operations. When people were building warehouses 10 or 15 years ago in the U.S., few considered employing robots…
Consumer-product production and distribution top automation drivers
For the annual Design World Trends issue, dozens of industry experts shared their insights. Here is additional information from some of those experts on the design, manufacture, and distribution of consumer products. Especially since COVID, the manufacture and distribution of home appliances, consumer electronics, and have evolved with advanced automation technologies. MEET THE EXPERTS Abdullah […]
Emerson to unveil new approach to discrete automation at Hannover Messe 2023
Global technology, software, and engineering company Emerson will exhibit advanced, discrete automation solutions from the factory floor to the cloud at Hannover Messe. Visitors to Hall 6, Stand C57 can view the Discrete Automation portfolio of ASCO, AVENTICS, Branson, Movicon, PACEdge, and PACSystems, as well as CoreTigo solutions. Emerson experts will show attendees how to…
Bosch Rexroth adds new BSCL Ball Rail to linear-guide portfolio
Bosch Rexroth now offers a new lineup of BSCL linear guides. The new BSCL ball rails address applications requiring linear bearings in the mid-performance range, and the new structural design delivers an optimum price to performance ratio. BSCL ball rails are available in five sizes, six runner block types, three preload classes and three accuracy classes. […]
Beckhoff USA posts $134 M revenue in 2022, continues relentless growth trajectory
Beckhoff Automation LLC generated impressive results in 2022, growing revenue to $134 million in the U.S., a remarkable increase of 33.4% over the previous year. Beckhoff’s strategic growth goes beyond the impressive sales figures – it crossed over into company footprint expansions and growing the U.S. team to 218 employees. President Kevin Barker attributes the…
New gigabit ethernet switches from red lion
Red Lion, a manufacturer of technologies that empower industrial organizations to access, connect and visualize their data, introduces N-Tron® Series NT5000 Gigabit Managed Layer 2 Ethernet switches. As industries around the world digitally transform and optimize their operations, reliable and secure network access is absolutely critical. NT5000 switches and their gigabit speed are designed to…
M8 connector types added to circular cable assemblies
CUI Devices’ Interconnect Group announced the addition of M8 connector types to its line of circular cable assemblies. The CDM8 family offers a range of male or female plug versions with contact position options of 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 pins. These M8 connectors are A coded to support 1 Gbit Ethernet or B […]
Teledyne introduces 4K 3D laser line profile sensor family for in-line measurement
Teledyne DALSA, a Teledyne Technologies company and maker of machine vision technology, introduces the Z-Trak LP2C 3D profile sensor family for in-line 3D measurement and inspection applications. As the latest member of the Z-Trak family, the LP2C 4K sensors deliver 4,096 samples per profile and an x resolution down to 3.5 microns, allowing customers to…
Smart Flex Effector makes robots more sensitive
The Smart Flex Effector, a new, sensor-based compensation module from Bosch Rexroth, gives robots and Cartesian linear systems human-like sensitivity and thus offers new opportunities for factory automation. Processes that are difficult to manage can now be automated, optimized, and monitored through simple retrofitting. Thanks to a kinematics system that works independently in six degrees […]
Red Lion new ethernet switches set a new standard for performance, reliability, and ease of use
Red Lion, a manufacturer of innovative technologies that empower industrial organizations to access, connect, and visualize their data, introduces N-Tron Series NT5000 Gigabit Managed Layer 2 Ethernet switches. As industries around the world digitally transform and optimize their operations, reliable and secure network access is critical. NT5000 switches and their gigabit speed are designed to…
Smart Flex Effector makes robots more sensitive
The Smart Flex Effector, a new, sensor-based compensation module from Bosch Rexroth, gives robots and Cartesian linear systems human-like sensitivity and thus offers new opportunities for factory automation. Processes that are difficult to manage can now be automated, optimized, and monitored through simple retrofitting. Thanks to a kinematics system that works independently in six degrees…
Thomson’s new actuators give motion system designers options
Thomson, a provider of linear motion control solutions, has introduced a high-capacity, high-performance electric linear actuator that gives motion system designers more cost-effective options to replace hydraulic cylinders. Among the many new features of the Thomson Electrak XD linear actuator are load handling up to 25,000 N (5000 lb), depending on configuration, for a combined […]
Ethernet switches simplify configuration with robust performance and security features
Red Lion introduces N-Tron Series NT5000 Gigabit Managed Layer 2 Ethernet switches. As industries around the world digitally transform and optimize their operations, reliable and secure network access is critical. NT5000 switches and their gigabit speed are designed to improve network security and reliability for industrial organizations of all sizes and environments. The NT5000 maximizes…
What to expect at MD&M West, D&M West, and ATX West in 2023
The long-awaited MD&M West, D&M West, and ATX West shows are almost here! In just a few days, engineers and innovators from all over will convene to share knowledge and new technologies that advance our collective capabilities. The conference and exhibition will take place February 7-9, 2023, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Here’s…