ABB will integrate the Baldor Electric Company name into its global ABB brand as a part of its Next Level strategy, which includes harmonizing different ABB-owned brands under the global ABB master brand. Beginning March 1, 2018, Baldor Electric Company, a member of the ABB group for more than seven years, will be known as […]
PTDA welcomes five new members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) recently welcomed five new member companies. Distributor members ERIKS North America (Pittsburgh, Pa.) distributes bearings, belt & chain drives, motor/motion control, conveyors & material handling components and hydraulics & pneumatics. Vice president Bill Moore said, “We are looking forward to extending our relationship with EPTDA into North America with […]
Air gun with variable flow from squeeze of a trigger
EXAIR’s new VariBlast Compact Safety Air Guns are a small and lightweight cast aluminum air gun capable of handling tough jobs. Because of the engineered variable flow trigger they are able to produce light, medium or heavy force upon a target simply by pulling the trigger. This comfortable and ergonomic air gun has two ¼…
Mexico on the rise as a manufacturing power
For years, economists like Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research have been telling manufacturing audiences (like the NFPA) that Mexico represents one of the biggest opportunities over the next 15-20 years. The country is ripe for growth and is located in a stable part of the world. There are key manufacturing clusters there…
New fans save energy, reduce carbon footprint
Ziehl-Abegg, a manufacturer of efficient fans and motors, recently replaced the fans that cool the BritNed converter station near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. BritNed is the operator of the high-voltage direct-current (HDVC) subsea power cable connecting the country with the United Kingdom. The new fans help BritNed lower energy consumption and reduce its carbon footprint.…
Soft starter with internal bypass expands motor functionality and efficiency
The new Allen-Bradley SMC-50 smart motor controller with internal bypass from Rockwell Automation brings greater operational control over motor starts and stops. As an extension of the soft starter family, the SMC-50 smart motor controller delivers greater functionality and efficiency across industries. Soft starters traditionally use solid-state, silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) to control voltage to the […]
Harting to rely on partnering for Hannover Messe 2018
The Harting Technology Group will once again be showcasing numerous new products and solutions at the Hannover Messe (April 23-27, 2018). This year, Harting (Hall 11 / Stand C13) will highlight the importance of Integrated Industry partnerships by way of a few examples. Harting will emphasis this year’s Hannover Messe motto of “Integrated Industry—Connect &…
Moving beyond standard sensors
Some less common sensor types can provide a solution to presence or motion sensing needs. By Andrew Waugh, Product Manager for Sensor and Safety Products, AutomationDirect While photo eye, limit switch and dc proximity sensors are the most commonly used types in machine automation applications, there are many other sensors available to help solve application…
Miniature laser sensors with IO-Link provide greater flexibility and control
Baumer has announced new O300 miniature laser sensors with IO-Link for the reliable detection of very small objects and gaps. With their IO-Link integration, O300 laser sensors are Industry 4.0-ready. IO-Link allows the quick and easy configuration of sensors for all applications using standard network components. In addition, additional data, e.g. for predictive maintenance processes, […]
New EL3783 EtherCAT I/O provides monitoring, diagnostics of alternating voltages to 690 V AC
Beckhoff has announced the release of the EL3783 oversampling EtherCAT Terminal for power monitoring for standard control systems. Conventional automation and power measurement technology are increasingly converging, and with the integration of the EL3783 I/O terminal, high-precision grid analysis becomes available for a range of power-generating systems. Most importantly, three-phase AC voltage systems up to […]
When customization and fast production are able to come together
In order to assemble and deliver all parts and systems quickly, igus stocks more than 12,000 different iglidur types of plain bearings made of high-performance plastics. But sometimes customers demand plastic components from outside the catalogue. For this purpose, the company manufactures customised parts using various methods. The type of production of customised parts is…
Hannover Messe preview: A focus on integrated industry, Mexico, logistics
More than 200 journalists from across Europe—and as far away as the United States and China—came to today’s press preview for the Hannover Messe 2018, scheduled for April 23-27 in this northern German industrial city. This year’s event will see some differences to prior fairs. In previous odd-numbered years, there was a special focus on…
Allied Moulded Products releases HMI cover kit
Allied Moulded Products Inc. is expanding its line of premium enclosure accessories with an additional size HMI cover kit (8-in. x 8-in.). HMI cover kits are designed to provide protection for instruments or electronics requiring routine attention or detail. The cover kit features a strong and rigid design, mounting securely to the outside (flat surface)…
ABCO Automation launches Stingray modular belt conveyor
ABCO Automation Inc. has announced the availability of Stingray, a robust, low-profile modular belt conveyor that employs micropitch plastic belts. Just as its name suggests, Stingray is powerful, yet gentle. This heavy-duty stainless-steel conveyor provides extremely reliable product transfer, smooth transitions, and product accumulation, making it ideal for delicate, small footprint, or unstable products that […]
Latest release of IronCAD Mechanical streamlines mechanical design processes
IronCAD, LLC has announced the immediate availability of the latest version of its powerful IronCAD Mechanical add-on for the IronCAD Design Collaboration Suite 2018. This new release offers many new customer-driven enhancements that further extend IronCAD’s capabilities, allowing mechanical designers to increase their productivity. Some of the improvements to IronCAD Mechanical include: Trim Steels Supports […]
Dorner appoints new director of customer service and inside sales
Ben McGruder has been appointed Director of Customer Service and Inside Sales for Dorner Mfg. Corp. In his new position with Dorner, McGruder will lead Dorner’s Inside Sales team and oversee all aspects of the company’s customer service initiatives with customers and key accounts. McGruder brings more than 14 years of sales experience to Dorner. […]
Miniature shock accelerometers feature small size and flexible, integral cable
PCB has released two new miniature piezoelectric accelerometers. They are small, single axis ICP voltage output with measurement ranges of +/- 5,000 g (model 352A91) and +/- 20,000 g (model 352A92). Both are in a similar package with low mass under 0.006 ounces (0.17 grams) and cover a broad frequency range of 1.2 to 10,000 […]
Shaft locking bushing features fast mounting, high radial load capacity
Zero-Max’s ETP Power keyless connections are a suitable locking device in laminated floor manufacturing systems. They are also an excellent choice for locking into position gears, pulleys, sprockets and other components in automated machinery. Handling torque ranges from 531 to 10,620 inch lbs. (60-1200 Nm), these ETP Power shaft locking bushings from Zero-Max provide the […]
Registration now open for IMTS 2018 in Chicago
Registration is now open for this year’s leading industrial manufacturing event, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2018. Manufacturing professionals across the globe will gather at Chicago’s McCormick Place, Sept. 10-15, 2018, seeking technologies and innovations that will give their organization a competitive edge. As of January, 1,803 exhibitors have secured a total of…
Heavy-duty redundant angle sensors
Novotechnik, U.S. introduces the RFX 6900 Series of touchless rotary sensors. These magnetic sensors are design for use in mobile, safety-related and extreme environment applications. Housing of the RFX 6900 Series is anodized aluminum and sealed to IP 67 or IP 69K—depending on version. Conforms to ISO 13849 for safety related applications. MTTF is 46 […]
Heavy-duty encoders for the most severe environmental conditions
Posital’s heavy-duty IXARC incremental and absolute rotary encoders are built to stand up to extreme environmental conditions. Based on a housing design with a 25-year track record of surviving the toughest conditions, these devices are suitable for marine vessels, off-shore facilities, mines, cranes, wind turbines and other challenging locations. These sensors feature extra rugged impact-resistant […]
Papers and posters from COMSOL Conference now available for public access
The 2017 COMSOL Conference, held in seven locations across the globe, brought together thousands of engineers, researchers, and designers worldwide. Attendees connected and exchanged best practices in mathematical modeling and multiphysics simulation. Keynote presentations were delivered by industry leaders such as Amgen, W. L. Gore and Associates, and STMicroelectronics. Attendees also got a behind the…
Industrial Ethernet position indicator offers flexibility in network integration
The new SIKO AP20 position indicator is equipped to detect the position of spindle adjustments in machines. It displays the corresponding positional data to the operator and passes it on to the machine control system. Simple system integration in combination with modern interfaces is all that is required. On the one hand, this ensures the…
AMK Automation to demonstrate flexible machine automation at MODEX Atlanta
AMK Automation Corp. will exhibit some of the most flexible drive and control technology for material handling at MODEX Atlanta, April 9-12, 2018. The AMK Automation display will be at booth B1163 in Building B of the Georgia World Congress Center. Ideal for material handling applications such as palletizing, conveying and AGVs, the AMK Automation […]
JW Winco offering hygienic U handles
JW Winco has announced the availability of GN 429 Hygienic Design Stainless Steel Cabinet “U” Handles. The RoHS compliant cabinet “U“ handles are intended for use in hygiene areas. The sealed mounting surfaces enable fastening without dead spaces, while the high quality finish prevents adherence of dirt and facilitates cleaning. In addition, the process of manufacturing…