Dig into the specs and story of an innovative DC power solution that works with every AC input for DC powered components. Sponsored by Altech Every industry faces challenges with consistent power supply. When facilities lose power unexpectedly, a variety of problems can ensue. Altech, a leader in automation and control components, addresses these issues…
Piab USA announces new office location in Canton, MA
Piab USA, a maker of industrial automation solutions, announces the relocation of its headquarters to a new, state-of-the-art office facility in Canton, Massachusetts. This move is part of Piab’s strategic initiative to accommodate rapid growth and expand its capabilities in providing innovative automation technologies. The new office, located at 100 Energy Drive, will serve as…
PTDA hosts Industry Immersion Conference
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) held the first Industry Immersion Conference in Hollywood Florida on February 29. This one-day intensive program — developed and led by power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) practitioners — aimed to advance the professional perspectives, experience, and confidence employees and emerging leaders need to cultivate successful relationships within the industry. “Successful…
2024 LEAP Awards now open for nominations
The LEAP Awards (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) celebrates the most innovative and forward-thinking products serving the design engineering space. This dynamic competition honors the most innovative engineered products/components across several of our flagship brands: Design World, Fluid Power World, EE World, and Engineering.com. Submissions for the 2024 LEAP Awards program are being accepted starting today,…
Emerson now accepting applications for 2024-2025 Discrete Automation Scholarship
Emerson: Emerson is inviting U.S. college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, and engineering fields to apply for its 2024-2025 Discrete Automation Scholarship. Every year the merit-based award recognizes two ambitious problem-solvers with a $5,000 scholarship each, eligibility for an Emerson internship, and $1,000 research grants to enhance their schools’ engineering programs. Applicants may apply…
Schneider Electric highlights software, automation, electrification and Hannover Messe
Hannover Messe is taking place in Hannover, Germany, from April 22 to 26. At the event, Schneider Electric is presenting its vision for automation and showcasing its latest innovations, including industrial software, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twin technology. These solutions will be demonstrated through the lens of a digital and sustainable life science campus.…
PTDA welcomes new member
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomes a new associate member. Service First Processing consults on and provides credit card and electronic payment processing for businesses, with a particular focus on servicing trade associations and buying groups. Its solutions integrate with several enterprise resource…
Beckhoff USA accelerates growth with new office in Austin, Texas
Beckhoff Automation opened a new office in Austin, Texas, to supercharge the company’s presence in the Southwest. Beyond creating a collaborative workspace, the 3,500-ft2 facility is suitable for hosting industry-specific application seminars, customer meetings, training, and events. Complementing the Beckhoff offices in Houston and Dallas, this third Texas facility creates a central site for the…
Emerson to showcase Floor to Cloud factory automation solutions at Hannover Messe 2024
Emerson: Global technology, software, and engineering leader, Emerson will present the future of automation through its Floor to Cloud approach and innovative automation solutions at Hannover Messe in Hannover, Germany on April 22-26, 2024. Emerson will demonstrate how real-time visibility and control can drive sustainability, enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and empower teams using data-informed…
Remote robotic-assisted surgery system tested aboard International Space Station
Components from maxon are integral to the spaceMIRA surgical robot, which recently completed its first demo test surgeries in zero gravity on the International Space Station (ISS). The spaceMIRA, developed by Virtual Incision and researchers at the University of Nebraska, is a compact, lightweight surgical robot sent to the ISS on a SpaceX Falcon 9…
Automation for North American EV battery production
By 2028, the 40-plus electric vehicle (EV) battery-manufacturing sites in the U.S. could annually output product capable of 1,037 GWh … tracking to increase by twentyfold from the size of the industry just a few years ago, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. One geographical corridor running from Michigan to Alabama currently dominates the industry,…
DigiKey hosts Great Board Giveaway, technical demos, and more at Embedded World 2024
DigiKey will bring its refreshed brand and Great Board Giveaway to Embedded World 2024, April 9-11 in Nuremberg, Germany. The company will host a wide variety of activities, giveaways, and resources during the show at booth 4A-633. Visit the DigiKey booth during the show for the Great Board Giveaway and receive a random draw development…
Spanish manufacturing plant runs on 100% green power
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ newest production facility in Parets del Vallès, Spain (near Barcelona) is a fully carbon-neutral plant. The facility manufactures automotive components and replaces an existing plant at the same location. The company said it is boosting its production capacity by 15%. In all, more than 11 million euros have been invested in the…
Technical thinking: Nanoparticles in water
By Mark Jones “Scientists find about a quarter million invisible nanoplastic particles in a liter of bottled water” was a recent AP headline. It was one of hundreds of stories prompted by a recent scientific publication. In a first in this column, I’ll give you some fun experiments you can do with the water. You’ll…
PTDA to host 2024 Canadian conference
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) will convene for the PTDA 2024 Canadian Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada on June 4–6. Delegates in the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry, representing PTDA distributor and manufacturer companies, will broaden cross-channel networks, expand connections, and deepen business relationships. “Opportunities to cultivate strong relationships between channel partners in…
Integrated linear-motion variations becoming the norm
Automation over the last several years has expanded use of electric linear actuators to leverage their technological advancements in smart homes, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. In fact, the global linear actuator market could (in large part because of electric options) surpass U.S. $52.67B this year and grow at a compound annual growth rate through […]
Trends: Automation in agriculture and off highway
In smart agriculture applications, companies are leveraging motion systems to improve reliability in their designs. Advances in automation technology as well as related advances in sensors, imaging, and communications have meant improvements to the kinds of motion control systems employed in agricultural applications as well as other off-highway uses. That means that the smart agriculture […]
Johnson brings wealth of experience to new position
Recently, WAGO named Paul Johnson the new Industry Manager for Railroads and Transportation. After serving time in the military, Johnson spent 23 years with Norfolk Southern Railway where he eventually became Controls System Engineer overseeing the installation and upgrades to the yard as well as new Process Control Systems. Paul comes to WAGO having spent…
New motor designs redefine capabilities
Electric motors are at the core of industrial motion control. From servo and stepper motors to various linear motor designs, demand for these motors across a wide range of applications is only expected to increase. The rise in automation and ongoing electrification calls for more efficient electric motors and more diversified and specialized designs to […]
igus announces opening of new Michigan-based enjoyneering Center
igus, the Germany-based motion plastics technologies company — has announced the opening of its new “enjoyneering” center in the Detroit Metro area. Located in Bloomfield Hills, this state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for innovation, customer support, and training, all centered around igus’ expertise in motion plastics. The grand opening of the igus enjoyneering…
Beckhoff USA expands California operations with new LA office
Beckhoff Automation opened an office in Greater Los Angeles to further grow the company’s presence on the West Coast. With a spacious layout spanning more than 4,100 ft2, the new office will function as a collaborative workspace and a hub for events, seminars, and customer meetings. Los Angeles’ diverse ecosystem of high-tech industries offers opportunities…
ABB opens refitted state-of-the-art U.S. robotics facility
ABB today opened its refitted U.S. robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, which will support ABB Robotics’ global leadership in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge robotic solutions in the US, for the U.S. and the Americas. The expanded facility reflects ABB’s commitment to long-term growth in the U.S. market, which is predicted to…
Norway is Hannover Messe’s partner country for 2024
With special emphasis on clean energy and industry 4.0, a selection of companies will demonstrate Norway’s ambitions for a low carbon society and its key role in developing solutions necessary to transform the industry and reach net-zero. Norway is honored to be Partner Country at Hannover Messe. Norway’s highly skilled work force, advanced industry and…
Driving change in packaging automation
Many trends in general automation have impacted the packaging industry. Some of these include the multiple benefits of better efficiency and increased speed and accuracy of automation systems in general, leading to improved packaging machinery. At the same time, there is more concern with sustainable practices and design, which means more emphasis on biodegradable materials […]
Nearly $147K raised in first stage of PTDA Foundation’s fundraising campaign
The PTDA Foundation is off to a strong fundraising start in 2024, raising nearly $147,000 during the first three months of its 2024 Fund Drive campaign. Contributions support the PTDA Foundation in empowering PT/MC (power transmission/motion control) industry employers to be more successful in their recruitment and retention efforts. “Our industry plays a crucial role…