For decades, the EPA has mandated that every diesel truck in America have a Diesel Particle Filter (DPF) to catch the huge plumes of black smoke emanating from the exhaust system. This smoke is harmful to our everyday environment and a major pollutant to the world’s atmosphere. The problem with DPFs is that while they…
Machine control and connected machines for DX initiatives
The COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed the way in which tens of thousands of businesses worldwide operate. It also changed how many view automation and digital transformation (DX) initiatives. The latter have proven helpful where businesses aim to make remote work for office personnel permanent; toggle operations from on to idled and back more nimbly; allow…
Basics of the digital transformation (DX)
A digital transformation (DX or less commonly DT) is the application of software, programmable hardware, and operational technologies (OTs) to fundamentally transfigure a company’s operations and end products for the better. DX programs can be undertaken by industrial organizations, machine builders, or a vast array of other businesses; the involved OTs typically include machine-monitoring systems,…
From trend to trade: How automation evolves out of necessity
What was unthinkable in the past has become commonplace in modern warehouses. Robots and scalable automation are now must-haves for thriving during market fluctuations. Warehouse automation has been around a lot longer in the U.S. than people may assume. Though today we think of autonomous robots and software-driven machines operating continuously in human-free environments, automation…
Trends in additive manufacturing in 2022
Additive manufacturing continues to evolve. Here’s a look at how Wayne Davey, Global Head of Sales and Go-to-Market for 3D Printing Solutions, HP Inc., sees the latest developments in this industry. MPF: Over the last few years, various commentators have discussed the need for designers to think differently when designing for additive manufacturing versus machining […]
Motion Control Trends: Automation, robotics spur motor demand
Electric motors are at the heart of motion. Across the board, motor manufacturers are seeing increased demand for their products. Hastened by the pandemic, demand in areas such as robotics, autonomous vehicles and automated production and manufacturing lines across a wide swath of industries has risen, spurring new business as well as innovation. Some top […]
Motion Control Trends: Automation drives encoder development
Encoder manufacturers are making sure that their offerings keep pace with broader technological changes and the demands of the market. For example, more powerful motion controllers and drives have spurred a rise in more sophisticated automation systems across a range of industries and applications. Robotics in particular is one area that continues to see growth, […]
What trends will change robotic automation in 2022?
With demand for robots growing as companies in multiple sectors look for new ways to enhance their productivity and competitiveness post-pandemic, ABB has compiled a set of growth predictions, looking at key trends driving demand for robots in the coming year. “The pandemic accelerated far-reaching global mega trends — from labor shortages and supply chain…
March 2022 Special Edition: Motion System Trends
The Pandemic Continues To Shape Trends In Motion Control In the first months of the new year, our motion control team takes stock of the current climate in the industry and looks ahead to what’s in store for the coming year. To that end, we ask leading suppliers of motion control components to give our…
Trends in aerospace and automotive additive manufacturing
The aerospace industry was an early adopter of additive technology, followed by the automotive industry. Where do these industries stand in relation to additive technology today? In a recent interview, David Giebenhain, global product director at Protolabs, shares his thoughts. Design World · Trends in aerospace and automotive additive manufacturing The aerospace industry has been […]
Renishaw and CCAT drive cutting-edge manufacturing and supply chain technologies
To assist manufacturers on their Industry 4.0 journey, global engineering technologies company, Renishaw, has partnered with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), USA. This applied technology demonstration and training center validates, demonstrates and assists with the adoption of leading-edge industrial technologies into the global manufacturing supply chain. The two organizations will assist businesses in…
Increased innovation, digital presence increase igus online sales
An increase in the pace of innovation and emphasis on expanding its digital presence in the face of a worldwide pandemic helped igus increase online sales by 30% in 2020. Innovations range from telescopic robot tube packages to dry-running ball bearings with 21 times the standard service life to large-scale 3D printing. Engineers and OEMs…
Dorner’s new Virtual Showcase now open with nine product demonstrations
As industry professionals are still unable to visit Dorner in person due to trade show cancellations, Dorner is bringing the trade show to them. Dorner is hosting its own virtual showcase that includes nine demonstrations covering sanitary, automation, and industrial applications. Each demonstration contains a video narrated by Dorner experts who point out features, benefits,…
mk North America announces new sales and business development manager
mk North America, Inc. is excited to announce the appointment of Todd Buchanan as Sales and Business Development Manager, Canada. Todd began his tenure with mk on August 24, 2020. Todd comes to mk North America with over 20 years experience in the conveying and industrial automation industries. Prior to joining the mk team Todd…
Oxford and King’s developing prototype for rapidly deployable ventilator
An interdisciplinary team of engineers and medics is addressing ways to increase the UK’s capacity for ventilator manufacture. Engineers, anaesthetists and surgeons from the University of Oxford and King’s College London are building and testing prototypes that can be manufactured using techniques and tools available in well-equipped university and small and medium enterprise (SME) workshops.…
2020 Design World Motion Trends — the full URL library
Design engineers involved in motion control and system components — check it out: The 2020 Design World Motion Trends issue has gone to press, and the digital version is now live at issuu.com in case you haven’t received a hard copy. By the way, if you’d like to subscribe to Design World, the signup is […]
Lafert NA team appoints Sadaf Irfan to sales position
Sadaf Irfan, a versatile and target-oriented professional was appointed Inside Sales Representative to Lafert North America. Irfan brings more than six years of experience in technical sales and customer relationship management combined with a specialized focus in manufacturing, engineering consulting, and project management. Sadaf will have the ability to enhance Lafert’s customer relationships through her…
Why eLearning about VFDs (and other technical topics) just may fit the bill
With the current state of the internet and the interconnectivity of devices and equipment, it is in the best interest of any company that wants to optimize the productivity of their associates tasked with technical tasks to take a look at the eLearning available. eLearning offers a wonderful ROI due to its low cost, ease […]
Poor numerical skills after four years of college
Teschler on Topic Leland Teschler • Executive Editor [email protected] On Twitter @ DW_LeeTeschler One of my college classmates during my sophomore year was a guy who majored in aerospace engineering. He consistently got poor grades in his engineering classes mainly because he had trouble with the math that was involved. I later heard that he’d…
Goal setting zaniness in corporate culture
Teschler on Topic Leland Teschler • Executive Editor [email protected] On Twitter @ DW_LeeTeschler I once worked at a company where the people in the HR department seemed to be fixated on justifying their jobs. One way their fixation manifested itself was in a complicated and time-consuming goal-setting exercise foisted upon everyone in the firm. As…
The importance of the patent search
There’s value in searches led by attorneys capable of analyzing results … and guiding inventors before patent-application filings. By George Likourezos • Patent attorney and partner | Carter, DeLuca & Farrell LLP Technologists and thinkers can have eureka moments at any time: They see a problem and instead of just accepting that problem, they create…
Get ready for engineers who earn their degrees online
Teschler on Topic Leland Teschler • Executive Editor [email protected] On Twitter @ DW_LeeTeschler Long ago, the engineering magazine that employed me explored the idea of working with local universities on an educational program. Our concept involved instructing engineers on newly emerging technologies, but without requiring them to actually sit in a classroom. This was long…
Theranos — and the satisfaction of how engineering doesn’t lie
How does it work? That was the question few people asked about the mythical supertechnology supposedly at the core of Theranos — a Silicon-Valley unicorn overvalued by some $9 billion during a 2013-2014 hype height. Not that it would’ve mattered anyway, as the fictional heart of secretive Theranos changed continuously over its 12 short years.…
Deadline approaching for Emerson 2019 ASCO Engineering Scholarship applications
Emerson is reminding U.S. engineering students that the deadline for its 2019 ASCO Engineering Scholarship program is rapidly approaching and that the program will continue to accept applications through April 23, 2019. The program rewards students who have the potential for leadership and contributions to the engineering profession. Two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to two U.S.…
Say goodbye to creative lab rats
Teschler on Topic Leland Teschler • Executive Editor [email protected] On Twitter @ DW_LeeTeschler Examine Silicon Valley and some of the other notorious high-tech hotspots and you can’t help notice the building boom in research labs. Researchers of yesteryear often referred to themselves as lab rats partly because their surroundings were usually dark and dank. In…