EXAIR’s Sanitary Flange Line Vac air operated conveyors are the best way to convey materials through systems which require frequent or mandatory cleaning. The ISO 2852 compatible sanitary flanges limit areas where bacteria can grow and help prevent contamination. Made from type 316 stainless steel to provide maximum hygiene and corrosion resistance, these Line Vacs…

Hamilton Caster has expanded their stainless-steel caster offering with an all-new series rated up to 3200 lb per caster. With this introduction, the new Champion Stainless Series represents one of the highest-quality stainless-steel caster series available. The new series is designed for extra heavy loads where corrosive environments or sanitary considerations demand having all fork…

Industrial automation systems can incorporate consumer-grade tablets as powerful HMIs, using a specialized component to provide a secure grip and maintain safety. By Luiz Shida, IDEC Corp. Industrial automation applications are becoming more sophisticated and can take advantage of many features available in consumer-grade mobile smartphone and tablet devices. End users benefit from high-resolution visualization,…

SOUTHCO, a leader in engineered access hardware recently launched the ST-10P Torque Cartridge Embedded Hinge. The newest addition to Southco’s ST Torque Cartridge Embedded Hinge series delivers constant torque in a compact package for pivoting and positioning applications where low levels of friction are required. The new ST-10P Torque Cartridge Embedded Hinge features an outside…

Southco, a leader in engineered access hardware, extended its line of positioning technology with a compact display arm for desktops and equipment carts. The AV D32 Dynamic Mounting Arm (C Series) allows end-users to easily adjust the display height of monitors and screens, delivering reliable positioning technology in a reduced form factor. Southco’s AV C…

Southco, a leader in engineered access hardware has expanded its successful line of rotary latch actuators with a new version that combines keyless electronic locking with modern design. Southco’s AC-11-EM Rotary Latch Actuator with electronic locking functionality eliminates the need for mechanical key access when connected to a remote access controller, such as a key…

Good corrosion resistance is essential when using metal parts in aggressive environments. JW Winco therefore now offers even more standard parts in the higher quality Stainless Steel grade AISI 316L (A4). Increased resistance to aggressive conditions is an ever more critical feature in a range of industries. As a result, corrosion-resistant AISI 316L (A4) stainless…

Elesa has recently extended its Antimicrobial Products “SAN” line with components now also available in white. The aim is to solve a problem of great importance with which countries around the world are facing: the danger of antibiotics resistance. This phenomenon leads microorganisms to resist against antimicrobial drug activities. SAN Antimicrobial components are manufactured from…

Cube encoders – incremental rotary encoders with a cube-shaped housing – have been popular with machine builders since the 1960s, largely because these devices are easy to install without special mounts or brackets. Now POSITAL has updated this old favorite with new features and capabilities that will keep this design relevant for years to come. […]

A Spanish manufacturer is using industrial robots equipped with cable guides from igus for quick and efficient riveting of aircraft fuselages on one of the world’s most widely-used planes. LOXIN (ARITEX GROUP) relies on cable guides made of high-performance plastic manufactured by igus, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics. The guides are used on the […]

Power-on Clutches are used to couple two parallel shafts. The armature hub assembly is mounted to the same shaft as the rotor assembly. The armature hub accommodates a pulley, gear, sprocket, etc., to transmit torque to the second shaft. The field assembly is mounted on the shaft and retained by a loose-fitting pin or bracket […]

Additive manufacturing offers a new way to make objects. First, let’s distinguish the dominant manufacturing technologies. Machining, in the form of milling, cutting, drilling, stamping, and so on makes objects by removing material off of a block of material. Machining is akin to sculpting, removing material in places it is not wanted or needed. Injection […]

Since their emergence in the early 1990s, eBikes have undergone a steady series of improvements in range, reliability, and performance that have won them a growing number of loyal users worldwide. Equipped with specially engineered frames, high-capacity Li-Ion batteries, and highly efficient drive control electronics, today’s eBikes have become a low-carbon option to cars for […]

MakerBot, a global leader in 3D printing, revealed that All Axis Robotics is implementing the MakerBot METHOD manufacturing workstation into its automation processes to produce custom tooling parts for its legacy machines as well as customers. All Axis Robotics is a Dallas, Texas-based machine shop and a leader in turnkey custom robot solutions for other […]

Eckhart Inc. is a leading integrator of advanced automation and Industry 4.0 technologies. As a tool designer and a technology integrator, companies come to Eckhart to find solutions that improve their profitability, safety, and reliability of different manufacturing processes. Dan Burseth, VP at Eckhart, discusses how Eckhart’s expertise can help users of additive manufacturing make […]

EXAIR’s new 3/8-in. standard air wipe produces a 360° airstream that can blow off, dry, clean or cool the material passing through it. The split design can be clamped around continuously moving material such as wire, cable, pipe, hose and extruded shapes. The 3/8-in. standard air wipe ejects a small amount of compressed air through…

Topology optimization refers to software that takes advantage of the design freedoms offered by additive manufacturing. It is a generative approach, so multiple design configurations are created for experimental testing without added design work. Plus, the degree of physical testing to achieve an optimal design is reduced or eliminated by pushing iteration to the software […]

Pneumatic toggle clamps fix workpieces in place, position mechanisms, and hold molds together. In this way, they not only simplify handling, but they also enable fully automated processes. JW Winco offers a number of flexible solutions for this purpose. Toggle clamps of the series GN 860 and GN 862 have an important and unique property:…

New Elesa conveyor components allow the creation of support structures for production lines in diverse industrial markets, such as bottling, packaging and material handling. Elesa now offers new roller sides and central guides, linear guide rails, also with shaped profile and a series of accessories. These have been added to the already available range of…

An environmental technician puts on his boots, straps on his instruments and begins the day-long trek through the landfill. He’s searching for methane, a greenhouse gas found in landfills that is 21 times more potent than other greenhouse gases. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, landfills account for 16% of U.S. emissions of methane. […]

EXAIR’s new Mini Cooler with Dual Point Hose Kit provides a stream of 20°F (-7°C) cold air to prevent heat buildup, reduce downtime and increase productivity. It is effective on small machining operations to eliminate burning, melting, and heat related breakage. The dual point option allows the cold air outlet to be directed at two…

NewTek Spring-Loaded LVDTs ensure tight tolerances of automotive parts and sub-components in automated production lines. Serving as part of the quality control process, the Spring-Loaded Gage Heads measure the tolerance of specific points of a part when placed in a test stand after leaving the casting or machining area of a production line. In this high-cycle […]

Oerlikon AM and MT Aerospace are partnering to accelerate the use of additive parts in the aerospace and defense industries. The partnership should bring efficiency and cost savings to these markets by delivering end-to-end solutions to customers. The two companies are important players in the aerospace market, and their combined expertise acan address the industry’s […]

“The America’s Cup is a racing event like none other and tests the limits of design and manufacturing,” said Robyn Lesh, Design Team Engineer at American Magic. “Solid aerodynamics is truly the key, as our vessels must essentially ‘fly’ over the water with durable, extremely light-weight parts for racing. Whether it’s for developing prototypes, controllers, […]

As robots expand beyond manufacturing, what should developers know about new applications? Here are six examples of robotics needs.