By Justyna Rapacz, Marketing Engineer Brief History of Springs Springs have been helping the world go around for thousands of years. In fact, spring technology goes back to the “bow and arrow” ages. A non-coiled spring was used in a bow and arrow dating back 64,000 thousand years ago. The first coiled spring was invented…
eBook: Setting The Standard For Precise Alignment
Download the Nippon Bearing eBook NB’s standard TOPBALL® TW type is the forerunner of the TOPBALL Ultimate and it is available in a wide range of sizes. TOPBALL has 3 times the load capacity and 27 times more travel life than conventional bushings. Because it is self-aligning, it speeds manufacturing and assembly. It is a…
Tuned mass dampers help FORTiS™ encoders achieve class-leading vibration resistance
By Renishaw The problem: Machine tools can produce significant vibration during operation and high levels of machine vibration can adversely affect the enclosed position encoders installed on these machines, leading to measurement inaccuracies. The quality of axis position measurement can directly impact aspects of process quality, such as feature accuracy and surface finish. Position measurement…
7 Reasons to Consider Swapping Your Pneumatic and Hydraulic Actuators for Electric Cylinders
Introduction For decades, pneumatic and hydraulic actuators have been go-to technologies in the industrial automation space, but they have as many drawbacks as advantages, particularly pneumatic actuators. Meanwhile, electric cylinders have made great strides, to the point where OEMs and system integrators are increasingly choosing them whenever possible. Compared to pneumatic and hydraulic technologies, electric…
Relationships differentiate machine solution providers as partners
If it seems like your customers are turning to you more frequently to solve their challenges, you are not alone. They need new solutions to help mitigate labor issues and improve efficiency and quality. As a machine builder, it’s up to you to develop more complex machines and automation systems that can help end users scale operations…
New approach to machine lifecycle support benefits your people, parts, and processes
Machine builders are looking for you to help them automate functions and make machines easier to use and maintain. They also are looking for more power while using less energy, modular designs to conserve space, and versatile components to increase flexibility, and reduce inventory. Most importantly, they are looking to you for end-to-end solutions through…
Improve machine performance with comprehensive automation and motion solutions
The pressure to add more automation capabilities to your machines can be intense. Your customers face extraordinary workforce challenges in addition to unexpected disruptions that threaten their ability to compete. Eighty percent of manufacturers see smart manufacturing as key to future success. But you face a dizzying array of choices for automation and motion controls to design…
IIoT solutions bring machine data to life to streamline and secure performance
If you’re a machine builder trying to differentiate your company from the competition, you may be considering investing in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions. Today, there are numerous cloud-based manufacturing technologies that can dramatically improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and streamline maintenance. But how do you find the right IIoT solution while meeting industry…
Why Choose an IO-Link Ecosystem for Your Next Automation Project?
By Adis Halimic By now we’ve all heard of IO-Link, the device-level communication protocol that seems magical. Often referred to as the “USB of industrial automation,” IO-Link is a universal, open, and bi-directional communication technology that enables plug-and-play device replacement, dynamic device configuration, centralized device management, remote parameter setting, device level diagnostics, and uses existing…
Using Guided Changeover to Reduce Maintenance Costs, Downtime
By Blake Gieseler A guided changeover system can drastically reduce the errors involved with machine operation, especially when added to machines using fully automated changeovers. Processing multiple parts and recipes during a production routine requires a range of machines, and tolerances are important to quantify. Only relying on the human element is detrimental to profits,…
Tackling the Most Demanding Applications With Precision Sensors
By Rob Crumley Standard industrial sensors can solve a lot of automation challenges. Photoelectric, capacitive, and inductive technologies detect presence, distances, shapes, colors, thicknesses, and more. To satisfy these general applications, there are a few reputable manufacturers in the market that design and produce such products. In many instances, it is possible to interchange them…
Miniature Sensors With Monumental Capabilities
By Jack Moermond The requirement for miniature optical sensors to meet the demands of medical and semiconductor automation equipment often exceeds the capabilities of standard self-contained optical sensors. In some cases, other industry application requirements can be best solved by these same miniature optical sensors with advanced capabilities. So, what do these optical sensors offer…
Considerations When Picking UHF RFID
By Nick Bach If you’ve attempted to implement an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID system into your facility, you might have run into some headaches in the process of getting things to work properly. If you are looking to implement UHF RFID but haven’t had the chance to set things up yet, then this blog might…
WAGO’s pluggable Multi Connection System (MCS) MAXI 16
The versatile option for wire-to-board and wire-to-wire connections The MCS MAXI 16 Pluggable Connection System with its innovative lever is ideally suited for your power electronics application. These connectors offer a wider conductor range (18-4 AWG) and higher current carrying capacity along with 100% protection against mismating. The lever actuation with WAGO’s patented Push-in CAGE…
Motion to Meet Your Mission in Space Complimentary Webinar
From the ground to orbit to deep space exploration, a new space race is on. Learn how to win with motion systems designed for the vacuum, radiation and thermal dynamics of space, as well as the realities of the marketplace.
Learn How to Optimize Motor Size and Torque Using D2L Rule
We’ll show you how to achieve smooth motion with the right technology
Learn How to Beat Cogging and Torque Ripple
We’ll show you how to achieve smooth motion with the right technology
5 Considerations to Optimize Frameless Motors in Aerospace & Defense Applications
A successful program depends on efficient prototyping, cost-effective production, and reliable supply.
Power a New Generation of Small Satellites
Here’s how you can claim the lead in the new space race
Space-Worthy Motors to Meet Any Mission
Reliable motion helps ensure the safety and success of your mission
Sensing Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals: Enhancing Material Differentiation
By Michael Kendall Detecting metallic (ferrous) objects is a common application in many industries, including manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace. Inductive sensors are a popular choice for detecting metallic objects because they are reliable, durable, and cost-effective. Detecting a metallic object, however, is not always as simple as it seems, especially if you need to differentiate…
Understanding IP Ratings
By Kyle Bause Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), are a standardized measure for manufacturers to specify and understand the level of protection that an enclosure offers against the intrusion of solid objects and liquids. It helps customers understand the suitability of a product for its intended use. There are…
IO-link Delivers Increased Data, Simpler Systems, and Lower Cost
When Ready Systems of Burlington, Ontario, Canada was looking for a replacement for their DeviceNet network architecture, they turned to long-time partner Balluff to investigate possible Ethernet control architectures. While they also provide complex material handling and robotics systems, Ready Systems is most well-known for pallet-based assembly line conveyor systems for the automotive seating industry.…
Improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness
By Mark Bakke Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a critical metric for measuring the efficiency of manufacturing operations. It considers three factors – availability, performance, and quality – to determine the effective use of equipment. Where do we focus to win the biggest improvements? To improve OEE, it’s important to focus on these five key…
Waterways: the Many Routes of Water Detection
By Logan Welch Water is everywhere, in most things living and not, and the amount of this precious resource is always important. The simplest form of monitoring water is if it is there or not. In your body, you feel the effects of dehydration, in your car the motor overheats, and on your lawn, you…