Most businesses with warehousing functions can realize greater efficiency, safety, and productivity from autonomous mobile robotics. For those ready to make the leap but unsure where to start, following are key industry trends and considerations. By Kelly Schroder | Business Development Specialist — Americas • Conductix-Wampfler The autonomous mobile robot (AMR) market saw a massive…
How design support and e-learning are addressing labor shortage
We recently asked several industry experts about trends they’re seeing in engineering training, software tools, and support. Here’s what those experts had to say. Meet the experts Nathan Andaya | Director Techline SBU • LINAK U.S. Boaz Eidelberg | CTO • SAAR Inc. James Gallant | Director of operations • ISL Products International Ltd. Chris…
ARRIS increases additive molding production capacity to more than a million parts
ARRIS — manufacturer enabling high-performance composites at scale with new design latitudes for mass-market consumer products, transportation, and industrial applications — recently signed a contract manufacturing partner (CM) to further increase production part capacity. Additive Molding, a first-of-its-kind manufacturing, materials, and software technology developed by ARRIS, has been scaled from tens of thousands of parts in 2021…
The latest trends in EVs, eBikes, and AGVs
We recently asked several industry experts about the trends they’re seeing in the design and use of electric vehicles (EVs), scooters, eBikes, and autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs). Here’s what those experts had to say. MEET THE EXPERTS Ian Blasch | Senior director— business development • Jabil James Gallant | Director of operations • ISL Products…
The automation best addressing supply-chain and labor issues
In its wake, the COVID pandemic left lingering supply-chain issues that are still affecting manufacturing and other automated industries. Now some slowdowns at least have cleared. By Lisa Eitel | Executive editor The last few years’ supply-chain issues have featured container ships waiting weeks for cargo unloading; empty shelves at stores; year-long waits for appliances;…
ABB to expand robotics factory in U.S.
ABB has announced that construction is starting on the expansion of its existing North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Mich. The project is expected to be completed in November 2023 and represents an investment of $20 million. The expansion will create 72 highly skilled new jobs in the area and is…
EXAIR’s industrial housekeeping vacuums offer cleanup for tough jobs
EXAIR’s broad selection of pneumatic industrial vacuum cleaners offer cleanup solutions for jobs wet, dry, dusty, abrasive, light, or heavy duty. Our industrial vacuums have no moving parts and require no electricity. They offer powerful cleanup with added safety for employees with lower noise levels and no electrical hazard when in the presence of liquids. EXAIR…
15 industry experts on relentless semiconductor woes — and fixes
Semiconductor products were more affected than any other by COVID-induced supply-chain issues felt around the world. International political tensions have only prolonged and exacerbated the problem. By Lisa Eitel | Executive editor Every modern gadget, vehicle, smart device, and appliance is peppered over with semiconductors galore — offering that singular function of processing power that…
Connector, adapters cover 10 kV and 20 kV to 300 MHz
Pasternack has just introduced new 10kV/20kV connectors and adapters for imaging inspection, testing, measurement, and medical and aerospace applications. Pasternack’s 10kV/20kV connectors and adapters feature high operating voltage ratings of 10kV/20kV DC, high insulation resistance of 1000 MOhm, and a greater maximum frequency of 300 MHz. These hermetically sealed, high-voltage 10kV/20kV connectors and adapters reduce […]
March 2023 Special Edition: Trends 2023
Chips (semiconductor) chips, I dream of you “Chips chips da ti du di du … I dream of you …” skats Italian jazz musician Paolo Conte in his 1981 masterpiece Via con me. This is the manufacturing community’s refrain as international borders threaten to harden into chokepoints for semiconductor-related commerce. In fact, the chip industry…
igus introduces world’s first cable for hanging applications
igus, maker of motion plastics and moving cable management systems, has introduced a new hybrid cable for SEW EURODRIVE’s MOVILINK DDI technology. A unique aramid support element gives the CFSPECIAL.192 500% more tensile strength than a standard MOVILINK DDI cable, enabling five times the distance in vertical hanging applications. Machines have to work reliably around […]
How do sensors improve home appliances? Pt. 2
Part 1 of this blog discussed sensors in the laundry room in washing machines and dryers. In the kitchen, similar to the laundry room, basic functions can be designed in using established sensing techniques. In the typical home, the refrigerator is the second-largest consumer of electricity (13.7%), with the air conditioner being number one. So, […]
KTR RIGIFLEX-HP C steel laminae couplings
The RIGIFLEX-HP steel laminae couplings (High-performance coupling) are used for severely high-speed drives with a circumferential speed of up to 200 m/s. The special properties of this coupling type are smooth running even with the highest speeds and the weight-optimized design. Due to the low coupling weight of these steel laminae couplings, the loads on […]
General Die Casters merges with Dart Casting, Inc.
General Die Casters, Inc (Twinsburg, OH) is joining forces with Dart Casting, Inc. (Alsip, IL) under common ownership. Both organizations will continue under their current names and will operate 41 casting machines between 400 – 1200 tons and 28 CNC machining centers, creating one of the leading middle-market die-cast companies in the Midwest. The merger…
Siemens creates new vertical market dedicated to Intralogistics in the U.S.
Siemens recently announced the formation of the new Intralogistics vertical that brings best-in-class material handling thought leadership, hardware automation, software, and service solutions to customers in the United States. Siemens is leveraging its broad technology to address the market needs for digital transformation, cybersecurity, safety, and sustainability. This new group will operate both as a…
ABB to expand robotics factory in US
• Investment of $20 million will increase production at its existing Auburn Hills facility and strengthen ABB’s US leadership • Newly expanded, highly automated facility will create new jobs in the state of Michigan • Expansion featuring the latest in automated and advanced manufacturing processes to open November 2023 ABB has strengthened its commitment to…
Teledyne introduces 4K 3D laser line profile sensor family for in-line measurement
Teledyne DALSA, a Teledyne Technologies company and maker of machine vision technology, introduces the Z-Trak LP2C 3D profile sensor family for in-line 3D measurement and inspection applications. As the latest member of the Z-Trak family, the LP2C 4K sensors deliver 4,096 samples per profile and an x resolution down to 3.5 microns, allowing customers to…
A new dimension of manufacturing
With ACOPOS 6D, B&R heralds a new era of manufacturing. Shuttles carry individual products freely through the machine, powered by magnetic levitation. Gone are the days when conventional transport systems imposed rigidly defined timing on the production process. ACOPOS 6D enables economical small-batch production with frequent changeover between products of different designs and dimensions. ACOPOS…
New updated branch motor control and protection from Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc., announces a complete revision of its Allen-Bradley Branch Motor Control & Protection Solutions of motor control components. The recent overhaul of its motor control components within its Branch Motor Control & Protection Solution was brought on by the need for updating full systems where components are used to turn on and off […]
Thordon Bearings supports wind power-in-a-box technology
Thordon Bearings is supplying its grease-free, self-lubricating ThorPlas-Blue bearing material to a novel containerized wind propulsion system designed to reduce fuel consumption and fossil fuel emissions across all commercial ship types. The rigid sail system – developed by entrepreneurs Miles Keeney-Ritchie and Satchel Douglas, co-founders of Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based start-up Aloft Systems – is a […]
Murrelektronik surge suppression devices provide protection to a variety of applications
AutomationDirect has added new Murrelektronik surge suppression devices that help protect and lengthen the life of motors, contactors, relays, solenoids, and PLC outputs. These new surge suppression devices support a variety of applications and provide protection from voltage spikes and electromagnetic noise caused by inductive loads. New additions include universal surge suppressors that reduce high…
2.4 mm and 2.92 mm connectors and adapters cover DC to 40 GHz
Linx Technologies has introduced 2.4 mm and 2.92 mm connectors and adapters to its continually expanding product portfolio. Ideal for precision applications, these connectors and adapters combine superior performance, compact size, and a convenient threaded mating interface to provide a heavy-duty, easy-to-use connector. Frequently used in radar, satellite communications, experimental and test and measurement applications, […]
Ewellix launches e-MOVEKIT to reduce design, validation time for mobile machinery
The new e-MOVEKIT from Ewellix is aimed at helping designers and manufacturers of mobile machinery simplify the specification, assembly, and testing of electric linear actuation systems. The e-MOVEKIT has been developed in response to the growing trend towards electrification of motion systems in mobile and off-highway equipment. In particular, the demand to replace traditional hydraulic […]
Focus on sustainable technologies: NKE bearings for wind power
At this year’s Hannover Messe, NKE Austria GmbH will present bearings for wind turbine gearboxes and generators. The Austrian bearing manufacturer has more than 20 years of experience in the wind energy sector. NKE bearings have been installed in more than 4,000 wind turbines across Europe, the USA, and China, equivalent to more than 10,000 […]
Deep groove stainless/ceramic hybrid Si3N4 silicon nitride radial ball bearings
Deep Groove Hybrid Radial Ball Bearings featuring Si3N4 Silicon Nitride Ceramic balls from LM76 complement their broad range of linear bearings that are FDA/USDA/3A Dairy compliant. These Deep Groove Stainless/Ceramic Hybrid Si3N4 Silicon Nitride Radial Ball Bearings are ideal for the extreme environments experienced in the food, drug, and dairy industries. Capable of high speeds, […]