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…

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…

KEB America, Inc., a subsidiary of KEB Automation KG and the North American provider of motion control and industrial automation solutions, has announced the opening of KEB Canada in Oakville, Ontario. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) sales office reflects KEB America’s growth and commitment to better serving North American customers in the Canadian market. KEB…

Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. expands its line of MELSEC iQ-F series compact controllers to now offer a basic model providing OEMs with an all-in-one controller for small machines up to 60 I/O with integrated Ethernet connectivity. The FX5S PLC is a solution for simple automation applications at a more affordable price than the original FX5U…

FORTiS™ is the new enclosed encoder that enables machine tool builders to improve machine tool performance and increase uptime while enhancing the efficiency of assembly, maintenance, and servicing. The innovative FORTiS enclosed linear absolute encoder series is designed for use in harsh environments such as machine tools. It can also be used in functional safety applications up…

igus, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics, announced it is adding two new materials to its range of ball bearings for high-temperature use. Machines and systems have to withstand temperatures above 200°F and aggressive chemicals. For more machine reliability and less maintenance, igus has developed the dry-running xiros A500 deep groove ball bearing specifically for […]

By Matt Mowry When I first started working in technical sales for igus® back in the year 2000, we had three series of linear slides: drylin R, drylin T, and drylin N. drylin R and T were dimensionally similar to the round-shaft and profile guides that already existed within the industrial marketplace at the time—of course, our parts were made…

Founded in 1996, CS Hyde can be considered part of the millennial generation or part of the “internet age”. In the past 25 years digital transformation has changed the industry dramatically from prioritizing phone calls, to follow up emails, and now fighting for positioning within a search engine. Ecommerce has influenced the way we purchase…

AVAILABLE IN: Voltage: 24 V dc Static Torque: 5 – 80 lb-in. Bore Size: 0.25-in. – 0.50-in. Shaft-Mounted Clutch Couplings are designed for inline loads. Standard voltage is 24V DC, other voltages and dissimilar bore combinations are available for special order.   SDP/SI www.sdp-si.com/products/Brakes-and-Clutches/index.php

The HVCM-051-032-013-01 Linear Voice Coil Motor from Moticont features a high force-to-size ratio and a 19.1 mm (0.75 in.) stroke. The motor is a low inertia, high acceleration/deceleration, high speed, clean and quiet, non-commutated, hollow core brushless servo motor. A true dc servo motor, it can be used to achieve resolutions of less than 1 […]

Thin-section bearings are high-precision products with very little running noise and a high load-carrying capacity. These bearings are available in three different designs with extremely small, predominantly square cross-sections. Within each series, the cross-section remains constant even in the case of larger shaft and housing bore diameters. The bearings are therefore also described as constant […]

A clean cityscape is what many large cities around the world long for. Finbin, a Finnish company, has engineered an innovative trash receptacle to bring that dream closer. This advanced trash bin employs a solar-powered compactor that increases waste collection capacity by six times. Self-lubricating igus plain bearings incorporated into the design ensures a long […]

Rigid endoscopes are used in medical diagnostics and therapy to examine body cavities and hollow organs and to perform minimally invasive procedures. In order to avoid risks for patients and medical staff, it is essential that the devices function perfectly. Reliable quality testing is intended above all to exclude risks from infections and injuries, but […]

STMicroelectronics has introduced the market’s first MEMS water/liquid-proof absolute pressure sensor with a declared 10-year longevity program for the industrial market. ST’s new ILPS28QSW sensor comes in a sealed, cylindrical, surface-mountable package. It features a ceramic substrate that provides high resistance to liquid permeability and a robust potting gel, proven in automotive applications, to protect the […]

EXAIR’s Hot Tap Digital Flowmeters allow installation when compressed air piping is under pressure. By eliminating the need to isolate and remove pressure from the pipe, these compressed air flowmeters reduce installation time while maintaining safety. Hot Tap Digital Flowmeters incorporate two valves that the measuring probes pass through. A sound muffler that also collects…

Evolving from prototype and small-batch production to series production of plastic and metal parts in additive manufacturing increases efficient utilization of 3D printing equipment, provides a safe working environment, and creates an optimal production flow. Achieving efficient series production, however, requires intelligent automation and networking capable of perfectly integrating long production times of components in […]

AIR BEARINGS, BUSHINGS & GUIDES Zero Friction-indefinite operating life Contaminant free, clean environments Zero friction – No heat generation at high speed High accuracy components High accuracy motion High speed Position accuracy better than 0.1 micron Ultra-precise linear and rotary motion Through recent technical advances, air bearings offer inherent advantages over traditional bearings as well […]

TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, is excited to announce that some of its most popular Industrial relays series have been certified and approved for use in HVAC equipment that uses A2L mildly flammable refrigerant gases. By January 2025, refrigerants using legacy HFC gases will no longer be allowed due to […]

Teledyne DALSA has announced that its Linea HS 16k Backside Illuminated (BSI) TDI camera is in production now. With its CLHS interface, this camera offers enhanced sensitivity and is ideal for Near Ultraviolet (NUV) and visible imaging applications such as wafer, flat panel display, and electronic packaging inspection as well as photoluminescence and life science […]

Cranes and hoists are only as good as the components that make them up. One of their key components is the coupling, which is essential to maintaining uptime and enhancing the safety and reliability of your operation. Without the right coupling, your crane or hoist may not function properly, causing your process to grind to […]

Global software and technology leader Emerson is helping the Swedish cleantech company HaloSep to optimize their unique process that turns hazardous incinerator flue gas residue from waste-to-energy plants into usable materials. Emerson’s control technology and software is being deployed at HaloSep’s plant for optimization, research, and technology (PORT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, to manage an innovative…

Since the earliest days of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor products, the goal of easily combining the sensing structures made using MEMS processing with the required signal conditioning has driven many sensor R&D labs. If successful, the solution would make the resulting devices more useful in a broader range of applications. In the 1980s, the circuitry […]

Molex, an electronics and connectivity innovator, announces the results of a global survey of design engineers and managers to better understand top power-system design experiences, challenges, opportunities, and attitudes that are enabling or inhibiting the development of critical power-system designs. Respondents representing different industries and geographies shared valuable insights into today’s power expectations while addressing…

3D Systems’ latest Stereolithography (SLA) printer, the SLA 750, offers unprecedented levels of throughput and reliability. The combination of the SLA 750’s high-speed production, large build area, and broad materials portfolio helps companies expand their services. Recently, The Technology House (TTH), an Ohio-based contract manufacturer, purchased an SLA 750 to enhance its manufacturing workflow and […]

For decades, the general wisdom in approaching manufacturing has been to rely on a “just in time” strategy to ensure component parts are available the moment they are needed rather than tying up capital to purchase and store inventory. However, with supply chain disruptions causing delays across industries, there is an argument to be made […]