Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

Will your company take advantage of this unique opportunity in 2016?

By Frank Tobe | May 18, 2015

Share

Paul J. Heney – Editorial Director

[email protected]

On Twitter @DW_Editor

Next year it’s U.S.

It’s really difficult to describe Hannover Fair to someone who hasn’t been to what is the world’s biggest trade show fairground. Hall after hall (about 30 of them) contain nearly every industrial product you can think of, from motion control and fluid power automation to solar cells and robots.

Hannover is also one of few places you see forward-thinking technology and new, innovative products actually being released. (I’ve complained in this space before about the glut of trade shows, which leads to exhibitors telling the press that there’s nothing new under the sun, and they saw everything on display at the last event.)

This year’s Hermes Award, given to the most innovative technical product released at the show, was presented to Wittenstein AG, for their Galaxie drive system. I had the opportunity to chat with company executives at their booth, and also to see the product in action. The gearhead has been fused with a new high-performance motor to create a very compact, hollow-shaft drive system. It also has integrated connectivity—remember, this is Industry 4.0, people—and has a very impressive measured efficiency of more than 92%.

Each of the 24 teeth involved in torque conversion is an independent and dynamic entity, supported by a needle roller bearing, grouped around a two- or three-cam input polygon and guided along the teeth of a ring gear. At any given time, only two of the teeth are not engaged, resulting in a high torque density when compared with traditional gear types. It was fascinating to see the years of engineering that went into this product.

I’m also a sucker for great R&D—and Festo Corp. never fails to excite the engineering imagination with their ongoing series of Bionic Learning Network creatures. This year, I had to fight the crowds to get a good view of their eMotionButterflies in action. These large blue insects use indoor GPS and infrared technology to move in an enclosed space without colliding with other butterflies or permanent obstructions. Festo also showed off their new BionicAnts, which demonstrate industrial networking and cooperative behavior. And lastly, the FlexShapeGripper inverts its elastic silicone cap to pick up objects of almost any shape, inspired by the workings of a chameleon’s tongue.

Each year, Hannover selects a partner country, and all exhibiting companies play up their roles as well as facilities in that area of the world. Next year, the United States will be the partner country, for the first time in 30 years. The spotlight is going to be on us next April. This will be a great opportunity to show our manufacturing expertise—and the planning needs to begin in earnest, right now.

Comment on Paul’s blog on
Pneumatic Tips, www.pneumatictips.com/blog


Filed Under: Bearings, Motion control • motor controls, Networks • connectivity • fieldbuses, Pneumatic equipment + components, Robotics • robotic grippers • end effectors

 

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

Automation 1 Family and iXC4e
Aerotech continues development of Automation1 motion control platform
Motion & Control Enterprises purchases RSA and Global Controls, fourth acquisition this year
49503-ACS Motion-CMxa
ACS Motion Control releases SPiiPlusCMxa EtherCAT motion controller
SDP-SI-040
SDP/SI launches brushless DC motors and motion control products series

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard
  • The Importance of Industrial Cable Resistance to Chemicals and Oils
  • Optimize, streamline and increase production capacity with pallet-handling conveyor systems
  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development

Design World Podcasts

June 12, 2022
How to avoid over engineering a part
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings