New Precision Ring Drive from Nexen

Vadnais Heights, Minn. – Nexen’s new Precision Ring Drive (PRD) provides precision motion control for indexing and rotary positioning systems. Offering a unique combination of design and performance capabilities, the PRD meets positioning demands for next-generation machine designs.  By merging Nexen’s innovative Roller Pinion System technology... [Read more]

CGI Sponsors Youth Robotics Competition

CGI, Inc announce their pledge towards becoming the main event sponsor for the Northern Nevada FTC® Championship Tournament February 24-25 at Carson City High School, Carson City, NV.Founded by Dean Kamen in 1992, FIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs... [Read more]

Mitsubishi offers Ethernet/IP connectivity in SD series robots

Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. (www.meau.com) made a headline when it unveiled its SD series robots with five degrees to six degrees of freedom. A handy group of machines, the RV-2A and RV-2AJ have been especially designed to help in moving as well as in placing components during production. Featuring various uses, the SD series robots now have... [Read more]

Roboteq’s HBL2350 drives two brushless DC motors

Roboteq (www.roboteq.com) has unveiled an all-new smart controller that can simultaneously drive two brushless DC motors each about 50V and 75A — the HBL2350.The first in the group of high current, dual channel brushless motor controllers, HBL2350 can be utilized to control automatic guided vehicles, two-wheel driven small electric vehicles, balancing... [Read more]

Endoline to unveil the “spider” in UK

Endoline Machinery (www.endoline.co.uk) has announced the launch of the “Spider” palletizing robot at the upcoming PPMA (Processing and Packaging Machinery Association) show. A servo driven gantry robot, this new machine is designed with three or four axes. It offers a compact footprint and can palletize crates, boxes, bags, buckets and other packed... [Read more]

RMT Robotics introduces new case and crate picking solutions

RMT Robotics (www.rmtrobotics.com), one of the world’s leading innovators in the manufacturing, engineering and installation of robotic materials handling systems, introduces a case and crate picking solution that reduces the footprint of pick modules, offer complete traceability of products while picking in exact customer sequence. “RMT Robotics... [Read more]

THP550 SCARA competes with delta-style robots

TM Robotics (www.tmrobotics.co.uk) has introduced Toshiba Machine’s THP550 SCARA robot in Europe. Coming from a new range of machines, the THP550 will be the first SCARA robot to compete with flexipicker-style devices offered in the market. Designed with fast Ethernet connectivity, the THP550 can be used to synchronize robots in a production line.... [Read more]

EPSON RS4 Robots provide 450-degree axis rotation

Epson Robots (www.robots.epson.com) has introduced the latest addition to its RS-Series SCARA portfolio — a zero footprint, long reach robot that offers more than the typical SCARA — the EPSON RS4 Robots.“Unique to the EPSON RS4 arm is our new workspace design which maximizes work envelope usage” said Michael Ferrara, EPSON Robots’ Director.... [Read more]

Telemetrics pan/tilt head captures all the action

Telemetrics (www.telemetricsinc.com) has announced the release of its latest pan/tilt head, known as the PT-RM-1, which offers functionality ideal in traditional studio environments and in shooting sporting events. It is a brushless 360° capable pan/tilt head that offers a belt drive system that guarantees a smooth and quiet operation, including heavy... [Read more]

Catholic students use controller and servo motors to build ‘BEST’ robot

Seven students from the Sacred Heart School have received an award for their “Talon One” – a robot built within two months from raw materials. “Talon One” was entered at the 5th annual Connecticut BEST (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology) Robotics Competition in Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.“It... [Read more]

BECKHOFF’s TwinCAT software for plastics machines

BECKHOFF Automation (www.beckhoff.com) is pleased to announce the release of its TwinCAT automation software suite – a new generation of process automation solution for blow molding and injection molding machines.Plastics molding machines are provided as production cells with handling systems. Beckhoff’s PC control technology allows all processes... [Read more]

TI introduces new DRV8412 evaluation kit

Texas Instruments Incorporated (www.ti.com) is pleased to introduce its all-new DRV8412 evaluation kit (DRV8412-C2-KIT) – a new line of scalable evaluation platforms intended for spinning motors. The kit includes all of the software and hardware needed to spin a single stepper motor or two brushed DC motors out of the box. It also speeds up development... [Read more]

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport test-drive a success with remote robotic control

Mitsubishi Motors (www.mitsubishi-motors.com) has recently launched a campaign that centers on virtual test drive. Rather than releasing the usual gaming console where one can drive a Mitsubishi vehicle, the carmaker is letting drivers around the US drive a real Mitsubishi Outlander Sport on a closed track by controlling the car remotely via computer. The... [Read more]

New Egg-Bot Kit uses motion control

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories (www.evilmadscientist.com), in collaboration with Bruce Shapiro, Brian Schmalz and Ben Trombley, revealed the latest Egg-Bot – a machine that can draw on spherical or egg-shaped surfaces with incredible precision.The kit is comprised of a chassis, pen-lifting servo motors, two stepping motors, USB cable, a power supply,... [Read more]

EPSON Robots unveils open-architecture PC based workcell controller

EPSON Robots (www.robots.epson.com) is proud to introduce the new RC620+ – the company’s fourth generation open-architecture PC based workcell controller. This high-performance controller provides the ultimate experience of extreme ease of use with the EPSON RC+ development software. The powerful RC620+, which leads the industry in PC-based controls... [Read more]

Kokoro introduces Actroid F with servo motors

Tokyo–based entertainment company Kokoro (www.kokoro-dreams.co.jp) is proud to announce the release of an uncannily life-like fembot that calls itself “Actroid F”, which is almost an exact replica of a human female model introduced in April, the Geminoid F.Kokoro has collaborated with Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University to create feminine... [Read more]

New TOUGH GARD™ Spatter Cleaner helps extend life of MIG consumables from Tregaskiss

Tregaskiss (www.tregaskiss.com) unveiled its latest TOUGH GARD™ Spatter Cleaner that helps extend the life of robotic MIG consumables and minimizes spatter build-up. This powerful, all-in-one spatter cleaning station operates on as little as 60 psi, it is wired to easily integrate with existing programmable logic controller (“PLC”) or robotic... [Read more]

The new T-Slot Sensor Kits for precision position detection robotics and automation applications from Macron

Macron Dynamics Inc. (www.macrondynamics.com) is proud to announce its latest addition to the company’s line of actuator accessories, the T-Slot Sensor Kits. These sensors are made for precise position detection robotics and automation applications“Macron T-Slot Sensor Kits are the latest addition to our automation accessory product line,”... [Read more]

New EPSON six-axis robot with RC520 PC-based controller

EPSON Factory Automation/Robotics (www.robots.epson.com) is proud to announce the new EPSON Pro-Six PS3-AS00 with RC520 PC-based controller, which caters the overwhelming requests from customers for a new manipulator to connect to extremely powerful, yet easy to use EPSON RC+ software and RC520 PC-based controller. While the automation market is full... [Read more]

The new high-speed MH-series robots aid in processing large parts from Motoman

Motoman (www.motoman.com) unveiled its latest extended-reach robots with a highly flexible design for a variety of applications, the all-new powerful, ultra-speed MH-series robots. The extended-reach robots can be used for various applications such as welding, handling, material cutting, dispensing and coating. The extended reach of the MH50 model and... [Read more]

Motoman’s SDA-series lineup with new SDA5D Dual-Arm robot model provides next-generation speed and application flexibility

Motoman (www.motoman.com) is proud to announce the expanded SDA-series (“slim, dual-arm”) family of robots with the new SDA5D model. Agile and quick, with human-like flexibility, these robots provide the payload, flexibility, performance, speed and reach requirements to perform a variety of part transfer, machine tending packaging, handling and... [Read more]

Maxon, NI Partner in Robotics Field

Maxon Precision Motors (Fall River, Mass.) is partnering with National Instruments (Austin, Tex.) in an initiative to highlight mutual areas of interest in the field of robotics. An informal relationship between the two companies was initiated as early as 2006, with the inclusion of NI LabVIEW virtual intstruments in Maxon’s EPOS family of digital... [Read more]

Motion Control Association Elects its First Board of Directors

Ann Arbor, MI – The Motion Control Association (MCA), the leading industry trade group for motion control companies, has elected its first permanent board of directors. Founded in 2006, the association was governed for its first three years by an interim board. The new board was elected by a vote of MCA’s 55 member companies. Bill Allai of... [Read more]

Yaskawa Electric Brasil Achieves ISO 9001 Certification

Waukegan, IL – Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. is pleased to announce that its operation in Brazil, Yaskawa Elétrico do Brasil, received ISO 9001, ISO 14000 and OHSAS 18001 certifications from Bureau Veritas, one of the world’s leading certification bodies. From its headquarters in Sao Paulo, Yaskawa Elétrico do Brasil and its distributors... [Read more]

EPSON Introduces Compact 6 Axis Robots

Carson, CA – EPSON Robots introduces the new EPSON C3 Compact 6 Axis Robots. Leading the industry with best in class cycle time, precision and motion range, EPSON C3 robots provide superior performance for even the most demanding and complex applications.“Unique to the EPSON C3 is our new SlimLine design which provides exceptionally advanced... [Read more]

Program Practices for Packaging Robots

By Tom Jensen ELAU Packaging Solutions Schneider Electric Packaging robots execute tasks not found in other applications, so it would not suit to use program practices geared for an automotive or welding robot. Here’s a look at control strategies specific to packaging. XPAK USA, LLC has designed a Schneider Electric-enabled robotic rainbow packer... [Read more]

Stäubli Robotics Announces Next Generation SCARA Robot Series

Stäubli Robotics, manufacturers of innovative and technologically advanced industrial and cleanroom robots, announces the new TS series of high-speed SCARA robots. This next generation robotic line features 100% Stäubli design and engineering, and are among the fastest commercially available SCARA robots in the industry. Stäubli’s high performance... [Read more]