The Festo Bionic Learning Network has released it latest biomimicry innovations to support ongoing research in engineering, manufacturing, and materials science drawn from natural systems. Here are the 2018 additions to the Festo Bionic Learning Network: A transforming spider that rolls or creeps A robotic fish that autonomously maneuvers through acrylic water-filled tubing A semi-autonomous flying bat-like robot […]
Motion Casebook
Hygienic, stainless gearmotor designs improve fish-processing plant
Processing fresh fish necessitates a hygienic environment with regular washdowns, followed by frigid temperatures for freezing final products. That’s why machinery in such settings must be extremely rugged — and why one fish supplier has used motors from Bauer Gear Motor for the last few years. Van Der Lee Seafish processes approximately 200 tons of […]
Medical applications benefit from precision encoders
Encoders are essential to accurate positioning in most motion systems, particularly where high precision is most needed. For instance, applications like semiconductor manufacturing with nanometer precision, or medical applications where there is virtually no room for error, because that could mean the difference between life and death. Designers of medical equipment are able to use […]
Casebook example: Programmable AutoMet grinder-polishers by Buehler for high-throughput manufacturing
ITW company Buehler now offers AutoMet semi-automatic grinder-polishers. The AutoMet 250, AutoMet 250 Pro and AutoMet 300 Pro grinder-polishers are ideal for customers in material testing or demanding environments needing to process a high volume of samples. They feature a brand-new intuitive touch screen interface that is simple to learn and quick to operate. The […]
How a supercharger (blower) works: New animation from Ogura
Ogura Industrial has created a new animation showing how a supercharger (air blower) works. Many people are familiar with the term supercharger from the automotive world … but are unaware of the many other uses of these high-performance units. For design engineers who have wondered, a new three-minute animation provides a quick understanding of how […]
Geared stepper motors drive movements of Breakfast Brixel moving architectural wall
A new architectural wall called the Breakfast Brixel is making some installations more dynamic. The system is built from dozens of digitally controlled rotating bricks that act as pixels to create waves, stripes, and undulating shapes on the moving walls. Brixel installations can even run customizable artwork and facades to evolve in response to real-time […]
HMI simplifies setup of robot-assisted automation for one integrator
Integrator Inovatech Automation recently decided they were spending too much time programming expensive HMI and PLC platforms, so contacted Pro-Face America for help. The integrator needed an HMI capable of universal robot and I/O-Link integration, legal for Inovatech Automation branding, and easy to program. “I was apprehensive at first because we have a lot of […]
Conveyors with direct-drive motors offer key advantages to Pa. facility
American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) is increasing the functionality of its St. Mary’s, Pa. manufacturing operations with conveyors sporting advanced drive technology. Small yet powerful direct-drive motors from Electric Torque Machines actuate Dorner conveyors that move small parts around the AAM facility. AAM designs, engineers, validates, and manufactures an array of driveline, metal-forming, powertrain, and casting […]
Digital printing pairs with a machine capable of handling its varied output
VITS International makes sheeting and finishing machines for packaging, printing, and converting. The OEM saw the digital-printing market needed finishing capable of commercial production speeds. So VITS designed and built the SPRINT Variable Data Finisher with a Bosch Rexroth drive and control platform to meet the demand. Digital inkjet printers can execute output comparable to […]
PC-based control on industrial sheet-metal presses — a Casebook example
Sheet-metal workcells can deliver higher-quality parts in greater quantities than traditional builds when designed with centralized PC-based control and EtherCAT connectivity. That’s especially true of deep-drawing press applications (shown below) where modular hardware and software from Beckhoff maximize throughput and minimize tolerances. To review, deep drawing is the process by which sheet metal is placed […]
