National Robotics Week officially runs from the 5th through the 13th of April. The fifth annual event shines a spotlight on robots in their many guises, from engaging with school-age children to promote the importance of STEM education with events like robot workshops and projects with LEGOs to academic conferences like the 6th Annual IEEE […]
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Your Future Robot-Humanoid Colleague
Recently I attended the annual Technology Days event at ABB Robotics’ North American headquarters and training center in Auburn Hills, MI. The two-day event spotlighted some new robot offerings from the company as well as a number of demonstrations and informative technical seminars. Demonstrations included applications in welding and cutting, packaging, material handling, as well […]
Electric cylinders catch up with hydraulic cylinders
An ongoing discussion within the power transmission community is the suitability of different technologies (i.e. pneumatic, hydraulic, electric) for a variety of applications. Conventional wisdom has been that pneumatics are good for low force applications while hydraulics are good where high force is needed, with electric actuators making inroads into once solidly pneumatic or hydraulic […]
Tech Days Shine Spotlight on Robotics
ABB Robotics will host its annual Technology Days event March 13th and 14th at their North American headquarters and training center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The event will feature over 80 product demonstrations and free technical seminars covering both general and application specific information. It’s designed to benefit both those considering an initial foray into […]
Siemens Makes Large Software Grant to Ohio College
These days you’re likely to hear that manufacturing is experiencing a resurgence in the U.S. Contrary to what some jobs numbers seem to indicate, high-skilled, high-tech manufacturing jobs are in demand, especially so in a traditional manufacturing state like Ohio. That’s why a company like Siemens is making a bet on that resurgence. Today, from […]
National Engineers Week 2014
This Sunday marks the start of National Engineers Week, which runs from February 16th through the 22nd. Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), one of its chief aims is to increase interest in and promote engineering as a career. Another important goal is to educate the public about what it […]
Integrated Servo Motor Used to Test Critical KC-46 Aircraft Component
Engineers at Federal Industries Inc. in El Segundo, CA were tasked with developing a test protocol and supporting hardware for a complex planetary gear box that is at the heart of the centerline hose and drogue in-flight refueling (IFR) system for a new US Air Force tanker aircraft. As a subcontractor to Sargent Fletcher Inc., […]
1914: Five Engineering Milestones
The year 1914 was momentous for many reasons, most of which had to do with the beginning of World War I and the death and devastation it caused across Europe and much of the world. But a look back 100 years ago also reveals some of the changes that were afoot in the engineering, science […]
Motion Control in 2014
According to the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the North American power distribution and motion control market is estimated at $68 billion. So within this multibillion dollar market, what are some of the trends that will shape the motion control industry in 2014? Here are a few that stand out: Single-cable solutions: A growing trend in motion […]
Amazon’s Autonomous Delivery Drones? Not So Fast
Recently, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos revealed his company’s plans for using autonomous flying drones to deliver packages to customers within a limited range. On a segment aired on 60 Minutes, Bezos explained the concept, dubbed Amazon Prime Air, to journalist Charlie Rose. The idea doesn’t seem that far-fetched. Drone technology has existed for quite a […]
