The newest generation of factory automation technologies is transforming production lines in every major industry — from consumer-packaged goods and electronics manufacturing to electric vehicles and battery production. As automation technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and connected, manufacturers are exploring new ways to add flexibility, achieve higher productivity, and capture real-time insight across operations. But not […]
Featured
Absolute rotary encoders make omnidirectional motion a VR reality
Encoders are critical motion control components that provide feedback on a system’s position and speed. They are used in almost every industry — such as aerospace, robotics, packaging, and textiles — and are building traction in virtual reality (VR) treadmills. VR treadmills let users physically move in real-life space while navigating virtual environments. But unlike […]
Wireless NCT delivers power and communication to end effectors, sensors
Beckhoff is taking the next step in mechatronics flexibility with No Cable Technology (NCT), an extension of its proven eXtended Transport System (XTS). NCT provides contactless power supply and synchronous real-time data communication directly to XTS movers. This lets individual movers serve as mobile handling and processing stations, essentially turning the intelligent transport system into […]
ABB opens global innovation and training campus for machine automation at B&R in Austria
ABB has opened a new global innovation and training campus at the headquarters of B&R in Eggelsberg, Austria, its global center for machine and factory automation. The new campus will create up to 1,000 additional high-tech jobs and includes world-class research and development laboratories, as well as global training facilities for up to 4,000 people per […]
Leading motion-control and actuation options for robotics
Advanced robotics for industrial and consumer applications demand sophisticated power-dense motion components for joints and linkages that must run smoothly, often at high torque and relatively low speed. The challenge is compounded when the robotic application must also make precise moves. At the core of most leading robotic-actuator options are electric motors. That’s because motor-driven designs […]
Basics of wave and cycloidal gearing for robotics and servo designs
Many of today’s precision applications necessitate gears capable of dramatic speed reductions, power densities, and transmission accuracies. Leading choices in these designs include trochoidal and cycloidal gearing as well as gearsets relying on wave-inducing subcomponents having an elliptical or Reuleaux or other polygonal shape. Trochoidal and cycloidal gearing includes elements that rotate and trace curves around […]
New micro servo-drive system for extra-low-voltage manufacturing applications
Siemens is extending its drive portfolio in the extra-low-voltage range for 24 to 48-V EC motors with its new SIMATIC MICRO-DRIVE. The new product line with UL- and CE-marked components consists of the PDC (Profidrive Control) servo drive in conjunction with a flexible range of motors and connecting cables from product partners, along with the […]
Plug-and-play conveyor platform for automated production environments
With the new Light Conveyor Platform (LCP), Interroll is expanding its range of products with a platform-based material-flow solution that significantly increases the productivity of manufacturing processes. Designed as a plug-and-play modular system, the LCP allows all system integrators to implement scalable belt conveyor sections easily in order to quickly meet customer-specific automation requirements for […]
Low-cost motion control offered with CLICK PLUS PLCs from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has released the new CLICK PLC programming software version 3.30, which allows any CLICK PLUS CPU to be configured as a 3-axis PTO/PWM motion controller. 100-kHz high-speed inputs and outputs are offered with any dc option slot I/O module placed in slot 0 of the CPU. With this module, CLICK PLUS PLCs can easily […]
Motion Control Trends: Automation, robotics spur motor demand
Electric motors are at the heart of motion. Across the board, motor manufacturers are seeing increased demand for their products. Hastened by the pandemic, demand in areas such as robotics, autonomous vehicles and automated production and manufacturing lines across a wide swath of industries has risen, spurring new business as well as innovation. Some top […]