POSITAL’s explosion-proof IXARC rotary encoders have been certified to comply with ATEX/IECEx directives for Category 3 electrical products. These devices are suitable for use in Zone 2 and Zone 22 conditions (potential exposure to hazardous levels of explosive gases and flammable dust) and are ideal for oil and gas installations, chemical plants, woodworking operations, and […]
Industrial Automation
What is Machine as a Service (MaaS) and what are its benefits?
Most of us are familiar with the software as a service (SaaS) business model, in which users pay a fee to access software over the internet, without requiring an application or download to a local machine. The software as a service model made complex software, such as CRM (customer relationship management) systems, more accessible to […]
Conveyors support the shift to just-in-case manufacturing
New investments in industrial and manufacturing conveying technologies could reach $65.1B by 2026. That’s according to a new report from researchandmarkets.com. Continued push to automate material handling, assembly, and distribution operations are key drivers. Another is the pressure from regulatory changes forcing adoption of conveyors sporting gearless and other energy-efficient motor designs. Still another is […]
What are digital twins and how are they used in industrial manufacturing?
Manufacturing even the simplest product requires expertise in materials, equipment, operations, and process flow. And the interdependencies of these elements make it extremely difficult — if not impossible — to “get it right the first time” when setting up a new manufacturing line or modifying an existing process. Every element, from the product design to the […]
Five ways to drive ROI from personnel and cobot investments
In this article, we detail how assembly, packaging, and machine-tool OEMs can keep senior plant personnel in charge of the most demanding and intricate tasks — and relegate everything else to pre-programmed work routines and automated workcells. Such approaches make copious use of cobots and augmented reality (AR) tools. By Tim LeCrone • Director of […]
KEB America adds Modbus TCP/IP communication to S6 and F6 drives
KEB America, Inc. announces that the KEB F6 VFD and S6 Servo Drive now supports Modbus TCP/IP communication protocol. In addition to Modbus TCP/IP, the other supported Ethernet-based network communication protocols include EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, ProfiNet, and Powerlink. “The variety of supported communication protocols in our drives give machine builders a lot of flexibility,” said Jonathan […]
Motion Industries debuts automation intelligence brand
Motion Industries, Inc., a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, announces the formation of its automation business brand: Motion Automation Intelligence (MotionAi). Comprising its highly specialized value-add engineering divisions—including AMMC, Axis, Braas, F&L, Integro, Kaman Automation and Numatic Engineering—MotionAi is a hi-tech automation solutions […]
Selecting the right motor-battery combinations for battery-powered commercial equipment
Battery-powered motor applications need careful design work to match motor performance and power-consumption profiles to the battery type. Optimal motor and battery pairing relies on the selection of an efficient motor as well as a battery with the appropriate capacity, cost, size, maintainability, and discharge duration and curve. By Scott McMillan • Senior Applications Engineer […]
Motion Industries completes acquisition of Kaman Distribution Group
Motion Industries, Inc., a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, has completed the purchase of Kaman Distribution Group (“KDG”) for a purchase price of approximately $1.3 billion in cash, effective January 3, 2022. The strategic addition of KDG to Motion will significantly boost the […]
New compact stepper motor I/O terminal from Beckhoff
The new EL7062 dual-channel EtherCAT Terminal from Beckhoff enables the direct connection of two stepper motors in the medium power range of up to 3 A and for a voltage range of 8 to 48 V. With flexible parameterization and minimized channel costs, the flexible motion interface is ideal as a low-cost drive for a […]