Miles Budimir Senior Editor Robotics is hot. Manufacturers in the business know this, and others are catching on. From investors to companies using more robots on the manufacturing floor, to consumers snapping up robots to do mundane house chores, robots are here to stay. Industrial robots in particular are finding their way into new applications. And […]
Integrated Motion Systems
Five key electrical design concepts for mechanical engineers
Edited by: Paul J. Heney, Editorial Director Mechanical engineers often overlook important electrical issues when specifying their respective parts of an electromechanical system. This targeted advice will help you design your next electromechanical system. Mechatronic systems are the state-of-the-art technology in automation systems, intelligently integrating mechanical and electrical elements to perform increasingly complex and demanding […]
Get ready for National Engineers Week
This year, National Engineers Week runs from February 21st through the 27th. The annual celebration focuses on introducing kids to engineering through a variety of activities. Its aim is to raise awareness of what engineering is, what engineers do, and how kids can get active and involved in engineering. This year, National Engineers Week celebrates […]
Two positioning components speed OEM product development
by Robert Gloeckner, Advanced Engineering Group, MICROMO Innovative components help OEMs revolutionize designs. In fact, some original equipment can now benefit from zero-backlash actuators and integrated gearhead encoders. These give designers multiple options for demanding applications. Performance, cost and size requirements for motion applications vary widely. In some cases, performance trumps all and the budget […]
PI’s newest compact rotary stage is 32 mm wide x 7 mm high
PI (Physik Instrumente) recently added a new piezo inertia drive rotary stage to its existing Q-Motion product line of compact linear and rotary systems – the Q-632. This compact micropositioning drive is only 32 mm wide, 7 mm high, and has a 30 mm turntable diameter with 360° rotation range. The Q-632 delivers precision rotation […]
Lift and horizontal transfer-system maker SERAPID gets new logo
Lift and horizontal transfer-system provider SERAPID now has a new logo. “The world of manufacturing is changing, and SERAPID is evolving with it,” commented Said Lounis, President of SERAPID group. “Our business has grown and progressed, and we felt it was time for a change. We have redesigned our logo to reflect who we are today and […]
SCHUNK PWG-plus two-finger angular gripper
The PWG-plus is compact and robust due to the oval piston drive, the strong aluminum housing, and the almost wear-free T-bar drive. Depending on the application, it can also be equipped with an ID/OD spring safety device. Numerous accessories are available, including inductive proximity sensors and magnetic sensors. The PWG-plus gripper jaws and gripper mounting […]
Lenze brings robot programming module to gantry pick-and-place applications
Lenze is paving the way for easy configuration of pick-and-place robotics used in the areas of intralogistics, packaging technology, assembly and material handling systems. Robotic motion for gantry systems and automatic stackers is designed more easily with the robotics module in the Lenze FAST application software. “Most gantry robots operate on a single axis using […]
Omron at it again: This time, buys robot-maker Adept
OMRON Corp., automation manufacturer and leader in sensing and control technology, and Adept Technology, Inc., a global provider of intelligent robots, autonomous mobile robot solutions and services, today announced that the two companies have entered into an agreement whereby OMRON will acquire Adept. OMRON plans to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Adept common stock […]
Miniature Piezo Flexure Positioning Stage from PI
PI’s (Physik Instrumente) new PIHera Z flexure-guided piezo nanopositioning stage features travel ranges of 50 µm to 250 µm (400 µm open-loop). Flexure guided piezo positioning stages provide vibrationless motion with virtually unlimited resolution and fast response. Due to the lack of rolling elements, there is no bearing rumble to affect the uniformity or straightness […]
