In Part 1 of this series, we learned how sustainability programs are supported by efficient technologies. Here, we learn how industry is working to reduce carbon emissions. By Lisa Eitel | Executive editor Last year saw 50% more increase in global renewable-electricity capacity than years past — reaching approximately 507 gigawatts, according to the International…

In smart agriculture applications, companies are leveraging motion systems to improve reliability in their designs. Advances in automation technology as well as related advances in sensors, imaging, and communications have meant improvements to the kinds of motion control systems employed in agricultural applications as well as other off-highway uses. That means that the smart agriculture […]

Many trends in general automation have impacted the packaging industry. Some of these include the multiple benefits of better efficiency and increased speed and accuracy of automation systems in general, leading to improved packaging machinery. At the same time, there is more concern with sustainable practices and design, which means more emphasis on biodegradable materials […]

According to Gartner’s research, up to 25% of organizations surveyed annually since 2019 said they plan to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) within the next 12 months. However, only up to 5% have deployed AI to production. Companies know that generative AI can dramatically improve operations, but inexperience and potential risks postpone the benefits. Predictive maintenance,…

Yaskawa America, Inc. will introduce i3 Control (“iCube” Control), their new single control technology, during Pack Expo 2022. Pack Expo is the biggest packaging and processing show in North America. Yaskawa will be exhibiting at booth #S-2776. iCube Control debuted in the European market earlier this year and is now being introduced in North America. […]

Drives continue to evolve, responding to broader industry trends in automation with new features. Some of those drivers include rising interest in IoT functionality, the integration of safety features into drives, as well as some newer application areas that are seeing drive manufacturers respond in new and innovative ways. Some advancements are clearly visible in […]

In a previous motion-sizing articles, we reviewed how to properly specify (using software) a ballscrew-driven motion axis. Then we reviewed how engineering teams can use a similar software-based approach for sizing rack-and-pinion-based servomotor-driven axes on the same five-axis gantry. Now we’ll explore the process for sizing the components (using that same software) for an electric-motor-powered […]

Yaskawa, a manufacturer of motion control, robotics, and variable speed drives and Phoenix Contact, a manufacturer of automation solutions are proud to announce an agreement to utilize PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact in the development of the next generation machine controller and PLC platform realizing the i3 -Mechatronics solution concept lead by Yaskawa. The common […]

Variable frequency drives have an incredible amount of functionality. Due to advancements in technology over the years, HMIs in the form of VFD keypads have become more user friendly with easier navigation, higher resolution displays, and more detailed setup wizards. By Jonathan Kopczyk | Technical support engineer • Yaskawa America Inc. Looking back at the […]

The Drives & Motion division of Yaskawa America, Inc. has released Yaskawa Compass, a new software user interface tool for advanced manufacturing. Yaskawa Compass is a CNC navigator, a graphical user software package applicable to multiple applications in 3D printing, shape cutting, machine tools and robotics. “Compass is designed with creativity in mind allowing machine […]

The overall trend in drives is for more powerful, capable, and feature-rich products to handle the challenges of automation and control over a range of industries and applications. We asked some top drive manufacturers what they’re seeing and here’s what they told us. In what industries or application areas has your company seen increased activity […]

Featuring precise hand-guided teaching for fast implementation of a robot system, the new 20 kg payload HC20XP collaborative robot is well-suited for applications where robots need to safely work with, or in close proximity to humans. The industry’s first IP67-rated collaborative robot, the HC20XP is equipped for continuous use in damp or splash-prone environments. Made…

The Drives & Motion division of Yaskawa America, Inc. proudly introduces the GA500 Industrial Microdrive, reflecting Yaskawa’s continued customer commitment to providing sustainable, flexible, and easy-to-use products. “This drive builds on the deep history of Yaskawa’s product quality,” Ed Tom, Product Manager, said. “The GA500 provides high reliability with its design to deliver a minimum…

The Drives & Motion division of Yaskawa America, Inc. has introduced the GA500 Industrial Microdrive. The GA500 drive is rated up to 40 hp and can be applied to 240 Vac single-phase, 240 Vac three-phase, or 480 Vac three-phase incoming power. The GA500 can also be programmed without main power applied, which means users can […]

In a recent Design World video with my super-smooth colleague Mike Santora, I got the chance to play with a GA800 ac drive demo from Yaskawa America Inc. This VFD includes network communications, embedded functional safety, and easy-to-use tools (including a smartphone app) for configuration and remote access. Yaskawa sent us a sample of the […]

Today servomotors abound. Thankfully the art of using speed, torque, and inertia to select from these servomotor offerings for specific applications has become quite automated. By Sixto Moralez • Regional motion engineer | Yaskawa America Inc. Drives & Motion Div. Now, certain sizing and selecting software only requires that design engineers enter a minimum of […]

The Drives & Motion division of Yaskawa America, Inc. has released the new GA800 Variable Speed Drive for sale and shipment immediately. The Yaskawa GA800 drive provides the ultimate combination of power, ease of use, flexibility, and performance. Designed to control traditional and emerging motor technologies through 600 hp, the GA800 handles applications ranging from […]

One way to improve the speed of 3D printers is to use high quality motion components. Yaskawa is demonstrating this principle using its motion products in a 3D printer that it has developed. The company also embeds robotic technology, using its machine tool expertise and applying it to the additive space.   Yaskawa www.yaskawa.com

Yaskawa will be at IMTS 2018 and its booth will feature new technologies for robotic automation that can help engineers improve in flexibility, productivity, and quality, including: *The industry’s smallest and lightest six-axis robot that is ideal for a variety of applications *An ultra-heavy-payload robot that easily handles large components, such as car frames *Collaborative robot that includes…

Though not a complete list, following are some tried-and-true methods some have unintentionally used to destroy variable frequency drives (VFDs). Avoid the following situations to help your VFD live a long and fruitful life. By Paul Avery | Product Training Engineer at Yaskawa America • Drives and Motion Division You once loved your VFD. Shiny […]

A FANUC industrial robot nonchalantly lifts a BMW SUV high into the air at Automatica 2018 – safely out of harms way, of course. Meanwhile, small industrial robots that fit in a backpack also wow attendees in other halls by performing precision tasks that are, let’s say, less exciting. It’s quite a contrast to see.…

Yaskawa Motoman has added two high-speed, six-axis robot arms to its line of paint robots. The MPX1150 and MPX2600 robots are designed create for a variety of painting and dispensing applications. The main differences between the two robots are the payloads and horizontal and vertical reaches. The compact MPX1150 robot, which is designed for painting smaller…

Yaskawa Electric, one of the worlds’s largest makers of industrial robots, reported a 150% spike in net profit for the six-months ended Sept. 30, compared with the same period last year. The Japanese company posted a company-record $184 million profit for the period, citing demand for its industrial robots in China, Japan and the U.S.,…

A problem with bolting aftermarket gearheads onto servomotors to handle torque-speed requirements is that you rarely get a really good fit. The Sigma-7 servomotor line addresses this issue. Gearheads have been designed to pair precisely with every servomotor in the Sigma-7 range, creating complete gear motor solutions rated from a low of 50 watts to…

The Drives and Motion Division of Yaskawa America, Inc. introduces the SigmaLogic7 Compact. This new servo amplifier makes it possible to add the exceptional precision and superior performance of a Sigma-7 servo system in machines using Rockwell Automation programmable logic controllers. SigmaLogic7 Compact builds on the legacy of the SigmaLogic, the first Yaskawa SERVOPACK to […]