SMW Autoblok just launched a new line of quick-change, pneumatic robotic tool changers that can be combined with a variety of pneumatic grippers and C40 inductive couplers for contactless, wear-free energy and signal transmission. With these new products, grippers, tools, and other end effectors can be changed quickly to increase cycle time and productivity and…

igus announced its iComm Box communication module, which enables users to integrate i.Sense sensors into its superwise condition monitoring service. Using advanced algorithms, this all-in-one system collects machine data in real time, displaying the information on an intuitive dashboard and allowing users to make informed, proactive decisions about component maintenance and service life. The iComm…

Weintek USA announced a new, UL Listed, sunlight-readable 7-in. human machine interface (HMI). The cMT3072XHT(L) has an adjustable brightness screen capable of 1200 cd/m2 with 1024 x 600 resolution and a wide viewing angle of 85° in any direction. Enhanced components allow the cMT3072XHTL to handle temperatures anywhere from -4 to 131° Fahrenheit. Ready for…

Before each dinner, I ask my son to consider everything that went into preparing his meal. We start with Mom or Dad cooking, which leads to working hard to provide healthy food, and so we give thanks for everyone and everything that makes working and living well possible. Then we acknowledge the grocery stores, farmers,…

Siemens Digital Industries Software has created a new program to credential students, recognize career readiness, and help create a stronger pipeline of engineering talent to meet industry demands. The Siemens credentials are intended to supplement a formal degree by validating industry knowledge and skills. As part of the program, specific credentials will be piloted as…

Hannover Messe is taking place in Hannover, Germany, from April 22 to 26. At the event, Schneider Electric is presenting its vision for automation and showcasing its latest innovations, including industrial software, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twin technology. These solutions will be demonstrated through the lens of a digital and sustainable life science campus.…

Festo introduced a heavy-duty Cartesian gantry for palletizing with a lift capacity of up to 440 lb, Z-axis stroke lengths exceeding 8 ft, and a speed of up to 5 ft/s. With free online design tools, off-the-shelf servo drives, motors, and other components, and quick assembly kits, this Festo palletizing solution shortens project time and…

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), more than 72,130 wind turbines and 210,000 blades were deployed as of July 2022. The DOE expects up to 9,000 blades to be retired annually through 2026, and up to 20,000 will be retired annually by 2040. Blade waste could reach up to 370,000 tons per year…

AutomationDirect has added WAGO Eco2 series power supplies that offer performance and value, featuring high efficiency and a compact, space-saving design, making them ideal for space-limited applications. These economical power supplies provide reliable performance and long service life for a variety of applications such as industrial automation, building management systems, machine control, and robotics. Eco2…

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,…

Hot runners have been a common manufacturing tool in the plastic injection molding industry for more than 30 years. With this technology came improved efficiencies and benefits. Although hot runners for zinc die casting have surfaced from time to time, die casting with molten metal proved to be much more challenging for this technology compared…

What’s an AS/AR implementation project really like? This Q&A reveals tips and unexpected challenges when switching from manual to automated. Warehouse automation technology is gaining traction in the U.S. to strengthen supply chains, reduce reliance on labor, and manage peak seasons and unforeseen events more efficiently. However, companies are still relatively slow to adopt and…

Mobile robot technology is moving fast, and generative AI is pegged to transform AMR vision systems to enable more integrated solutions. Advanced machine learning and visual processing are major trends in automated mobile robot (AMR) development. According to Gartner’s Emerging Tech Impact Radar, advanced computer vision and AI acceleration will be among the most important…

By: Thomas C. Hansen, President, R&D Products The tangential laser-centrifuge process is ideal for manufacturing small and very detailed parts, such as microchannel cooling devices used as heat sinks for CPUs typically performed in vacuum or clean room environments. Inserts for injection molding dies with tiny channels can also benefit from the tangential machine process […]

As a technical writer in engineering and IT, I have spent countless hours documenting procedures, equations, laboratory instructions, manuals, specifications, and the like. As critical and satisfying as that work is (to me and my kin), something was always missing. And it took more than 15 years and many professional iterations to figure out what.…

Siemens Digital Industries Software and Voltaiq combine their strengths to offer unparalleled capabilities for battery manufacturing-focused companies. This collaboration aims to bring together the production-proven capabilities of both Siemens’ Insights Hub and Voltaiq’s Enterprise Battery Intelligence (EBI), customers can gain access to unparalleled capability specific to battery-domain companies to help rapidly scale operations smoothly, from…

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) will host a new talent development event, the PTDA 2024 Industry Immersion Conference, in Hollywood, Fla., on February 29, 2024. This intensive program is designed to help those who are new to the power transmission and motion control (PT/MC) industry grow interpersonal skills, networking capabilities, and industry essentials for…

Greene Tweed recently introduced the new Canted Coil MSE (metal spring energized) sealing solution, designed to further reduce power loss and improve precision movement without sacrificing leakage control or durability. The seals offer broad chemical compatibility and resistance to extreme temperatures, pressure, and wear. Greene Tweed devoted two years of design development and in-house testing…

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can streamline material handling in manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and more, yet many facilities still primarily rely on conveyor systems. To serve as a flexible bridge between fixed conveyors and production lines, Interroll designed a light conveyor platform (LCP) to facilitate the handling of lightweight goods with AMRs from Mobile Industrial Robots…

New research from Schneider Electric has revealed that almost half (45%) of industrial companies believe digitalization will be the primary reason that new operational technology (OT) job roles will be created in the next three years. The research, commissioned by Schneider Electric and carried out by global research leader Omdia, polled 407 industrial companies ranging…

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions are rarely executed in controlled laboratory environments — quite the opposite. The platforms — from airborne drones to terrestrial and underwater remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) — that carry ISR payloads are often deployed in the harshest conditions and connected to users and operators over wildly inconsistent communication networks. The…

Brightpick unveiled new details about the proprietary world-class machine vision and AI that are critical for the seamless operation of its Brightpick Autopicker robots. The technologies are used for everything from scanning totes (bins) to create 3D models for future picking of items, to determining ideal picking angles for both totes and individual items. The…

The tagline Enabling an Intelligent Planet might spur the question: What does “intelligent” mean? And in the context of IIoT, how does a factory become intelligent? According to Willie Lin, director of iFactory Solutions and WISE-IoT at Advantech (whose company uses this tagline), an intelligent factory features two things. First is the knowledge and understanding…

At LiveWorx 2023 in Boston, PTC announced new and upgraded digital transformation solutions, including Creo+ and the Creo 10 release. Creo+ combines Creo’s functionality with new cloud-based tools to enhance collaboration and simplify CAD administration. “With Creo+, our customers can design faster, easier, and more collaboratively than ever before,” said Brian Thompson, general manager of…

Many trade and technical schools in the U.S. include certification from the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) in their training programs to uphold students to current manufacturing industry standards. To help support the initiative, Renishaw developed a gauging system package to improve the inspection of NIMS parts. Background NIMS is a non-profit organization that…