Automation & Controls

News • February 2, 2018

Motion Industries Inc. announces organizational changes

Industrial parts distributor Motion Industries Inc., Birmingham, Ala., a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Co., announced three management changes.

News • February 2, 2018

Vero Software Ltd. hires Southwest regional account manager

In response to the ongoing growth of its Edgecam and Surfcam brands, Vero Software Ltd., Cheltenham, England, hired Account Manager Chris Carter to represent both solutions in the Southwestern United States.

Products • January 29, 2018

Stingray Low-Profile Modular Belt Conveyor

ABCO Automation Inc. announces the availability of Stingray, a robust, low-profile modular belt conveyor that employs micropitch plastic belts. Just as its name suggests, Stingray is powerful, yet gentle. This heavy-duty stainless-steel conveyor provides reliable product transfer, smooth transitions and product accumulation, making it suitable for delicate, small footprint or unstable products that may be damaged by a conventional conveyor.

Products • January 26, 2018

Dual-Arm NEXTAGE Robot

Using industrial robots is an important element in creating more autonomy and efficiency. Rollomatic has been involved in developing advanced human-like robots for some years now.

Products • January 25, 2018

SC2818 Stepper Motor

With the SC2818, Nanotec presents a stepper motor with a flange size of 28 mm and a torque of up to 0.22 Nm. The SC2818 thereby boasts in excess of 30 percent more torque than conventional motors of the same size. The step angle of the 2-phase hybrid stepper motor is 1.8°.

Articles • January 15, 2018 • Dennis Spaeth

From Single-Task Machines to Backflipping Robots: The Evolution of Robots

The history of robots combines the best of science fiction and real life technology. From Isaac Asimov to modern industrial robots, keep reading to explore the fascinating history of robotics.

News • January 5, 2018 • Alan Richter

Automated deburring lab at Matrix Design

For our February issue's Industry Briefs department, I'm writing an article about the Deburring Application Laboratory at Matrix Design LLC. The company designs, builds and installs robotic automation systems for deburring parts, as well as machine tending and material handling.

News • December 20, 2017

Maintenance-free cobots operate continuously in harsh environment

Aircraft Tooling, a Dallas-based repair center for the aviation industry, was surprised to find that Universal Robots could withstand the high temperatures and harsh environment while performing metal powder and plasma spray processes. The UR "cobots" have been in operation for 3 years without breakdown or service requirements.

Products • December 20, 2017

PickAPP Android Application to Perform Pick-and-Place Operations

With the aim of creating a more intuitive, easier and faster way to control industrial robots, Comau releases PickAPP, an Android application to perform "pick and place" operations in a completely new way.

News • December 19, 2017

Abco Automation Inc., Visual Components sign value-added reseller agreement

Abco Automation Inc., Browns Summit, N.C., a designer and builder of high-end factory automation systems, signed a value-added reseller agreement with Visual Components, Espoo, Finland, a maker of 3D manufacturing factory simulation software.

News • December 15, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

At Harrison Manufacturing, throughput picks up when robot picks up

Harrison Manufacturing, a custom plastics injection molding manufacturer specializing in molded plastics and light assembly, recently deployed Rethink Robotics' Sawyer robot at its Jackson, Miss. facility and saw immediate tangible benefits. Deployed within hours, Harrison Manufacturing is reducing labor costs and increasing throughput by using Sawyer in ergonomically challenging tasks.

Products • December 14, 2017

EL922x EtherCAT Terminal Series

Beckhoff announced the new EL922x EtherCAT Terminal series, which directly integrates electronic overcurrent protection to safeguard 24 V DC system components in the EtherCAT I/O system. In comparison with currently available protection devices, costs and space requirements in control cabinets can be reduced without having to use conventional, inflexible stand-alone systems.