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KEB America launches washdown servo motors for industrial applications

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KEB America announces the release of the new Steel IT epoxy coating for servo motors. The new product offering is now available for the North American market.

When motors are used in applications that are exposed to moisture and chemicals – such as food and beverage processing – they require special design considerations to ensure they will withstand the environment.

The new Steel IT epoxy coating option from KEB America provides a washdown servo motor with many of the benefits of a stainless steel motor, but at a fraction of the cost, says the company.

[Read more…] about KEB America launches washdown servo motors for industrial applications

Control Techniques launches new servo drive technologies

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Control Techniques, part of the Nidec group of companies, has revealed its new generation of advanced servo drive technologies.

The new Digitax HD servo series delivers ultimate motor control performance and flexibility, from a uniquely compact package, says the company.

Targeting high axis count automation systems, Digitax HD provides all of the benefits of a modular system with a common DC bus, with standalone drive flexibility.  [Read more…] about Control Techniques launches new servo drive technologies

OmniVision releases high-resolution image sensors for machine vision applications

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OmniVision Technologies, a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, has released two new high-resolution additions to its family of global shutter image sensors – the OG02B1B/OG02B10 and the OV9285.

These new sensors are designed to be cost-effective solutions for a wide range of consumer and industrial machine vision applications.

In particular, OEMs developing products for high-growth markets such as AR/VR headsets and accessories, industrial automation, robotics, agricultural drones and 3D modeling will benefit from these higher-resolution global shutter image sensors that can quickly capture precise images of fast-moving or faraway objects while consuming very little power.  [Read more…] about OmniVision releases high-resolution image sensors for machine vision applications

Robotics to aid people with disabilities at work

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Robots are well on the way to becoming ubiquitous in manufacturing, where they are having an impact on the work environment and on jobs themselves.

But what does this new world of work look like? How does it divide work up between humans and machines? And how might robots help create attractive jobs for people with disabilities so they can be participate in the workforce?

AQUIAS, a project conducted by Robert Bosch GmbH, the Fraunhofer Institutes for Industrial Engineering IAO and for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, and ISAK GmbH offers some answers.

[Read more…] about Robotics to aid people with disabilities at work

Magna and Altran form joint venture to create auto engineering centre in Morocco

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As Morocco emerges as a competitive export-focused production base for global automakers, Magna and Altran Technologies SA have joined forces to create a new resource for vehicle engineering services.

Magna’s complete vehicle engineering and manufacturing group and Altran, a global leader in engineering and R&D services, each hold 50 percent of the joint-venture company.

The joint venture – located in Casablanca, Morocco, under the name MG2 – brings together Magna’s complete vehicle know-how and process competence and Altran’s strengths as a locally established partner. Approximately 500 engineers from the two companies will initially staff the joint venture.

[Read more…] about Magna and Altran form joint venture to create auto engineering centre in Morocco

Emerson to buy General Electric’s PLC business

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Acquisition increases Emerson’s capabilities as a complete automation solutions provider across process, hybrid and discrete end markets

Emerson, a provider of automation for process and industrial applications, has agreed to acquire Intelligent Platforms, a division of General Electric.

Intelligent Platforms’ programmable logic controller technologies will enable Emerson to provide its customers with broader control and management of their operations.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  [Read more…] about Emerson to buy General Electric’s PLC business

Micro-Measurements releases miniature strain gage sensor for robots and drones

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Micro-Measurements has launched a miniature strain gage sensor which it says is suitable a number of automation applications, including in autonomous vehicles, robotics, smart manufacturing, and the wearables markets.

The new strain gage sensor is “advantageous in applications that benefit from small size and higher resistance”, says the company.

The Micro-Measurements brand is part of the Vishay Precision Group, which designs, develops and manufactures resistive-foil sensors for high-precision strain, high-stress and force mechanism measurements.  [Read more…] about Micro-Measurements releases miniature strain gage sensor for robots and drones

Komatsu to build new headquarters 
in Milwaukee’s Harbor District

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Mining vehicles and technology supplier Komatsu is planning to build its new headquarters 
in Milwaukee’s Harbor District.

Just shy of its 135th anniversary in the Milwaukee area, Komatsu Mining says it intends to build a new, state-of-the-art headquarters and manufacturing campus near the location of the company’s original machine shop off South First Street.

The company’s 2.5 million-square-foot South Harbor Campus is planned for Milwaukee’s Harbor District, off Greenfield Avenue.  [Read more…] about Komatsu to build new headquarters 
in Milwaukee’s Harbor District

ABB completes acquisition of intrion

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ABB announced it has completed its acquisition of intrion, a privately owned company headquartered in Huizingen, close to Brussels, with approximately 120 employees and over a decade of experience in logistics automation solutions and services for the logistics, food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

Distribution and fulfilment centres are increasingly turning to robotic automation solutions to improve their efficiency, workplace safety and scalability to meet soaring demand.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, the market for professional service robots is expected to grow at an annual rate of 20 – 25 percent between 2018 and 2020.

[Read more…] about ABB completes acquisition of intrion

ATS to acquire KMW to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle market

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ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KMW Konstruktion, Maschinen- & Werkzeugbau GmbH & Co. KG and KMW GmbH, a German-based supplier of custom micro-assembly systems and test equipment solutions.

The addition of KMW’s micro-assembly technology and expertise are expected to strengthen ATS’ current offerings in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Micro-assembly systems are critical elements in the assembly of various components used in electric vehicles, including motors, power storage systems, braking, steering, and electronic modules.

[Read more…] about ATS to acquire KMW to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle market