Established in 1963, LK Metrology has an impressive heritage dating back to the birth of coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology. Founded by former Rolls Royce engineer and CMM pioneer Norman Key and his father-in-law Jim Lowther, the company is credited with many innovations in the CMM industry. In 1972, in partnership with Rolls-Royce, Mr. Key…
Cat6a Ethernet patch cables from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect now offers industrial-grade Cat6a Ethernet communication cables that support transmission speeds of up to 10 Gbps full duplex. These patch cables are designed to reduce the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) by incorporating shielded RJ45 connectors, an inner foil shield around each twisted pair, and an outer foil shield around the entire set of…
Demystifying Machine Learning
By Anjesh Shekhar Machine learning can help organizations improve manufacturing operations and increase efficiency, productivity, and safety by analyzing data from connected machines and sensors, machine. For example, its algorithms can predict when equipment will likely fail, so manufacturers can schedule maintenance before problems occur, thereby reducing downtime and repair costs. How machine learning works…
Embedded vision – What It Is and How It Works
By Frantisek (Frank) Jakubec Embedded vision is a rapidly growing field that combines computer vision and embedded systems with cameras or other imaging sensors, enabling devices to interpret and understand the visual world around them – as humans do. This technology, with broad applications, is expected to revolutionize how we interact with technology and the…
Identify Failures Before They Happen: The PF Curve
By Tom Knauer The P-F curve is often mentioned in condition monitoring and predictive maintenance discussions. “P-F” refers to the interval between the detection of a potential failure (P) and the occurrence of a functional failure (F). The P-F curve is an illustrative generalization of what happens to an asset, machine or component as it…
Lithium Ion Battery Manufacturing – RFID is on a Roll
By Max Baker With more and more consumers setting their sights on ‘Drive Electric,’ manufacturers must prepare themselves for alternative solutions to combustion engines. This change will no doubt require an alternative automation strategy for our electric futures. The battery The driving force behind these new electric vehicles is, of course, the battery. With this…
Guided Changeover Solution Reduced Can Labeler Changeover Downtime by 50%
Reduce format change downtime. Improve ramp up of the production line. after a completion of changeover. Reduce training requirements and the need for experienced personnel. Increase productivity and profitability. A global leader in food manufacturing had a specific need to improve production efficiency. After evaluating and piloting they decided to implement the Balluff “Guided Changeover…
AutomationDirect adds Endress+Hauser capacitance level switches to lineup
AutomationDirect has added Endress+Hauser Nivector FTI26 and Liquipoint FTW23 series point level capacitance switches to their growing lineup of level sensors. Capacitive level switches are contact sensors that detect presence by evaluating differences in dielectric values. They are useful for detecting the level of solids, such as plastic pellets, or water-based conductive liquids. The Nivector…
Danfoss to power all North American facilities with solar
With an eye toward achieving its global decarbonization goals, Danfoss North America recently signed a power purchase agreement with CIG Capital, a U.S.-based project financing firm, to purchase about 75 MW of solar power from a solar farm in Texas, starting in 2025. The initial agreement term is 12 years, allowing Danfoss to fully replace…
Danfoss to power all North America facilities with solar energy by 2025
With an eye toward achieving their global decarbonization goals, Danfoss North America recently signed a power purchase agreement with CIG Capital, a U.S.-based project financing firm, to purchase about 75 MW of solar power from a solar farm in Texas, starting in 2025. The initial agreement term is 12 years, allowing Danfoss to fully replace…
New HP Automation Solutions advance 3D printing path to production at scale
News Highlights * New HP Jet Fusion automation solutions simplify workflows and reduce costs for high-volume 3D production. * HP expands materials, HP Digital Production Suite, and HP Digital Production Services for polymers and metals customers. * Go-to-market momentum includes new Digital Manufacturing Network Partners and Endeavor 3D adds HP Metal Jet S100 production capabilities…
Tech Tuesdays: How Sorbothane is protecting lightweight devices from shock and vibration
In our latest Technology Tuesdays podcast, Design World’s Michelle Froese speaks with David Church, president of Sorbothane, about innovative shock and vibration solutions. Sorbothane has been developing materials and components that isolate vibration, attenuate shock, and damp unwanted noise for more than 40 years. In this discussion, we cover the history and unique properties of…
Materialise adds traceability and connectivity features to Magics
Materialise is introducing new features to Magics, its leading data and build preparation software. From product design to part and build preparation to printing, the digital thread connects the entire manufacturing process. To facilitate this, connectivity and traceability are crucial, so the most recent update of Magics prioritizes connections with other software solutions. Magics’ integration […]
Massivit presents 10000-G system at Rapid+TCT for composite applications
Massivit 3D Printing Technologies will unveil its Massivit 10000-G for the first time to the North American additive manufacturing market at Rapid + TCT in Chicago. The system that automates production for composite materials manufacturing is designed to overcome recognized bottlenecks in mold production and to also provide a full range of large-scale custom manufacturing […]
Ford Aerospace acquired by SPIROL
SPIROL has announced that Ford Aerospace Ltd., based in South Shields, U.K., will be joining the SPIROL group of companies. Ford Aerospace was founded at Tyne Dock in 1910 by Robert Ford, and the family business has most recently been led by the founder’s great-grandson, Chris Ford. The company specializes in manufacturing high precision metal…
LUTZE cable solutions catalog for industrial automation
LUTZE Inc. is releasing a new LUTZE Cable Solutions for Industrial Automation North America Catalog to support the fast-growing customer base in North America. LUTZE’s flexible and continuous motion cables such as LUTZE SILFLEX, LUTZE SUPERFLEX, MOTIONFLEX and DRIVEFLEX VFD cables are designed for harsh industrial environments and carry multiple approvals for code compliance. An…
Network connectivity solved in automated container ports
When BTG needed their IRM400 range of positioning measurement systems to send real-time data over different industrial networks, they found Anybus from HMS Networks. And that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The drive to increase the efficiency of international shipping relies on high-performance cranes to transfer containerized cargo quickly and safely from ship…
Miki Pulley ALS-machined couplings more precisely solve misalignment challenges
The latest designed ALS Couplings from Miki Pulley are available in three different types for more precisely handling parallel, angular, or axial misalignment applications. The key feature of this coupling design is its center element. Each of the three models’ center members has a unique, durable material and shape. Also called a ‘spider’, it is […]
Dyndrite ADK powers Impossible Objects’ new high-speed CBAM 25
Dyndrite announced that Impossible Objects has chosen Dyndrite ADK software to power its new high-speed composite-based additive manufacturing (CBAM) 25 process. The CBAM 25 process represents a breakthrough in AM end-use part production. It exceeds the durability needs of engineers seeking stronger, lighter parts to replace aluminum and tooling 15x faster than other AM processes. In […]
Jabil’s new PLA 3110P powder is a sustainable, bio-based alternative
Jabil recently introduced PLA 3110P, a novel powder based on a renewably sourced biomaterial that offers a bio-based alternative to petrochemical-based powders, such as Nylon-12 (PA 12). Developed in collaboration with NatureWorks, a leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers, the new Jabil PLA 3110P material is made with NatureWorks Ingeo PLA and leverages Jabil’s […]
AM Solutions exhibits post-processing technologies at Rapid-TCT
AM Solutions is exhibiting an array of post-processing technologies at Rapid-TCT 2023, May 2-4 in Chicago. At booth 4646, visitors will see AM Solutions’ unswerving commitment to advancing the use of AM across all industrial sectors, its focus being the promotion of AM as a production technology by providing an array of automated post-processing solutions. […]
What are RAST connectors?
RAST connectors include signal and power designs based on insulation displacement technology. The original specification included a maximum of 12 contacts, but RAST connectors are currently available with 20 or more contacts. They were developed for consumer white goods and have been adopted by various applications, including automotive systems. The RAST connector system was designed […]
AddUp’s FormUp 350 supports Zeda’s aerospace and medical sectors
Zeda (previously PrinterPrezz/Vertex Manufacturing), a global leader in advanced 3D manufacturing and nanotech solutions for the medical, space, aerospace, and defense industries, announced the addition of its first AddUp FormUp 350 Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) machine. This machine is the first placement of eight FormUp 350 systems to support the growth of Zeda’s newly expanded […]
Snap Signal® Simplifies Smart Automation
In today’s manufacturing environment, data is everything. Capturing that valuable data—information that can guide critical decisions about production, labor, and machine maintenance—can be accomplished using existing sensors and other devices without a wholesale device changeout. The ability to capture actionable machine data from across a factory is central to Banner Engineering’s Snap Signal series, a…
Electronic valve technology
The following is an overview of different technologies available when selecting the correct electronic valve for your application. Spider Valve Technology Invented and patented by Clippard, this deceptively simple design features only one moving part with a mere 0.007″ of travel. The spider is an armature spring that undergoes a variety of proprietary processes, including…