August 26, 2024 ABB Canada’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) team recently deployed an ergonomics pilot project at its Iberville, Quebec, facility aimed at improving overall employee well-being in the workplace. Exoskeletons are assistive technologies that mechanically support the body and reduce the stresses associated with physical work such as lifting heavy loads. Specifically, passive…
August 20, 2024 Integrating various subsystems in mechatronics is a complex task that requires a thoughtful approach, blending mechanical, electronic, and computing components into a cohesive and efficient system. Methodologies for Integration: Common Challenges in Integration: Overcoming Integration Challenges: Integration of mechatronic subsystems is as much an art as it is a science. It requires…
August 15, 2024 PC-based control and EtherCAT from Beckhoff power the Twin Robotic NDT System while boosting aerospace inspection speeds by a factor of 10 Designing non-destructive test (NDT) systems for aerospace clients can feel like engineering with blindfolds on. Even when the parts under test aren’t confidential, they can change rapidly as companies optimize…
August 12, 2024 By Krystie Johnston SEW-Eurodrive specializes in custom, scalable drive solutions that focus on meeting the needs of customers today – and into the future. SEW-Eurodrive’s decentralized variable frequency drives combine power, communications, integration, and support all-in-one, saving you time and money. They have this and so much more to offer. SEW-Eurodrive has set…
August 12, 2024 Modern automation and industrial control systems rely heavily on inductive proximity sensors like ones from Omron. These sensors use the principles of electromagnetic induction to determine if metallic items are present or absent without coming into direct touch with them. Their resistance to harsh circumstances, such as exposure to dust, grime, oil, and…
August 8, 2024 Food producers who use compressed air in their operations can rely on the MS-Series from Festo to ensure compliance with SQF-Certification By Krystie Johnston Festo has a broad portfolio of products and solutions for the food industry. One facet of this offering is their MS-Series compressed air preparation units designed with your…
August 8, 2024 The stringent food safety standards of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) impact everyone in the U.S. food supply chain, from manufacturers to retailers. For food and beverage processors, preventing contamination necessitates rigorous sanitation protocols to ensure equipment cleanliness at the microbiological level. Enter hygienic design: an approach to enclosure design…
August 1, 2024 Why do manufacturers invest in technologies like robotics, cloud computing and AI? What’s the main barriers to them adopting new tech? And how do they plan to invest in the future? This Spring, Universal Robots conducted a comprehensive survey involving 1,200 manufacturers across Europe and North America to understand their views on…
July 31, 2024 Distribution centres, manufacturing plants, corporate campuses, and other facilities are turning to robotics to support their perimeter security operations. This article was written by Ryan Hodgens, application expert at Asylon Robotics. Asylon is an American manufacturer and service provider for security drones and robotics. Mobile robots like Spot are starting to become more…
July 31. 2024 When it comes to protecting electrical components from harsh environments, NEMA 3R enclosures are a game-changer. These rugged electrical enclosures are designed to shield equipment from rain, sleet, and external ice formation, ensuring reliable performance even in challenging conditions. What Is NEMA 3R? Understanding the Rating NEMA 3R is a rating by the National Electrical…
July 17, 2024 M8 cables are a type of circular electrical connectors used to link actuators and sensors. They have an 8-millimeter diameter and are widely utilized in a variety of industrial and automation applications because of their small size, robustness, and consistent performance even under harsh conditions. Similar to the M12 cables, their robustness enables them…
July 17, 2024 As the world becomes increasingly digitalized, with a growing reliance on high-performing and reliable IT equipment, effective hardware management is essential to facilitate rapid access to large amounts of data and its analytics. The upkeep of IT infrastructure, including maintaining appropriate temperatures, ensures the reliability and security of data and minimizes the…
July 11, 2024 By Krystie Johnston In 2024, ANCA celebrates their 50th anniversary by highlighting their contributions to the high-precision tool cutting industry with customers and partners around the world ANCA was founded by Pat Boland, an Electrical Engineer, and Pat McCluskey, an Industrial Electronics Engineer in 1974, in Melbourne Australia. For 50 years, the company…
July 4, 2024 By Rob Milner, Questions by Krystie Johnston FLIR recently announced the release of the Extech BR450W Series of video borescopes for inspecting difficult-to-reach targets. The two models (the BR450W-D Dual HD Wireless and BR450W-A2 Two-Way Articulating Wireless) offer several features to address the challenges of viewing restricted targets. Rob Milner, Director Global…
July 3, 2024 Sensors and Actuators Sensors: Sensors are the eyes and ears of mechatronic systems, providing vital data about the environment and the system’s internal state. They come in various types, each suited for specific applications: Actuators: Actuators are the muscles of mechatronic systems responsible for motion and actuation based on signals from the…
July 3, 2024 By Krystie Johnston Massimiliano Moruzzi, CEO of Xaba Inc. is an Aerospace Engineer whose innovations have impacted products and solutions for leading companies in aerospace, automotive, and energy. Xaba Inc. recently won the 2024 ABB Startup Challenge that asked companies around the world to present their solutions that will make an impact…