Igus has developed a finger gripper for the ReBeL cobot. The ReBeL can now perform a variety of simple humanoid tasks with the new low-cost robotic hand.

Digital transformation is an ongoing process so we can expect to see this year's breakthrough trends continuing to shape society into next year. But how will these trends impact robotics and automation and what can the manufacturing industry expect to see next year?

Oriental Motor supports the internal designing of application-specific robots with the AZ Series. The AZ Series is a family of motors, actuators, and network drives that feature an absolute sensor, closed-loop control, and easily works with the multi-axis MRC0l controller. This combination of products allows for internally designed and built in-house automation that are designed according to the circumstances and decrease the hurdles in locations where automation wasn't possible; for example, where commercial robots had space restrictions or lack of space inside the equipment, cost limitations, and other barriers.

Portescap introduces the 60ECF brushless DC slotted flat motor, the newest frame size to join its flat motor portfolio and a significant expansion of its brushless flat technology capabilities. This 60mm BLDC motor features a 38.2mm body length and an outer rotor slotted configuration with an open body design, allowing it to deliver improved heat management in a compact package.

In the MX-System, Beckhoff offers a flexible, space-optimized, intelligent system solution that completely eliminates conventional control cabinets and can thus revolutionize the world of automation. This innovation has now been recognized with the Industry 4.0 Innovation Award.

How does one accurately examine the components in a robotic arm or prosthetic leg? There’s not exactly time (nor space) to set up multiple cameras to track deformation or changes in shape of soft components.

This article examines the sound engineering practices and design principles needed to ensure the performance of mechanical linear motion components in sanitary washdowns or chemically cleaned environments. Relevant regulations and agencies, washdown-compatible materials, and best mounting practices and motion components for washdown applications are also discussed.

MiR Insights from Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) is the 2023 winner of the New Equipment Digest Innovation Award in the automation category. As shared on NewEquipment.com this week, MiR Insights is a cloud-based software that empowers customers of MiR’s autonomous mobile robots to optimize the performance of their fleets and minimize downtime with data-driven intelligence. 

The 2023 SPS trade fair in Nuremberg represented an important opportunity for Bonfiglioli to showcase its experience and expertise for industrial automation. This included mechatronic solutions specifically designed for packaging, intralogistics, robotics and IoT applications.

KUKA Robotics will spotlight a pair of innovative mobile robots March 11-14 in Booth B4003 at Modex 2024 in Atlanta. The KUKA KMP 1500P autonomous mobile platform and the KUKA KMP 600-S diffDrive mobile platform automated guided vehicle (AGV).