With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth has created a world of automation in which the specialist knowledge of companies from various domains is combined for the purpose of co-creation. The partner network, ctrlX World, is expanding the automation toolkit –adding hardware and new apps. More than 60 third-party providers have already joined the partner world – most recently Salesforce and SICK.

The top three suppliers of low voltage AC motors made waves in the motor and drives space with a string of acquisition announcements in August. First, WEG announced its acquisition of Gefran’s motion control business. Then, on August 11th, ABB announced its acquisition of Siemens’ NEMA motor business. Both developments are significant within the motor and drives market and serve to highlight portions of each company’s industrial automation strategy. In this insight, we’ll unpack both of these acquisitions and explain their implications on the broader motor and drives markets.

CMES Robotics and BHS robotics recently announced that they will be demonstrating mixed case palletizing of various box sizes utilizing an ABB midrange 6-axis robot at Pack Expo International 2022. The event will take place October 23 -26 at McCormick Place in Chicago. 

The LEGO Group marked International Day of the Girl on October 11^th with a new campaign to encourage girls to stay curious about STEAM subjects and careers. New and sobering statistics from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and the LEGO Group show girls are still discouraged from STEAM fields from a young age when play is often gender stereotyped.

Parker Hannifin is releasing the new Parker Motion Controller range for the global industrial automation market. Intelligent, multi-axis Parker Motion Controllers combine machine logic, real-time motion control, advanced safety features and visualization in a completely scalable solution.

Pack Expo International is produced by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. North America’s largest packaging event will bring together the solutions needed to launch new products and solve production issues. This article is PTE's second round of booth previews prior to the show.

Emerson will present new solutions that drive operational excellence in packaging and food and beverage processing applications at PACK EXPO International 2022 on October 23-26 in Chicago. Today’s packaging lines must accommodate an unprecedented level of product variety and packaging complexities, but there are powerful automation capabilities that can significantly improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies. Emerson’s tools, technology and expertise can help packaging and production lines reduce waste, empower decision making, improve facility safety, sharpen the accuracy of critical measurements, increase machine availability and much more. 

It’s time to streamline how automation works. At The Assembly Show 2022, Bosch Rexroth will join with leading suppliers and users of factory automation, robotics and assembly technology to showcase the company’s portfolio of assembly automation solutions in Booth #505 on Oct. 25–27 in Rosemont, Ill.

Igus is expanding through investments in its Low-Cost Automation and has now acquired the majority shares in Commonplace Robotics based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück. As an integrator, Commonplace Robotics specializes in intuitive control systems and software and power electronics for robotics, both in industry and in education. The two companies have been cooperating intensively for six years. They have, among other things, developed the igus Robot Control, which supplements igus’ low-cost kinematics made from high-performance plastics.

At Pack Expo 2022, KUKA Robotics will feature several productivity enhancing automation solutions designed specifically for the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry sector. In Booth #N-6236, the company will spotlight its range of fully hygienic robots for food processing, picking, packaging, palletizing and advanced vision applications.