A motion controller with even more possibilities: With the new MC 3602 B and MC 3606 B motion controllers, the selection and commissioning of drive systems is now even simpler. With the compact MC 3602/06 B, DC-motors, brushless DC-motors and linear motors can be operated with the typical position encoders as servo drive in accordance with CiA 402. Also new is the support of stepper motors with encoder as servo or without encoder in open-loop operation. The products "speak" EtherCAT, CANopen, RS232 and USB.

To mark its 60th anniversary, igus has launched its innovative and environmentally friendly bicycle — called the igus:bike — on a world tour, underscoring its commitment to sustainability. Made from recycled plastics, the bike will spend a year traveling through 16 countries, signaling a new form of urban mobility while demonstrating the success of a circular economy of plastics.

There’s a delicate balance in the constant evolution of today’s assembly line. Once dominated by hydraulics, manufacturing floors are incorporating a growing number of electromechanical solutions to supplement legacy hydraulic components, particularly in lower force, linear motion applications. Manufacturers that recognize this trend and harness the benefits of both hydraulic and electromechanical solutions position themselves to optimize future operations, regardless of market trend demands.

Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) has added four high-resolution, low-profile goniometers to their expanding catalog of high precision positioning stages. This newly released, AK120-45 Goniometer Series features precision ground worm gears with a 296:1 ratio and pre-loaded cross roller guides, and +/- 45 degrees of travel with 10 kg of load. The very high resolution of 0.0006 degrees (2.16 Arcsec.) is realized when using the standard Two-Phase Stepper Motor driven by a 10 micro-steps per step micro-stepping driver or with the servomotor options and Quadrature Optical Encoders.

Motion Industries, Inc. has promoted Eric Gonzalez to senior vice president of Mexico, Canada, industry segments and business development, effective immediately. 

The starting signal for KUKA's digital offensive: Following the establishment of the new digital division, KUKA presented its comprehensive portfolio at its first software and digital event under the motto ‘KUKA digital powering your businesses at its headquarters in Augsburg. The long-established company, known for its industrial robots, is increasingly focusing on the consistent and seamless digitalization of global industrial landscapes. The highlight of the event: mosaixx, the open, collaborative cloud platform for industrial software-as-a-service.

Humanoid robots, designed to operate in close interaction with humans, rely heavily on smooth and controlled joint and limb motion. This makes the selection of the motors that power the axes of motion critical. Alongside high torque density and responsiveness, efficiency to enable long battery life is key, and reliability is also important. Achieving freedom of movement requires integrating numerous axes of motion, which is best accomplished by working closely with an expert in this field.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) has named Brian Short the 33rd recipient of its Warren Pike Award for lifetime achievement in the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry. The award was bestowed upon Short during the PTDA 2024 Industry Summit on October 25 in Colorado Springs, CO. 

Motion Industries, Inc. has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire the operating assets of Canadian-based Stoney Creek Hydraulics. The transaction is expected to close at the end of October, subject to customary closing conditions.

Bell-Everman announces that its latest generation of ServoBelt Linear actuators features a design enhancement that simplifies the assembly and installation of long-travel motion systems including gantry and linear robots. The new design, which involves the lower static toothed belt, also strengthens ServoBelt’s ability to non-destructively withstand high-force events, such as carriage crashes.