A slow U.S. economy and high interest rates have taken a toll on robot orders in North American, resulting in a decline for the second quarter in a row after record purchases in 2021 and 2022. According to the latest report from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), companies ordered 7,697 robots valued at $457 million from April to July 2023, a 37% decline in robot orders and 20% drop in value over the same period in 2022.  

New research by market intelligence firm Interact Analysis shows that the ultra-low voltage motors market is experiencing a period of growth. By 2027 the market will be worth almost $6.5bn driven by demand from battery driven applications and a need for greater flexibility in manufacturing and logistics processes. The increased use of mobile robots is having a huge impact on the market for ultra-low voltage motors and, as a result of this, the supplier landscape will change significantly. 

The most comprehensive packaging and processing event in North America this year, Pack Expo Las Vegas 2023 (Sept. 11–13; Las Vegas Convention Center), will be the largest in its history. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, Pack Expo Las Vegas will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors showcasing the newest innovations for more than 40 vertical markets, spanning nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space.

Advanced Motion Controls (AMC) is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC's existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

In several working demonstrations, KUKA Robotics will showcase various innovative automation solutions for specific handling applications during Pack Expo 2023 in booth C-3236 Central Hall.

Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America (SMA), operating under the trusted brand name Sumitomo Drive Technologies, and a subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative line of Servo Gearboxes. These new additions to the product portfolio encompass the Servo Cyclo, Servo Hyponic, and Servo Bevel BuddyBox 4.

Schunk is proud to announce a partnership with Ready Robotics to develop the Automation Explorer simulation tool. As automation technology advances, simulation technology must progress further to support specification, deployment, and re-deployment of automated systems. Automation Explorer is a state-of-the-art technology where users will virtually experience and interact with Schunk automation technology in a highly immersive and detailed, physics-based simulation tool.

Ogura’s new MCNB-Z series Spring Applied Brakes are changing the way robotics and medical equipment designers look at power-off holding brakes. These are used for both safety and precision motion control. For decades, permanent magnet type brakes were the only reliable solution. This is no longer the case, thanks to this new breakthrough design.

It is with great sadness that Forest City Gear announces the death of Fred Young, former president and CEO. Fred took over the family business, Forest City Gear, in 1967. Founded by his parents in 1955, Fred took the small mom-and-pop shop to a global level, leading the company to manufacture some of the world's most difficult gearing for amazing end uses from NASA's Martian rovers and space station to robotic arms and racing yachts.

Festo Didactic recently provided SkillsUSA Championship Competition participants (Mechatronics Section) with advanced training technology at the 2023 National Leadership and Skills Conference June 19-23, Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena, Atlanta.