Designers of robotics and automation solutions are often faced with a choice: cycloid or planetary gears? In the last few decades, the answer has often been cycloidal drives. But the planetary gears have caught up and are now superior in many ways. The Hamelin company Schaeffler Ultra Precision Drives (previously Melior Motion) has revolutionized the planetary gear and with its PSC series, produces extremely precise, quiet and durable drive units.

Portescap announces the release of the 45ECF brushless DC flat slotted motor, the latest addition to join our flat motor portfolio. The 45ECF features a performance optimized design that utilizes an outer rotor configuration with an overall diameter of 43.2 mm and a body length of only 22.5 mm. The motor features hall sensors to easily control speed and torque and can be provided sensorless based on application requirements. Additionally, the motor can be used in combination with existing gearbox designs to provide high output torque at required operational speeds.

Electromate Inc. has announced a new partnership with Spin Robotics, a Danish manufacturer of collaborative robot (cobot) accessories. The partnership will bring Spin Robotics' screwdriving solutions to the Canadian market, providing customers with efficient and reliable cobot solutions for screwdriving applications.

Motion Industries, Inc. is pleased to announce the newest Motion Ai facility, located at 71 Cherry Hill Drive, Beverly, Mass., 01915. The new facility officially opened on December 1, 2022. 

The earliest example of a gear train dates to at least 2,000 B.C. when Chinese engineers built a chariot that used a complex planetary mechanism made of wooden gears to let a dragon head continuously point south when driven around (Ref. 1). In Greece, a surprisingly advanced Antikythera gearbox mechanism, incorporating at least 37 precisely crafted bronze gears, was built years later, between 205–60 B.C. (Ref. 2).

Hannover Messe 2023 provides the latest technologies in robotics, automation, motion control, IIoT, fluid power, e-mobility, material handling and more. 

ABB is celebrating the “floor pour” of its newest U.S. flagship campus at 18250 W. Lincoln Avenue. The greenfield location in New Berlin will serve as the U.S. headquarters, manufacturing facility and distribution center for the Drives and Motion Services businesses. The new facility is anticipated to open in late 2024 and will accommodate 720 ABB employees. Approximately $100 million is being invested in the project and is expected to create 100 new jobs over the next three years.

Industry 4.0 is an umbrella brand grouping together sensor manufacturers, automation companies, robotics builders, software producers and users. The term gave rise to a new enthusiasm for automation and thus also for the digitization of industrial processes – inspiring many young people to sign on at industrial enterprises as a result.

Cycloidal speed reducer technology reduces the speed of a motor’s input shaft by a predetermined ratio, matched to the application and the type of equipment used. These high-precision devices deliver relatively high reduction ratios, even for sizes as small as 50 mm in diameter. Speed reducers are essential for precise motion control in sophisticated systems such as robotics, military/defense equipment, and satellite antennas.