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My first trip to the CTI Symposium USA six years ago was eye-opening regarding the ambitious forecasts for electrification in the automotive industry. Hybrid transmissions took center stage back then with a hint at a fully electric future on the horizon. Individual components were showcased in the expo hall as well as the technology sessions. Optimism for self-driving vehicles, e-mobility and the switch from ICE to electric vehicles was somewhat restrained. Today, the future of EV and HEV drives and components looks much more attainable.

Hannover Messe 2022 focused on industrial transformation, driven by the digitalization of industry and the reduction of C02 emissions. Topics at this year’s event included data analytics, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and IT security. Companies like Voith, NORD, Beckhoff and others presented the latest products and technologies during the event.

The complexity of supply chain issues in a globally interdependent economy is vast, and there are multiple aspects to be addressed in each problem. Food supply has been in the spotlight throughout the pandemic and considering inflation and other factors, the issues aren’t likely to disappear overnight. However, companies like Warner Electric, Force Control, and Miki Pulley are literally putting the brakes on some of these issues with solutions for today and tomorrow. Warner Electric and Miki Pulley both offer brake solutions that include various robotic and battery-powered agricultural equipment being developed for the future while Force Control addresses the here and now with a brake solution for a palletizer problem that was disrupting production at National Frozen Foods.

Aerojet Rocketdyne uses metal 3D printing technology from Velo3D to make a critical flight component lighter, smaller, and much less expensive than its predecessors

Warner Electric has developed custom brake friction material that provides consistent performance despite extreme temperature variance and the effects of moisture.

Ametek Haydon Kerk Pittman (HKP), a business unit of Ametek, has announced a new size in its IDEA Motor series of brushless DC motors: 57 mm. This EC057B joins the 42 mm EC042B product introduced in 2019 and enhances an already popular line of motors with integrated, programmable drives.

ABB has upgraded its extensive range of High Dynamic Performance (HDP) induction motors. This creates new opportunities for machine-building OEMs seeking motor and drive solutions with dynamic response and high-power density. The motors are typically used in plastic and rubber extrusion, injection molding, winders, lifting, conveyors, test benches and machine tools.

NTN, the parent company of BCA Bearings, has announced the addition of 16 new product SKUs to the BCA aftermarket product line. BCA’s March 2022 release includes wheel hub assemblies and repair kits for a number of import and domestic applications and represents premium coverage for over 6.9 million vehicles in operation.

The new electromagnetic linear brake ROBA-linearstop from Mayr Power Transmission offers a fail-safe system with high holding forces, which can also brake dynamically and provide short switching times.

The drive system manufacturer Heinzmann has introduced a new wheel hub motor with integrated transmission, which was developed in close collaboration with Framo Morat. The compact, high-performance drive provides ensures efficient operation in automated guided vehicles (AGV) and autonomous mobile robots (AMR). 

Kollmorgen has announced the new TBM2G series of frameless servomotors, introducing features that simplify the design of collaborative, surgical, aerospace and defense and other robots while delivering optimal performance in a lighter, more compact package. These new motors will complement Kollmorgen’s existing TBM and KBM series of frameless motors. 

Gates has announced the launch of Gates Design Power, a new software platform offering multiple digital design tools to support the engineering and specification of belt-drive systems across a broad array of applications, making the process easier and more robust than ever before.  

Schaeffler has signed an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Melior Motion GmbH. The acquisition of this supplier of precision gearboxes for robotics and other applications in automation expands the robotics portfolio of the Schaeffler Group’s Industrial division.

Forest City Gear is proud to announce the appointment of Kika Young as president of the company.

Solve Industrial Motion Group has acquired SST Bearing Corporation (“SST Bearings”), a worldwide supplier and manufacturer of bearings and power transmission components.

Sulzer has begun the construction of an all-new 7,200 sq. ft. expansion to its Baton Rouge Service Center in Louisiana. 

The history of the automotive industry began in “Vehicle City” thanks to the production of wagons and horse-drawn carriages in Flint, Mich. Companies like the Durant-Dort Carriage Company and Flint Wagon Works set the groundwork for the formation of General Motors in 1908. By the early 1980s, Flint was commonly referred to as “Buick City” and represented General Motors early attempts with the ‘Just-in-Time’ manufacturing concept. This slice of Americana will be on display at the renovated Sloan Museum of Discovery, reopening in July 2022, in Flint.