Today’s pace of technological change defies description. I keep hearing that we’re in the middle of the next transformative leap in manufacturing, and with all the advances in robotics, automation, condition monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI), it’s hard to argue that we’re not. But it seems to me the pace of change is too fast for mere leaps and bounds. Industry 4.0 used to be a new thing, but we seemed to have skipped Industry 5.0 and are now talking about Industry 6.0 and beyond. By the time we stop long enough to define where we are, we’re no longer there.

MINExpo boasts 1,900+ companies involved in the global mining industry. Opening sessions allow the industry to come together to debate global challenges, market fluctuations and the future of mining. Resources include exploration, mine site development, open pit mining, underground mining, smelting and refining, processing and preparation and reclamation. Here’s a sample of the companies exhibiting and the products/technologies they will be featuring in Las Vegas from September 24–26, 2024.

Digital Transformation. IIoT. Industry 4.0. While they may seem like trending buzzwords, the technologies are critical to operations being efficient and competitive, and reducing unplanned downtime. Every industry strives for maximum efficiency; be that manufacturing, oil & gas, or water/wastewater. For capturing production data, the days of the clipboard and manual data analysis are gone.

CCTY (Lake Zurich, IL) is a manufacturer of high-performance motion control and assemblies including spherical plain bearings, rod ends, mast guide bearings, self-lubricating bearings, tie rods, ball joints and more. CCTY is a full-service global engineering and consulting partner that helps customers quickly turn new product ideas into reality. PTE recently discussed the company’s evolution with Yaman Obaid, a mechanical engineer specializing in robotics for CCTY.

Siemens’ annual event Realize LIVE Americas never fails to disappoint on the technology front. Automation, AI, IIoT, the Industrial Metaverse, additive manufacturing—you name the technology—Siemens has it covered. The factory of the future is no different. The company spends a great deal of time discussing smart manufacturing, analytics and services examining what a typical shop floor might look like in 15–20 years.

The assignment was simple: compare a CL7 Freightliner M2 retrofit—with a BAE Systems propulsion solution and an Eaton MD 4-speed EV transmission—to a similar sized truck with an ICE. Sure, you can pop the hood, examine the interior, and ask a few questions—which we did during a June 2024 event at Eaton’s Proving Grounds located in Marshall, MI—but the fun part came when we took both vehicles out on the test track to see how the EV truck handled on turns, inclines and at top speeds versus its ICE counterpart.

Truth be told, there are few components as versatile as the gearmotor. We find them in AGVs, AMRs, and robotics. They can also be found in automation equipment, industrial drive solutions and material handling applications. Four key trends involving gearmotors today include the simplification in design and installation, quiet and energy efficient performance, predictive maintenance and condition monitoring—and lastly—the ability to perform at the highest levels in hazardous and demanding applications.

Have you ever been confused about pipe thread nomenclature? Have you wondered what is the difference between NPT and PT? What about BSPT? If you have asked these questions or similar ones, you’re not alone and this paper is for you! Several different pipe thread designations are used around the world, and some are equivalent or compatible while others are not. 

UGRacing is the University of Glasgow’s Formula Student team. Since its inception in 2005, the team has been working to compete at Formula Student UK (FSUK). Over the last decade, the team has grown to over 150 members across ten disciplines. With a strong focus on knowledge transfer and iterative design, the team has worked year after year to develop new technologies and a more refined package. In 2022, the team saw a culmination of all their hard work when they placed first overall in FSUK with their final internal combustion vehicle. The following switch to an electric powertrain brought new challenges. Through the constraint of a new powertrain architecture, the team has explored and innovated drivetrain concepts which, in future years, will improve vehicle performance.

Ruland Manufacturing continues to expand its motion control coupling product line by introducing bellows couplings with increased misalignment capabilities. These new bellows couplings complement Ruland’s existing high-stiffness line by offering equivalent torque with greater misalignment flexibility.

A new version of the MESYS shaft and rolling bearing analysis software including new functionality is available. The bearing analysis software allows the calculation of the load distribution within the bearing and bearing life according to ISO/TS 16281 and it is integrated in a shaft system calculation with additional possibilities like modal analysis, strength calculation for shafts and interfaces to gear calculations. Currently the software is used by customers in 32 countries on 4 continents.

Wind turbines have a decisive role to play in the expansion of renewable energy. Schaeffler is a market leader and strategic development partner in the wind technology industry, leveraging closed loop engineering to play a key role that goes far beyond the provision of bearing solutions for on- and offshore wind. Working in close partnership with turbine and gearbox manufacturers, the company supports wind turbine development through state-of-the art system simulation, realistic test-bench testing, and field measurement campaigns.

SKF is providing key components for the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), a $2 billion telescope system that aims to peer deeper into the universe than ever before.

Thomson Industries, Inc. has added advanced controllability options to its Electrak LL line of long-life electric linear actuators. In addition to the 600 km of maintenance-free life and 100% duty cycle performance inherent to all the Electrak LL models, machine designers can now get absolute position feedback, CAN bus integration, reduced current flow and higher speeds. 

Siemens Digital Industries Software offers Zel X software, a next generation browser-based engineering app for streamlining manufacturing and shop-floor operations. Zel X consolidates software for manufacturing, operations, collaboration, design and simulation into a comprehensive, yet lightweight browser-based solution that delivers value instantly.

Becoming an industry-leading manufacturer of motion control and power transmission components came quickly for Zero-Max by being responsive to customer’s needs with innovative products and exceptional service. Its first product was a unique Mechanical Variable Speed Drive that solved application challenges in varied industries, with many of these drives still in use 75 years later.

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is pleased to announce the release of its new free digital special report, Sustainability Opportunities for Tribology.

There’s no such thing as “Too Much Information” when it comes to warfare. Lockheed Martin believes it’s critical in today’s global landscape for a warfighter to act on information as soon as it is available. Leveraging the strengths of manned/unmanned teaming enables rapid action during combat situations. With the assistance of AI, this has the potential to increase situational awareness and improve combat efficiency and effectiveness for any warfighter.