Articles and News

"MTConnect: To Measure Is To Know," by Dave Edstrom, shows how machine shop owners and plant operators can apply open standards that make it easier for IT equipment to interoperate.

Global shipments for motion control products fell by 7.7% in first quarter 2013, according to the Motion Control Association (MCA). But there's hope.

The three millionth ACS550 drive rolled off the production line on March 25th, marking it the first for an ABB drive series to reach the three million unit production mark.

DC brushless motor shipments will outpace shipments of DC brushed and stepper motors used in automotive applications from 2012 to 2017.

ABB will supply two 3,700 MW overhung synchronous motors and an ACS6000 MV drive inverter, power transformers, medium and low voltage switchgear, and a System 800xA control system.

Using CNC hardware and software from NUM, Favor Laser in Taiwan developed a high precision laser cutter that is capable of producing very small or very large parts from sheet metal.

IMS says the oil and gas business along with the water and wastewater industry will generate the largest growth of all application markets for medium-voltage motor control centers (MCCs) and soft starters.

By Bill Lydon, Editor At the recent Manufacturing in America Symposium, hosted by Siemens and Electro-Matic, automation professionals from Ford and General Motors shared their perspectives on a number of automation issues including the lack of engineers, data connectivity, integrated safety, demands on global suppliers, and much more.

The country’s economic slowdown impacted multiple markets that use the devices, including appliances, automotive and housing. But they'll be back.

IMS Research says the global market for direct drive torque motor modules has grown from $98 million in 2008 to $195 million in 2012 and will grow to nearly $300 million in 2016.

Orders totaled $385.89 million, up 5.7% from January but down 10.6% when compared with the total of $431.63 million reported for February 2012.

The Copper Development Association created a comprehensive three-part Motor Management Program. Part 1 involves creating a motor inventory and developing repair and replacement guidelines.

Exlar is a designer and manufacturer of electric actuators used in motion control solutions in industrial and military markets.

Catalog covers the company’s selection of electric linear and rotary actuators, performance capabilities, features, specifications and application suitability.

China’s move to corner the market for rare-earth minerals (REMs) has prompted manufacturers of low voltage industrial motors to adopt alternative technologies that reduce or eliminate the use of these materials, spurring new growth in the motors market.

The Ubisense Smart Factory System solution for automotive assembly lines has achieved the pilot acceptance in Daimler’s project to equip the assembly line for the Mercedes S Class premium cars in Germany.

IMS Research says the growth rate for new motor control Ethernet nodes--including PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, POWERLINK and EtherCAT--is projected to be the highest across the whole industrial space at nearly 30%.

January U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $370.62 million, down 26.5% from December and down 12.2% reported in January 2012.

All areas of production are being expanded, including its motor assembly, machining departments and distributor training facility.

The intensifying need for energy-efficient motors to reduce operational costs is a key driver in the European fractional horse power (FHP) and integrated horse power (IHP) motors market.