February 18, 2025 By Damien Herweg, Product Marketing Manager SmartD Technologies Why the Smallest Currents Matter:Understanding LeakageCurrent and Ground Faults in Modern VFDs Imagine a bustling manufacturing plant where machines produce thousands of components every hour. The electrical cabinets buzz with energy, and a labyrinth of cables branches out to every corner, connecting motors large…
February 18, 2025 By Damien Herweg, Product Marketing Manager SmartD Technologies Understanding VFD 2-Wire and 3-Wire Preset Configurations Recent discussions Damien Herweg had with colleagues motivated him to write this article—to explain, simplify, and share the concept of 2-wire and 3-wire preset configurations in Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). Whether you’re an experienced engineer or you’re…
February 13, 2025 Networked motor control center technology accelerates ROI, productivity, savings & safety. Rockwell Automation has seen manufacturers around the globe investing billions of dollars in smart manufacturing and production plants. Industry experts project the demand for smart factories will double by 2032 to $322 billion because of the increased return on investment. At the heart…
February 12, 2025 OPINION By Swathi Mohan, Founder of Leanacle Inc. I was standing backstage at a company townhall, running through my talking points, but my mind was elsewhere. Will they be engaged? Will they relate to what I’m saying? What if I lose them halfway through? The more I thought about it, the more anxious…
February 12, 2025 Repurposing and Extending the Life of Aging ATE Systems Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and Automated Test Systems (ATS) serve the critical purpose of ensuring that electronic devices operate according to specifications in the field. As such, these systems are widely utilized for testing automotive electronics, batteries, telecom infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and…
February 11, 2025 In robotics, a subsystem refers to a distinct functional unit within a robot, each responsible for specific tasks that contribute to the robot’s overall operation. Understanding these subsystems is crucial for designing, analyzing, and optimizing robotic systems. This guide delves into the primary subsystems commonly found in robots, detailing their components and…
February 11, 2025 When Google DeepMind wanted a robot hand for their latest project in AI machine learning, they turned to Shadow Robot. This latest creation isn’t just one of the most sensitive and dexterous robotic hands yet created, but it’s sufficiently robust to endure impacts that have destroyed previous designs. Throughout human history, the…
February 11, 2025 The challenge Swiss coffee brand Nespresso, renowned for its premium reputation, prides itself on its high-quality customer experience. As part of its continued investment in delivering excellent customer satisfaction, the company needed an automation system which could accurately handle complex orders and provide the flexibility to meet fluctuations in demand. The solution…
February 11, 2025 As automotive manufacturing continues to grow, with North American production projected to increase by 5% annually through 2031, manufacturers are under pressure to optimize workflows, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. To stay competitive in 2025, they need flexible industrial automation solutions that can adapt to evolving production needs and enable smarter operations….
February 11, 2025 Robot replacement and remanufacturing for extended lifespan Should you buy a new robot or invest in refurbishing a used one? Giving a robot a second life often saves time and, in many cases, money, but it also results in lower CO2 emissions. At Frosta’s plant in Bydgoszcz, there were two robotic lines where…
February 11, 2025 In today’s data centres, Power Distribution Units (PDUs) have evolved far beyond their origins as basic power strips. As IT infrastructure becomes more complex and power demands within racks vary, choosing the right PDU is critical to optimizing data centre performance, ensuring uptime, and managing power consumption efficiently. From basic power distribution to advanced…
February 11, 2025 By Owen Hurst FANUC has always believed in the power of education. Their Certified Education program connects industries, educators, and students to support the future of automation and robotics. Paul Aiello has been with the company for more than 25 years and spent the last 15 of them as the Executive Director…
February 6, 2025 OPINION By Swathi Mohan, Founder of Leanacle Inc. Why engagement on the shop floor is instrumental for running a successful manufacturing business Boeing reported a loss of more than $6 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2024. New CEO Kelly Ortberg emphasized that he wants to “reset” management’s relationship with labor so…
February 5, 2025 Mobile robots – whether it be automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) – are playing an increasing important role in mobile intralogistics because they significantly increase automation and efficiency in warehouses, production facilities and distribution centers. They general share their operating area with people. Special requirements on their design…
February 1, 2025 The complex nature of textile manufacturing, encompassing spinning, weaving, finishing, and dyeing processes, demands sophisticated technological solutions to meet both production and quality requirements. Italy’s Tintoria Stamperia Gorlese (TSG) has increased productivity and reduced installation and tuning time by up to 50% by upgrading its machinery with advanced web tension load cells. …
January 28, 2025 A peek inside Xanadu’s latest and greatest photonic quantum computer—Aurora. By Zachary Vernon The Xanadu team has recently announced the successful completion of Aurora, their latest photonic quantum computer. This machine follows in a line of successively more sophisticated earlier systems demonstrations, including X8 and Borealis. Both of those were ground-breaking in their own right: X8 brought…
