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Affordable nanometer-level precision focus stage

Zaber Technologies has launched the DMA Objective Focus Stage, a compact, linear motor solution for microscope OEMs. Starting at $4,500 with an integrated controller, it offers 50-nm repeatability and sub-15-ms settling times -- matching piezo precision at one-third the cost. Featuring plug-and-play architecture, a developer-friendly API, and a tiny footprint, it accelerates high-throughput workflows like spatial biology and digital pathology.
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How Ford automated a moving EV assembly line with vision-guided robots: Inbolt case study

Automating moving assembly lines is highly challenging. At Ford's Cologne Electric Vehicle Center in Germany, applying pressure to water shields on vehicle bodies required following a precise path on unsynchronized, continuously moving vehicle carriers. To automate this, Ford deployed two Universal Robots cobots equipped with Inbolt 3D cameras. Using real-time vision guidance, the robots track vehicle positions and adapt on the fly. The result? Near-zero repairs, reliable moving-line automation, and new possibilities for tasks like tightening operations.
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Inbolt launches vision-enabled Robot Programming, closing the loop from CAD to factory floor

Inbolt is launching two new capabilities that complete the company's AI Vision Model for robot guidance at Automate 2026 in Chicago, June 22-25. With Robot Programming and Robot Control, Inbolt covers the full path from virtual commissioning to adaptive robot motion control, for stationary and moving-line applications. It's one platform from perception to motion -- on the robots manufacturers already own.
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Top Tech Tip: How to specify electric rod-style actuators for optimal performance, reliability, and efficiency

The engineers at Tolomatic provide their Top 10 Tips for specifying electric rod-style actuators, which have a higher initial cost, more advanced design, and more predictable performance compared to fluid power cylinders. This is a really thorough presentation filled with useful information.
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High-precision multi-axis motion platforms

Motion Solutions delivers high-speed, high-accuracy XY scanning solutions optimized for OEM integration. These rigid, modular platforms provide stable, repeatable multi-axis motion control, ensuring faster throughput and precise positioning for advanced workflows. Ideal for automated microscopy, digital pathology, and spatial biology, the scalable design supports flexible travel lengths and custom configurations to seamlessly optimize your system.
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What is the best palletizing option for your operation?

Is your business looking to install or upgrade a palletizing system, but you don't know where to start? Marc Giguère from Robotiq does a comprehensive run-through of options including a fully engineered system, a cobot, or a plug-and-play setup. A lot depends on your production volume, budget, available space, and need for flexibility. Systems are compared and contrasted. Fastest ROI? The best lean system? What works for high throughput? Find out these answers and more, complete with an available buyer's guide chart.
Read the Robotiq article.

Robotic machine tending for CNC mills and lathes

At IMTS 2026, Mitsubishi Electric Automation will feature live demonstrations of LoadMate Plus and ARIA, two pre-engineered robotic machine tending solutions designed to help manufacturers automate CNC mills and lathes with confidence, flexibility, and scalability. LoadMate Plus is designed for quick setup and long-term deployment at a single machine. ARIA is a compact, configurable, and mobile solution for mill and lathe tending in space-constrained environments.
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What's a ceramic motor-driven linear actuator?

PI, a global leader in precision motion control and nanoposi-tioning solutions, provides a large selection of piezo ceramic linear actuators for different size, speed, and force applications. At the top end of the force spectrum is the N-216 PiezoWalk Linear Actuator, a high-load, high-precision linear actuator designed for applications that require many millimeters of travel, high force, and extremely stable nanometer-class positioning. PiezoWalk technology offers significant advantages over traditional motorized actuators in precision, stability, and energy efficiency. Its non-magnetic drive principle and strong radiation-environment performance provide additional benefits.
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KUKA robots accelerate solar panel installation

It can be tough to find manpower to help build large solar farms. Watch how KUKA robots help workers for Sunstall, a construction company based in Novato, CA, that specializes in ground-mount systems for large solar utility sites. With each module weighing 70 to 80 lb, moving solar units can get tiring fast. Safety is an issue too. Cosmic Robotics (San Francisco) helped design and build the mobile system, which uses a KUKA KR 70 to do the heavy lifting of the panels and places them onto the racking with millimeter precision. [Credit: Video screenshot courtesy of KUKA Robotics]
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Economical gearbox series for delta robot drives

Neugart's new NDFC gearbox series expands its delta robot portfolio, balancing cost efficiency with reliability. Positioned below the NDF series, it features a proven output stage, robust sealing, and a dynamic clamping system. Available in three sizes (064, 090, 110) with ratios from 16 to 100, it offers adjustable backlash to optimize savings. Ideal for food, beverage, and packaging applications.
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Conveying: Drive system enables two synchronous movements with max performance

The new FAULHABER DualGear drive system optimizes automated warehouse logistics, enabling two synchronous, powerful movements in one compact unit. Combining a BX4 motor with two GPT planetary gearheads, it is ideal for storage/retrieval machines and autonomous logistics. Hall sensors ensure exact positioning for compact, efficient, and reliable performance in demanding, small-space environments.
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Decentralized drives offer seamless integration

NORD DRIVE-SYSTEMS' NORDAC LINK motor starters, plus NORDAC LINK and NORDAC FLEX variable frequency drives, feature a plug-and-play design for rapid commissioning and high system availability. With onboard AS-Interface (ASi) functionality, these modular products integrate seamlessly into existing or new systems, supporting ASi standards V2.0 and V3.0 with integrated follower profiles for connectivity.
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Non-Magnetic ball slides made in the USA

Del-Tron's USA-made, non-magnetic ball slides prevent magnetic interference in medical, semiconductor, military, and laser applications. Featuring silicon nitride ceramic bearings, titanium shafts, aluminum components, and brass fasteners, these lightweight slides come in seven sizes with travels from .5 to 12 in., providing an ideal solution for sensitive environments.
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What's new in robotic efficiency and advanced gauging systems?

Renishaw will highlight its latest solutions for maximizing robot performance and manufacturing efficiency at Automate 2026, taking place June 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Highlights will be demonstrations of its Robot Calibration System for cell recovery and in-field robot calibration, the Equator-X dual-method gauging system for high-throughput production environments, and position and motion control encoders.
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New Titanium servo-drive line for harsh environs

The Elmo advanced Titanium line of harsh-environment servo drives offers optimal performance with advanced power density, providing exceptional intelligent and compact servo drives that are operational within minutes. These single-axis and multi-axis servo drives, featuring top-performance multi-core processors, deliver superior productivity, Functional Safety, advanced networking, and local intelligence in a compact package for operation in extreme conditions.
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Army re-envisioning land warfare through next-gen combat vehicles

A Robotic Combat Vehicle - Light is part of the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team portfolio, prior to testing at Camp Grayling, MI, in October 2021. [Credit: U.S. Army photo]

 

 

 

 

By Maureena Thompson, U.S. Army Futures Command

Readying the U.S. military for future warfare requires envisioning how next-generation warfighters will maneuver across all domains, including the fundamental land domain.

As a proven leader in ground combat, the Army is accomplishing this task by bringing together ground vehicle experts, industry innovators, and hands-on engineers and researchers to develop, test, and ultimately deliver new fighting vehicles.

Steering the Army's efforts to advance prototypes in this area is the Army Futures Command Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team, or NGCV CFT, based in Warren, MI.

The NGCV CFT, in partnership with the Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center, the Program Executive Office - Ground Combat Systems, and industry partners, is working to provide more capable replacements for decades-old combat vehicles and introduce new warfighting capabilities that will produce a speed, range, and reliability of combat vehicles once thought unachievable.

The CFT is also exploring how the Army can strengthen its protection of Soldiers traveling in infantry fighting vehicles and other combat platforms while also ensuring the vehicles are as nimble, durable, and adaptable to unexpected settings as possible.

"Wars are won on the ground. Getting American women and men into positions of relative advantage enables our collective success," said NGCV CFT Director Maj. Gen. Ross Coffman. "The ground manned and unmanned vehicle that Team Detroit delivers will allow the U.S. Army and its partners and allies to maintain dominance over all adversaries far into the future. We cannot expect our foes to capitulate. We must convince them to surrender through materiel, training and leadership."

One of the CFT's top priorities is the establishment of an Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, or OMFV, which it is developing through open-source contracts and in-depth conversations with defense industry innovators.

OMFVs, which are presently in a digitally engineered blueprint phase but are set to progress into a prototyping phase in 2023, will not simply serve as a replacement for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, but instead will bring transformative flexibility and lethality capabilities to future battlefield commanders.

The CFT is also continuing its work on the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, a modern personnel carrier that is undergoing Initial Operational Test and Evaluation, and the Mobile Protected Firepower, a new light tank model that recently completed limited user testing, among other activities.

Along the way, the NGCV CFT is conducting regular Soldier touchpoints and feedback sessions to ensure new vehicle designs meet functional user needs.

As it develops a portfolio of NGCV systems, the CFT is utilizing a Modular Open Systems Approach, standardizing hardware, software, and data interfaces to allow for persistent modernization and smoother, more cost-effective integration of new capabilities moving forward.

Ultimately, "our CFT aims to synchronize efforts between all organizations within the Army Modernization Enterprise to facilitate the rapid acquisition of increased capabilities," said Maj. J. Michael Eisenlohr, Deputy Chief of Staff for the NGCV CFT.

"We are a team of military professionals working with Soldier-centered design leads to develop operationally relevant systems for the future force," Eisenlohr said.

Published June 2022

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