Designfax weekly eMagazine

Subscribe Today!

Archives

View Archives

Partners

Manufacturing Center
Product Spotlight

Modern Applications News
Metalworking Ideas For
Today's Job Shops

Tooling and Production
Strategies for large
metalworking plants

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.
Learn more.

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.
Learn more.

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.
Learn more.

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.
Read the full article.

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.
Learn more.

Top Tech Tip: Automating winding, unwinding applications

From paper mills and textiles to sheet metal and plastics manufacturing, winding and unwinding mechanisms play critical parts in many industries. Jonathan Bullick from KEB America examines the automation architecture behind industrial winding applications, with particular emphasis on motor selection, variable frequency drive (VFD) configuration, and control system design. Tension, winding loads, torque speed, regen energy, bus load sharing, and more are all addressed in this excellent technical overview.
Read the KEB America article.

3D printing and 5-axis milling get highly portable

Powered by Siemens' SINUMERIK ONE CNC platform and Ingersoll's MasterPrint^® industrial 3D printer, a new generation of deployable machines is bringing additive and subtractive manufacturing directly to the point of use for defense, disaster relief, and infrastructure and industry.
Read the full article.

Double the force capacity: New RSX50 linear actuators

Tolomatic's RSX50 is the newest, most powerful addition to the RSX Extreme Force electric actuator family. Delivering 50 tons of force within the compact footprint of its 25-ton predecessor, it offers industry-leading power density. Built with high-precision planetary roller screws, the RSX50 provides high-force reliability and environmental compliance, eliminating the mess and maintenance complexity of traditional hydraulic systems.
Get all the specs from Tolomatic.

Integrated drive system for next-gen robotics and human-like motions

Engineered for modern robotics, the BXI is FAULHABER's most powerful integrated drive. Delivering up to 20 Nm of torque, it ensures dynamic, precise control. This compact unit combines a motor, stepped planetary gearhead, and high-res encoder into one functional system. Its strength lies in systematic integration, offering maximum performance in minimal space -- ideal for humanoid robot joints and demanding applications.
Get all the specs from FAULHABER.

Important Qs about linear motor actuators that design engineers should ask

Many design engineers overestimate how accurate traditional motors and actuators stay over long travel runs, mistakenly believing that if the solution works well for short runs, it will work equally well on long ones. Do you know what type of actuator you should use for your application? Patrick Lehr, Product Manager, Precision Mechanics at Parker Hannifin, has some really good tips for you.
Read the full article.

Cobots get 4 m tall with the 8th-Axis Vertical Robot Transfer Unit

Designed to optimize industrial processes across various sectors, the 8th-Axis Vertical Robot Transfer Unit (RTU-V) from Bishop-Wisecarver features a vertical travel length of up to 4 m, enabling a single small robot or cobot to cover large areas traditionally requiring multiple robots. This innovation not only boosts productivity but also offers considerable cost savings, making it an ideal solution for industries such as logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, packaging, and more. Extended reach allows robots to perform tasks on oversized workpieces, such as rocket tubes, boat hulls, and aerospace structures, with ease.
View the video.

UR AI Trainer for robotics: First lab-to-factory AI model trainer

Universal Robots unveiled the UR AI Trainer last week. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a tectonic shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks. These systems are powered by robust data generated in AI training cells where robots imitate humans.
Read the full article.

BLDC motors with advanced safety features built in

Dunker-motoren has built advanced safety functions directly into its BG75 and BG95 BLDC motors, so you no longer need a separate safety controller or complex wiring. This means faster installation, lower costs, and simpler designs. With features such as safe stop and speed control, plus secure digital communication, dSafe motors are ready for automation, robotics, and mobile systems worldwide. It's safety that scales with your future.
Learn more.

Mobile robotic platform with contactless charging

MAXOLU-TION, an SEW-EURODRIVE company, has introduced the modular Mobile Robot Platform 1600 (MR P1600). It is designed to move heavy loads such as pallets through factories and warehouses, with less manual handling and more consistent material flow. The platform supports configurable load-handling options, including conveyor transfer, lift, drive-under, and precise docking, using standardized material transfer attachments or custom-engineered load handling. Max load is 1,600 kg.
Learn more.

Configurable modular precision linear stages

PI's Modular Precision Linear (MPL) stage family is a configurable platform that simplifies specifying and integrating high-precision linear positioning systems. Engineers can select mechanical, drive, and feedback options online, creating application-specific stages without the cost of fixed designs. The MPL series offers 50- to 300-mm travel ranges and servo or stepper motor options -- with linear motors planned for future release -- while maintaining high precision, stiffness, and reliability.
Learn more.

M10 Booker, the Army's newest combat vehicle, begins testing at Yuma Proving Ground

By Mark Schauer, U.S. Army

The U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in Arizona is currently testing the M10 Booker, one of the Army's top modernization priorities.

The Army's highly touted assault gun is meant as an armored infantry support vehicle, not a battle tank. The Army has stated they will ultimately acquire more than 500 of the vehicles for this role.

"The data we are collecting is for a decision on full rate production next summer," said Jade Janis, YPG test officer.

The M10 Booker's main weapon is a M35 105-mm low-recoil tank gun. Its diesel engine puts out 800 hp and can power it up to 40 mph. [Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mark Schauer]

 

 

The vehicle originally underwent competition testing of prototypes at YPG in 2020, with Janis serving as test officer on the entrant that was ultimately selected.

"It's a lightweight infantry vehicle similar in weight to a Bradley, but with a larger weapon," said Janis. "The intent is to be able to rapidly deploy them with an infantry combat brigade: You should be able to fit two of them in a C17."

VIDEO: M10 Booker: Anytime, anywhere. [Credit: General Dynamics Land Systems]

The M10's main weapon is a M35 105-mm low-recoil tank gun, significantly larger than the 25-mm chain gun on the Bradley, and it also boasts a 12.7-mm M2 heavy machine gun and 7.62-mm Coax machine gun. The platform's diesel engine puts out 800 hp and can power it up to 40 mph. The hydraulic suspension is similar to the advanced running gear tested on a Bradley surrogate at YPG about five years ago.

M10 Booker test vehicles are running across punishing road courses, up steep slopes, and through a watery fording basin. [Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mark Schauer]

 

 

Though it is not a tank, some aspects of the M10 are familiar to experienced tankers.

"There are a lot of similarities to an Abrams as far as the turret is concerned," said Janis. "The hull itself is all new."

In addition to test firing the armaments in both the natural environment and from a cold chamber, the platform is being subjected to a full complement of performance and reliability, accessibility, and maintainability testing. Test vehicles are running across punishing desert road courses, up steep slopes, and through a watery fording basin, sometimes while under a full load.

"Aside from being a totally new platform, there is nothing out of the ordinary for us in the way we test things," said Janis. "Everything should be standard practice so far as testing is concerned."

Nonetheless, the personnel supporting the testing, from drivers to gunners to data collectors, had to undergo familiarization training on the platform prior to the beginning of testing. Numbered among these were personnel from Arctic Regions Test Center, YPG's cold-weather testing facility at Fort Greely, Alaska, where the M10 is also undergoing performance testing during the coldest winter months. Additionally, some of the personnel supporting the Yuma Test Center portion of the testing traveled to ARTC during that portion of the testing.

SIDEBAR: What's in a name?

By U.S. Army

Designed and manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, the M10 Booker provides infantry brigades with greater survivability and the ability to identify threat systems earlier and at greater distances.

The vehicle platform honors two enlisted Army Soldiers who served our nation selflessly during times of great conflict: Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Robert D. Booker, who perished in World War II, and Distinguished Service Cross recipient Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker, who died from injuries sustained in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"The M10 Booker Combat Vehicle is named in [their] honor because it will accomplish what they both did, enabling squads to continue pushing forward through heavy machine-gun fire while protecting our most important weapon system, our Soldiers," said Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville in 2023.

The M10 Booker Combat Vehicle brings a new level of lethality and protection to our infantry forces and will allow our Soldiers to gain and maintain the speed and momentum that is critical on the modern battlefield.

Published March 2025

Rate this article