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

Simplify pick and place with the THK PPR

THK's Pick-and-Place Robot PPR is a robot that can pick up delicate or minute workpieces such as electronic components and quickly and accurately transfer and assemble them to the base. In addition to the basic movements of raising, lowering, and rotating, various sensors (such as a force sensor), solenoid valves, and controller are all in one unit. The PPR is a process-optimized robot that can improve the production speed of the parts assembly processes and reduce work damage.
Learn more.

New ROBOMACHINE products and more from FANUC

FANUC America demonstrated the future of manufacturing at IMTS 2026 last week, showcasing how Physical AI-powered automation integrates advanced CNC, machining, and robotics to boost productivity and speed deployment. One highlight was the debut of the ROBODRILL DC Series machining centers -- including the high-speed D54CS and D74CS models -- alongside interactive demonstrations featuring collaborative robots, robotic welding, material joining, painting, and assembly technology.
See all the FANUC new tech featured at IMTS.

What is a stick-slip bi-phase positioning stage?

PI (Physik Instrumente) is expanding its Bi-Phase Inertia Drive (BIX) technology with new motor architectures for compact, high-precision nanopositioning applications. Based on the piezo stick-slip principle, BIX stages replace conventional single actuators with two synchronized multilayer piezo actuators. This compact design delivers precise, repeatable motion while maintaining piezo inertia self-locking.
Learn more about this technology.

Universal Robots unveils Gen 7 robot platform!

Redesigned from controller to tool flange, the new Gen 7 robot platform is out-of-the-box AI-ready, giving companies the modern software tools and next-level connectivity they need to confidently take AI from the lab into industrial operations. Gen 7 represents a unified system upgrade designed to make even the most demanding tasks and setups easier. See all the new features -- they are significant.
Read the full article.

Adaptor mount and hub options provide flexibility

Zero-Max's new CD Power-Series Flexible Shaft Couplings feature ISO Flange Adaptors matching ISO 9409-1 patterns on gear reducers and robotics. Eliminating custom transitions, this direct connection enhances torsional stiffness and positioning accuracy while saving space, weight, and inertia. Offering continuous torque up to 65,000 in.-lb and versatile hub options, these compact couplings deliver high power density.
Learn more.

Top-shelf motors: Completely revised maxon catalog

maxon has completely overhauled its 2026/2027 catalog, streamlining its portfolio to reduce complexity and improve navigation. The new structure features dedicated sections for business units -- Medical, Aerospace, Industrial Automation, Mobility -- and specialized fields like Robotics and Space. Key product highlights include new ECX PRIME and ECX FLAT motors, GSW planetary gearheads, and ESCON2/EPOS4 controllers.
Learn more and check it out.

Custom stators, rotors, and motor assemblies for low- to mid-volume applications

Arnold's Ramco Electric Motors is your single partner for custom motor components and complete assemblies. Ramco builds solutions for AC induction, switched reluctance, and brushless DC designs up to 200+ HP. Capabilities include custom stators, rotor-shaft assemblies, aluminum and copper casting, induction brazing, permanent magnet assembly, and precision rotor balancing.
Learn more.

Rotate robot arms more than 600 degrees

The unsupported twisterchain^® from igus eliminates the need for additional trough systems or guide plates in robotic applications, especially in palletizing. This results in a clean, efficient, and space-saving system architecture that delivers both technical and economic advantages. Thanks to its specialized design, it supports rotations of over 600 degrees.
Learn more.

Match the torque of rotary solenoids to your application

Magnetic Sensor Systems has launched the Made in USA R-10-200-CWM Series of clockwise rotary solenoids. Measuring 2.00 in. in diameter and 1.04 in. long with 18 different AWG options and a serrated front shaft end, these compact units optimize torque, current, and duty cycle. When power is removed, an integral return spring automatically returns the shaft to its home position. The shaft is supported by two high-precision radial ball bearings, providing smooth operation with no axial play. Applications include medical, security, and office equipment.
Learn more.

Planetary servo gear unit: New economy series

SEW-EURODRIVE has expanded its PxG planetary servo gear unit portfolio with the new PxG economy series, introducing the P1.G, P2.G, and P3.G performance classes. Designed for standard industrial automation applications like packaging and material handling, these cost-effective units feature peak torque ratings from 11 to 500 Nm and over 20,000 hours of service life, helping machine builders eliminate unnecessary over-specification.
Learn more.

Compact hexapod 6-DOF alignment system has overload protection

PI's compact H-811.I2HS hexapod delivers precise 6-DOF motion with patented overload protection, simplifying setup and operation in OEM applications. This built-in protection safeguards precision mechanics during installation and integration against accidental forces or improper handling. Furthermore, the hexapod mounts in any orientation, granting system designers exceptional flexibility for optical, photonics, microscopy, metrology, and automation systems.
Learn more.

What is STUDROLLER technology? Cross Roller Guides

NB SLIDE WAY cross roller guides use precision rollers to provide stable, non-recirculating linear motions in precision stages, inspection equipment, semiconductor manufacturing, and more. At the heart of all NB cross roller bearings is the STUDROLLER mechanism, which eliminates the cage-creep phenomenon that, over time, can create deviances in cross roller retainer performance. NB cross roller guides equipped with this system are more accurate and better performing than any other comparable products on the market today. High acceleration and faster cycle times are possible in any orientation.
View the video.

Ruggedized Nano servo drives for harsh environs

Copley Controls has released its R47 and R48 NanoPlus Micro Module servo drives. Designed for extreme environments and space-constrained applications, these rugged platforms operate from 9 to 180 VDC, delivering peak power up to 6.3 kW. Offering CANopen (R47) or EtherCAT (R48) communications, both feature STO SIL 3 safety and broad encoder support. Well suited for COTS military, nautical, aviation, oil refining, and vehicle-based systems.
Learn more.

Simplify AC motor control with the new OMRON M1 Inverter

The OMRON M1 Inverter simplifies machine design by unifying motion, safety, networking, and motor control into a single platform. Available in M1-STD, M1-ECT, and M1-EMP models, it controls IM and PM motors with high precision. Featuring SIL3 PLe STO safety and native EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, or RS-485 communications, the M1 accelerates development within the Sysmac environment.
Learn more.

Flexible planetary gearheads: Quiet, extremely robust

FAULHABER GPT gearheads for miniature and micro motors deliver high power density, exceptional flexibility, and excellent cost efficiency. Designed for seamless integration with diverse motors and encoders, these compact planetary drives feature hardened stainless steel components that reliably withstand extreme torques and abrupt load changes. Offered in standard, low-noise, and high-torque variants, they ensure precise, durable performance across wide operating temperature ranges.
Learn more.

More efficient aircraft engines: Researchers reveal optimization potential

Computer simulation of the flow in an aero engine. [Credit: Image by ITTM/TU Graz]

 

 

With its "Flightpath 2050" strategy, the European Commission has outlined a framework for the aviation industry that aims to reduce emissions as well as fuel and energy consumption. Among other things, this requires more efficient engines.

In the ARIADNE project, an interdisciplinary team at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria has created the basis for achieving the desired efficiency gains more quickly. To this end, the researchers have combined years of flow data on intermediate turbine ducts with AI and machine learning and developed a model that tests the impact of changes to a wide range of geometry parameters on efficiency much more quickly and efficiently.

Intermediate turbine ducts offer a lot of optimization potential
"Intermediate turbine ducts are an essential component of aircraft engines," says project manager Wolfgang Sanz from the Institute of Thermal Turbomachinery and Machine Dynamics at TU Graz. "They guide the flow between the high-pressure and low-pressure turbines, which run at different speeds. However, these intermediate ducts are quite heavy, which is why they need to be as short, small, and light as possible while still achieving high levels of efficiency. There is still a lot of potential for optimization here."

Based on its own research in collaboration with renowned aircraft engine manufacturers, the institute has built up an extensive database of measurement data and flow simulations. In order to utilize this reservoir of information to optimize components and entire engines, Wolfgang Sanz and doctoral student Marian Staggl collaborated with Franz Wotawa's research group at the Institute of Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence at TU Graz as well as two corporate partners. Together, they pursued three different AI-supported approaches.

Success with reduced order modeling
Reduced order models proved to be the most successful. These models search for similarities in the data and use only the most significant common features for simulation. This leads to an enormous acceleration of the calculations, which run several orders of magnitude faster than a complete flow simulation. Although these models can entail certain losses in accuracy, they allow users to predict trends and to identify optimization potential by linking them with the simulation. Another advantage of the independently developed model was the ability to quickly recognize changes in efficiency when a parameter, such as the length of the transition duct, changes.

In contrast, surrogate models had certain limitations, as they are mainly based on interpolation of existing data. Outside the validated flow data range, the results were inaccurate because the database was too small. PINNs (Physics Informed Neural Networks), which attempt to integrate physical differential equations into a neural network, were also investigated as part of the project. However, further developments are still required before they can be used in practice.

Extension to three-dimensional simulations
The research team is already planning the next steps, as the reduced order model has so far only modeled the intermediate turbine ducts in two dimensions. The extensive database on turbine ducts and the reduced order model created in the project will be made available online to other research groups, allowing them to work on a three-dimensional simulation model similar to the team at TU Graz. For Wolfgang Sanz, however, working with machine learning has already opened up new approaches. "From the results of the machine learning approaches, we were able to recognize dependencies and trends that we would never have thought of otherwise."

See the paper "Interaction Between the TVF-LPT Hub Cavity With the Mainflow" published at the ASME Turbo Expo 2025: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition.

Source: Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)

Published December 2025

Rate this article