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Accelerate AI-driven machine vision systems

BitFlow has announced full production of its Claxon CXP-12 frame grabbers, designed for NVIDIA GPU-accelerated machine vision. Across five models, the CoaXPress 2.0 lineup delivers up to 50 Gbps -- five times 10 GigE Vision -- eliminating data bottlenecks. The full CXP-12 specification ensures deterministic, high-bandwidth streaming to unleash modern AI inference models.
Learn more.

Millimeter-wave imaging inspection in real time

With its new quality and inspection R&S IMAGER millimeter-wave scanner, Rohde & Schwarz aims to simplify the industrial inspection of packaged products. The system sees through common packaging materials at production speed without using X-rays, protecting both products and operators. The high-contrast 3D images are used as digital twins and can be automatically integrated into AI-powered fault-detection systems. Sees through plastics, cardboard, and composites. Applications include food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, logistics.
Learn more.

What are single-loop process controllers?

PLCs are powerful, but complex control isn't always necessary. For standalone processes requiring single-variable monitoring -- like temperature, pressure, or flow -- a single-loop controller is ideal. See how single-loop controllers can streamline your next project.
Read the AutomationDirect tech tip.

Great Resources: Flexible circuit design guide

Tech-Etch uses advanced techniques to manufacture flex and rigid-flex circuits to exacting customer specs. Special processes include selective plating a single circuit with two different finishes, contoured circuits with variable metal thickness, semi-additive and subtractive techniques, open window or cantilevered contact leads, plus SMT for component assembly. Tech-Etch specializes in flexible circuits for medical, telecommunications, aerospace, semiconductor, and other high-reliability electronic applications.
Learn about flex circuits and get the guide (no registration required).

EMI Investigations: New immunity development system

Saelig Company announces the Langer E1 Immunity Development System for EMI investigations. This compact, affordable kit simulates burst and ESD interference to pinpoint layout weak spots down to IC pins. By eliminating "black box" guesswork early in development, engineers can efficiently identify coupling mechanisms, test measures, and resolve immunity issues before compliance failure.
Learn more and see it in action.

Battery packs for unmanned aerial vehicles

Re:Build Manufacturing has launched U.S.-assembled, NDAA-compliant lithium-ion battery packs for commercial, public safety, and defense UAV applications. Available in Core, Power, and Performance series, the packs use non-FEOC cells and are produced at Re:Build's advanced facility in New Kensington, PA. Re:Build also offers custom pack and battery management system development.
Learn more.

Easy-to-use precision measurement system

Optical Gaging Products has announced the StarLite S1, a compact, semi-automatic 3-axis video measurement system. It combines fully automatic video measurements with manual stage motion and features an IntelliCentric-S optical system for high-resolution images. Powered by Measure-X software, this system delivers fast, repeatable, high-accuracy results, making it ideal for both shop-floor and quality-control applications.
Learn more.

Why a soccer kick bends the ball path: SOLIDWORKS simulation

With SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation, you can virtually test a ball's flight path and see the science behind its amazing trajectory. Visualize anything you want to test, including the physics that make a ball curve and dip, to optimize performance and reduce physical testing. See the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation study setup and learn about the Magnus effect where a spinning object moving through a fluid curves away from its straight path. [Credit: Screenshot courtesy of SOLIDWORKS]
View the video.

Lightning-fast in-line verification, high-performance barcode reading

The Omron VHV5 Barcode Reader now combines high-performance barcode reading and calibrated ISO verification in one device. Replacing offline sample checks, it delivers 100% inline verification at production speeds up to 1,200 parts per minute. With flexible lighting, the VHV5 easily inspects labels and Direct Part Marks, even on challenging curved or irregular surfaces.
Learn more.

How to choose the right industrial Ethernet switch

Antaira Technologies breaks down 10 mission-critical capabilities separating industrial-grade switches from commercial compromises. Even if you aren't in IT engineering, you will find valuable networking knowledge in this guide to protect vital infrastructure.
Read the full article.

New CAM software cuts robotic machining deployment

At Automate (Booth #4476), RoboDK will showcase RoboDK CAM, which generates robotic machining programs directly from CAD files. Designed for easy deployment, it cuts setup time by up to 40%. Live demonstrations will show users how to create collision-free robot motion straight from CAD data, eliminating manual line-by-line coding.
Learn more about RoboDK CAM.

AI Tools You Can Use: What is OpenClaw? How do I get it and use it?

OpenClaw is trending big time right now, but what is it? The YouTubers over at Create a Pro Website run through the basics of what you need to know and how to implement it. Basically, OpenClaw is a next-gen 24/7 AI assistant that lives on your computer and can perform actions for you. You talk to it through a chat app. You can set it up to do real work such as alert you to important emails, answer emails for you, manage your calendar and travel, and so much more. There is a great intro video here and also a longer, very thorough step-by-step video to setting up OpenClaw.
View the OpenClaw intro video.
View the OpenClaw setup video.

New! 6-digit programmable display/controller

Bristol Instruments has released the OM 403UNI Series displays/ controllers, allowing users to monitor two or three simultaneous functions. Configured via OM Link software or front-panel buttons, they feature four- or six-digit displays with +/-0.05% of f.s. range accuracy. They function as numeric/bar-graph displays, controllers, data recorders, or accumulators. Additionally, they detect and alert users to error conditions like broken sensor wires.
Learn more.

Mini edge AI systems for vision, generative AI

As enterprises transition from PoC to real-world edge AI deployment, Aetina has launched its Mini Series Edge AI systems. Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and NX modules, these compact, fanless systems deliver high-performance vision and generative AI inference. Engineered for demanding industrial environments, they offer flexible camera connectivity, space-saving designs, and long-term reliability to accelerate smart infrastructure.
Learn more.

Thermal imaging on the quality control line

On a high-speed food and beverage line, what you can see is not always what is happening. Thermal imaging adds a different layer of control. Instead of relying on surface appearance, it measures heat distribution as seals are formed and products move through the line, providing continuous, 100% in-line inspection instead of just sampling.
Read the full article.

Partnership aims to create a U.S. domestic gallium supply from aluminum production

Ames National Laboratory and Indium Corp. have announced a research and development (R&D) partnership that seeks to expand production of gallium -- an indispensable material for semiconductors and LED lighting -- in the United States. Leveraging the automation and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities at Ames Lab, the partnership aims to strengthen domestic supply chains for this critical element, which currently relies almost exclusively on foreign imports. Ames is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Laboratory operated by Iowa State University.

"There is currently no domestic gallium production and no complete U.S. gallium supply chain," said Ames Lab scientist and project leader Long Qi, an expert in chemical separations and catalysis. "The partnership goal is to change that, and the effort aligns well with the Department of Energy's mission to develop critical materials production here."

Gallium is a byproduct of the first step of the well-established and high-volume method of producing aluminum. Called the Bayer process, it uses caustic liquids and high temperatures to extract and refine alumina from bauxite ore. Gallium is typically present in the waste from the refining process in very low concentrations (about 100 parts per million).

While the concentrations are low, Ames Lab and Indium, a materials refiner and manufacturer, see an opportunity to innovate a process that efficiently separates and extracts gallium as an additional high-value material during aluminum production.

"This collaboration brings together advanced research capabilities and deep materials expertise to address a critical gap in the U.S. supply chain," said Ross Berntson, president and CEO of Indium. "By focusing on scalable, data-driven solutions, we're working to enable more reliable access to gallium for the industries that depend on it."

Liquid-based refining methods typically use specialized polymers, called resins, which can separate and concentrate metals from mining solutions. For this project, a team of researchers at Ames Lab will design and develop a heat-stable and efficient resin that is selective for gallium.

In the past, the R&D stage for new materials has taken 10 to 20 years. However, Ames Lab has developed innovative robotic lab capabilities that can carry out a large number of experiments and generate high-quality data quickly. When paired with AI tools, the data can be rapidly analyzed to uncover patterns, optimize processes, and guide the iterative design of materials. These accelerated workflows can shrink the development timeline from decades to as little as two to three years.

"By using our automated chemistry capabilities and AI tools, we can generate over 100 data points daily for our AI model. This dramatically accelerates our timeline for developing a solution that surpasses current industry-leading materials." said Qi.

Scaling the technology is a joint effort, which will be done through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA): Indium will provide a U.S. resin testbed that mirrors high-volume production and techno-economic models to define the required material properties, and Ames Lab will synthesize materials up to the hundreds-of-grams scale. Future scale-up to kilograms and tons will continue collaboratively.

In addition to Qi, the Ames National Laboratory team consists of Ames Lab scientists Lun An and Zachery Crandall, and joint faculty member Theresa Windus, department chair and distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry at Iowa State University. Robert Ploessl, product manager for metals and compounds, leads the CRADA partnership for Indium.

"This work is an important step toward unlocking new value for existing industrial processes," said Ploessl. "By combining innovative materials development with practical scale-up pathways, we are laying the groundwork for more resilient and sustainable sourcing of critical elements." Source: Ames National Laboratory

Published June 2026

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