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Eaton unveils differential engineered for EVs

Intelligent power management company Eaton launched a new differential engineered specifically for electric vehicles at Auto Shanghai 2025 in China. The innovative design addresses the unique challenges presented by EV propulsion systems, including shared low-viscosity oil environments, increased sensitivity to noise, and the demands of high and instant torque delivery.
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Top Product: Integrated servo system is 20% smaller than standalone unit

Applied Motion Products has introduced the MDX+ series, a family of low-voltage servo systems that integrate a servo drive, motor, and encoder into one package. This all-in-one drive is an ideal solution for manufacturers in logistics, AGV, medical, semiconductor, the solar industries, and many others.
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What's the latest in automation? Find out at Automate 2025

Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots will debut new and AI-powered automation solutions across integrated industry workflows at Automate 2025 from May 12-15 in Detroit. This joint showcase from Teradyne Robotics companies will feature comprehensive automation solutions across Automotive, Electronics Manufacturing, and Logistics zones, highlighting the power of collaborative and mobile robotics.
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Remote automation monitoring for Android

At Automate 2025, Olis will launch a remote automation monitoring, diagnostic, and error recovery app that turns Android smartphones and tablets into gateways for any automation cell -- without the need for additional hardware. The Olis app synchronizes real-time video with system logs, collecting diagnostic data on robots and PLCs to provide a complete picture when something goes wrong. Full setup takes less than five minutes (including a simple online purchase), making this app an efficient retrofit for legacy automation systems. Many more features, including screen sharing, alert setting, and customizable workflows.
Learn more.

5 mistakes to avoid: Specifying a stepper system

Learn from experts at Kollmorgen the five most common mistakes that engineers make when specifying and working with stepper motors and drives, the problems that can result, and how you can avoid them. Will you get the rated torque, stall torque, and speed that matches the published data? Also learn about undersizing, oversizing, and mismatching. Bonus "5 best practices" also included.
Read the Kollmorgen blog.

Motors: Simplicity and efficiency for air handling

ABB has expanded its HVACR motor product line with the launch of ERH, a highly efficient, compact, and lightweight solution for fan wall applications. This advanced motor technology delivers plug-and-play, variable-speed operation for simplified installation and lower energy consumption. This synchronous brushless EC motor consumes as much as 40% less electricity than standard induction models run across the line. ABB engineered ERH by eliminating belts, couplings, and other wear components to simplify the system. Arrives pre-configured.
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Stepper motors made to handle harsh environments

The new, high-torque AW stepper motors from Applied Motion Products are an ideal choice for exposure to splash, moisture, and dust in Food Processing, Medical, and Industrial Manufacturing applications. These NEMA 23/24/34 motors feature IP65-level protection, and their M8 and M12 connectors ensure a secure connection in high-vibration dynamic systems. Variants equipped with brake and 1,000-line optical encoder are available.
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Compact gantry system for high dynamics

Rollon's new compact and highly versatile H-Bot gantry system meets the needs of applications requiring a small footprint and a high level of efficiency. It boasts two fixed motors on the X-axis with a single belt, motorized via pulleys and easily tensioned. The option of mounting the motors on either the front or rear heads, upwards or downwards, gives H-Bot extreme versatility. The absence of a motor on the Y-axis significantly reduces moving masses, decreasing vibrations and allowing high dynamics to be achieved. Designed to handle light loads that require a high level of precision.
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Cobot 7th axis with collision detection turbocharges multitasking

Do you need to move a cobot assembly from one task location to another? Thomson Industries' new Movotrak CTU 7th axis features collision detection settings for expanded programming and control benefits. Also known as a range extender, the Movotrak CTU 7th axis features a servo motor and linear-unit-driven guide rails that move a cobot assembly. An industrial robot transfer unit has also launched.
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How do you drive multiple motors with a single VFD?

According to KEB Automation, lots of automation systems use multiple motors to distribute loads, execute different tasks, or to optimize overall efficiency. One control strategy is to use a single variable frequency drive (VFD) for each motor, or you can drive several motors with only one VFD. But when do you use which tactic, and what are the pros and cons of each? Matt Sherman from KEB has got you covered with all the details.
Read the full article.

Frameless BLDC motors for maximum system integration

Nanotec introduces the DKA series of high-performance, frameless BLDC motors designed for compact, efficient drive systems. Featuring a modular design with separate stator and rotor, these motors allow for a maximum level of system integration. Motor diameters from 25 to 115 mm are available with up to 7.8 Nm of torque and speeds to 10,000 rpm. By eliminating the need for couplings or additional mounting components, these frameless motors reduce material usage and assembly costs. Ideal for applications with limited space, including robotics, medical technology, and more.
Learn more.

Servo controllers: From basic fans to advanced robots

Implement your most innovative ideas by combining maxon's ESCON2 servo controllers and the user-friendly Motion Studio software. ESCON2 controllers use the latest technology in semiconductor and PCB manufacturing to achieve unprecedented power density and control performance in terms of torque and speed. ESCON2 controllers can be used in a wide variety of applications -- from simple analog/digitally commanded standalone applications such as fans, scanners, and pumps to sophisticated CANopen-based systems in AGVs, hand tools, or logistics and transport applications. Three ESCON2 Modules available.
Learn more.

Safety Wheel Drive simplifies payload mobility

IDEC has expanded its ez-Wheel product family with the new SWD Safety Wheel Drive for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This system combines wheels, gearboxes, motors, encoders, controllers, and power systems into singular, extremely compact, and maintenance-free solutions, reducing component count up to 50%. Available in light/medium (SWD 125) or heavy-duty (SWD 150) models. When integrated with other safety devices, such as IDEC SE2L laser scanners or bumper/edge switches, the SWD can provide Safe Brake Control, Safely Limited Speed, and Safe Direction with a SIL2/PLd rating. A SIL3/PLe safe motor disconnection is also integrated.
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Vertical lift stage features sub-micron resolution

Optimal Engineering Systems has released the AT20-30 series of Motorized Vertical Lift Stages featuring sub-micron resolution, very high parallelism, and a vertical lift of 30 mm. The AT20-30-01 is driven by an ultra-precise two-phase stepper motor with a full step resolution of 0.2 microns! This stage also has a knob on the motor for manual adjustment. Features a large 500 mm x 300 mm stage table and high load capacity. Also available as a complete plug-and-play system with a motion controller, drivers, keypad, and joystick.
Learn more and get all the specs.

Tech Tip: Using a step motor as a generator

Engineers at Applied Motion Products run through their lab testing procedures and results when a client requested guidance on connecting a step motor to a small gas engine for use in recharging a 12-V battery. An interesting technical walkthrough on the project and its results.
Read the full Applied Motion Products article.

NASA aeronautics making strides to bring back supersonic passenger travel

The return of supersonic passenger travel may be a little closer to reality thanks to NASA's efforts to define a new standard for low sonic booms.

NASA F/A-18 aircraft were used to create low-intensity sonic booms during a research project at the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA. The Waveforms and Sonic boom Perception and Response project gathered data from a select group of more than 100 volunteer Edwards Air Force Base residents on their individual attitudes toward sonic booms produced by aircraft in supersonic flights over the base. [Image Credit: NASA/Jim Ross]

 

 

 

 

Several NASA aeronautics researchers presented their latest work in Atlanta in mid-June at Aviation 2014, an annual event of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. There, they shared with the global aviation community the progress they are making in overcoming some of the biggest hurdles to supersonic passenger travel.

The research generates data crucial for developing a low-boom standard for the civil aviation industry. NASA works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and the international aerospace community, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, to gather data and develop new procedures and requirements that may help in a reconsideration of the current ban on supersonic flight over land.

"Lessening sonic booms -- shock waves caused by an aircraft flying faster than the speed of sound -- is the most significant hurdle to reintroducing commercial supersonic flight," said Peter Coen, head of the High Speed Project in NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at the agency's Headquarters in Washington. "Other barriers include high-altitude emissions, fuel efficiency, and community noise around airports."

Engineers at NASA centers in California, Ohio, and Virginia that conduct aviation research are tackling sonic booms from a number of angles, including how to design a low-boom aircraft and characterize the noise. NASA researchers have studied how to quantify the loudness and annoyance of the boom by asking people to listen to the sounds in a specially designed noise test chamber.

A recent flight research campaign at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA, had residents explore ways to assess the public's response to sonic booms in a real-world setting. Researchers at Armstrong have an advantage -- pilots are permitted to fly at supersonic speeds because the facility is located on Edwards Air Force Base.

"People here are more familiar with sonic booms," said Armstrong aerospace engineer Larry Cliatt. "Eventually, we want to take this to a broader level of people who have never heard a sonic boom."

Similar work is conducted at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, where volunteers from the local community rated sonic booms according to how disruptive they determined the sound to be.

"They each listened to a total of 140 sounds, and based on their average response, we can begin to estimate the general public's reactions," explained Langley acoustics engineer Alexandra Loubeau.

She also conducted a study at Langley comparing results from tools used to predict sonic boom noise at ground level.

"Because of the interaction with the atmosphere, it is important to be as consistent as possible in the implementation and usage of these tools. The comparisons done so far have shown good agreement, but there are some inconsistencies that need to be studied," Loubeau said.

Other studies are focused on predicting the sonic boom and on design approaches to reducing it. Participants from Japan, the United States, and France attended the first Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop, where they evaluated simple configurations -- cylindrical bodies with and without wings -- and complex full aircraft designs.

"We are working to understand the worldwide state of the art in predicting sonic booms from an aircraft point of view," said Mike Park, a fluid mechanics engineer at Langley. "We found for simple configurations we can analyze and predict sonic booms extremely well. For complex configurations, we still have some work to do."

Wind tunnels are another tool used to help predict which airplane designs might have quieter booms. The most recent tests were conducted at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, CA, and Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Similar to designs of the past, current aircraft designs being tested are characterized by a needle-like nose, a sleek fuselage, and a delta wing or highly swept wings -- shapes that result in much lower booms.

NASA and industry engineers say they believe supersonic research has progressed to the point where the design of a practical, low-boom supersonic jet is within reach.

Source: NASA

Published July 15

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