Hans Jongebloed, innovation manager at Prime Vision, looks at the challenges facing international sellers and how optical character recognition (OCR) and artificial intelligence (AI) can help ensure cross-border efficiency.

METCASE’s versatile COMBIMET 19" rack cases can now be specified with custom ventilation for greater heat dissipation. Other modifications are also available on request.

Ever-increasing automation across many industrial applications combined with a growing demand to maximise system safety, are among the key drivers for developing robust and reliable sensors and encoders. A good example of this is the new EAM580 RS encoder developed by Baumer.

ifm electronic announces the launch of the DX1041 current loop display. This compact and versatile device is designed to enhance control cabinet monitoring by providing direct and easy-to-read displays of analogue measured values.

FDB Panel Fittings reports that its Online store now offers ex-stock mid and high-range enclosure lock programs which include quarter turn latches, locks, wing-knobs, spanner locks, all with excellent IP ratings, typically to IP65 degrees of sealing.

Whether it is fluctuating demand, more customised products or smaller batches, manufacturers today need to respond more quickly and flexibly to changing markets. Bradley McEwan, business development manager at Beckhoff UK, discusses how software and modular hardware enables easy integration of technologies, like robotics and vision, that were once considered ‘standalone’.

TDK Corporation announces additional output voltage models to the 250W rated TDK-Lambda brand CUS250M series of power supplies in the industry standard 2” x 4” footprint. The full range now covers 12V, 15V, 18V, 24V, 28V, 36V and 48V and is certified to the IEC 62368-1 and IEC 60601-1 safety standards for industrial and medical applications.

OnLogic has unveiled its new Tacton Series of rugged panel PCs and industrial touchscreen displays, designed to empower innovators with the tools they need for advanced automation, industrial control, and data visualisation.

For lightweight robots, modular designs are increasingly popular thanks to the flexible deployment they enable for specialised tasks. As part of an in-house robot build, optimising the drive train that powers and controls each joint is vital to the robot’s performance. The most effective way of achieving this is by developing the drive train as a complete module, as Roman Berger, maxon’s head of business development for robotics, explains.

Module Type Package (MTP) is being considered for inclusion in an international standard for automation engineering. Here, Reinfried Kößlbacher, area sales manager at COPA-DATA examines what this production methodology means for life sciences manufacturing in relation to customised medicines, ease of engineering and regulatory compliance.