The new MD and MF planetary gearbox ranges unveiled by Apex Dynamics have been designed to deliver the best possible combination of value and high precision performance.

There’s nothing worse than opening a new toy at Christmas to find that it’s broken. Adam Carless, vision product specialist at automation and control technology expert Beckhoff UK, explores how using machine vision during the manufacturing process can help to ensure quality standards are met, not just at Christmas but all year-round.

igus is a member of the European Hygienic and Design Group (EHEDG) and has now developed the first linear guide system that is based on EHEDG hygienic design guidelines. With an ‘anti-contamination’ design, iglidur high-performance plastic and stainless steel, the new linear guide ensures exceptionally high hygienic standards.

With the launch of its next-generation DT80 distance sensor, SICK says it has revised the standard for measurement precision in countless industrial applications in a compact and robust device. Equipped with high-performance time-of-flight measurement technology, the SICK DT80 1D laser distance sensor achieves an accuracy of ±2 mm with a resolution of 0.1 mm at ranges up to 80 m.

For over 25 years, with its world-leading EnDat protocol, HEIDENHAIN has been at the forefront of serial communications interface development. That advantage has now been extended with the development of EnDat 3, which presents an ideal solution for the digital manufacturing age, and beyond.

For electronics and medical device manufacturers who need to dispense small volumes of liquid with high precision and accuracy, the preeflow eco-PEN XS 180 from Intertronics enables the volumetric dispensing of 0.25 µl quantities.

A research project undertaken by the Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) at the University of Bristol used laser profile sensors from Micro-Epsilon to detect defects formed during the composites manufacturing process.

OMRON has announced the launch of the MD-650 and MD-900 medium-payload (650 kg and 900 kg) autonomous mobile robots (AMR). Designed to provide greater efficiency in material transfer with medium-duty payloads and integrated control technology, the new series increases OMRON’s range of autonomous robots to meet the needs of a wide variety of part and material transport applications.

iglidur Q3E plain bearings from igus, now manufactured by injection moulding, ensure lubrication-free maximum load capacity performance, made using efficient high-volume production.

Automated storage and retrieval systems are becoming the backbone of modern warehouse logistics operations. However, there is still the challenge of efficiently moving orders through the sorting process. Until recently, the only options were manually or by conveyor - but both have clear limitations. Nowadays, a more flexible and future-proof solution is available: robots. Tijmen Verkooijen, bid and tender manager at Prime Vision, explains all.