As the properties and capabilities of glass evolve, the material isΒ seeing use in increasingly diverse applications. This, in turn,Β is placing greater demands on glass production systems. This includes vacuum technology, which forms a central component in the production and processing of glass products. For example, the evacuation of glass molds, the coating of architectural glass […]
Industry News
Firestone demonstrates intelligent air spring sensor
Firestone Industrial Products, a leading manufacturer of advanced air springs with headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, has developed a system that helps eliminate vibration in transportation applications. In collaboration with Knorr-Bremse, it introduced what is reportedly the first-ever fully integrated intelligent air spring sensor at the 67th Bi-Annual IAA Commercial Vehicles Conference in Hannover, Germany. According […]
Festo acquires component manufacturer Fabco-Air
Festo announced that it has acquired Fabco-Air, Gainesville, Fla., a manufacturer of pneumatic automation components. The acquisition is the latest in a series of investments to support sales growth in North America. Fabco-Airβs NPT pneumatic cylinders are applied by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on new machinery and systems as well as replacement components in the […]
Bimba launches video series on vacuum technology
Bimba has announced production of a series of short videos on vacuum technology to provide basic information about vacuum pumps, vacuum cups, end-of-arm tools, and accessories. Each segment of less than four minutes is hosted by βDr. Vacuum,β an expert in the βreliableΒ useΒ of vacuum technology.β According to Senior Applications Engineer David Haynes,Β BimbaβsΒ expert in the use […]
Festo’s VTEM Motion Terminal simplifies IoT modularity and flexibility
At IMTS this week, Festo showcased its VTEM Motion Terminal and the benefits Industry 4.0 enabled products like this offer to OEMs.Β The VTEM Motion Terminal, which began shipping earlier this year, is a revolutionary cyber-physical system (CPS) that embodies the modularity and insights into industrial data envisioned by Industry 4.0. Ten downloadable apps are immediately […]
Research competition advances soft-robotics designs
The Soft Robotics Toolkit group has announced the winners of the 2018 Soft Robotic Design Competition and the coveted Prize for Research. The annual competition draws hundreds of participants, including researchers, university and high school students, and hobbyists. Participants document the design, fabrication and testing of their submitted soft robotic technology and publish the results […]
ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟs and automation must go hand-in-hand to survive
Although some manufacturers are moving away from pneumatics in their machine designs, the industry can continue to grow if done smartly. That is, seamless integration of automation and pneumatics will rely heavily on the continued adoption of smart technologies, data collection and use, and more compact, efficient machines. This, said Donna Ritson of DDR Communications […]
Pack Expo is coming up fast β October 14-17
With Pack Expo International and co-located Healthcare Packaging Expo (Oct. 14β17; McCormick Place, Chicago) around the corner, anticipation is running high for the largest packaging event of 2018. This year, 50,000 packaging professionals will convene at the four-day event produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, to network and connect with 2,500 […]
Compressors meet shipboard air demands
Many engineers are familiar with plant compressed-air networks that pipe high-pressure air to pneumatic tools, industrial robots and countless types of production and packaging equipment. Perhaps not as widely known, but equally as important, compressed air also handles critical tasks on large commercial ships. Compressed air is used onboard in a number of ways. One […]
2018 NFPA Robotics Challenge scholarship winner announced
The National Fluid Power Association recently announced that Jacob Barnes of Orcutt, Calif. is the winner of the 2018 NFPA Robotics Challenge Scholarship. This scholarship program awards $40,000 ($10,000 per year for four years) to a high school senior who participates in a FIRST Robotics or National Robotics League Competition Team. It may be used […]
