Schunk will now be assembling grippers in the United States.Β The company hasΒ completed a 40,000 square foot expansion in Morrisville, N.C. earlier this year, resulting in an additional 19,000 square feet of manufacturing space allowing increased capacity and additional product line assembly. Another 22,000 square feet of additional office and training space completed the expansion. The […]
Components
Best practices for handling bags with suction cups
A bag of sweets dropped on the floor in the plantβs packaging area. Or a bag of frozen peas deformed from its original square shape into a messy plastic package with an ugly cone-shaped suction mark. These are the kind of problems faced by manufacturers wishing to use a vacuum-based automated system to handle bags, […]
IIoT-enabled pressure sensor reduces costly pneumatic system losses
Pressure losses in pneumatic systems can be costly and affect machine efficiency. The new Aventics PE5 pressure sensor from Emerson measures systems losses and will alert when the leakage rate exceeds a pre-determined value. This enables excessive leaks to be diagnosed early and addressed, before they become a major issue. The sensor has two digital […]
Custom pneumatic actuators available with fast turnaround
Proven IMI Norgren brand actuators can now be custom engineered with quicker quotes and lead times to meet specific needs for challenging pneumatic applications. By expanding engineering and support teams to work with distributors, Norgren delivers modifications to a variety of catalog pneumatic actuators and related products. Custom capabilities range from adapting existing products to […]
ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ actuator control options
ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ actuators are essential workhorses for machine and equipment motion. Here are some pointers about different styles for control and monitoring. Contributed by Pat Phillips, Product Manager, Fluid Power and Mechanical Product Division, AutomationDirect ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ actuators are commonly used in countless types of equipment and machinery because they provide a simple, cost-effective and durable way […]
Sauer Compressors introduces Orkan series
The Sauer Compressors portfolio is growing: With the Orkan series, Sauer celebrates the premiere of a versatile compressor range that combines a number of innovative technologies. The Orkan high-pressure compressors will be available in various designs and are suitable for the compression of many gases and for a wide range of applications. The new high-pressure […]
Vacuum-based soft gripper for handling sensitive, delicate objects
Piab has introduced a new soft gripping tool piSOFTGRIP, developed especially with food industry automation in mind. The vacuum-based soft gripper will grip sensitive and lightweight objects of odd geometries and/or an unusual surface. Bin-picking of small irregularly shaped objects, such as toys, is another potential application. piSOFTGRIP has three gripping fingers and a vacuum […]
Redesigned Wilkerson modular air preparation units from Parker Hannifin
Parker Hannifinβs ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ Division β North America is pleased to announce a new design for the Wilkerson 08/18/28 series of modular air preparation products effective June 1. The Wilkerson Series is Parkerβs line of compressed air treatment products including filters, regulators, lubricators and accessories. The Revision B updates to these products refresh the design for […]
Rethinking manual handling in the digital factory
Digitalization is on the rise in factories, and manual handling is no exception. Increasingly customized products go hand-in-hand with increasingly complex processes, and the way workers deal with goods needs to adapt. Intelligent handling devices play an important role in making this growing complexity manageable, according to the engineers at J. Schmalz GmbH, Glatten, Germany. […]
Festo rolls out inch series pancake cylinders
Festo has announced availability and support for the new DPC family of inch series compact βpancakeβ cylinders β high-force short-stroke cylinders designed for tight spaces. Two versions of these long-life cylinders are available β the DPCA for new machines and the DPCB for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) applications with βdrop-inβ compatibility to other manufacturers. […]
