Joining & Assembly

Processors, imaging sensors, dimensioning systems, and more.

Various components are used to assemble robots that are more aware of their surroundings.

Loosely connected disc-shaped “particles” can push and pull one another, moving together to transport objects.

Manufacturers in almost every industry are looking to design lighter parts. Here are five lightweighting strategies.

An upgraded mini robot can leap over obstacles with ease.

If a satellite breaks in orbit, there's not much that can be done. A professor envisions a new idea for refueling and repair.

“Cobots” allow companies of almost any size to automate processes that were previously out of reach.

Researchers have developed a self-contained wheel unit that combines a wheel and an electric motor.

The ESA has commissioned its industry partners to design a new docking system called the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM).

Actuators, Encoders, Gripping Tools, and More

Salty air the Dutch city of Harlingen causes exposed metal parts to corrode.

This retractable de-orbit device facilitates targeted re-entry, attitude and orbital control, and collision avoidance.

Our expert examines the pros and cons of welding, adhesives, and other metal joining methods.

A team in Germany has a quicker, cleaner approach to welding metal to plastic: The HPCI® Joining Gun.

For decades, robots in controlled environments like assembly lines have been able to pick up the same object over and over again. More recently, breakthroughs in computer vision have enabled...

A team of inventors found a fast way to join plastic to metal.

Machine vision systems shed light on processes too small or too fast to see with the human eye.

Between walking and running, human gaits can cover a wide range of speeds; for example, at low speeds, the metabolic rate of walking is lower than that of running in a slow jog....

Permeable concrete, quick disconnects, and more

While most cars today run on 12-volt DC batteries, cars in the future will run on 48 volts. This increased voltage could affect ball bearing performance.

An automated system designs and 3D-prints complex robotic parts that are optimized according to an enormous number of specifications. The system fabricates actuators — devices that mechanically...

Scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory have devised a new process for using nano-particles to build powerful lasers that are more efficient and safer for...

In order to qualify miniature springs, manufacturers of these systems rely on commercially available testers that are designed for large-scale springs (>0.5" diameter). Commercially available spring...

Data Recorder

DATAQ^® Instruments, Akron, OH, announced the DI-4718B data recorder for applications that require signal conditioning. It can accommodate up to eight DI-8B-style amplifiers...