Joining & Assembly

Friction Stir Welding Robot Joins the Assembly Line

Piyush Upadhyay and his team at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a self-fixturing tool that can be attached to a robot, freeing friction stir welding from an anvil so it can be used with complex shapes.

Robot Works Inside E-Waste Recycling Facility

A researcher from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science is using robotics to improve e-waste recycling.

New on the Market

See what's new on the market, including Nikon Corporation's NEXIV VMF-K Series, a next-generation video measuring system; the surfaceCONTROL 3D snapshot sensors from Micro-Epsilon; InfraTec's INDU-SCAN base, a flexible and cost-effective thermography solution for use in industrial applications 24/7; Curtiss-Wright Actuation Division's Exlar® electric actuator product offerings; and more.

Origami-Inspired Shape-Shifting Transformer Bots

Inspired by the paper-folding art of origami, North Carolina State University engineers have discovered a way to make a single plastic cubed structure transform into more than 1,000 configurations using only three active motors. The findings could pave the way for shape-shifting artificial systems that can take on multiple functions and even carry a load. Read on to learn more.

Achieving Exceptional Precision with Air Bearing Motion Systems

Air-bearings and air bearing motion stages utilize a cushion of air to eliminate mechanical contact, thereby effectively mitigating common problems associated with traditional bearings such as friction, wear, vibration, hysteresis effects, and particle generation. Read on to learn more about their powers.

The Crucial Role of Bearings in the Humanoid Robotics Revolution

In the ever-evolving robotics landscape, achieving precise and seamless motion is paramount. While articulating joints enable a robot’s range of motion, bearings serve as the backbone, ensuring smooth and accurate movement. Particularly in humanoid robots where precision is non-negotiable, the selection of bearings becomes a critical engineering decision. Design engineers must consider the diverse range of robotic bearings, how backlash affects precision, and when to use seals to protect bearings from harsh environments.

Aligning Laser Antenna Optical Components for the LISA Space Mission

In January, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Science Program Committee approved the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, the first scientific endeavour to...

Managing the Evolution of the EV Charging Standard

Grayson Brulte, host of SAE’s Tomorrow Today podcast, interviewed Christian Thiele, Director, Global Ground Vehicle Standards, SAE International, and Dr. Rodney McGee, P.E. Chairman, SAE J3400 NACS Task Force, regarding the work of the J3400 Task Force. This Q&A is an abbreviated portion of that interview.

Achieving Automation Conveyor Positioning Accuracy

As manufacturing automation rapidly advances, conveyors are not only being used for transportation but also accurate material (or product) placement.

Viscosity Enables Complex Motions for Soft Robots

Untethered soft robots are poised to become even more agile and controlled.

Lightweight Crane Technology for the Moon

A prototype version could be demonstrated on a large cargo lunar lander.

Soft, Mechanical Metamaterials

Researchers produced a soft, mechanical metamaterial that can “think” about how forces are applied to it and respond via programmed reactions.

Soft Mate Lifting Device

This below-the-hook device enables gentle crane placement to decrease the risk of property damage.

New Products

Read about the new products for October 2022, including rotary encoders, precision gearboxes, a brushless servo motor, and more.

New Products

New Products from the August 2022 issue of Motion Design.

Making Automotive Assembly Lines Safer

The moving assembly line remains an integral piece of most automobile manufacturing.

New Products

Test servo drives, robot monitors, AC motors, and more

New on the Market: February 2022

Liquid-cooled workstations, universal amplifiers, hydrogen sensors, and more.

Soft, Mechanical Metamaterials

These “living machines” hold potential for applications from medical treatments to improving the environment.

New Products

Charger ICs, backup units, power supplies, and more.

Compact and Robust Connectors Prove Pivotal in CubeSat Deployment

Learn about the interconnects that are supporting today's miniature satellites.

Cheetah-Inspired Soft Robots

The robots move more quickly on solid surfaces or in the water than previous generations of soft robots.

New Products

Motors, suspension arms, slit couplings, and more.

Hand Guiding Robots

As more manufacturers implement robots, hand guidance tools and techniques will continue to expand in functionality and become even easier to use.

Hypoid Gears – A Long Way from Truck Axles to Motion Control

Hypoid gears have a growing presence in the industrial power transmission and motion control industries.

Can Material Choices Impact Gear Noise in a Vehicle?

A reader asks our industry expert:""Do the materials of construction have a big effect on gear generated noise?"