MILWAUKEE, WI — Rockwell Automation and Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. (DS SolidWorks) plan to broaden their work together by developing a joint mechatronic solution for machine builders that helps allow mechanical, electrical and controls design engineers to work together to analyze, optimize, simulate and select machine designs in a virtual design and production environment before […]
Science of learning to reinvent teaching techniques — including robot teachers and tutors
Two articles in July’s ‘Science’ journal discuss need for reinventing teaching techniques: Foundations for a New Science of Learning by Meltzoff and Dyslexia: A New Synergy Between Education and Cognitive Neuroscience by Gabrieli. Japan’s ATR has a new P-PIP to research projects to study robots that work (1) in a classroom environment to help people’s…
More than 7,000 U.S. UAV’s and more on order
Predators and Reapers, hand-launched Ravens and Shadows – all are part of the U.S.’s arsenal at work in Iraq and Afganistan. Sec of Defense Gates wants more UAV’s and has said the F-35 will be the last manned fighter aircraft. 40+ countries also are developing drones with an Iranian UAV shot down over Iraq a…
Top Ten Mechatronic Challenges – Follow the Sun
Edison was once heard to say he would ‘put his money on energy from the sun’. An interesting insight circa 1931. And it should come as no surprise to anyone in the engineering community that solar power is the “focus” of a lot of semiconductor, electronics and mechatronic attention. This could be for a number […]
For Internet Retailers, the Fulfillment Center is the Store
Zappos.com, Diapers.com and Quiet Logistics are all expanding their Kiva systems to deal with increased demand for fulfillment services and Walgreens is nearly doubling the size of its Kiva operation
Big Wind and the Absolute Cost of Technology
The American Wind Energy Association published results for last year’s spending on wind energy. The US spent $16.4B on new wind tubines and installed 8500 megawatts of generating capacity. That’s $1.93 million dollars per megawatt of capacity. That’s a lot of money. Especially when a megawatt of capacity of wind energy may only produce 300kW […]
Two Notable iRobot Spinoffs
The Droid Works receives $100k to develop tech to enable UAVs to navigate inside houses and buildings Heartland Robotics’ Rodney Brooks presented his roadmap for U.S. manufacturing before the Congressional Robotics Caucus
Accuriss™ Series Step Motors
LAGUNA HILLS, CA — USAutomation introduces the Accuriss™ Series of fully integrated and packaged intelligent step motors. Accuriss motors combine a 1.8° hybrid step motor with a microstep drive and an intelligent controller in one easy-to-mount package. Measuring only 1.1 inches across, the Accuriss 28 is capable of microstepping at up to 1,600 steps per […]
Program Practices for Packaging Robots
By Tom Jensen ELAU Packaging Solutions Schneider Electric Packaging robots execute tasks not found in other applications, so it would not suit to use program practices geared for an automotive or welding robot. Here’s a look at control strategies specific to packaging. What distinguishes a packaging robot from welding, material handling, painting and assembly robots, […]
Rescuing Auto Makers
Sandeep Kumar, Chief Executive Officer Microstaq Let’s face it; the auto industry has fallen behind the curve. Older mechanical systems that could have been converted to next-generation mechatronics still populate even the most technologically advanced vehicles. Why? Because older mechanical systems are safe (as in: low job risk), thoroughly engineered, completely market accepted, and perceived […]
Consider 3D Microstructures for Mechatronics Technology
By Luke Volpe Director of Engineering Metrigraphics Precision Components Dynamics Research Corporation Wilmington, Mass. 3D microstructures are electro-mechanical devices that bridge the gap between conventional manufacturing techniques and MEMS technology. As the drive to build smaller and more complex electro-mechanical devices or microdevices continues, design engineers struggle to bridge the gap between conventional micromachining techniques […]
Digital Prototyping in Mechatronic Design
By Keith Perrin AUTODESK Today’s manufacturers are using a mechatronics-based approach to integrate the electronic, mechanical, and software components of their increasingly complex products. Digital prototyping allows disparate engineering teams to work from a single digital model, saving time and reducing errors throughout the design process. The Autodesk solution for digital prototyping enables manufacturers to […]
Robotic Toys in the news
Bossa Nova Robotics introduces two new robotic toys based on technology from Carnegie Mellon’s Robotic Institute: Prime-8 and Penbo. Sega Toys‘ latest robotic cat has sensors so that it can react when petted and purrs when certain words are spoken. Jetta Company (Hong Kong) has acquired the assets and licenses to continue to manufacture the…
Car Wars?
For seventy years what was good for Detroit was good for America. The major auto makers could sell as many cars as they could make. And Americans were enthusiastic about the freedom offered by relatively inexpensive personal transportation. Since Henry Ford’s introduction of the mass produced Model T and John D. Rockefeller’s agreement to provide […]
Yaskawa Releases MotionWorks IEC Pro and MP2310iec
Waukegan, IL – Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. announces the release of MotionWorks IEC Pro and MP2310iec, important additions to the MotionWorks IEC / MP2000iec Product Series. MotionWorks IEC Pro MotionWorks IEC Pro is a new Integrated Development environment based on the IEC61131-3 international programming standard. MotionWorks IEC Pro is built upon the same code as […]
Energy Density and the Real Cost of Driving
Energy density by itself is not a sufficient measure of anything. It is only useful in a specific context. For example, one can refer to the energy density of battery technology. And that is an extremely useful comparison because the weight of the battery in an electric car is critical to its success. The General […]