When Australian steelmaker InfraBuild needed two new circuit breakers to provide backup for its main electric arc furnace, ABB had the solution—its VD4-AF vacuum circuit breaker with an innovative servomotor actuation system that delivers more than five times the operations of a standard breaker, supporting greater reliability and safety as well as lower operational costs.
Consider the following scenario: guided by vision sensors, a robot spots a product on a moving conveyor, determines its exact position and, in one fluid motion, picks it up and places it into a waiting assembly, carrier tray, or shipping container. What human operators once found tiring—or at least tedious, the robot performs flawlessly, hour after hour, even long after its flesh-and-blood coworkers have gone home for the evening.
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The load limit diagram of a motor spindle serves to graphically represent the permissible operating range as a function of parameters such as rotational speed. It enables a quick assessment of the conditions under which the spindle can be operated safely and reliably without exceeding mechanical, thermal or dynamic limits. Such a diagram is a key tool for the design, selection and evaluation of spindle systems in mechanical engineering particularly in the field of machining where high demands are placed on precision, performance and service life.
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Bosch Rexroth continues to expand the ctrlX platform with new capabilities and automation enhancements. The control platform ctrlX COREplus is now available with AI functions on all performance levels. In the area of motion and drives, Bosch Rexroth is presenting compact, energy-efficient, and cabinet-free drives from the ctrlX DRIVE portfolio, which cover virtually all performance ranges. These are complemented by the Motion, CNC, and Robotics software ctrlX MOTION, which is ideal solution for automating production machines and systems. PTE recently had a great conversation with Garrett Wagg, product manager, controls at Bosch Rexroth on new developments in mobile robotics.
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Operating for long hours, under extreme loads, in high temperatures and dusty environments, ongoing wear is a significant challenge for open gears. This can lead to unplanned downtime and reduced equipment life—creating a barrier to effective operations. Leading mining and cement companies use advanced grease technology and technical inspections to help prevent open gear failure, optimize service life and ensure the smooth running of their operations.
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This paper examines the selection process, operation, maintenance practices, and state of a Sumitomo gearbox after over 24 years of operation. It is demonstrated that a quality product and careful consideration of all these factors are essential for a longer service life of the gearbox. Detailed information is provided on the operation of the gearbox, as well as the maintenance practices that should be taken to ensure its longevity. Finally, the paper examines the state of the gearbox after over two decades of use and how all these factors result in lowering carbon emissions.
The Houston Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia (TPS), still organized by the Turbomachinery Laboratory at Texas A&M University, will gather for the 52nd Turbomachinery and 39th Pump Symposium annual event from September 26–28, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
As industries adopt more automation, the demand for reliable and efficient pneumatic systems, which power everything from robotic arms to air-powered tools, continues to rise. However, despite their widespread
use, these systems often suffer from hidden inefficiencies. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings—Oxfordshire, U.K.) explores how an overlooked component, industrial bearings, can improve the
efficiency of pneumatic technologies.
Curious about the state of robotics and automation? A day or two at Huntington Place in Detroit this spring should clear everything up. Automate 2025 attendees might see robots serving coffee, robots maintaining shop floors, robots building other robots. We have officially crossed the threshold from future possibility to practical application.
The drive system choice is dependent on key motion features of your application. Lead screws offer self-locking capabilities, while ball screws require brakes to prevent back-driving. The choice between them hinges on efficiency, cost, precision, and speed, with the screw drives themselves paired with a linear guide for optimal performance.
Bellows couplings are commonly used in applications requiring precise rotation, high speeds, and dynamic motion transmission. With zero backlash and a high level of torsional stiffness, they offer clear performance advantages in many servo-driven systems.
The Simplicity self-lubricating linear plain bearings are built to last, and they will often out-perform and last longer than a traditional linear ball bearing. Called the “little red bearing” by loyal customers, they have been a popular replacement for failing ball bearings. Simplicity plain bearings will not catastrophically fail.
The difference between a smooth-running drive and constant headaches? The right timing belt and pulley plus a whole lot more. Discover what works, what doesn’t, and put your design skills to the test—engineer your best system yet!
Discover how Regal Rexnord’s Bauer™ PMSM gear motor helped a transportation company streamline inventory, cut energy use, and save $80,000 annually. Learn how this scalable solution delivers financial, operational, and sustainability gains across facilities.
With the goal of building a full lineup of actuators for every joint required in robot construction, Bonsystems has been developing robotic actuators and introducing the BCSA V4 Series. The BCSA Micro Series is a Cycloidal Micro Actuator designed specifically for robotic hands.
Mar 10, 2026
Igus has announced that it is the first supplier to qualify halogen-free chainflex TPE cables for IPA dry cleanroom classes 4 and 5 through the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA). This certification ensures customers in highly automated battery production receive energy supply solutions with a guaranteed service life of up to four years.
IKO International introduced its LCRB Series, which is an ultra-lightweight crossed roller bearing (CRB) series with an inner and outer ring construction that provides significant weight and energy savings for many low- to medium-precision applications. The LCRB Series features stamping press-formed inner and outer rings made of heat-treated chromium molybdenum steel sheets.
Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 4, 2026
Cleanpower 2026 (Houston) grows businesses by gathering key decision makers and stakeholders across the wind, solar, storage, hydrogen, and transmission industries for discussion, deal making, networking and a whole lot of fun.
Jun 15, 2026 - Jun 18, 2026
Mar 17, 2026 - Mar 18, 2026
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Power Transmission Engineering is THE magazine of mechanical components. PTE is written for engineers and maintenance pros who specify, purchase and use gears, gear drives, bearings, motors, couplings, clutches, lubrication, seals and all other types of mechanical power transmission and motion control components.
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