Stepper motors are at the heart of precision motion control, powering everything from robotics to medical devices. But achieving optimal performance and longevity starts with choosing the best motor for the job. Here, Dave Walsha, director of sales and marketing at EMS, offers his guidance on selecting the right stepper motor.

IO-Link as a global standard for smart sensor integration opens up a wide range of possibilities for customers in automation. And this is exactly where SICK comes in. The new SIG300 IO-Link Master from SICK combines flexibility, connectivity and user-friendliness, making it a crucial component for efficient automation tasks.

SICK Sensor Intelligence has launched the PBST touchscreen pressure sensor. Building on and complementing the company's existing range of high accuracy, reliable and robust pressure sensors/switches, the PBST multifunctional IO-Link sensor is SICK's first ceramic cell pressure measurement sensor, delivering suppression of pressure spikes and surges, as well as corrosion resistance.

In mechanical engineering, there are often several variants of a machine that differ in terms of their range of functions, configuration, and topology of the connected devices. The I/O Connection Manager in the LASAL automation software from SIGMATEK ensures that communication between the control and the connected I/O is flexible and scalable.

Machine builders are beginning to implement artificial intelligence (AI) for a variety of tasks, such as predictive maintenance and control systems. If AI is used within control systems, there can be safety implications. For example, AI might determine how a robot reacts when a person enters its operating zone. Derek Coulson, compliance specialist at Hold Tech Files, explains.

maxon has enhanced its ESCON2 speed and current controller with CANopen communications. The update is available with new firmware and applies to controllers already in use as well as new products. ESCON2 operates with DC and brushless DC (BLDC) motors. Additional firmware developments have also improved the device's speed control capabilities.

Schneider Electric has outlined how industrial automation can be transformed using EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin and robotics to drive efficiency and long-term sustainability.

In the world of robot manufacturing, efficiency has always been king. Faster cycle times, greater precision and maximum output have long dictated how industrial robots are designed. But today, a new measure of success is emerging: sustainability. Here, Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics, explores three key factors shaping sustainable robot design.

ADS Uptime from Leine Linde, part of the HEIDENHAIN Group, provides a condition monitoring system for encoders, offering unparalleled flexibility through wireless service check-ups or connections via ADS Link. This system ensures you have maximum access to data and diagnostics.

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) play a crucial role in enhancing pump systems by significantly improving their efficiency. These devices manage the speed of the pump motors, allowing for better control and reduced energy consumption, as the experts at Lenze explain.