A wine harvester has designed an autonomous 'steep slope' harvesting vehicle with igus energy chains.

Customers of igus are experiencing the benefit of the impressive properties of coatings with the company's low friction coatings range. For example, a steel sheet can be transformed into a low friction and wear-resistant plate. Or a metal component can be coated using iglidur ic-05 to become a blue-coloured, corrosion-resistant part that is FDA compliant and approved for use in the food industry.

Patrick Faulkner, lead engineer at Accu, looks at why understanding surface roughness is essential for manufacturers and engineers - not only to ensure functionality but also to optimise the longevity and reliability of the final product.

Southco has introduced a next-generation 4D Captive Screw, featuring a self-aligning knob and increased tolerance.

Siemens and Eplan will make engineering and production processes for customers in machine and line building more efficient. This will be achieved by both companies significantly expanding data interoperability between their offerings.

Essentra says it will be launching a new innovation in post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic materials next year to support manufacturers seeking to reduce the use of single-use plastics and deliver a more sustainable business operation.

Celera Motion has updated its Aura precision rotary and linear optical encoder range with a new packaged version. The new Aura P, available from INMOCO, is presented in a connection-ready PCBA (printed circuit board assembly), enabling fast and easy OEM integration.

Smart engineers with great ideas for using plastics are invited to apply for the 12th manus award 2025, the igus award for creative, ambitious and sustainable uses of plastic plain bearings. The competition has a strong sustainability focus, and the winners will receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money.

Demands on the precision drive system market, covering applications ranging from robotics through to medical implants, continue to push needs in precise control with more compact designs. maxon UK and Ireland's managing director, William Mason, explains how engineering support in the drive system market has developed - and where it's going.

When a motion control application requires an ultra-compact motor which delivers precision, power and silence in the tiniest package, MOONS' Industries offers the new PTX05 HPM Nano Step Motor which combines a hybrid stepper stator with a PM motor's rotor, all within the sleek form of a high-speed precision micro-BLDC motor.