The robots of today need one principal attribute: flexibility. Much of this flexibility comes courtesy of the end-of-arm tooling (gripper). Marcus Mazetti, global account manager at SMC, guides us through the factors to bearing in mind when selecting gripper technology.

Gerard Bush of motion specialist Inmoco compares the build versus buy approach for PCB-motion controllers.

Marcus Schneck, CEO of Norelem, explores the standard components that are already available to the engineering and manufacturing industry, that can push forward the creation of flexible solutions and facilitate prototyping and product development.

As more customers, governments and businesses look to reduce their environmental impact, sustainable manufacturing is becoming a higher priority. The experts at Essentra Components look at which green manufacturing technologies companies can use to help them meet their sustainability objectives.

MMC series electromagnetic clutches from jbj Techniques are designed for use with hydraulic pumps, many of which are used in marine winch drives. Typically flange or plate mounted, they engage and disengage the pump.

Touch panel products for the European market must comply with European directives and be CE certified. An essential requirement is that these products meet the requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), as the experts at Schurter explain.

Robots are gaining momentum in both traditional and new industries, with sectors in which robots had so far failed to get an ‘arm’ in the door now investigating automation out of sheer necessity. Schaeffler offers a number of innovations to support this growth.

When equipment has to be placed outdoors, it’s not just one factor that has to be considered. Unlike indoor applications there are so many more variables for outdoor enclosures that need to be taken into account, as the experts at Rittal explain.

Manufacturing’s recovery from the pandemic, combined with market trends and predictions for the next few years, all place increasing importance on digital transformation. Jason Andersen, vice president of strategy and product management at Stratus Technologies, highlights how Stratus solutions provide the foundation for transformation and where the company’s platforms fit in the IIoT space.

Having supplied end-of-arm tooling (EAOT) for automotive powertrain manufacturing and assembly for over 30 years, Zimmer Group is now at the forefront of the technological transition to electromobility, including the pro-active development of a number of modular solutions for EV vehicle manufacturing.