Alex Cannella

Senior Editor

Alex Cannella, Senior Editor

Alex Cannella is a writer with more than a decade of experience covering software, automation, gears and other manufacturing and engineering topics, including a five-year stint at Power Transmission Engineering, a magazine focused on industrial motion control and mechanical power transmission components.

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Articles Edited by Alex Cannella

Hiwin Launches New UR Roller Guides With Improved Precision and Load Capacity

In what Hiwin called a “genuine performance booster for demanding applications,” the company recently touted their newest line of roller guides, the UR series. They have positioned the new product as a direct upgrade over their past roller guides, with better static load capacity, dynamic load capacity, and service life. Read More

Schaeffler’s Ewellix EMA-80M Linear Actuator Designed for Patient Tables and Operating Tables

Firmly fixed on the medical industry, Schaeffler has added to their Ewellix line with the EMA-80M, a new, powerful linear actuator capable of pushing at a force of 20,000 Newtons. All that strength is being harnessed so that the EMA-80M can support a medical table solo, whereas most solutions require two. Among numerous other features, Schaeffler’s hope is to simplify the design of these products, and thus help manufacturers’ bottom line. Read More

Comau and Reis Robotics Sign a Cooperation Agreement To Pursue Advanced Automation Projects Across Multiple Industries

In a deal designed to bring the two companies’ diverse specialties together, Comau and Reis Robotics have agreed to pool their expertise to further develop automation solutions across manufacturing. Among other details, Comau brings a wide robotics portfolio to the table, while Reis Robotics is lending their proprietary control technology. Read More

Tolomatic Doubles Force Capacity of RSX Linear Actuators With New RSX50

Tolomatic’s RSX line of linear actuators, an electronic alternative for hydraulic solutions being marketed towards metalforming, timber processing, and injection molding applications, gained a new entry, the RSX50. More than just a new size with a little more raw power, the RSX50 doubles the line’s previous best for power density. It delivers 50 tons of force in almost the same package as the RSX25. Read More

Laser Marking Systems, Image Readers and Modex: Datalogic’s Busy Month

With a busy month leading up to Modex, Datalogic has shined a spotlight on several new products both recent and upcoming designed for the logistics and packaging industries. Here is a roundup of the half dozen newest products they’re highlighting. Read More

Nord Delivers Heavy-Duty Industrial Gear Units, Motors, and Controls for Mining Applications

Nord recently highlighted what they’re doing for the mining industry, focusing on high output torque, energy efficiency, and intelligent variable frequency drives. Read More

Maxolution Introduces Standardized Mobile Robotic Platform With Contactless Charging

Maxolution has released the Mobile Robot Platform 1600, a new pallet-carrying robot with a focus on scalability and smooth integration into your existing industrial operation. A majority of the equipment’s advertised features run along these lines, but Maxolution also took the time to talk about its contactless charging system, payload capacity, and safety features. Read More

More Speed with IO-Link: Five Practical Tips for Engineers

Thomas Langer, project manager of connectivity at Baumer, explored some of their technology’s lesser-known benefits. This technical report uses practical examples to show how users can make the most of digital interface benefits. Read More

Safe Torque Off Is Being Embraced Industry-Wide

Servo drive manufacturers have coalesced around a new status quo: Safe Torque Off. After a decade of development, the technology has become widely recognized as the standard in workplace safety; cheaper, safer, and more compact than the competition. If you’re working to meet modern standards for workplace safety today, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to start here. Read More

Nord Expands IE5+ Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Line with Larger Model, Additional Horsepower

Nord has introduced a new size 112 model to their line of IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motors. This product line focuses primarily on energy efficiency, and thus cost savings, but they are expanding the line to handle bigger, more torque-intensive tasks with a larger model. Read More

Beyond the Cable Run: Industrial PoE Solutions Built for the Remote Edge

Remote industrial applications such as oil fields and mining operations rarely enjoy comprehensive infrastructural support. Whether operating outside, temporary, or running lean, these operations need solutions that can work outside the fully optimized and controlled environment of a fully operational factory in the heart of a city. Antaira has a solution. Read More

Kvaser Releases Kvaser Edge Computing Platform for Automotive and Industrial Data Analysis

Kvaser announced the release of the Kvaser Edge, an open, secure Linux‑based edge computing platform that transforms how automotive and industrial teams collect, process, and act on data. Designed for harsh environments and real‑time performance, Kvaser Edge runs analytics directly where data is generated: on the vehicle, test bench, or machine. Read More

ABB Partners With RS To Distribute Conveyor Belt Products

While announcing that service solutions provider RS would now carry their line of conveyor products, ABB touted their contactors and soft starters. Both product lines are part of a unified message: reduce energy costs and wear and tear by using gentler products. Read More

Igus Introduces Self-Serve Shopping to RBTX Online Store

Igus’s robotics storefront, RBTX, has started offering self-serve shopping. Previously, RBTX would not allow customers to purchase components without first checking that they were compatible, a safeguard to prevent costly mistakes when purchasing components worth thousands. For those who wish to skip that, Igus has lowered the guardrails to let industry experts quickly order parts the same as they would most anywhere else. Read More

ASRock Releases New System Management Software, AiSMA

ASRock has moved to support their IoT controller line, the Industrial Robust Edge AIoT Platform, with a new software suite that runs on Redfish. AiSMA, their new system management software, is a straightforward method for existing customers to tackle system security and management, as well as an important signal that they will actively continue to support their products with value-added software. Read More

IDS Receives Trumpf Supplier Award for Innovation

After developing a new modular camera platform and “flexible technology architecture,” IDS received an award for excellence from tech client Trumpf for going “above and beyond the everyday.” Read More

Peak-System Technik Releases PCAN-Explorer Version 7

Peak-System Technik released a new major update for their flagship Controller Area Network (CAN) communication software. The major headline is support for CAN XL, an increasingly popular communication standard for vehicle buses, but also included are a number of quality of life changes — and promises about what won’t. Read More

Nord To Feature Mainline Electric Motors and Gear Units at GEAPS Exchange 2026

Nord gave a brief preview of what they'll be bringing to GEAPS Exchange 2026, a prominent trade show for the grain industry in North America. Their Maxxdrive line of high torque gear units will be front and center at their booth. Accompanying them will be several helical bevel gear units, electric motors, and a screw conveyor package, all highly customizable to tackle various environmental conditions. Read More