Motion Control
Automation is highly dependent upon motion control, including the mechanical components that drive industrial equipment. Motion control articles on this page will include subjects like servomotors, gearmotors, drive systems and much more.
North Hall Sneak Peak for Automate 2026
Automate 2026 comes to Chicago next week, and we’ve been hard at work digging through the lists of over a thousand exhibitors to find interesting products and opportunities to track down at the show. Last week, you got a sneak peak at the South Hall, and today, we’ll be exploring everything that will be happening at McCormick’s North Hall. Read More
Automate 2026 Preview: SAB’s Automation Cable Portfolio and Custom Solutions
If you’re an OEM in the market for a cabling solution for an automated product, you may want to look up SAB while you’re at Automate 2026. They’ll not only be showing off some of their wide-ranging portfolio of cabling solutions, but also will have experts on-site to talk shop about custom solutions that meet your specific needs. Read More
Automate 2026 Preview: Emerson’s Electric and Pneumatic Components
Emerson will be enticing OEMs with a broad range of displays at Automate 2026. Ranging from a ballpoint pen assembler to a hybrid machine using both electric and pneumatic components, Emerson is focused on expressing the full range of what’s possible with their broad catalogue of components. In addition, Emerson will be showing off several connected brands, including Aventics and Afag, that are core to their offerings. Read More
South Hall Sneak Peak for Automate 2026
Our editorial team has a full slate of appointments scheduled for four fun-filled days at Chicago’s McCormick Place for Automate 2026, which takes place June 22-25. Here’s just a sampling of what we’re going to see in the South Hall, and what we hope to learn… Read More
Grinding: Beyond Stationary Robots
Grinding and surface finishing of fabricated parts is one of the classic 3D (Dull, Dirty, Dangerous) applications that are perfect for robot automation. Unfortunately, automating the grinding of large fabrications means multiple robots and complex part repositioning, which add significant cost and extended cycle times while introducing new sources of variation in the process. At Automate 2026, Güdel will demonstrate how it is overcoming the limitations of traditional fixed-robot cells by adding two additional degrees of freedom to heavy-duty grinding applications. Read More
Simplifying the Control of Brushless DC Servomotors
Cardinal Kinetic will exhibit at Automate 2026, taking place June 22–25 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Visitors to Booth #1231 can evaluate how the InoWorx Motion Control Platform simplifies the implementation of motion control for machine builders, integrators, and OEMs. Read More
Nord Lays Out Step-by-Step Support for Wastewater Treatment
Nord recently published an explainer of how their various gear drives, frequency drives and more support every step of the wastewater treatment process. Their Maxxdrive industrial gear units featured heavily across every step of the process as a general workhorse, but other, more specialized products such as their Nordac Pro variable frequency drives also got a moment in the sun as Nord tackled everything from screening to sludge thickening. Read More
Faulhaber GPT Planetary Gearhead Line Expanded
Faulhaber has spent the past several months expanding their GPT planetary gearhead line with new application-specific configurations. The GPT family, which runs from 14 to 42 mm, is a general purpose product line that features up to six planetary gears per stage to achieve improved power density. Faulhaber has developed two GPT gearheads with plastic gearing to reduce noise and two with adjusted geometry designed to handle heavy-duty loads, widening the range of applications the line can handle. Read More
Balancing Speed and Safety: How Aluminum Couplings are Changing Electric Drive Testing
Based on the ROBA DS steel disk pack coupling, Mayr Power Transmission has developed a weight-optimized aluminum variant with unchanged performance density. The coupling is compatible with all common torque transducers as standard. Read More
Monitoring Safety Among Traffic and Industrial Sites
Whether on the yard of a logistics center, along the perimeter of an airport, or in an industrial park, these areas do not follow standard traffic rules. At the same time, they are highly sensitive: vehicles often move near to pedestrians, forklifts, or machinery. A moment of inattention, combined with excessive speed, can have serious consequences, from personal injury to production downtime and high costs. For safety reasons, vehicle movements on industrial and traffic sites are increasingly monitored automatically. Read More
Altech Releases New Vibration-Resistant Terminal Block
Altech has released a new terminal block designed to help manage complications that stem from vibrating machinery such as connection failures and damaged wires. Targeting heavy-duty applications where such machinery is common, the STH5 is a no-nonsense solution built to solve these issues with minimal fuss and assembly. Read More
Precision Miniature Bearings for Humanoid Robotics
The rise of humanoid robotics is transforming light and heavy industrial manufacturing as well as logistics, healthcare and service automation. These advanced robotic systems are designed to replicate human movement with precision, flexibility, and repeatability. To accomplish this, every internal component must operate with exceptional accuracy. One of the most critical components making this possible is the precision miniature and ultra-thin bearing. Read More
Faulhaber Releases New DualGear Drive Solution
Faulhaber’s most recent release is a remix that’s more than the sum of its parts. The DualGear, a combination of Faulhaber’s existing BX4 brushless motor and GPT planetary gearhead lines, is being marketed towards the conveyor and logistics industries. Specifically, Faulhaber is targeting compact designs that need to do more with less space by pitching a drive capable of executing multiple synchronous movements alone. Read More
ABB offers magnet-free IE6 motor for hazardous areas
ABB announced its IE6 Hyper–Efficiency motor, which is certified to ATEX and IECEx requirements for use in hazardous areas. The new motor, based on ABB's magnet- and rare earth-free synchronous reluctance (SynRM) technology, offers up to 60 percent lower energy losses than the IE3 induction motors commonly used in Zones 1 and 2. This enables operators to realize a major boost in energy efficiency and avoided carbon emissions in industries where gas, vapor or dust might be present, such as chemicals, marine, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals and food & beverage. Read More
Tolomatic to Showcase Linear Actuators at Automate 2026
Tolomatic, Inc. will showcase its advanced electric actuation technologies at Automate 2026, June 22-25, Booth #120. Tolomatic´s electric and servo linear actuators are designed to replace legacy hydraulic systems, providing benefits including improved performance, maintenance and operational data capture. Read More
A Million Drives and Counting
In the demanding field of humanoid robotics, strain wave reducers serve as the critical joint mechanisms. These drives dictate the absolute motion accuracy, torque density, and operational lifespan of the robot. As humanoid technology transitions from laboratory prototypes to practical applications, the demand for highly reliable and lightweight precision gearing has surged. Read More
Schaeffler Partners with VinDynamics on Humanoid Robots
Schaeffler and VinDynamics, part of Vietnam’s Vingroup conglomerate, have agreed on a strategic partnership for humanoid robotics. The partnership centers on the development and supply of planetary gearboxes. These are central components of actuators that function as muscles and joints and enable humanoid robots to move. Under the partnership, the two companies will also jointly collect robot- and application-related data. They will use this data to help improve actuator design and performance and pave the way for future services, such as predictive maintenance. Read More
Cognex Releases In-Sight 6900 Vision Controller
Cognex’s newest product, the In-Sight 6900 vision controller, is being marketed towards users who want more flexibility in their imaging systems. Using Nvidia tech, it also features AI edge processing capabilities up to 157 TOPS. Read More
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
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
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
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
Hannover Messe 2026
Automation is the key to efficiency and competitiveness. At HANNOVER MESSE, the focus is on intelligent systems, sensor technology, and networked control technologies, as well as PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, motion control, industrial PCs, embedded systems, and electric drives. These technologies ensure quality and enable intelligent, networked processes—across industries and with an eye to the future. Read More
Nord to Exhibit at Modex 2026
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has announced their participation in MODEX 2026. From April 13–16 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, NORD will showcase their latest advancements in high-efficiency gear motors, intelligent electronic control products, and modular automation solutions designed to optimize throughput and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Attendees are invited to visit Booth B14136 to talk with experts and discover how NORD’s decentralized technology is redefining reliability in modern warehousing and distribution centers. 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
Ethernet-Ready AC Microdrive
Yaskawa America's new GA501 AC drive includes embedded dual-port Ethernet capability and the ability to connect via EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/IP, EtherCAT, BACnet/IP, or MECHATROLINK-4. The drive also comes with standard DIN rail mounting for up to 7.5 HP, and spring-tension I/O terminals. With support for all major industrial Ethernet protocols and topologies, the GA501 eliminates the need for additional hardware, reduces installation time, and simplifies system design. Read More
Kollmorgen Expands Hazardous Location Portfolio with AKME Servo Motors
Kollmorgen introduced the AKME Series of hazardous location servo motors with ATEX and IECEx global certification for use in locations that require Zone 2 and Zone 22 ratings. Built on the established performance, quality and reliability of the AKM servo motor platform, the AKME series allows machine builders to achieve new standards of compact, versatile performance in environments involving ignitable gases or dusts. Read More
Software, Motion Control and Robotics Combine for CNC Precision
On paper, a robot is just a set of joints and motors. On a production floor, however, it becomes something entirely different. CNC Solutions in Belgium learned that the hard way years ago, when teach-in methods that worked for simple pick-and-place began to crumble under CNC-class workloads. In milling, sanding, laser or plasma cutting paths, the motion isn’t a few hundred points; it’s millions. 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
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
Automate 2026
Automate brings together more than 50,000 engineers, operators, executives, educators, students, and innovators from across 90+ industries. More than 1,000 exhibitors will display the latest technologies in automation solutions, including AI, robotics, motion control, vision systems and more. The event also includes more than 100 conference sessions and more than 200 expert speakers for a four-day event at Chicago's McCormick Place, June 22-25 Read More
NORD Introduces Digital Twin Capabilities
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has introduced digital twins for system development. This innovative technology allows engineers to verify early in the planning process whether the drive concept is suitable for the system, even complex systems, significantly reducing the project timeline and achieving greater efficiency and availability. 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
More Torque with Fewer Magnets
AMKmotion has launched its new DIP series of synchronous servo motors. Delivering up to three times the acceleration of comparable drives, they combine high power density with a compact footprint. The integrated reluctance torque component significantly reduces the use of rare-earth materials. Read More
Yokogawa Introduces OpreX A8 Intelligent Edge Controllers
The semiconductor manufacturing industry continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, driven by rapidly increasing precision requirements and growing system complexity. As equipment configurations and control targets diversify, engineers are often required to modify or completely rewrite control software to accommodate new specifications or design changes. Because traditional controllers tightly couple software behavior to hardware, even small adjustments can lead to lengthy redevelopment cycles, slowing innovation and delaying equipment rollout. To overcome these limitations, Yokogawa has introduced a mechanism that enables software development centered on data rather than hardware dependencies. This architecture allows the control software to seamlessly absorb variations in equipment design, functionality, and operating conditions. Read More
Latest Embedded PCs from Beckhoff Enable More Complex Automation and Control
Beckhoff's latest embedded PCs offer multi-core CPUs, increased memory and 1Gbit interface to offer more computing power for ultra-compact controls for complex automation tasks. Read More
New Servo Drive Opens New Possibilities for AI, Predictive Maintenance
The new ACOPOS M4 from B&R combines is designed for challenges such as predictive maintenance, scalability and machine performance. A new embedded system enables the implementation of predictive maintenance, allowing problems to be detected before they lead to costly errors. In addition, the ACPOPOS M4 provides compatibility with the open-source OPC UA FX protocol for a secure key technology for industrial communication networks, enabling real-time communication in the industrial environment. Read More
Stainless Electromechanical Axes from Festo Suited for Cleanroom Automation
High rigidity and high guide load capacity combine with powerful drive elements to offer high feed forces and accelerations for shorter cycle times and a long service life in the new ELGD axis family from Festo. A stainless steel cover strip is friction-free on the outside and does not allow any particles to form there, making the ELGD axes suitable for use in cleanrooms and future-oriented industries such as renewable energies, the production of electric vehicles, the manufacture of batteries and the semiconductor industry. Read More
Schaeffler Highlights Automation Solutions at CES 2026
Schaeffler presented its comprehensive motion technology portfolio at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 (CES) beginning January 6 in Las Vegas. The exhibition highlights intelligent motion components and systems that address key industry challenges across humanoid robotics, energy generation, industrial automation, and vehicle technology. Read More
