Automation Articles for Manufacturers and Engineers

Yaskawa's GA501 is an ethernet-ready AC microdrive

Ethernet-Ready AC Microdrive

Yaskawa Introduces GA501 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 the article: Ethernet-Ready AC Microdrive

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

MODEX 2026 takes place April 13-16, 2026 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

MODEX 2026

MODEX is where manufacturing and supply chain professionals come together. Organizer MHI calls the event the world’s largest supply chain experience. From hands‑on product demonstrations to one-on-one meetings and a conference with four keynotes and nearly 200 sessions, visitors to MODEX 2026 can see the latest equipment and technology, learn the latest trends, connect with key suppliers and make strategic capital equipment buying decisions. Read the article: MODEX 2026

Antaira’s industrial PoE solutions are designed to stretch power and ethernet further on industrial sites that need to make do with less.

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

ROBOTICS

The Mantis MR-1 robot comes with 47 embedded safety standards and certification to ISO 10218 and ISO 13849.

Robots and Humans Working Together

Mantis Robotics announced the certification to ISO 10218 and ISO 13849 of its Mantis MR-1 flagship robot. According to the company, the MR-1 has become the first fenceless, high-speed industrial arm to receive these certifications. By integrating proprietary Physical AI, the MR-1 eliminates the traditional "safety vs. speed" compromise, allowing high-speed throughput in shared human workspaces without the need for physical barriers. Read the article: Robots and Humans Working Together

Igus has introduced self-serve shopping for their online store, RBTX.

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 the article: Igus Introduces Self-Serve Shopping to RBTX Online Store

 

MOTION CONTROL

ABB’s contactors and soft starters headlined the products RS will now be distributing on their behalf.

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 the article: ABB Partners With RS To Distribute Conveyor Belt Products

With digital twins for virtual commissioning, NORD supports their customers with quicker system availability, even for complex drive systems.

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 the article: NORD Introduces Digital Twin Capabilities

AI

Vention's GRIIP enables deployment of autonomous robot cells in highly unstructured manufacturing environments

How Generalized AI Can Transform Pick-and-Place Robotics

Instead of dedicated pick-and-place robots programmed for a single task, a new type of generalized artificial intelligence can allow for a more flexible and robust autonomous robotic implementation that scales across applications. Read the article: How Generalized AI Can Transform Pick-and-Place Robotics

The A8 is designed for advanced industrial manufacturing applications, with a particular focus on the rapidly evolving semiconductor manufacturing equipment market. Its high-performance architecture and flexible engineering environment make it ideally suited for industries requiring precision control, scalable integration, and accelerated development cycles.

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 the article: Yokogawa Introduces OpreX A8 Intelligent Edge Controllers